Mrs Ryan's Fortnightly Reflections

Welcome back to school everyone - we have returned at the approximate halfway point in the term. It was sensational to see all of the students return yesterday and many of our parents. It was great to have a coffee, catch up, reconnect and share many inspirational stories from our recent community challenges. As much as these times have been difficult the sense of pride to be actively helping in the community has been overwhelming. 

Our students are definitely growing to be flexible, adaptable and resilient members of our school and greater community. Every class yesterday began with prayer and circle time where our students shared how they were feeling and the open and varied experiences with our local floods. There was so many shared stories, hopeful and purposeful experiences that our students will remember for a lifetime. St Mary’s will continue to speak openly around these experiences as we recognise that many have a long recovery ahead. If any family needs support or help, please come and see me. St Mary’s is a wealth of support and connected to many resources that may be of benefit at this time. Please be sure to review our last newsletter for families who are eligible to access government grants due to the recent floods. 

A few school events and celebrations have had to be canceled recently and unfortunately some will not be rescheduled this year as we no longer have the time. We were so saddened to cancel our Grandparents day celebration but look forward to hosting a bigger and better one next year! If your child(ren) were scheduled to take part in sports, camps or excursions in over the past weeks, year level teachers will be in touch soon as to whether or not they will be rescheduled before the years ends. 

This week we temporarily farewell the Emonson family. The Emonson family are spending the next twelve months in the NT where Jane will nurse in across the skyes and plaines. We know this will be a once in a lifetime expereince and we wish the family safe travels and an amazing time! 

St Mary’s 2023 journey has begun and we are slowly seeing the finalisation of staffing for next year. In the coming weeks all students will be asked to share with their teachers two to three preferences of learning peers that they would like to go into next year with. This is to ensure we are nurturing a recognition of learning responsibility while providing our students with student voice and agency. In a school this size, this will be an incredible task yet one we are determined to do. Our students will be guaranteed one peer to go into next year out of their selection. I ask parents to trust and respect this process in readiness for a fabulous year ahead. 

Thank you to our parent community for allowing us our two recent closure days. One day allowed our staff a report writing day and the other allowed us to begin our Restorative Teaching, Restorative Practices with Real schools. This journey is a whole school initiative which provides a unified approach to behaviour and positive school culture. The staff and families will be educated in this area and can expect that this is how behaviours are approached and problem solved. As the learning continues, I look forward to inviting parents along for information sessions also. 

Please over the coming weeks pop into school and say hi, check in with your child’s class teacher as often as you can. We welcome our parents on site and hope it can be a place where people can reconnect at this time. 

Take care, stay well, stay safe and God Bless. 

Jasmine Ryan 

Principal