From the Principal
As we fast approach the end of Term 1, I would like to reflect on what has been a very busy start to the school year and also update you on some important changes as we look forward to an even more successful Term 2.
Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your continued support. As the new Principal to the College, I feel blessed at the opportunity to lead such a wonderful College and I am very much looking forward to meeting with you throughout the year as COVID restrictions ease and we are able to invite parents back onsite. Please be assured we are exploring ways to re-engage with the College community, some of which are mentioned below.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful staff for their commitment to the learning, teaching and wellbeing of the students. Despite the difficulties that the staff faced in Term 1, I am particularly proud of the achievements this term and look forward to continuing to build a strong culture that promotes a love of learning as our priority.
Term 1 Reports
The St Augustine's Term 1 reports are now available to view via our Parental Access Module (PAM). I would urge all parents to have a conversation with their child/ren regarding their reports and their learning goals for the year. To offer additional feedback regarding your child's learning growth, a Subject Teacher Conversation afternoon/evening has been planned for Thursday 5th May. Parents can book an appointment to meet with their child's subject teachers from 9.00am today, Friday 8th April.
Easter Liturgy and Year Group Masses
With COVID restrictions easing across Victoria, it gives me great pleasure to begin providing opportunities for our staff, students and parents to participate in liturgical celebrations. Our Whole School Easter Liturgy was held today. I thank Kylie Morrissey, Kylie McGlade and Loretta Shannon for their preparation of the Liturgy.
I am also pleased to announce that St Augustine's will begin weekly Year Group Liturgies starting in Term 2. This will begin with our Foundation and Year 12 students coming together to celebrate our Catholic Faith and our Catholic Identity on Thursday 28th April. Parents are most welcome to attend.
Mothers’ Day Breakfast
Our ‘Wonder Woman's Breakfast’ in celebration of Mother’s Day and our amazing mothers and grandmothers of St Augustine's College, will be held on the College grounds outside St Augustine's Church, on Monday 9th May beginning at 8.00am. In addition to breakfast, I would also like to invite our Foundation to Year 4 parents and grandparents to join their child(ren) for a Mother’s Day Liturgy in the Church, beginning at 9.10am followed by the opportunity to visit your child(ren)’s classroom. Please RSVP using the link: Wonder Woman's Breakfast and complete the form for catering purposes by Monday 2nd May.
Family Community Partnerships Program
To strengthen the relationship between parents and the College, St Augustine’s College is seeking to re-engage our Family Community Partnerships program. The aim of the Family Community Partnerships framework is to build sustainable and effective partnerships between all members of the school community, including school leaders, staff, families and students. Kylie Morrissey, our Deputy Principal (Catholic Identity and Community) will communicate with parents via the College newsletter early next term seeking interested parents to become involved in this initiative.
College Advisory Committee
In addition to the Family Community Partnerships program, I also invite interested parents to join the College Advisory Committee. As a member of the Advisory Committee, parents are able to provide a voice to the leadership of the College, actively support our vision and Catholic identity, provide input into and support for strategic planning and school improvement as well as supporting the Principal in meeting responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting. Expressions of interest for the Advisory Committee can be forward to principal@sakyabram.vic.edu.au.
Staff Farewells
It is with great sadness that we farewell Jake Kelly, one of the Wellbeing Officers of the College. In saying farewell, I would like to share a quote from a letter that I received signed by students upon the announcement of Jake leaving us. I quote, "Jake has done so much for all of us in his role, improving our mental and physical health more than we can explain. If it was not for Jake, we can confidently say that we would not be the people we are today." On behalf of the St Augustine's Community, we wish Jake the very best in his new adventure. Replacing Jake is Kelsey Black. Kelsey brings a wealth of experience to St Augustine's. She is currently employed at Primary Care Connect as a Youth Outreach worker. Prior to this appointment, Kelsey worked at UnitingCare Goulburn North East as a Youth Coach and Case Manager.
We also farewell Breeanna Guerra and Amy Wheeler. Both Breeanna and Amy are leaving us for the remainder of the year on maternity leave. We wish Breeanna and Amy the very best and we look forward to meeting the new additions to their family. Breeanna and Amy's maternity leave has resulted in a change to our current timetable. To replace Breeanna, Rachael Partridge will be moving to the Years 5 - 6 Learning Community on Monday and Tuesdays. Renae Dickens has kindly offered to work an additional day (Monday to Thursday) and we welcome back Hannah Smith from maternity leave who will take the Years 3 - 4 classes on Friday.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the St Augustine’s Community a happy and Holy Easter holiday. May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.
God Bless
Jay Sutton
Principal