Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers

Living Well Learning Well 

Last newsletter I discussed the work we are doing to embed the new framework for our students across our Diocese, Living Well Learning Well. This document sets out a philosophy underpinning our ideals and values. Parents and Carers play a vital role in supporting your child/children to meet these ideals to ensure our school is one where every student is safe, valued, respected and cared for and is a learner. I encourage you all to read this document especially the Rules for Living on pages 18 -19. You can access the document here. 

This document highlights the responsibility we all share for the wellbeing and development of our young people. It needs all of us to work together to attain our vision. So what can you do as a parent/carer? Instead of asking how was school today, use some of the these questions:

What are you learning?

Why are you learning this?

How are you going?

How do you know?

How can you improve?

Where do you go for help?

(Sharratt)

These questions are used by staff to delve into students' understanding of the learning process and are a good way to deepen the learning. As a parent/carer, these questions will give you an insight into what is happening for your daughter/son in the learning process.

Take the time to talk to your daughter/s/son/s about their learning. Encourage them to participate fully in the opportunities available in our O’Connor community, a community founded on faith and focused on learning.

Activities Fair 

On Tuesday 16th February, we held our activities fair where students could sign up for a range of extra curricula activities. Some of the many activities on offer were Vinnies, Z-Club, music, drama, chess and many different sports. Teachers volunteer to run these many different activities to cater for a range of students’ interests. The response from the student body was overwhelming and a big thankyou to our Ms Roache and the LYMs, Brydie, Caitlin and Georgia who ran the fair.

Why is it important for students to join clubs and participate in school events? Research has shown that students’ sense of belonging is linked to many long-term educational benefits including school completion. When students feel a sense of belonging, students’ engagement in their learning is enhanced. This is especially true for important transition times in a student’s education, when they start secondary school, when they change school or when they move into senior school. If students have a strong sense of belonging, they will see the benefit of school even when they find the work hard. Encourage your son or daughter to make the most of the opportunities available at O’Connor to participate in extra curricula activities to build their sense of belonging. 

Lent

Ash Wednesday was on Wednesday 17th February and we enter into the season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting and giving in preparation for Easter. There are a number of ways we can prepare ourselves for Easter during this Lenten Season  including:

• Put something ‘violet coloured’ up at home to remind the family of 40 days of Lent.
• By giving up something we like and putting the money toward Project Compassion (boxes will be distributed to students).

What new learning will you undertake this week?

Regina Menz