Principal Reflections
A Short Message from Dr Jake
Dear Parents & Friends,
What Makes a Great School?
During this time in Term Three we turn our attention to planning for the next academic year. Three key questions guide our discussions; "How are we going? Where are we going? How will we get there?" These questions challenge us to think about ourselves and, more importantly, about our children. After all, the school exists to educate the children and to help them reach their full potential - academically, socially, culturally, physically and spiritually.
As I meet with parents I often ask their thoughts on our school and what they want from St Edward's. Invariably their responses are:
- Committed, happy and effective teaching staff
- A safe school environment
- Intellectual and emotional growth fostered by the school
- Strong home/school communication
- A fun and supportive school environment
- To be involved and ‘kept in the loop’
When I ask the question “What do you want for your child/ren ?”, the responses usually fall under these responses:
- to be safe at school
- to be encouraged to do their best and achieve to their potential
- to have the best teachers who love them
- to enjoy while being educated, love, give, be happy
- happiness, good health, good friends, know how to be a good friend, inner happiness
- to learn how to be loving and generous
- happy with themselves, high self-esteem
- accepting their “humanity”, failures, etc as a part of life
- to be respectful of others but not fearful of them
- to be self-confident
What do YOU want for your child? I’m sure that you have given this some thought over the years. I’m sure, too, that it is ongoing ... an updating of some of these things. Perhaps you can add some other thoughts to these. I also wonder, how does this compare to what the children want? I wonder how the two lists would compare ... if they do!
As we are preparing for 2023, if you know of anyone wishing to be part of the St Edward's family, please ask them to collect an enrolment form and submit it ASAP. (We do have some vacancies in our primary grades).
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us as we are only too happy to help.
Peace & Best Wishes
Dr Jake Madden
(Principal, St Edward's Primary School)