Principal's News

Journeying Together in Christ

Significant developments continue to unfold within the domain of Teaching and Learning.

School Improvement

On Tuesday, we welcomed our School Improvement Leader (SIL) as part of our ongoing partnership with Catholic Education Sandhurst (CESL). Each school is supported by a CESL representative, and during this visit, we commenced the initial stages of developing our Strategic Plan for 2026–2030. This includes shaping our 2026 Annual Action Plan, which will focus on sustaining and enhancing key priorities:

Continued growth in student and staff learning outcomes
Consistent and high-quality curriculum delivery
Strengthening our Catholic identity

While these areas have been central to our efforts throughout 2025, we are now preparing to implement more refined and impactful strategies to elevate our progress even further. As previously communicated, our guiding principle remains the Sandhurst education approach, which prioritises outstanding learner growth. This commitment will be closely aligned with spiritual formation, recognising the vital role our schools play in the mission of the Church.

We remain united as one system—one ecosystem—comprised of diverse, unique, and deeply valued centres of learning.

On Wednesday Chris Summers (DP) and myself travelled to Wangaratta to unpack our Catholic Identity data.

This year, 22 schools participated in the Catholic Identity surveys as part of a three-year cycle. Our school explored four key dimensions of Catholic Identity, engaging in meaningful dialogue around belief systems—such as literal and post-critical belief—and deepening our understanding of scripture in contemporary contexts.

The insights gathered will be shared with staff and used to inform the development of our Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, ensuring our continued growth as a faith-filled learning community.

On Thursday we welcomed a team from MultiLit to check in with our F-2 classrooms and some intervention sessions led by leadership or LSOs. I called a quick staff meeting Thursday afternoon because immediate feedback is the best. Our staff are doing well and are well led by our entire leadership team.

Panel Feedback Highlights

The recent panel visit provided valuable insights:

Strengths Noted:

A calm and focused learning environment
Teachers’ tone and presence promote calmness while retaining personality
Consistent curriculum delivery
Strategic use of visual displays and TV screens
Effective use of learning time with minimal interruptions
Attentive observation of student responses

Suggestions for Improvement:

When appropriate, use TVs for clearer PDF display, rather than A4/A3 hardcopy
Reduce correction time during group work to maintain flow (I do, We do, You do)
Consider purchasing wireless clickers to support teacher mobility

These reflections will guide our continued growth and refinement in teaching practice.

During the remaining three weeks of Term 3, we have the following:

CESL data day (Principal & DP) Tuesday 2 September
Classroom Mastery drop-in day (11 September)
CESL Board member visit
2026 Budget meeting

Student Carpark Safety

We have more parking spaces than many schools, yet some of the movements I witness by students and adults are not safe choices. Leadership and Office staff cannot continue to walk out and remind people. We have meetings and other commitments from 3:30pm. Please find a park and use the footpaths and pedestrian crossings. You cannot stop on the internal roads and direct children to run across the road and jump in. Staff have a duty of care at the two exit points from 3:25pm. In the morning, we are not at the main gate as we are supervising the playground area.

ACEC

Last week I attended the Australian Catholic Education Commission Conference. A highlight on the first day was mass with 1400 delegates, including six bishops, visiting priests, and students from all the schools in the Diocese of Cairns. Notable sessions I attended were:

Prof. Dylan Wiliam- Developing Classroom Mastery
From data to impact
Dr Steve Constantino- Culturally responsive family engagement
Panel Discussion facilitated by the Bishop of Cairns, Joe Caddy, with seven students from Years 7-12

Parent and Teacher Meetings

Bookings are live via PAM. Please visit the site and book a time to see your child's teacher.

Change in Morning Supervision Time

From the beginning of Term 4 Monday 6 October supervision by staff will return to 8:30am. We now have the option available for before school care from 7:00am-9:00am. The gates will be closed until 8:30am. This will give you the next three weeks to make any booking or arrangements with Uniting Care. Please contact Uniting for information and costs.

Uniting Care (Pupil Free Day)

Sacraments

We celebrated this a couple of weekends ago. It was lovely seeing families come together to support and celebrate the candidates.

ENROLMENTS 2026

If existing families have someone starting school in 2026, please ask the office staff for an application pack. We will start interviews in the coming weeks. These should not be a stressful time. It helps us with planning for their orientation days and 2026.

BUNNINGS BBQ

We look forward to running the BBQ on Saturday 6th September. Please rsvp via the link if you can help for 1-2 hours.

Please click here to rsvp.