Burnie Campus Principal Report

New Beginnings 

There is something delicious about new beginnings and the opportunity to start over, to reboot, to embrace change, to shake off the past; and the start of a new school is no different.

Staff started back well before the children so that we could intentionally build community and connections amongst them, and have time to upskill each other in some professional development which included:

• An update on our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) that aligns with our vision, mission and core values;
• Child Safety and the National Child Safe Principles;
• SIMON and PAM;
• Launching our new Christian Living Framework in the Primary School;
• Updating staff on new school policies and; 
• Launching our new literacy program for Kinder to Year 2 working with Jocelyn Seamer.

It was a busy program, but we ensured that staff had time to spend in their professional learning communities and year level groups, while also preparing the classrooms for the start of year.

At Burnie, I took the start of year devotions and centred the theme around Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” We want this to be the year where our staff and students can SOAR, just as the eagle does, unaffected by the obstacles it flies over and strong enough to soar above them.

Day one with the students finally arrived. This year, we have just under 170 students on the Burnie Campus and we are thrilled to be welcoming back our older families and taking every opportunity to embrace our newer ones.

As a staff, we all gathered outside to welcome our families back to school. The playground was filled with laughter and children having fun which is exactly what we want to see. Staff were asked to spend the first week intentionally getting to know the children in their class, to build relationships and to establish routines that would set their class up for success. 

Students were excited to see their classrooms, to catch up with their friends and to chat about their holidays and what they did. Kinder students arrived for their first day full of excitement and a little anxiousness as they stayed for their first full day of schooling. They were little troopers who spent the day exploring their environments and getting to know their Teacher and Learning Support Aides. 

As we step into this new school year, I am so pleased that you are on the journey with us. As we begin to dig into the deep learning that will take place this year, in classrooms, through outdoor exploration, and as we try and perhaps fail and try again, let's capture every opportunity we have to SOAR!

Elizabeth Scheu 

Burnie Campus Principal