Principal Reflections

From the Principals - Alison & Pete

Dear Parents & Friends,

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, around our town, in our church and across our school. With Christmas trimmings and decorations marking the festive season, students are (excitedly) handing each other Christmas cards and the traditional end of school year activities are unfolding in front of us. Christmas is a time of year that excites many of us. Besides the Christmas festivities, it's that time of year where we reflect on the events and activities undertaken throughout the year. 

The final few days of the school year are always filled with mixed emotions as we look back on the year we have had. Reflection is an essential part of how we build and establish meaning. Reflection is a continuous, ongoing activity. Taking time to reflect on how those encounters have changed and shaped you is crucial for building a meaningful school experience. Reflection usually begins with pondering on the types of answers to questions like:

• What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
• What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?
• What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?
• What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
• If you could change one thing that happened this year, what would it be?
• What are three things you did this year to help your classmates?
• What are the three most important things you learned this year?
• What is something that was hard for you at the start of the year but is easy now?
• In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements?

Reflection is a way of allowing yourself to step back from your experiences, helping you to develop critical thinking skills and, improve on future performance by analysing what you have learned and how far you have come. 

I wonder how you see the success of 2023 at St Edward's?

Staffing 2024

Outstanding schools have outstanding teachers and St Edward's is no exception. Here is our teaching line up for 2024.

Also our Education Assistants for 2024: Jen Maloney, Priscilla Collins, Rachel McRae, Sarah Irwin, Emily Blundell, Tara Wilson, Amanda Gwalter, Kat Ashford, Mackinlye Hodson, Toni McIlveen, Beth Barratt, Mei Gan, Kathryn Duffy, Jarrod Peachey and Brittany Cloake.

Our lovely office staff: Mel Salvestrin, Amanda Allen, Hannah Barnes, Ange Sauer, Sue Kellett, Robin Wilson and Monika Joubert, as well as our canteen ladies: Emma Noad and Nikki Bridge.

Finally the most important member of our team, our grounds and maintenance caretaker: Chris Cartan. 

Final Thanks

Thank you for your support and patience throughout the year.  Many of you took the time to send an email or mention just how much you appreciated all of the work teachers were doing. These small acts of kindness make a huge difference and often seemed to arrive when we needed them the most. Thank you for sharing in and supporting your children’s learning, particularly by attending our learning conferences and information workshops. To all parents, staff and students who are leaving our school at the end of this year, may you always be safe and share happiness in your new adventures. We wish you all a lovely, restful Christmas and new year!  We look forward to connecting with you in 2024.

To everyone associated with St Edward's School, especially our Parish Administrator Fr Roel Llave and our dedicated P and F committee, we thank you for your generous time, enthusiastic support and continued interest in the life of the school and, in particular, the children in our care. Our wish is that it will continue in ever increasing portions in 2024.

Peace & Best Wishes.

Keep smiling and take care,

Alison Hatton and Pete Flynn