Head of Primary Message

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Welcome back to Term 4! As we begin the final term of the year, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what a rich and rewarding Term 3 it was. 

Our students took part in a wonderful range of excursions and incursions, engaged in deeply connected learning across the curriculum, and of course shone in our school production and during Chapel services. It was a joy to see their confidence, creativity and teamwork on display, and to see the gifts God has given each of them shared so generously with others.

None of this happens in isolation, and I want to sincerely thank you for your continued work in building such valuable partnerships with our staff. Your feedback, encouragement and support at home are closely connected to the many learning moments our students experience each day, and we are very grateful for it.

Although Term 4 is a nine-week term, these weeks move very quickly, and there is plenty ahead. This term we look forward to the Year 3 and Year 4 camps, our swimming program, the Year 2 sleepover, our Wellbeing Fair, and our 20th birthday celebrations, along with a range of excursions and incursions. Our 20th birthday is a special moment to give thanks for God's faithfulness to our school community over two decades, and for all the families, staff and students who have been part of that story.

Alongside these events, students will be busy consolidating their learning for the year and continuing to act as active global citizens. In our Lutheran tradition, we understand that each of us is called to serve our neighbour in the everyday places God puts us. We encourage our students to serve with head, heart and hands: with curious minds, caring hearts, and helping hands in the classroom, on the playground and in the wider world. We are also excited to welcome our 2027 Preps through our transition days in the near future, as new families begin their journey with us. 

We are aware that illness has been making its way through our community recently. Thank you for your support and patience in helping to keep everyone healthy, particularly by keeping unwell children at home to rest and recover. We continue to hold in our prayers those who have been unwell.

Celebrating our students

A huge congratulations to Isaac in Year 5, who placed third in shot put at the Division Athletics carnival. What a fantastic achievement, Isaac!

Congratulations also to all of our students who have played in sporting finals or completed music and dance exams over the past few weeks. Your hard work, dedication and courage have been outstanding, and we are so proud of you. It is wonderful to see our students using their God-given gifts with such commitment.

Learning that lasts: a tip for home

As students consolidate their learning this term, families can play a powerful role. Research on memory shows that learning sticks best when students retrieve it, bringing it back to mind themselves, rather than simply re-reading or hearing it again. This is often called retrieval practice.

You can support this at home with a small change to a familiar question. Instead of "What did you learn today?", which often gets the answer "Nothing!", try:

• "Can you teach me one thing you learned today?"
• "What was the trickiest part of your day, and how did you work it out?"
• "What do you remember from last week's topic?"

Each time your child explains an idea in their own words, they strengthen that learning and build confidence. A few minutes of conversation over dinner or in the car can make a real difference.

Supporting our children online, together

As many families will know, since 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms in Australia have been required to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from creating or keeping an account. Platforms covered include YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick.

We are aware that some of our students are still accessing these platforms, as well as messaging and gaming apps that sit outside the restrictions. We know how challenging it can be to navigate technology with children, and we recognise that decisions about devices and online activity at home belong to families.

Where this does affect us at school is when online conversations spill over into friendships and relationships in the classroom and on the playground. Young children are still learning how to read tone, manage conflict and repair friendships, and these skills are much harder to practise online, often without an adult nearby to guide them.

We would love to partner with you in this space. Some gentle ways families can help include:

• talking openly with your child about which apps they use and who they connect with
• keeping devices in shared spaces at home, and out of bedrooms overnight
• encouraging your child to tell a trusted adult if something online makes them feel worried or upset

• letting their teacher know if an online issue is affecting your child, so we can support them together at school

   

The eSafety Commissioner's website (esafety.gov.au) has helpful, practical guides for parents. As a community called to care for one another, we want every child to feel safe, known and valued, both online and in person. Thank you for walking alongside us in this.

Caring for every learner: our approach to restorative practices

At our school, our values of love, service, compassion and excellence guide how we care for one another, including when things go wrong. Through restorative practices, we help students understand how their choices affect others, take responsibility, and repair relationships. Growing in kindness, honesty and forgiveness is part of learning, and it reflects the grace God shows each of us.

We want to be clear that we never compromise on safety and care. When a concern is raised with us or noticed by our staff, we take it seriously. We listen carefully, investigate thoroughly, and work with the students involved to address what has happened. At the same time, every situation is unique, and we respond to each one with care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This allows us to consider the circumstances, the children involved, and what will best support learning and lasting change.

Where a matter is serious, we will contact the parents involved and follow up in line with our behaviour management processes. Throughout this process, we always seek to protect the dignity of every student. This means we will not share information about consequences or outcomes for any child other than your own. We know how deeply you care for your child, and we share that care for every student in our community. Just as we protect your child's privacy, we protect the privacy of every other child.

Please be reassured that even when you don't hear the details, concerns are being followed up. The safety and wellbeing of every student is paramount to us, and we strive for excellence in how we care for each of them. If you ever have a concern, please reach out to your child's teacher. We are always happy to work through it with you, in a spirit of partnership and service.

Melissa Harford

Head of Primary 

Director of Learning and Growth