Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 3.

It was wonderful to see the excitement on our students' faces as they returned to school and reconnected with friends after the holiday break. Schools are vibrant places of learning, but they are also important places of connection and belonging. Seeing our children happy, settled and ready to be back together is always a great way to begin a new term.

I would like to thank our families for your continued support throughout Term 2. It was a significant term for St Peter's. While there were challenges along the way, we made important progress as a school community and there is much to be proud of. We now look forward to another productive term of learning, growth and opportunity for every child.

Over the holidays, there was plenty happening around the school grounds. Many staff spent time preparing classrooms and learning spaces ready for students' return. Demolition of the former Year 1 and 2 classrooms is now well underway, with site fencing and safety measures in place. Families may also notice the significant improvements to the gardens at the front of the school. The landscaping already looks fantastic and we are excited to see the new plantings continue to grow as we move towards spring.

As a staff, we will continue our work with Magnify throughout Term 3. This remains an important school improvement initiative that helps us maintain a strong focus on excellent teaching, student growth and continuous improvement. We are committed to ensuring every child at St Peter's experiences high-quality learning every day.

The beginning of a new term also provides an opportunity to reset routines and expectations. Across the school, teachers will spend time revisiting classroom routines, learning habits and expectations that help create calm, orderly and productive learning environments. Consistency is important for children, and these routines help students feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

The Importance of Being on Time

One area where families can make a significant difference is ensuring children arrive at school on time each day.

At St Peter's, learning begins straight away. Students now move directly into their English learning at the beginning of the day, making the first part of the morning particularly important. Arriving late can mean missing key instruction, class discussions and the opportunity to settle into learning alongside classmates.

Research consistently shows that regular attendance and punctuality have a positive impact on student learning and achievement. The NSW Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation notes that attendance is strongly linked to academic outcomes, while recent OECD research highlights that every day at school matters for both learning and wellbeing. Students who arrive on time are more likely to feel settled, connected and ready to engage in their learning from the start of the day.

We ask families to support us by ensuring students arrive at school with enough time to organise themselves, connect with friends and be ready to begin learning when the bell rings. A calm and positive start to the morning sets children up for success throughout the day.

Staff Spirituality Day

Please note that school will be closed for students on:

· Wednesday 5 August - Staff Spirituality Day

We appreciate your support and understanding.

Staffing Update – Sherri Donnelly

At the end of last term, Sherri Donnelly advised me of her decision to resign from St Peter’s. While we are saddened to see Sherri leave, we are incredibly grateful for the contribution she has made to our school community and the care she has shown to students, families and staff throughout her time with us.

We are currently planning ways to acknowledge and thank Sherri for her service to St Peter’s. As we look ahead, our commitment to teaching AUSLAN and providing a strong Languages Program remains unchanged. We are exploring a range of options to ensure this important area of learning continues to thrive for our students.

I know you will join me in thanking Sherri and wishing her every success in the future.

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As always, thank you for your partnership and the trust you place in us. St Peter's is a special community and the strong relationship between home and school plays an important role in the success of our students.

We look forward to a wonderful Term 3 and all that it will bring.

Kind regards,

Paul Bissinella

Acting Principal

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