Message from the Principal
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Maher for leading our school during my recent absence. Mrs Maher is a respected leader who was well supported by the staff. I feel very blessed to have such an amazing team by my side.
Recently, I attended a Principal Conference hosted by the Victorian Association Catholic Primary School Principals Inc. The focus of the conference was 'Hope'. These conferences form part of my professional development as a Principal. It is a great opportunity to listen to some amazing speakers and also to connect with and learn from my colleagues.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to hear from the following key note speakers:
- Adam Spencer is a famous Australian media personality and public mathematician.
- Craig Reucassel is the presenter of the ABC TV series War on Waste and Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge;
- Dr Jason Fox is a bestselling author, leadership advisor & rogue wizard/philosopher. He specialises in Pioneering Leadership & Motivation Design.
- Kath Koschel is the founder of the Kindness Factory, a global not for profit movement which inspires ordinary people to do ordinary things.
- Tim and Judy Sharp shared their inspirational story of how a boy diagnosed with severe autism went on to become one of Australia's best-known international artists.
- Simon Griffiths is one of Australia’s most prominent social entrepreneurs. Simon is the Co-Founder and CEO of Who Gives A Crap, a profit-for-purpose toilet paper company that uses 50% of its profits to build toilets in the developing world.
- Steve Sammartino is one of the world’s most engaging and thought provoking keynote speakers on the 'Future'.
- Dr Catriona Wallace is one of the first women leaders in advanced technology.
While I was away, we held our first Chess Tournament for the year, which was run by Northern Star Chess. These tournaments are open to all schools in Victoria. We hosted 82 students from 15 schools including our own. St Bridget's placed 6th and our highest ranking students were Darren placing 18th and Sophie placing 39th. Congratulations to all those students who participated. Our next tournament is on 17th May for the Prep to Year 3 students.
Also, I hope you would have heard or read about the change making project we have embarked on as a school community.
'Upschool' is a whole school program offered to a limited number of pilot schools, where our students are taught the skills required to make change in our world.
Our project which was voted on by the students is to build a library for a school in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The cost of the library is $10,000 and while this will take us some time to raise, this hasn't deterred our students from wanting to make a change in the world.
You can learn more about this project by clicking on the links below, by clicking on the 'Student Voice' section of this newsletter or by asking your child what they have been learning about as part of 'Upschool'.
While you can get involved by purchasing goods from our online store, some of our students have used their initiative and set up lemonade stands to raise funds for this cause.
Celeste and Ava (Year 5) set up a lemonade stand outside their home and raised $78 while AJ and Orlando (Year 3) up a lemonade stand at school and raised $38. Well done to our young entrepreneurs and to mum Carolina for her support.
Finally, I would like to wish you and your families a Happy Easter and a restful holiday break.
Kind regards,
Mrs Robyn Thomson
Principal