Principal's Message

Good afternoon parents and carers,

Parent & Teacher Conferences:

I would like to sincerely thank all our parents and carers for their active participation in the Semester 1 Parent & Teacher Conferences that took place over the first two weeks of Term 3.  These conferences are another example of strong school/parent partnerships as we work together to grow and nurture our students in their academic development.

E-cigarette (Vaping)

Many of our parents will be aware of the exposure e-cigarettes or 'vaping' is receiving in the media not only as a concern in our schools but in our wider communities.  In saying this, it has been brought to my attention that some of our secondary students may be in possession of e-cigarettes while at school.

Earlier this year the Australian Medical Association identified that it is critical that students, teachers and parents gain a better understanding of the risks posed by smoking e-cigarettes. 

I want to assure our parent community that as a K-10 school, we are taking proactive steps to educate secondary students of the risks associated with vaping as well as the consequences associated with possession on school grounds. On Thursday Mrs Cathy Downes and I met with our secondary students during their morning Pastoral Academic Care Period to discuss our awareness of this issue in our school and to stress the associated health risks associated with e-cigarettes.  

Schools across NSW are currently experiencing an alarming increase in students who would never smoke tobacco instead trying e-cigarettes ("vaping"). A recent survey suggests 32% of 12-17 year olds have at least tried a "vape" and the majority would be unaware of the health risks.

Please be aware that it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 years in NSW and it is lawful for the school to search a student's bag or locker if we have reasonable grounds to believe that the student may be in possession of contraband items such as e-cigarettes. Please note that any e-cigarettes found in the possession of a student will be confiscated, and the student's parents contacted.  

Section 2.5.1 of the Diocesan Suspension, Expulsion and Exclusion Policy concerning the possession of a suspected illegal drug states:

Suspension is to occur immediately if the substance is being represented by the student as an illegal drug or on confirmation the substance is, in fact, illegal.

I have attached further information to provide parents with more information on what vaping is and why we're taking it so seriously as a school.

Professional Learning - Embedding a Culture of Co-Teaching at St Philomena's

This week our K-10 Leaders of Learning participated in professional learning focusing on 'Leading Learning through Strong Co-Teaching.  The session was led by Mrs Nerida Finlayson and Mr Tony O'Donnell (our Leaders of Pedagogy) with the purpose of revisiting and strengthening our Leaders of Learning knowledge and understanding of the various models of co-teaching:

• Supportive Co-Teaching
• Parallel Co-Teaching
• Complimentary Co-Teaching, and
• Team Co-Teaching.

Thank you Nerida and Tony for your leadership throughout this professional learning opportunity for our staff. 

P&F Spring Fair

As we draw every closer to this exciting event, our P&F encourage parents to reach out to the committee to show their support.  We still have a number of stalls that would benefit from additional helpers.  Thank you to the many parents that have already expressed and confirmed their level of support.

Moree Public School's Creative Arts Festival 2023

It has been brought to my attention that some parents may have some concern about our non-involvement in the Department of Education’s proposed Barwon and Namoi Network’s Public Schools 2023 Creative Arts Festival. Attached below is a letter that explains in more detail the purpose of the Creative Arts Festival and why St Philomena's, along with other non department schools in the surrounding Moree area, will not be involved in this Department of Education initiative in 2023.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

God bless

Jamie McDowall

School Principal