FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Term 1 - Week 6

Time continues to fly at St Nicholas with our school community dedicated to the faith, learning and wellbeing outcomes of our students. 

This week our staff commenced their first round of PM testing for all our students. St Nicholas School resources the opportunity for teachers to assess their students in the middle and at the end of every term. These days enable our teachers to:

• Assess each individual to gain a further understanding of where they are in their reading journey
• Recognise growth and celebrate achievement
• Gain a specific insight into what each individual requires next for them to continue to learn and grow in their reading
• Look for patterns between students to measure and identify the effectiveness of previous teaching and learning.

Initial data from this week's assessments has identified significant reading development from individuals and across cohorts of children. It also highlights the importance of St Nicholas students' immediate focus on reading when they return from their Christmas holidays, rather than waiting days and weeks to ease into the year.

Grade averages and the general standard of reading across St Nicholas continues to justify the transformation of our learning and teaching of reading over the last 3 years. It also highlights the level of sophistication, rigour and dedication of a staff who are committed to setting our children up for success by reaching their potential as readers.

Staffing news

Recently Mrs Amy Willis resigned from her position at St Nicholas to pursue her studies in Speech Pathology. Amy has been supporting Year 5 on a Thursday and Friday.

Amy's last day will be Friday 10th March. I wish Amy every success and happiness.

I hope to have an announcement on Amy's replacement in the coming days.

Kindergarten 2024

Kindergarten 2024 enrolments are open and have been steadily submitted. St Nicholas continues to be an educator of choice for the Tamworth district and positions are in demand. Siblings of students have priority and I can guarantee their enrolment if their forms are submitted by the closing date. After this date, late applications may be confined to a waiting list. Closing date for Kinder 2024 enrolments is Monday 3rd April 2023.

I urge any current parent with a child starting school in 2024 to please ensure your application is submitted to St Nicholas by Monday 3rd April 2023.

Have a great week

John Clery

Principal