From the Director of Primary

Growth through conversation

In the first two weeks of the term parents/carers and classroom teachers have been afforded the privilege of meeting to discuss the Semester 1 report.  Whilst the catch up was brief it was a valuable opportunity for feedback and rich conversations about learning, providing a clear direction of how to move forward.  This opportunity was not lost on anyone as it allowed for future growth to be explored and a chance for partnerships to be strengthened.  

For some, attending a learning conference is a joy, yet for others it can be filled with trepidation as the report may not be what is expected or what was hoped for.  Either way, what has to be an essential outcome of the conversation is that all parties can see a defined path for growth.  

As a staff we are always open to conversations, recognising the importance of dialogue between parents/carers and teachers.  Please remember that making an appointment to see your son or daughter’s classroom teacher at any time throughout the year is as easy as a phone call to Student Services, or an email to your classroom teacher - you do need to wait for Learning Conferences.   

Growing through conversations as a community occurs in so many ways.  The informal chat with peers at school pick up, checking in on a colleague, classroom teachers providing help to their students, or parents seeking advice.  The open and productive conversations can also occur in a more formal manner in such one off events as curriculum evenings; one of which was held on Tuesday with another in Term Four.  These provide all with a chance to embrace discussion and grow in understanding.    

A New Entrance

Over a number of months Caroline Jager has been busily working on changing the sign that adorned the Year 1/2/3 building and last week it was finally erected.  A wonderful acknowledgment to whom the Primary building is named after - Sister Mary Francis Xavier Williams. 

When you are next on College grounds, please feel free to wander past and read about the woman who is such an integral part of our history.  

Literacy Evening 

The importance of working in partnership is often a term mentioned when talking about schools and the relationships with parents.  This was strongly evidenced this week as the Primary school hosted the Early Years Literacy Evening in the Cahill Centre.  

On Tuesday evening our Early Years parents and those whose daughters are enrolled in our Early Years classes for 2023 took part in a Q&A session run by our Literacy Lead, Ms Nicola Smith. 

The evening gave Nicola a chance to deliver a well researched and thorough presentation on the impact of the Science of Reading in areas of our literacy programme.  The evening also provided parents with an opportunity to ask questions, seeking clarification and allaying any concerns.

The support and acknowledgement of the work of the College, and in particular Nicola was evident by the rich conversations had.  It allowed parents to hear and understand the latest research into children’s literacy development. Congratulations to those who walked away with a prize and a thank you to all who attended. 

175 Years of the Sisters of Charity

Our College is steeped in such a rich history and our connection with the Sisters of Charity embeds all that we do.  From our love of teaching and learning, to our care and compassion for the marginalised and our support of courageous endeavours we owe all this to those amazing three sisters Sister Mary Francis Xavier Williams, Mother Mary John Cahill and Mother Mary de Sales O’Brien.  

There are so many celebrations planned for the week of the 22 August but leading up to it all classes have been busily preparing with art explored, research skills honed and spoken word rehearsed.  Some examples of what displays or work you may see in the classrooms are as follows:

Kinder: After a conversation about the works of the sisters and their journey Kinder students are making a simple mural of Derwent River with a path leading into Hobart Town, St. Joseph’s, The Orphanage and The Female Factory under the shadow of kunyani (Mount Wellington).

Prep: Using our mural to tell the story through sketch.

Year 1: Exploring the history of the Sisters of Charity's contribution to the establishment of hospitals, schools and helping those in need. They have focused on the meaning of sisterhood and charity. This has been assisted by using the murals located throughout the College and responding by creating story maps, artwork and retellings. 

Year 2: The Year 2 students have looked closely at the mural on the Library wall outlining the journey of the Sisters of Charity from Island to Tasmania.

They decided to focus on one part of the mural - what the  Sisters of Charity did when they arrived in Tasmania. The students researched the type of charitable works the Sisters of Charity have undertaken in the past. 

They have compared those works undertaken in the past to the works that the Sisters of Charity carry out in today’s society. Thinking carefully, Year 2 students have tried to see how they can follow the  Sisters of Charity in their daily lives through their actions and deeds at school, at home and in the wider community, thereby leading a Christian life.

Year 3: Unpacking art and symbolism of the Sisters of Charity around the school and creating a collaborative mural in the classroom.

Year 4: A focus on the mission of the Sisters of Charity and how we can live out this mission in our own lives. Students have reflected on how they can walk in the footsteps of the Sisters of Charity, by identifying things they can do to help those less fortunate than themselves. Students have then worked to enact this in their own lives and take photos of their kind acts, where they are helping out those less fortunate.  There will be a display in Year 4 of footsteps stating the thoughtful acts students can do to help those less fortunate and a photo wall of them enacting this mission in their own lives. 

Year 5: Both Year 5 classes have been looking at the Sisters of Charity through the lens of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They have considered the character strengths, the commitment and the devotion that the Sisters of Charity had and continue to have.

Year 6: Will be presenting a visual timeline about the Sisters of Charity arrival and time in Tasmania.

So feel free to pop in and see what your son or daughter has been doing and join us in our celebration.

Arts Festival Week 

The week commencing September 5 we come together as a College to celebrate The Arts. The week culminates in an afternoon/evening on Friday 9 September of art, singing and dancing, as all corners of the College are transformed into a celebration of The Arts.  Further details about this can be found in an article written by Dave McNamara with an EdSmart being sent home next week.  In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact your son or daughter’s classroom teacher for further information.

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Bella Bomford (Year 5 White), Mia Cairns (Year 6 Navy) and Violet O'Brien (Year 6 White) who all recently auditioned for roles in the upcoming production of Disney's Newsies Jr.

They all had to learn a script and recite lines, sing and dance in front of a panel on their own. Hundreds of children and young adults around Hobart auditioned these three Mount Carmel students were successful in her auditions.

The musical will be held at the Theatre Royal during the school holidays, from 13-15 October.