Principal's News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to another term!
It has been a wonderful start to term 2. Wonderful weather, wonderful smiles on students and wonderful learning happening in the classroom. It has been a pleasure to do Learning Walks inside our classrooms and be a witness to the learning in each stage.
New Construction and Outdoor Learning Spaces
Over the holidays we had a number of contractors in the school completing projects. Firstly, the construction of three additional ambulant toilets for staff and visitors to the school. These toilets were constructed with the assistance of the Catholic Schools Office. The toilets were installed to help our school as our staff numbers have increased over the past few years.
Secondly, as a school, we have invested in new markings on the concrete under the COLA and around other parts of the school. As part of our school's strategic planning and annual improvement goals, we strive to listen and respond to feedback from students, staff and our school families. Each year, families are invited to fill in a survey administered and compiled by an outside company. One area of feedback that we had received from students, staff and families, was for improvements to our COLA area to make this area more attractive and functional. The markings put down by EduMarking Australia, is a direct response to this feedback and is a step forward in making this space of our school even better.
Finally, over the term 1 holidays, we have begun to add more planter boxes and vegetables into our school garden. This is an ongoing process and an area of pride for a number of our students who religiously tend to this space each day. We are always looking for new cuttings and seedlings. If you have any in your own garden and wish to donate these, we will find a space for them. Our next challenge is to successfully grow our autumn vegetables and then utilise these in our canteen's kitchen. I can already smell the vegetable soup bubbling away!
Polding Winter Sports
Last Thursday 22 April, Edward Haire and Max Vogel represented the Armidale Diocese in Rugby League at Polding Winter Sports in Bathurst. They represented their diocese and our school with pride. Well done Edward and Max!
ANZAC Day
Last Sunday 25 April we commemorated ANZAC Day by participating in the Wee Waa community service. It was fantastic to see our students and staff showing their respect for our servicemen and servicewomen who have served our country in past and current conflicts around the world. ANZAC day is a special day to me, and it was a source of pride seeing all of our students asking quality questions about ANZAC day during lessons last week. I was fortunate enough to lead a lesson in Stage 3 last Friday, and we had a really informative discussion about the Gallipoli landings and the role of Australia, New Zealand and other Allied nations during this conflict.
Cross Country Trials
Two days ago on Wednesday 28 April, a number of students participated in our Cross Country Trials at Cook Oval. They all showed grit and determination to finish their distances, and they are to be highly commended for this. A big thank you also needs to go to all of the parents who helped with timekeeping and being checkpoint officials. This helped the event run smoothly.
Congratulations to those who were selected to represent our school at Diocesan Cross Country in Barraba next Friday, I know that you will represent the school with respect, pride and integrity.
Mother's & Special Person's Day
Next week, we will be holding our Mother's & Special Person's stall and liturgy. This is an important celebration and one that all students cherish each year. Last year we could not hold our celebration, so this year we will ensure that we do our very best to celebrate our Mother's and Special People who help raise our students at St Joseph's Wee Waa. Our school's Parents & Friends Association will be running the stall on Wednesday. Children can bring in either $5 or $10 to select a gift for their loved one. These gifts will then be wrapped and handed back to the students to give out on Sunday 9 May. We do need some volunteers though that can help with this day. If you can volunteer some time, please contact the school office next week.
Finally, good luck to our Year 2 students who are completing their Rite of Enrolment at Mass on Sunday. These students will be making their Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday 1 May.
God Bless,
Alistair Stewart
Principal