Leadership Report

One of the greatest strengths of our school is undoubtedly our parent community - not just in their involvement and support, but in the warmth, respect, and curiosity they bring to every interaction, whether formal or informal. Their genuine interest in student learning makes a real difference - not just for the students, but for the school as a whole. Over the past couple of weeks, we've seen this in action, with the parents stepping into classrooms, engaging in important conversations, and taking part in school events.

Our Literacy Parent Workshop this week was a perfect example. Parents weren't just there to listen to two of our outstanding teachers (Tania Limmer and Maria Colarusso) - they were thrown back into school life, reliving the experience of sitting at tables, being challenged in literacy, and realising just how much harder it is to spell words and answer questions when the whole room is watching! For a brief moment, they got to experience what it's like to be a Magill student, and live in their child's shoes - right down to that quiet panic when the teacher asks a question and you suddenly forget your own name (truthfully, they did a fantastic job, and their high level of enthusiasm and engagement made for a great morning). 

Of course, being April 1st, it was too hard to resist. Parents were briefly led to believe that AI was replacing literacy teachers, handwriting was being scrapped in favour of voice-to-text, and that by 2028, we’d be trialing a spelling system that simply removes vowels altogether. The looks of concern were intense - some parents seemed ready to stage a protest.  I had to rush to the April Fools reveal before it turned into a full-scale riot...

Ultimately, we hope the workshop was equal parts entertaining and insightful, and that our parents left the session with a better understanding of how we teach reading and spelling (and why we do it the way we do it). I also hope the attending parents feel better equipped with resources and insights to continue supporting their child's learning at home. 

At the same time, we’ve had Learning Conversations taking place across the school this week. These aren’t just about checking grades or ticking a box - they’re about strengthening the partnership between home and school. I'd like to thank the parents on behalf of the staff for being incredibly respectful, attentive, and insightful, bringing thoughtful perspectives that truly add value to the conversations. When parents, teachers, and students come together to reflect on progress, celebrate successes, and set new goals, it ensures that every child has the support they need to keep moving forward.

And of course, a huge thank you to our teachers - who somehow manage to hold countless thoughtful, individual conversations, one after the other, each one just as invested as the last. The late nights, the careful preparation, the stamina - it's not only impressive, but it's reflective of their genuine dedication to every student's growth and success.

And after all that deep thinking and discussion, we were meant to end the week with something a little lighter - Movie Night! Unfortunately, like a plot twist no one saw coming, Movie Night has been cancelled. From what I hear, this has spared us all from the emotional rollercoaster that The Wild Robot takes you on, so cancel practicing excuses for why your eyes are watering. We'll look forward to the next community event!

One week left of Term 1. Enjoy the two week break from school, and we'll see you all again for Term 2.

Kind regards,

Mike Shortt

Assistant Principal