Deputy Principal's Report

Hello!

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) - Parent Help

Register your interest here or below 

This year we are excited to begin our journey with Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL), a whole-school approach that helps to create systems that ensure our schools is a safe, supportive, and respectful e

nvironment for all students. PBL focuses on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours, supporting student wellbeing, and building a strong sense of community across our school.

At St Finbar’s, our PBL team is made up of staff representatives from across the school. The team meets monthly during the term to review data, plan initiatives, and ensure that consistent expectations and practices are being taught and are in place to support every student to learn and thrive.

To strengthen the partnership between school and home, we are seeking expressions of interest from parents who would be willing to join the PBL team once per term. These meetings are held on a Thursday afternoon from 2:30–4:00pm (with the first meeting to be held at the end of this term or early Term 4).

If you are interested in being part of this initiative and supporting the ongoing development of PBL at St Finbar’s, please click here to be part of our PBL Team at St Finbar's. Laura Zeeng, will be in contact with you soon to ensure our school continues to be a place where positive behaviours, respectful relationships, and a strong sense of belonging are at the heart of everything we do.

Science Week 

This week, our school has joined in the nationwide celebration of National Science Week, a wonderful opportunity to spark curiosity and wonder about the world around us. While Science Week highlights this moment, the excitement for science has been alive in our classrooms all term, with students across Prep to Year 6 engaging in hands-on investigations, experiments, and problem-solving challenges.

From exploring the forces that make everyday objects move, to investigating the properties of materials, to designing and testing solutions to real-world problems, our students have been embracing the role of scientists. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and teamwork have been inspiring to witness, and it is clear that this learning is helping them develop not only scientific knowledge but also critical and creative thinking skills.

Throughout the newsletter, you will see photos capturing these moments of discovery, whether it be building models, conducting experiments, or working collaboratively to answer big questions. These images showcase the joy and engagement that come when students are encouraged to wonder, question, and investigate.

National Science Week reminds us of the importance of nurturing curiosity and preparing our students for a future shaped by innovation and discovery. We are proud of the way our students have embraced this learning and look forward to seeing their scientific thinking continue to flourish.

Upcoming Swimming Program 

Next week, we are excited to begin our 9 day school swimming intensive program at the Danny Frawley Swim Centre. This program is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their water confidence, strengthen their swimming skills, and learn vital water safety strategies. We look forward to seeing all students participating with enthusiasm and making the most of this valuable experience. For many of our students, this is an exciting experience, however can also mean they have to move outside their comfort zone or may demonstrate some nerves. 

Thank you to our Prep Teacher Fiona Byrne for making this checklist that you're more than welcome to use with your child. 

To best prepare your child, here are some practical tips that may help. 

• Pack smart and label everything: Make sure towels, goggles, swimwear, and bags are clearly named to avoid mix-ups.
• Practice getting changed quickly: Encourage your child to practise putting on and taking off their swimmers at home so they feel confident and independent at the pool.
• Provide healthy snacks and water: Swimming is tiring—pack a nutritious snack and a drink to help your child refuel afterwards.
• Talk about water safety and confidence: Reinforce the messages from lessons by discussing why swimming skills are important and celebrating any progress they make.
• Stay positive and encouraging: Focus on effort rather than results—remind your child that every lesson is a chance to grow stronger and more confident in the water.
• Read a social story: Ensuring events like swimming are predictable and clear for students can help reliviate their worries or nerves. Feel free to read the social story attached below that was created by Andrea our school Occupational Therapist. 

A visit in Year 5 this week

Our Year 5 students have been working incredibly hard in Maths, diving deep into the world of angles—particularly the tricky concept of reflex angles. Using 360-degree protractors, along with plenty of persistence and teamwork, they’ve been measuring, exploring, and refining their understanding. When walking through the classroom, it has been fantastic to see students challenging each other’s thinking, collaborating to solve problems, and giving clear, justifiable reasoning for their answers—all through engaging, hands-on learning.

Have a great week - May God Bless

Laura and Callum 

Deputy Principals