Principal's Panorama

We have found our way through to Week Two in a flash!

Last week we celebrated the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim with our grandparents and special friends. A huge turn out from our school community for mass, classroom visits and picnic morning tea.  The rain did not hold out, but it did not dampen the spirit of family at SMOTA.  

Classrooms have been humming along with a relentless focus on our non-negotiable literacy block and high expectations of uniform, respectful relationships and care of each other and shared resources.  

Today, I was brought to tears by the surprise from the whole school for National Principal's Day.  I was in my office discussing practicum placement with a skilled helpful adult who is undertaking their teacher training, when the message was brought up that I was needed "URGENTLY!!! In Stage Three!!" 

I got the fright of my life when the whole school; young people and our skilled helpful adults included jumped up from a shadow filled room! 

It filled my heart to see the prepared photos and slides and to have our Stage Three young people share snippets about where they see my impact.  The most brilliant cards with their words of thanks and artworks will take pride of place in my 'Teacher Box of Memories'.  Apparently they kept the secret for over a week!!!! 

I am blessed to have the opportunity to 'lead and learn';  'from and with' this school community everyday.  Gahhh! They make my life so full!

A huge shout out to parent/carers and our administration SHAs for your dedication to the improving attendance of our young people.  A 10% increase in our school attendance data from last year already!

Every absence from school counts, every missed learning opportunity is a concern... whether it be social or academic.

A reminder that families will receive a formal letter each Friday if a young person has an unexplained absence. 

Thank you in advance for working in partnership to ensure the best academic and positive well-being outcomes for your child!

Learning Walk and Talks for Interested Parent/Carers

We invite all members of our Parent/ Carer community to make a booking via the front office to attend a Parent Learning Walk and Talk. 

A Learning Walk and Talk is an opportunity for our Parent Community to witness the quality education that occurs here at St Mary of the Angels with a focus on pedagogy and academics. Parents will witness 21st Century Learning in action based on Lyn Sharratt's 14 Parameters. 

The focus of Term 3 Learning Walks and Talks are centred around our Non-Negotiable Uninterrupted Literacy Block. They will commence at 8.40 am and will begin with an information session which will outline the process and purpose of a Learning Walk and Talk and the role these play in improved pedagogical practices for our Skilled Helpful Adults which result in academic and well being improvements for our young people. 

Road Safety 

School Zone Safety video from Transport NSW HERE.

Car Seat Rules in NSW

The driver is responsible for children under seven years being secured by an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size.

Children aged between four and seven years must use a forward‐facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat.

Children aged seven years and over who are too small to use a seatbelt should use an approved booster seat or an anchored safety harness. The suggested minimum height for using a seatbelt is 145 cm or taller.

Until next time!

Zoe