Assistant Principal

The Season of Lent

Today we gathered together to celebrate the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Mass. The word ‘lent’ comes from a Latin word meaning ‘slowly, without haste, leisurely, calmly, dispassionately, to make flexible or to bend.’ Lent provides us with a time and the space in which our Spirit can catch up with our minds, hearts and bodies.

Today, it seems the world we live in is the complete opposite to this. In some ways, finding ‘time’ can be seen as a weakness. For some reason, our community seems to take pride in the fact that we should be available all of the time. This is simply not true and it is especially not true for children.

Both adults and children were created for balance: for working and relaxing; for socialising and for contemplation. If Lent is a time for ‘slow, without haste, calm, flexibility’ how can we use this Lenten Season to restore balance in our lives without feeling guilty about taking this time? 

‘Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest

awhile’.” Mark 6:31.

Curriculum Reform in NSW

As you would probably already be aware, NSW is continuing to update the primary school curriculum to make learning clearer, more focused, and more consistent across all schools. The new curriculum places a stronger emphasis on building solid foundations in reading, writing and mathematics. 

This means teachers will spend more time on essential skills and core knowledge, using approaches backed by research about how children learn best. There is now more explicit teaching, more practice of key skills, and more regular checks to see how well students are progressing. Overall, the curriculum reform is designed to give every child a strong start, a more consistent learning experience, and the skills they need for future success.

Last year, we welcomed families into our early years to see this teaching and learning in action which was a great success. To assist us with our planning for 2026, we ask that you complete this survey and provide us with aspects of teaching and learning that you would like to see or learn more about.