Assistant Principal Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of Week 6, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your contributions to what has been a very successful and busy term so far. It has been a rewarding challenge stepping into the role of Acting Principal, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I felt incredibly supported by our wonderful school community, including the leadership team, staff, students, parents, and Parish priests. Thank you all for your kindness and cooperation.

Tell Them From me Survey

A very big thank you to the  families who participated in the Tell Them From Me Survey earlier this year, along with the students from Years 4-6 and our dedicated teaching staff. The insights gained from this survey are instrumental in guiding our school planning and identifying areas for improvement.

The feedback we received highlights several positive aspects of our school. Parents value the caring and welcoming environment, the variety of opportunities available to students, and the extracurricular activities that enhance their overall experience. Our students recognise the positive relationships they share with their teachers and peers and have a clear understanding of the expectations for their success. There was also strong appreciation for the opportunities provided in sports, reflecting our commitment to fostering both academic and physical development.

In our ongoing effort to create an environment where every student can thrive, we have identified a few areas where we can enhance our efforts:

Parent Workshops and Improved Communication: We heard your requests for more workshops focused on well-being, ICT, cybersafety, and maths. We are committed to offering these sessions and will also work to improve communication at both the school administration and teacher levels to ensure that parents feel more welcomed and informed.

Increase Social Justice Initiatives: We plan to introduce more social justice activities, providing our students with greater opportunities to engage in community service and develop a deeper sense of responsibility.

Enhance Reading Programs: To encourage a love for reading, we will be implementing new initiatives such as book clubs, reading challenges, and library events.

Manage Screen Time: We will educate students and parents on healthy screen time practices and offer alternatives to screen-based activities, ensuring a balanced approach to technology use.

Thank you once again for your participation and ongoing support. Together, we will continue to build a school environment where every student can excel and every voice in our community is heard.

National Child Safety Week 2nd - 6th September

The theme for Child Protection Week is “Every conversation matters”’, this ties in with the National Office of Child Safety’s “One talk at a time” campaign which you may have seen on TV, youtube or social media.

Please make sure you have a talk to your child about body safety during National Child Safety Week. The thought of any adult sexually abusing a child is terrifying, especially for parents and caregivers. However, we can empower our children by providing them with information to recognise unsafe situations and teaching them how to respond effectively. One powerful approach is the "One Talk at a Time" initiative, which encourages proactive conversations between adults and children to prevent child sexual abuse. 

What is body autonomy? It's the idea that all people have the right to govern what happens to their own bodies. By teaching children about body autonomy, we empower them to feel in control and less likely to fall prey to sexual abusers. Here are some essential steps for parents to promote body autonomy: 

Teach Real Names: Start by teaching your child the real names of their body parts. Normalise discussions about all areas of their bodies. 

Boundaries: Explain who can look at or touch their private parts and under what conditions (e.g., doctors for health checks). 

Saying "No": Encourage your child to say "no" if they don't want to be touched or hugged, even by adults. 

Secrets: Differentiate between safe secrets (like surprise birthday party plans) and secrets that should always be shared with a trusted adult. 

Conversations have the power to prevent child sexual abuse. While you may not be an expert, no one knows the children in your life better than you do. Start by learning about child sexual abuse, including where and how it occurs, and explore tools and resources to facilitate these crucial conversations. 

Remember, prevention begins with one talk at a time. Let's work together to keep our children safe and end child sexual abuse. 

For more information, visit the One Talk at a Time campaign. If you suspect immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). 

References

One Talk at a Time | National Office for Child Safety 

Preventing Childhood Sexual Abuse, One Talk at a Time 

How to Talk with Kids About Personal Safety and Sexual Abuse 

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or counsellor. 

I would also like to inform you that I will be stepping down from this role as Mrs Louise Fairhall returns from her well-deserved break on Tuesday, 3rd September. We hope she had a lovely time away, and we look forward to welcoming her back.

Thank you once again for your support, and I look forward to continuing our journey together in my usual capacity.

Mrs Lucy Chigioni

Acting Assistant Principal