Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. This day marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and followers of Jesus Christ. Occurring 50 days after Easter, it is often called the "birthday of the Church" because it empowered the early disciples to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations.
Lord,
We thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which fills our school community with life, love, and wisdom.
As we celebrate Pentecost, we ask that You send Your Holy Spirit down upon our students, teachers, and families. Kindle in us the fire of Your love. Grant us the courage to speak with kindness, the wisdom to understand one another, and the strength to serve those in need.
May the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and faithfulness guide our hearts and actions every day. Help us to shine Your light brightly in our school and out in the wider world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is an annual Australian event held from 27 May to 3 June that focuses on building respectful relationships, trust, and equality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
The week is a dedicated time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements. It provides an open space to explore how everyone can actively contribute to achieving national reconciliation.
The dates commemorate two key milestones: the 1967 referendum allowing for constitutional change regarding First Nations people, and the 1992 Mabo decision recognising traditional land ownership.
The 2026 theme is "All In" (or "All In for Reconciliation"), which urges all Australians to take active, collective responsibility for reconciliation, moving beyond passive support.
Yesterday our students wore Indigenous colours to school. After second break we gathered on the courts for a short reflection and Acknowledgement of Country, followed by a walk around the Botanic Gardens to admire and appreciate the land we live upon. Students will participate in Reconciliation activities in class in the days ahead.
Biggest Morning Tea / Classroom Visits
Last Friday morning our community came together beautifully for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, raising vital funds for the Cancer Council’s life-saving research and patient support.
The event was organising by our Grade 6 Social Justice team.
It was wonderful to see our school bustling with parents, grandparents, and siblings catching up over a cuppa and delicious treats.
The highlight of the morning was welcoming families into our classrooms. The children were absolutely thrilled to showcase their hard work, share their latest projects, and introduce their teachers to their loved ones. It was a fantastic opportunity for families to see our vibrant learning environments in action first hand.
Thank you for your overwhelming generosity through donations and baking, we raised a fantastic total of $400 for a great cause while strengthening our wonderful school community.
Absenteeism
This week Judy Carr and I analysed at the attendance rate of our students. We were quite surprised to see that at this early stage of the year a large number of students are below 90% attendance rate.
Missing just two days a month, stalls classroom learning momentum. Teachers must frequently pause new content to help returning students catch up, which can slow down academic progress.
Beyond academics, missing school takes a heavy toll on a child’s social and emotional well-being. Regular attendance helps students build friendships, navigate social skills, and develop routine. Frequent absences can lead to anxiety about catching up, creating a stressful cycle that makes coming back to school even harder.
Consistent school attendance builds the reliability skills needed for future success. By prioritising daily attendance, we ensure our students stay connected, confident and on track. If you are experiencing difficulty in this area, please make contact with your child’s teacher so we can assist in putting support mechanisms in place.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Michael Mahoney
(Principal)