Megan Franklyn

Assistant Principal

As Term 2 draws to a close, I can honestly say that I have never experienced a term quite like it.

Throughout the challenges we have faced, one thing has stood out above all else: the incredible strength of our school community. Students, families and staff have rallied around one another with kindness, compassion and support. It is these connections that continue to give us strength and the capacity to begin the healing process together. While this term has brought its share of difficulties, it has also highlighted the very best of who we are as a community.

When we reflect on the past ten weeks, we are incredibly proud of what we have still managed to achieve. Time and time again, our staff have demonstrated our core belief that we are here for our students and that their wellbeing, learning and sense of belonging remain at the centre of everything we do.

This term we welcomed work experience students from local secondary schools and pre-service teachers who have had the opportunity to learn from our talented and dedicated staff. It has been wonderful to support the next generation of educators while showcasing the exceptional work happening in our classrooms every day.

Our Year 5 and 6 camps provided students with memorable experiences, opportunities to challenge themselves and countless moments of fun and connection. We also successfully ran our Prep to Year 4 swimming program, with lessons taking place concurrently across two venues for the first time—a significant logistical achievement that ensured all students could participate in this important learning opportunity.

One of the highlights of the term was our Mother's Day Breakfast, which saw a fantastic turnout from families across the school community. It was wonderful to see so many students and their special guests come together to celebrate the important role that mothers, grandmothers and other significant carers play in their lives. The morning was filled with warmth, connection and conversation and was made even more special by a beautiful performance from our school choir.

As a school, we acknowledged National Reconciliation Week through classroom learning experiences and a special focus on Indigenous stories and authors in our library. These opportunities encouraged students to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.

Student wellbeing remained a key focus throughout the term. Our Student Eye Care Program concluded successfully, providing valuable support for many of our students and families, while the Australian Dental Van also visited our school, ensuring students could access important preventative health services.

We were delighted to celebrate our incredible Education Support staff during Education Support Personnel Day. Our inclusion staff, administration team, IT support staff and maintenance team all play a vital role in ensuring our school operates smoothly and that students receive the support they need to thrive. It was wonderful to acknowledge their contributions with a special morning tea and a small token of appreciation.

Of course, no wellbeing update would be complete without mentioning Leo and Hana. Their ongoing work supporting students and staff through co-regulation continues to make a significant difference across our school. Whether offering comfort, helping students regulate emotions or simply bringing smiles through their daily antics, they remain valued members of our school community.

This term also saw the successful delivery of our Peaceful Kids program. Four small groups of students participated in targeted sessions designed to strengthen emotional literacy, self-regulation skills and positive coping strategies. It was wonderful to see students develop confidence and practical tools to support their wellbeing both at school and beyond.

Finally, we concluded our semester-long work with our Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS) Coach. This has been an incredibly positive experience for our staff and school. As one of the early schools involved in this Department initiative, our teachers engaged in a continuous improvement cycle focused on encouraging expected behaviours through explicit praise and positive reinforcement. The commitment and professionalism demonstrated by our staff throughout this work has been outstanding and we look forward to building on these foundations in the future.

As we head into the holidays, I would like to sincerely thank our students, families and staff for their resilience, kindness and support throughout a term that has tested us in many ways. While there is still work to do as we continue to heal and move forward together, there is also much to be proud of and much to look forward to in Term 3.

I wish all members of our community a safe, restful and enjoyable break. May the holidays provide opportunities to relax, spend time with loved ones and return refreshed for another exciting term ahead.

Stir Crazy Kids

Carmel

Canteen Supervisor