Ryan’s Rambling 

Dear Families,

I hope that you have all had a fantastic week. The warm weather has continued well into May, which is so unusual for Ballarat! 

Thank you, again, to our many families who were able to come to our Mothers’ Day Community Morning. 

Today marks a very special day on the educational calendar; one that, perhaps, is no nearly advertised enough! It Is Education Support Personnel Day! We are incredibly fortunate to have the most dedicated and wonderful Education Support Team here at Dana Street. From ensuring that our students are safe, settled and learning, to teaching valuable life skill, such as cooking, to working through friendship issues and taking our students horse riding, our team does it all. They also manage the office and school finances to ensure our school has enough money to pay for bills and purchase the very best resources for our students. To Penny, Olivia, Chloe, Jillian, Kim, Leah, Loretta, Maddi Sarah, Sharon, Stella and Sue, thank you for everything that you do! 

Two teams of very keen soccer players participated in the annual Winter Sports Soccer Competition on Wednesday. Our team was most excited to be given the opportunity to represent our school, and it was a proud moment to see them engage in competition, whilst demonstrating our School Values so strongly. 

As we move further into the school year, I’ve been reflecting on the strength and spirit of our Dana Street community. In the classrooms, on the playground, and at our events, one thing continues to stand out: the power of kindness and connection.

At Dana Street Primary, wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We know that children thrive in environments where they feel safe, supported and valued—and that begins with strong relationships. Whether it’s a smile from a friend, a teacher who takes the time to listen, or a family volunteering their time, these small acts of kindness have a big impact.

We’ve recently seen some wonderful examples of students reaching out to help others, showing empathy and care in both words and actions. These are not just “nice” moments—they’re signs that our values are alive and well. We’re proud of the way our students are learning to look out for one another and to understand that everyone’s wellbeing matters. I think, in a perfect world, we would see more of this each and every day. 

On that note, I am taking these thoughts into the weekend and looking for opportunities to give random acts of kindness. I challenge you to model the same to your children. 

Have a fantastic weekend. 

Ryan