Principal Message Week 9 - Term 1

In my previous newsletter, I shared thoughts about relationships and belonging. On Monday evening, as I listened to Dr Justin Coulson speak, this message came to life in a powerful way.

One simple yet impactful takeaway from the evening was the language we can use when someone is experiencing a challenge or setback: “Do you need a hug, do you want to chat, or would you like some space?”

These three words-hug, chat, space- offer children (and adults) a sense of agency and support in difficult moments. Sometimes resilience isn’t about fixing things straight away; it’s about sitting alongside someone in the hard moments, acknowledging how they feel and responding with care.

It was wonderful to see so many parents take time out of their busy schedules to be present, listen and engage in such an important conversation about supporting our children and understanding that 'resilience is relational'.

The evening was interactive and reflective, with many parents sharing their experiences and leaving with a deeper understanding of how we can nurture resilience together. It was a strong reminder that when school and home, work in partnership, we create the conditions for our children to thrive.

Celebrating our students

Our Annual Sports Day was a wonderful celebration of participation, teamwork and school spirit. The encouragement shown by students, staff and parents created a positive and energetic atmosphere and we were fortunate that the weather allowed us to enjoy the day together.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ recent achievements in swimming and the way they continue to represent our school with enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Please read more in our sports news.

What a wonderful celebration of culture and diversity in our community this morning. As part of the Who We Are unit of inquiry, our Year 1 and 2 students participated in a cultural celebration where they proudly shared their home languages, traditional foods, clothing and personal stories.

It was wonderful to see the pride and confidence of our students as they presented to an audience. This is a true reflection of the strong partnership between home and school; parents supporting and sharing from home, students eager to learn and contribute and staff thoughtfully preparing meaningful opportunities for celebration and connection within our community.

Moments like these strengthen our sense of belonging and remind us of the richness that diversity brings to our school.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. Together, through strong relationships and shared understanding, we continue to build a community where every child is known, supported and encouraged to grow.

Community News

St Columba's Hall - Sunday 10am