Mrs Ryan's Fortnightly Reflections

As the term is now well underway, and we have already had much to celebrate. This week, it has been lovely seeing many of our families around the school, both at athletics and at our learning conversations. These events are great because they allow me to be reminded of and grateful for the collective investment and partnership our families have in their children’s education and the school.   

Thank you to the 77% of our families who attended learning conversations yesterday. I truly appreciate those of you who managed to balance your own work commitments to have those conversations. As I was in and around the learning conversations, it was rewarding to hear our parents' appreciation for the learning and growth we are experiencing across the school. It was also a reminder to me to thank you all and acknowledge the great trust you have placed in us as a school with the rollout, commitment, and engagement in Magnify! The change has been great, has had a significant impact, and has brought growth in areas and ways not seen before. The learning stamina and expectations of all of us have increased, and we are seeing lifelong learning skills that will carry significant impact for many of us. In our next newsletter, a summary of our data will be shared with our community.   

While our parents and carers were having learning-filled conversations with the teachers, the leaders and learners were learning about the brain, neuroscience, and how we learn! We learned about the parts of the brain, how much impact it has on how we act and feel, and why we find it so challenging to learn new things. I do hope that all learners came home with their ‘L’ plates and were able to share some things they learned about themselves as learners on the day! Once we had completed our theory, all learners tested out their new knowledge by trying to learn new skills with our visiting circus. It was a great day, filled with fun and engagement!   

I also became aware that, for some of us who may like to learn more about the pedagogy being embedded in our classrooms, it would be best to be seen and be in among the learning. This term, myself and other members of the leadership team will begin our termly learning walks, focusing on, and educating our parents about, the educational approach that is being employed in a specific area. Our first learning walk will be held on Thursday, 11th September, at 9:00 am, and will focus on literacy across the school. Learning walks are an intimate, focused, and purposeful experience that allow parents to see, understand, question, and offer wonderings and feedback about what is occurring in the classrooms. If this is of interest to you, please complete the registration via the link below. I look forward to these sessions with you.   

Over this term and early next term, St Mary’s is undergoing its four-yearly VRQA review. Behind the scenes, all staff are being educated about what this means and reminded of the many layers, practices, policies, and processes that ensure we, as employees, are compliant, as well as our grounds, facilities, and resources. At times, the review of compliance will introduce changes in legislation and practice that may involve our community. As a team, we will keep you all informed, particularly around our child safeguarding expectations and standards.   

It has been another busy week, but with so much joy, fun, and celebration. I do hope everyone enjoys the sun-filled weekend ahead.   

Take care & God bless.   

Jasmine Ryan   

Principal