Principal's Report
Magnify Sandhurst Update
As we reach the halfway mark of term 1 it has been exciting to visit classrooms and see active learning in both English and Mathematics as students and teachers engage with OCHRE and InitiaLit. The progress and growth occurring during this time has been excellent. Whilst the professionalism with which lessons are delivered is outstanding, the exposure to high-quality literature is great, and—most importantly—our children are fully engaged in the learning process.
The peaceful and calm way in which classes are operating has seen reduced behavioural issues during teaching time and has enabled our staff to teach and support all children. Students are focused, following classroom routines, and challenging themselves, even when the work is difficult. I am incredibly proud of both our students and staff for embracing these programs and adapting their teaching and learning approaches with such enthusiasm. Having had some exposure to these teaching methods over the last few years it is great to be a part of a Diocese and team all moving in the same direction.
I encourage you to continue conversations with your children about their learning—ask them about the books they’re reading, the handwriting they’re practicing, and the math's concepts they’re exploring. As I have always said, our partnership with families is an imperative for success, when we all engage in the learning journey together, we help deepen their understanding and success.
Parent Involvement – Join Us!
On Wednesday night, we held a combined Parents & Friends (P&F) and School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting. We were pleased to have seven parents in attendance, but we need more support—particularly for the SAC.
The School Advisory Council plays a vital role in shaping the future of our school, and we invite parents to get involved. The commitment is minimal—just four meetings per year, each lasting about an hour. Our SAC meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each term at 7:00 pm, and we would love to welcome new members. If you are interested, please feel free to email, call, or drop in for more information.
Our Parents & Friends group will also meet once per term. After the fantastic success of our Open Night, we have many exciting plans ahead, but we need your help! Many hands make light work, and to ensure the success of both social and fundraising events, we encourage more parents to get involved. Our next P&F meeting will be held in Week 8 on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.
The P&F has always been a great strength of our community, and we look forward to rebuilding that strength together. We hope to see you there!
The Season of Lent Begins
Next week, we enter the sacred season of Lent, a time of reflection, prayer, and preparation for Easter. To mark Shrove Tuesday, all children will enjoy pancakes—including gluten-free options—before we begin this important journey. A huge thank you to our six wonderful volunteers who are ready to cook up a storm!
Ash Wednesday marks the formal beginning of Lent. As a school community, we will join the parish for Mass, where ashes will be distributed to all students as a sign of our commitment to renewal and growth in faith. Lent invites us to reflect, give, and grow closer to God. We encourage families to take time for prayer and acts of kindness during this special season.
Grade 3-6 Swimming Program
Our Grade 3-6 Swimming Program will take place from Tuesday, 11th March to Friday, 14th March at Gurri Wanyarra. Each class will participate in a 45-minute lesson focusing on water safety and building confidence in the water. While school-based lessons provide valuable exposure, regular swimming practice outside of school is essential for skill development. With so many waterways and swimming areas in our community, learning to swim is a vital life skill, and we encourage all families to continue lessons beyond the school program.
Swimming Times:
🟦 Grade 6 – Swim 11:00 - 11:45 am (Depart 10:30 am)
🟩 Grade 4 – Swim 11:45 - 12:30 pm (Depart 11:15 am)
🟧 Grade 5 – Swim 12:30 - 1:15 pm (Depart 12:00 pm)
🟨 Grade 3 – Swim 1:15 - 2:00 pm (Depart 12:45 pm)
Please ensure your child brings swimwear, a towel, goggles (if needed), and a water bottle each day. We look forward to a fantastic week of swimming!
Supervision Hours Reminder
Please be aware that schoolyard supervision begins at 8:30 am. Recently, we have noticed a large number of children arriving before this time, when staff supervision is not in place. For the safety and well-being of all students, we kindly ask that children are not dropped off before 8:30 am. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe.
2025 NAPLAN Assessment
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, evaluating key skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and numeracy. These assessments help track student progress and support their learning journey.
2025 NAPLAN will take place from 12th to 23rd March, following the schedule below:
📌 Writing – Wednesday, 12th March
📌 Reading – Monday, 17th March
📌 Conventions of Language – Tuesday, 18th March
📌 Numeracy – Wednesday, 19th March
📌 Catch-Up Assessments – Thursday, 20th to Monday, 24th March
Families have already received information regarding NAPLAN. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher or myself.
As we begin the football season – Go Cats
Paul Wilkinson