Principals News

That seemed quick.

I am always conscious of school holidays, and the impost it can put on families. I can assure you the students benefit from them, as we see their attention levels and some frustrations appear as the terms end. However, for working families and particularly single parents, it is a real challenge. My prayer this Easter season is that you can find moments of joy with your children, even if it is a short trip to a park, a board game… just something done together that you all can enjoy. So as we rest (or support our own kids), I thank you for the little changes you make to support your children this holiday period.

School Saving Bonus

After some delays, have have now actioned the school saving bonus. We have worked to make it as easy as possible for our eligible families (must have a Health Care Card). The proposed implementation saw families have to first spend the money. What we have arranged is that families can access vouchers to our Uniform Shop. All students attending Camp, the money will be used to pay for your child to attend camp. For families with children not attending camp, you can get vouchers for the uniform shop. The bonus can also cover Swimming and Excursions. Our Uniform shop is closed the first week of holidays, but will then open the second week. Voucher for eligible families are now available. 

Early Finish Tomorrow

A reminder that tomorrow we will finish school tomorrow at 1pm. I understand the inconvenience, but many schools are doing this due to the industrial award and Time In Lieu. This time pays back our staff with their after hours commitments such as Parent Teacher interviews, without having to close school for a day.

Our After school care will take any students enrolled from 1pm, which highlights the benefit of this service. 

School Closure

The school will be closed on Friday May 2nd 2025, for the second day of our Berry Street Training. 

Lunch Order

Our lunch today has been a big success and well done to our senior leaders who drove it. Thanks to Kelly from Rock and Fin for her support.

Camp

When we return, our Year 4 to 6 students will attend camp. This is a big commitment for our students and staff, and I hope they are well rested for what will be a BIG three days. Year 4 to 6 students, ensure that you are nice and early on the Tuesday we return, as we must leave on time. Ms Moran, Mrs Hudson, Mrs Drury, Ms Feddersen, Mr Webster and Mr Howe will be attending the three days. Thanks to the staff for their commitment and to their families for the adjustments they make to accommodate this.

Some of our senior students will have the Paul Wade Cup on May 5, then all Year 4-6 will be involved in Gala day on May 6. Permissions will able sent for these before the end of the term. We will also have 20 students compete in Cross Country, so those students interested should ensure practice over the holidays! 

Lent Reflection.

Judgement, we all do it at times, yet in regards to others, it is rarely useful. Fr Joby delivered a beautiful Homily where he reflected on the Gospel reading where Jesus challenged those who were making judgements. 

Today, Social media has amplified judgements. There is a strong case that judging others has always been a human trait, we see it repeatedly in the Bible, however, social media invited everyone to share their opinion on everything! 

The challenge is to see the good first. However, it is not really good for the other, it is better for ourselves. Making generous assumptions, seeing the good in others and providing compliments to others, actually makes us feel

Better as well! There was a beautiful podcast shared recently, by Hugh VanCuylenberg, from the Imperfects. He spoke of being a dad of an autistic son. Last year, we used Hugh’s resilience project. He is a big voice in education. Yet, what he shared here, for the first time in public, was the most beautiful and vulnerable letter to the community about being a parent of a neurodiverse child. Basically he asks for us to judge less. See the beauty in each child, despite their differences. I hope as we reflect this Lent, this time of renewal, I can ensure that I make less judgements of others, and see the beauty in others, understand that they may have challenges I do not know about, nor should and that I can be the voice who reaches out and validates their emotions.

I wish everyone, a very Happy Easter