Principal's Message

In schools our core work is focused on student wellbeing and delivering high-quality teaching and learning. This is the work that educators spend hours of time and effort preparing for and implementing, but of course, it is all the extra things that our students remember most when they are older. They bring stories of laughter and joy to the dinner table, they are the events they talk about when they see grandparents, family and friends, and they are fond memories we think about years later. As we prepare for our oldest students to attend camp later this week, I want to highlight some of the great experiences our students have engaged in over the last two weeks.

There is nothing quite like going on your first excursion, and for our littlest students, this has just happened. The anticipation of going to the farm with your classmates and seeing all the animals, riding on a tractor, is quintessential Kindergarten, no matter where you go to school in Sydney. The excitement of the bus ride, the smell of a farm, the patting of animals, the squeals and laughter, it is just a wonderful experience for all involved. Not to mention the silent bus ride home with the peaceful nature of sleeping children (and parents who, I hear, were exhausted by the end of the day). It is not just the little ones who fall asleep on the way home. I can guarantee that come Friday, there will be many of our Stage 3 students asleep as the bus pulls into the bus bay after camp, the signs of a camp thoroughly enjoyed.

In equal excitement, we had our first-ever Science Day and Science Fair. What a day this turned out to be. Mrs Prince had amazing plans for the day, and it lived up to the high expectations that she had. It was wonderful to see not only staff but students and the community engaged in scientific investigations and discussions. As educators, there is nothing quite like seeing the wonder and curiosity in a child’s eyes as they investigate and learn about something interesting. As I walked through the school that day, I saw this look everywhere I went, the wonder as the photo canister popped into the air, the excitement as the Diet Coke poured out when Mentos were added, and the curiosity as the students explored all the amazing Science projects. Science offers a world of wonder, and I hope we inspired some interesting conversations around the dinner table that night, and that maybe we have begun to nurture a love for science that may lead to a career that changes the world we know.

In the area of Creative Arts, I had the privilege of joining our community for the Festival of the Bands on 26 August. Every time I hear our band play, I am in awe at their ability to play with such passion and talent. The time, effort, and dedication required to play a musical instrument are tremendous, and to come together and play so well at such a young age is phenomenal. As I said to our students on the night, I was an incredibly proud principal, and I congratulated them on an outstanding performance and all their hard work. 

With the improvement in our weather, it has been wonderful to see our students outdoors and engaged in a variety of physical activities from the PASS program, to PSSA, to the K-2 Touch Football program and the Zone Athletics Carnival. These activities are lessons and days our kids love, and as a school, we are continually looking for ways to not only support our students who show talent on the sporting field but also to develop the sporting skills of all students. We had a number of talented athletes compete at the zone carnival coming away with 3 students achieving outstanding results. Huge congratulations to Iliana placing 3rd in Shotput, Leo placing 2nd in the 100m and 1500m races and Jude placing 1st in the 200m and 800m. We look forward to seeing them compete at the regional competition in the coming weeks.

Finally, last night our Year 5 debating team competed in the final of the Rotary Debating Competition at Epping Boys High School.  It was a tremendous argument that ended with the Roselea team walking away with the trophy. The team have worked hard all year, honing their arguing skills, developing their ability to think quickly and formulate strong opposing arguments. Well done to the team, I look forward to seeing where this talent takes them in the future.

Enjoy the last few weeks of Term 3.