Principal's Report
This week at St Finbar's
Once again we had a jam packed week at St Finbar's. Our Year 5s took part in their third Speaking with Power session and are now preparing for their final speeches on November 1st. The Year 1s gathered on Tuesday evening for their Prayers in Pyjamas and our Year 6 Literacy leaders ran a book sale with all proceeds going towards the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Archer and Edie (both from Year 5) competed in the Regional athletics carnival. And hot off the press, today our Year 5 and 6 basketball girls won all of their games at the Beachside Division Basketball tournament.
Please read Tania's sports page for more details about this week's sporting achievements.
Peter Pan
We're very excited to announce that the St Finbar's 2025 school production will be Peter Pan. Please see the Performing Arts page for more details, and information on the audition process (for current Year 4s and 5s ).
Planning for 2025
While we still have a few weeks left in this year, planning for 2025 is already in full swing. A team of teachers gathered on Wednesday to map out our curriculum for the next two years. Although we follow the Victorian Curriculum, considerable work goes into planning units and ensuring that the entire curriculum is covered over a two-year cycle.
Seven members of the leadership team attended the School Wide Improvement Forum (SWIF) today. Our team had ample opportunities to discuss how we will continue to build upon the work that has taken place this year and carry it into 2025. As a team, we are working towards enhancing the teaching staff's understanding of MACS' Vision for Instruction and Explicit Instruction, which is being implemented across all subjects to improve student outcomes.
Prep 2025 Orientation
Our first group of Prep students visited us on Monday and enjoyed their first taste of 'big school'. For some students with older siblings already at St Finbar's, it was exciting to spend some time at the school that is already familiar with them. We look forward to welcoming our next group this coming Monday. The incoming preps will have two more opportunities to visit to ease their transition into Prep next year.
School Closure Day
Just a reminder that we have a school closure day on Monday 4th November (the day before Melbourne Cup Day). Team Kids is operating on this day if you need to organise care for the Monday.
Netball Mums
A group of mums got together on the weekend to play a game of netball. Mums from Prep to Year 5 were represented, and they managed to put together two teams who competed against each other. I've heard that it was a resounding success, with some vocal support coming from the sidelines. Despite a few sore bodies, everyone left eager to do it all again in the future.
Take care and God bless,
Michelle Hill
Principal