Dear Families,

Welcome to the seventh week of term two.

As we observe Reconciliation Week, we have been on a journey of discovery and connection together. Our students have been so excited to take part in activities celebrating Indigenous culture, such as storytelling sessions and making amazing artwork inspired by traditional symbols. We felt incredibly honoured when Goodstart Early Learning Clayton invited us to join them for a special Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Guided by a respected local Elder from Boonwurrung Land Council, this experience has deepened our understanding of Indigenous heritage and why reconciliation is so important.

God of all creation,

as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,

we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity,

creating a path of goodwill, with justice and compassion.

Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.

In peace and understanding, we reconcile with each other.

Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.

Amen.

BIG NEWS! SPC School Production

**Exciting news alert!** St Peter's is hitting the big time with our very own school production! We're thrilled to announce that our school will be staging "Monumental Mayhem" at the Alexander Theatre at Monash University on Monday, 16th September. Our staff have eagerly unpacked the script, and we'll soon be casting main roles for the production. The entire school will be getting involved, practising their parts from the beginning of term 3. Be sure to mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE!

Vision for Instruction

At St Peter's, our staff are committed to upholding high standards of education through continuous professional development.

Currently, we are deeply engaged in exploring the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Vision of Instruction, which emphasises the creation of clear, knowledge-rich learning experiences.

Our teachers focus on carefully planning and sequencing tasks to ensure effective learning. An integral part of our teaching approach is explicit instruction, which involves starting lessons with clear, teacher-guided instruction and gradually transitioning to student-led learning through modelling and guided practice.

We take pride in the fact that St Peter's and Melbourne Catholic schools are at the forefront of this evidence-based instructional model, recognising its potential to benefit all students, regardless of their background or learning style. Our teaching approach remains flexible and adaptable, enabling our staff to meet the diverse needs of our students while maintaining a high standard of instruction.

You can read the MACS Vision for Instruction here:

Sacrament of Eucharist - This Sunday

This Sunday marks a significant milestone in the faith journey of our students as they receive Holy Communion for the first time. It's an exciting time for them as they awaken their faith and become able to fully participate in the Mass. Please join us in praying for the children during this momentous occasion. We extend our gratitude to Father Andrew, Mrs DeVisser, and our wonderful teachers for their invaluable role in preparing our students for this important day.

Celebrating Our Learning

What an action-packed fortnight it's been! Our Year 5/6 students had a blast at Lady Northcote Camp and interschool sports. Our Year 3/4 students had an excellent Secondary School experience day at Salesian College. The F-2 students enjoyed a beautiful autumn day celebrating cross country. Next week, our Year 5/6s are excited to visit the Zoo as part of their inquiry unit. And let's not forget the fantastic learning happening in every classroom. We truly are a great school, with amazing learning experiences all around—it's all happening!

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Belinda Mihalicek

Acting Principal

principal@spclayton.catholic.edu.au

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