From Our Principal

Newsletter  ~ Term 1, Week  6, 2024

Principal's Message:

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends of St Mel’s Primary School,

As we come to the end of Week Six of our new school year, our students and staff are well into the rhythm of learning at St Mel's Primary School. Our collective focus on revisiting school wide expectations, teaching, revising and pre-correcting expectations, along with providing recognition when our learners meet and/or exceed our expectations continues to support our learning in Pastoral Groups and Learning Suites.

I have spent the majority of this week learning and teaching with 3/4 NM while their Pastoral Group teacher Nanette Micallef has attended the Country Diocesan Leadership Program with diocesan leaders from Sale, Ballarat and Sandhurst. I have enjoyed my time in the classroom with the 3/4 children, whilst gathering a deeper understanding of learning and teaching approaches here at St Mel's and our staff team's ongoing efforts to continually improve our teaching practices for the benefit of our learners.

Given the context of the current teacher shortage all members of our school Executive Leadership Team have been in classrooms (or teaching PE) quite regularly this year to support coverage of our Pastoral Groups and learning programs. I am grateful for the support of Danae, Chris & Laura (who have taken on additional teaching roles), along with other members of part time staff who have also taken on additional days in support of our children.

Whilst it is adding some additional scheduling and re-scheduling workload, consitency for the children in their learning has been the main aim! 

Please keep the children participating in our parish-based Sacramental journey and their families in mind these coming weeks as children prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Last night Danae Napier and Chris Dainton, supported by parish representatives Mel, Sr. Pam, Anthony and Fr. Rene, led the first session for candidates and parents in the 5/6 Learning Suite. 

As a Catholic school and faith community, we are enriched by the presence and involvement of children, parents/carers and families from a diverse range of cultures and faith traditions.  Together we make up a rich tapestry of life, of tradition, of faith, of community.

Tomorrow evening begins the sacred month of Ramadan for our Muslim families, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. A few Sunday's ago I attended the open day of the Albanian Mosque located in North Shepparton and met with members of the local Muslim community who explained various facets of their religious practices and showed me through the Mosque which is visited by a number of local Muslim communities and visitors to the Goulburn Valley area, especially during our fruit harvest period. We wish our Muslim families well for the coming month of prayerful observerence.

Many of our Indian families will also celebrate the Holi Festival on the 25th March this year. The 'Festival of Colours' is a two day celebration that celebrates the eternal love between Radha and Lord Krishna. This festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil in the world.

We have such an opportunity within our community to learn about and experience the wonder, beauty, similiarities and differences between the faith traditions of the children, parents/carers and families that together make up the St Mel's Education Community.

Thank you the the parents/carers and children who continue to share their faith journey within our community. We are all enriched by this ongoing dialogue. I welcome parents and carers to please let me know of other significant events, days and seasons across the year which we can learn more about.

We wish the children in Years 3 and 5 all the very best as they commence their NAPLAN assessment period on Wednesday of this coming week. The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy is an annual assessment period for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9.

It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. It is one of the many assessments used by school staff to monitor achievement and growth of students within our annual assessment schedule. Parents/Carers will have received information recently via PAM and email regarding the NAPLAN period. 

Attendance at School Matters!

Best wishes for the approaching long weekend. (Remember - no school on Monday!)

Hope this is a good opportunity for your family to spend some wonderful moments together.

Kind regards,

Stephen 'Steve' Hicks

Principal