'A Welcoming Community Leading the Future of Learning with Faith and Love'

A Message from the Principal

The excitement is building, as we showcase our student's many talents this week at Karalyka Theatre. It is inspiring to see students from all year levels coming together to rehearse our musical production, The Amazing Adventures of Superstan which will captivate the audience when they meet Stanley Marvel, the superhero of Megaville. This will be a fantastic adventure as our hapless Superhero flies by the seat of his pants, faster than a speeding paper aeroplane, and learns that with great power comes great hilarity.

There are still a few tickets available so please jump online to secure the final seats. I am looking forward to sharing this special event with you all.

As many students will be exhausted after our major production, I am encouraging everyone to come in late the next day. Teachers will be onsite running regular programs but we understand if students want to have a sleep-in on Thursday.

Last Friday it was fantastic to have so many fathers, grandfathers and special guests join us for a Footy Day breakfast. Special thanks to Tanya for organisng the whole event and to Peri and the all the mums who were at the school early to cook the BBQ, decorate, cut up fruit, clean-up afterwards and serve all of the visitors. It was wonderful to see all the families celebrating together and even enjoying a kick of the footy after breakfast.

Footy Food Day will be on Wednesday 13 September and further information is on the Community Association page in this newsletter.

This Friday I will commence long service leave prior to the school holidays. Melinda Buscema will be in charge while I am on leave.

I hope that you all have something special planned for the holidays. Stay safe and enjoy this time with your children. It has been a great term of learning and community events and I know that we have many special things planned for you all next term. I look forward to seeing you all for the start of Term 4.

Our School Advisory Council will meet tomorrow night in the staffroom. If you would like to consider being a part of the SAC for 2024 please send me an email with your expression of interest.

Principal Indigenous Immersion Trip

On Friday 18 August, nineteen outer eastern region principals, commenced an Indigenous Immersion in Far North Queensland. It was an incredible trip to be part of and a once in a lifetime experience. We travelled in a 4WD bus, starting at Cairns and headed north towards to Lakeland, the entrance to the Cape Peninsula. From there we drove to Cooktown, stopping for a short break before making our way to the small town of Hopevale where we stayed on indigenous Homeland, a Cattle Station owned by Richard and Lilian, the Indigenous elders and custodians. Their property was vast and lush. The wide open paddocks were bordered by native forests that stretched for acres. We pitched our tents on their property next to the dam and a short walk to the stream which was to be our bath for the next few days. There are only 5 elders remaining who speak their local language fluently which includes Lilian and her parents. Lilian is a language teacher at the local school and has written many books and songs to help the children of Hopevale to learn the language and culture.

Each of us were given an indigenous name, to carry with us through the trip. My indigenous name was 'Thiminh' meaning Spark, like the spark of the fire. The following day we walked through the forest as Lilian and Richard identified the various trees and plants that related to many of our names. We learnt about the many uses of the trees, including grass trees which were in abundance. The bulb of the grass is like a small cabbage which can be eaten and the trunk is used as a mosquito coil, while the tall straight flower stem is used as a spear. We discovered the variety of barks and woods and what they are used for. The green ants also have many uses. They use a bundle of green leaves to make their nests and when suffering from a cold the indigenous people squash the nests to breathe in the strong menthol aroma. The ants are also very tasty and make a great snack.

In the afternoon we were treated to a demonstration from their muster dogs as they rounded up the brahman cattle. Nights were spent around the campfire, sharing daily reflections and being in wonder and awe at the magnificent clear, black, night skies.

Another day we were taken to the local waterfall, Isabella Falls, which made for a great swimming spot and bathing area. We also trekked through the bush to discover their old homestead, which had gone to ruin, but they are hoping to restore it one day. From there we made our way downstream, walking barefoot through the shallow waters, climbing over rocks and fallen trees. It was a great adventure and gave us time to take in the peacefulness and serenity of this beautiful rainforest area.

Our next stop was at a campground called Yindilli, near the town of Wujul Wujul. Yindilli Camping Ground is set amongst some of the most beautiful rainforests of north Queensland and is located on the CREB Track, near the iconic Roaring Meg Falls. CJ our host is the caretaker of this homeland. He welcomed us to country with a traditional smoking ceremony and introduction. The highlight of this stop was being taken to Meg Falls. CJ took the male principals to a sacred men's spot to share special secret mens business. When they returned their bodies were painted with red and white ochre. After lunch it was the female principals turn to visit the sacred women's site. As a grey haired elder, CJ was able to take us to this special loaction, on top of the falls. On the way we learnt about the massive birthing rock, where many women go to have their babies. We heard about their creation stories when women were created and the significance of the rocks around us. Our faces and arms were painted with patterns of white and we all felt a great connection to the spirit of the land and this important part of our country's story.

As a FIRE Carrier school this experience has given me a greater insight into our indigenous history and I am also very keen to ensure that all of the schools in our region become FIRE Carriers, to share these stories and the knowledge about the land with our school communities. One of the great lessons from this trip that I would like to instill in all our students is that "if you look after the land, the land will look after you."

Final Week - Literacy and Numeracy Week

Literacy and Numeracy Week
Monday - School Assembly - 2.50pm
Wednesday - Special Food Day - Book Character Parade - 9.00am
Thursday - Book Swap
Friday - Final Assembly - Classes sharing their Inquiry learning - 12.15pm
Students finish at 1.00pm on Friday

For more details please see the Learning and Teaching page of this newsletter.

Fees

Outstanding fee notices were forwarded recently. Please let us know if you have outstanding fees but have not received your statement. All outstanding fees are due by the last day of Term 3, Friday 15 September, 2023.

Please make an appointment to speak with me if you are experiencing financial hardship or unable to meet your commitment by the due date.

Thought for the Week

“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.” (Indigenous Proverb)

I hope that you all have a fabulous week and enjoy a restful and relaxing break!

Verona Gridley

Principal

vgridley@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

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