A Message from the 

Assistant Principal

Academic Reports

Our reports for Semester One were made available to parents on Monday through the Compass portal (Reports tab). Please download a copy.

This report reflects the growth of your child as well as the areas that require improvement. The teachers have dedicated many hours to the writing of these reports. The gradings and comments are based on many aspects of your child’s work in class - formal and informal assessments, observations and work samples. We hope you have had the opportunity to share your child’s growth with them and celebrate their achievements.

NAPLAN Results

NESA has advised that the 2024 NAPLAN results for Year 3 and Year 5 will be dispatched to schools for distribution to parents at the start of Term 3. The preliminary results show that we have much to celebrate, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. We look forward to sharing the detailed results with you and celebrating the individual and collective successes of our students.

Glass Bottles & Containers

A reminder that students should not be bringing their lunch in glass containers or glass drink bottles to school. These could break and be unsafe for children. 

Positivity - Can Do

I recently came across some notes from a conference I attended a few years ago on wellbeing. The keynote speaker was clinical psychologist, Andrew Fuller. One of his messages was around creating a positive mindset. Below is an extract from one of his publications that I thought was worth sharing.

Research has proven Henry Ford correct when he said, “whether you think you can or that you can’t, you are usually right”. 

Helping young people develop a positive growth oriented mindset where they can improve over time and overcome setbacks powerfully predicts success. This shifts them from “can’t do” to “can do”. 

Here are some ways that parents develop this attitude in children. 

Have a policy of “we fall down 7 times but we get up 8”. We all have set backs. There are times when we all have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again. Most of us are experts in this even if we’ve forgotten it because this is the way we learned to walk. Sucking at something the first few times you do it is the first step to getting good at it. 

Use “I noticed” feedback Parents can use “I noticed” feedback for positive and negative behaviours. The number of comments made to kids that begin with the phrase “I noticed”, shape behaviour powerfully. For example, “I noticed you like to draw”, “I noticed you are really trying hard to”, “I noticed you’re reading a good book”. Believe me, they will notice that you have noticed! Parents can use this to calmly draw attention to negative behaviours. For example, “I notice you are up when you are supposed to be asleep” or “I notice that you are feeling upset right now”. This gives kids a chance to explain their actions or comply with parents’ wishes. 

Praise effort more than ability Tell your kids that they are geniuses but they don’t know it yet. It’s good to know that your parents think you are wonderful. Then focus most of your comments on effort. For example, “You really worked hard at that well done!” “I noticed you really tried your best at that, I’m impressed” or “Wow, your practice seems to be really paying off”.

www.andrewfuller.com.au From ‘Can’t Do’ to ‘Can DO’

Sabbath Time

It is hard to believe that we are already at the half way point of the year! Each year at this time, I write about Sabbath time as I feel it is important for us all. 

Taking ‘sabbath’ time is an important way of tuning in and responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We need time when work is put aside to gain respite and to relax, to nourish our relationships with others and with the environment. Spending quality time with family and friends, and enjoying cultural, social, and leisure pursuits is a means of doing this. We need to experience recreation time so we can ‘re-create’.

Term Two has been another busy term with lots of wonderful things happening in our school on top of the day-to-day learning that takes place in every classroom. 

At St. Martha’s, we are grateful for the dedication of our teachers, the support of our parents, and the hard work of our students. May these holidays be safe and provide you with some ‘Sabbath time.’

We look forward to welcoming all students back after the holidays on Tuesday 23rd July.

Steven Belcastro

Assistant Principal