Principal's Report

School Newsletter Term 2

Athlete's Prayer

God, let me play well but fairly, help me to learn something that matters once the game is over. 

Let competition make me strong but never hostile. Always let me help my opponent up. 

Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others. 

If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy. 

Remind me that sports are just games. If through my efforts I set an example, let it be a good one.

- Author Unknown

Dear Parents and Carers,

A warm welcome back to Term 3! I hope everyone had a restful break and is returning to school refreshed and eager for new learning opportunities. This term is set to be exciting, starting with our very own Olympic Games. We anticipate a day filled with spirited competition and fun, and we’re excited for everyone to get involved. Miss Frost has provided detailed information about the day’s events in the Assistant Principal tab, and we hope you can join us.  

Open Day

Next Thursday, 8th August, we will be hosting another Open Day for families considering kindergarten enrollment for 2024. As we welcome new families to our school, I want to highlight the vital role that word of mouth plays in our community. If you know anyone who is still deciding on a school for their child next year, please encourage them to visit St. Margaret Mary’s and experience what our school has to offer. Your recommendations can make a significant difference.

Fundraising

In response to feedback from the P&F, earlier this year I shared an overview of our school's fundraising initiatives for 2024. As a part of the Sydney Catholic Schools system, we support two major St. Vincent de Paul initiatives: the Winter Appeal and the Christmas Appeal. During Easter, we also contribute to Caritas, the Charitable Works Fund (CWF), and the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF). All other fundraising activities are organised by the P&F and directly benefit the school.

This year, in the spirit of the Paris Olympic Games, we are excited to host the STMM Olympics as an additional fundraiser. Our goal is to refresh the line markings on the netball and handball courts on the top playground, and all proceeds from the STMM Olympics will be directed toward this project. Please remember that sponsorships and gold coin donations are entirely voluntary, as are the system-wide fundraisers. I will keep you updated on our progress and the initiatives we support throughout the year so you are well informed about where donated funds are being directed .

Thank you for your continued support and involvement.  

Dates for the Diary

By popular demand, the ‘Dates for the Diary’ tab will continue to be included in our newsletter, with important dates listed two weeks in advance. Additionally, we will strive to integrate the Compass calendar, which provides dates for the entire term. For added convenience, Miss Frost and Miss Abruzzese will update our Facebook and Instagram pages with these dates as well.

Should there be any changes to previously communicated dates, we will notify you through Compass, email, and the ‘Dates for the Diary’ tab in the newsletter. We appreciate all the suggestions and feedback we received on this topic.

Staff Development Day

Last Friday, our staff participated in two additional online modules aimed at enhancing our understanding of reading science and best practices in teaching. These modules specifically focused on the early years (K-2), offering valuable insights into the complex process of reading development. The training provided our teachers with a deeper understanding of how to effectively support early readers and implement best practices in the classroom. 

AI Conference 

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend a conference focused on exploring the growing influence of AI in the educational sector. Initially, I had reservations about what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the forward-thinking approach SCS is taking on this topic.

While AI in education often conjures concerns about students using tools like ChatGPT for their assessments, the conference revealed a more optimistic perspective. I was particularly encouraged by a panel of high school teachers who are already developing alternative assessment formats to integrate AI effectively into student learning. 

Even more impressive was a panel of four Year 12 students who shared their experiences using AI to enhance their study efficiency for the HSC. They highlighted the value of strong student-teacher relationships, emphasising that while AI provides speed and accuracy, they place greater trust in the personalised feedback from their teachers. This insight was a powerful reminder of the essential role human interaction plays in education, even as technology advances.

Perhaps the last word on AI for this fortnight should be left with Pope Francis . . .   

Such wisdom cannot be sought from machines. Although the term “artificial intelligence”

has now supplanted the more correct term, “machine learning”, used in scientific

literature, the very use of the word “intelligence” can prove misleading. No doubt,

machines possess a limitlessly greater capacity than human beings for storing and

correlating data, but human beings alone are capable of making sense of that data.

Pope Francis ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication’ Jan 2024.