Principal's Page
Dear Families,
We find ourselves at the end of an extremely busy and short term with many memories created and learning experienced. I always enjoy listening to student highlights. Megan has included many on the Learning & Teaching page. Thank you for your support and involvement in your child's/children's learning.
VACPPA Conference
I was fortunate to attend the Victorian Association Catholic Primary School Principals (VACPSP) Conference at Lorne last Wednesday to Friday. The theme of the conference was Think. Engage. Lead. With Strength. There were many wonderful speakers who shared their stories of strength including Saroo Brierly (author and subject of movie - Lion), Craig Foster (former Socceroo Captain and now human rights activist, broadcaster, author etc.), Mitch Tambo (Indigenous musician, actor, performer), Jelena Dockic (former number 4 tennis player, speaker, commentator, author etc.) and Deborah Patterson (former principal, mentor, author etc.). Ashley Fell, a social researcher, shared her insights into Gen Alpha, who are our present students and the similarities and difference to past generations. Some of my learnings included:
- Trends shaping the future of education
- The importance of building resilience and providing permission to fail
- Culture of a school is key to xxx
- Lifting people up doesn’t mean putting others down
- Need to engage in order to problem solve with marginalised groups
- Belief in self and others
- Victim, survivor, thriver - the key is to talk about things. Everybody needs a hero.
- The importance of focusing on: relationships, culture and wellbeing
The Wall Project
There was great excitement today as the hoarding was removed from the lower retaining wall and students once again have access to the top oval. We are still a few weeks away from the main section of the wall and the outside area being opened to the school community.
Open Door Afternoon
It was great to see so many parents at our recent Open Door Afternoon. It is just one of the ways we were hoping to share our learning with our families this year. We are hoping to create a more engaged learning community this year through offering families opportunities to be involved in the learning.
Briars Incursion
Thank you to Jane Byrne for for organising an incursion with the Briars Nursery as a part of the Moonah Woodlands Restoration Project. Students propagated and planted seeds with local community members including Councillor Celi, Councillor Race, Councillor Dixon, Josie Jones, Norman O'Bryan and Dr Ursula de Jong.
St Patrick's Day Mass
I took a group of Year Six leaders to the St Patrick's Day Mass followed by a concert in the park to celebrate Catholic Education Week. It was a most enjoyable day.
Communicating with Staff
Please don't hesitate to discuss your child's progress with their teacher/teaching team. To ensure you you receive quality time and attention with staff, please email them to make an appointment rather than just dropping by.
St Joseph's Day
We had a fabulous day celebrating St Joseph, learning more about our house namesakes. Our sausage sizzle and colour fun run were a wonderful way to celebrate diversity, friendship and that everyone belongs. Thank you to Jess Lumsden, Jenny Todd and Jacqui Hayes for organising the day and to Sarah Eagle and her many helpers who prepared lunch and squirted us all with colour!
Lunch Orders
We are presently in discussions with a local business who are willing to supply lunch orders for students beginning next term. More information will be in the next newsletter. Our Year Six students will commence canteen every second Friday commencing Week Two next term.
Ryan Robinson Leave
Ryan will be taking leave for the whole of next term as he has a benign tumour removed. We wish Ryan all the very best as he recovers and look forward to seeing him in Term Three.
Easter Liturgy
It was great to gather and celebrate the true meaning of Easter this afternoon. Holy Week and the season of Easter is the reason for our faith. Thank you to Annabel and Sarsha for organising the Easter Raffle and congratulations to all the winners.
Term Two
Many thanks to St Joseph's dedicated staff for a term of enthusiasm and commitment and students for their engagement in the learning. I look forward to another productive term of learning and teaching beginning on Monday 15 April.
Please join us on the first day of Term Two for a coffee on us and catch up from 8:45am onwards.
Have a blessed Easter and enjoyable holiday,
Monica