From the Principal 

Welcome Back

I hope everyone had opportunity over the holidays, to spend some time with loved ones and doing activities that bought happiness. Term 2 has started smoothly.

New Students

This term we have welcomed newly enrolled students across all year levels.

Swimming Program

The students enjoyed the program and especially today as they participated in fun pool activities. As well as teaching swimming competency, the program promotes risk taking and builds self-esteem and confidence. It is also a bonding experience, in which students are grouped according to levels and interact with unfamiliar peers. The program ran efficiently and achieved its goals, thanks to the planning and management of Jarrod Bradley our P.E. teacher and Numeracy Learning Specialist.

ANZAC Day Ceremony 

Today the student led ceremony was held at 2.45pm. Poppies were laid, and poems read. The reflection time was powerful. It is always a moving moment, when we come together to share the stories and to remember the sacrifices made.

Curriculum Day

Friday April 26th is a non-student day. The staff will further develop the school’s multi-tiered student support structure and prepare for Leadership Day. Lisa Webber our Wellbeing Teacher will introduce the staff to the Peaceful Kids program, that she will facilitate this term.

Air-conditioning Installation

Next week the installation of air-conditioning units in Block A will be completed. This also required an electrical upgrade with an approximate cost of $160,000, funded by the Victorian School Building Association. Outdoor unit components are being enclosed with cages. The garden beds will then be developed comprising mulch and plants.

Ramp Upgrade

The Victorian School Building Association will begin replacing and upgrading ramps. This includes concrete ramps and the wooden ramp to the hall. All works will be fenced and completed in stages. The project will be completed by Term 3.

School Uniform

It is great to see the students taking pride in their appearance. They look sharp when in their full school uniform and it creates a positive energy. Thank you to all the parents for supporting the school’s uniform policy. It is noticeable in the classroom, the playground and when venturing outside the school. The Le Page colours are calming and reflect our collective identity as a new school, on a mission, to be the best that we can be. Visitors on school tours regularly comment on how neat and smart our students look.

Thinking about Synergising

To put it simply, synergy means "two heads are better than one." Synergise is the habit of creative cooperation. It is teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. But it doesn't just happen on its own. It is a process, and through that process, people bring all their personal experience and expertise to the table. Together, they can produce far better results than they could individually. Synergy lets us discover jointly things we are much less likely to discover by ourselves. When people begin to interact together genuinely, and they are open to each other's influence, they begin to gain new insight. The capability of inventing new approaches is increased exponentially because of differences. Valuing differences is what really drives synergy. Do we truly value the mental, emotional, and psychological differences among people? Or do we wish everyone would just agree with us so we could all get along? Many people mistake uniformity for unity, and sameness for oneness. Differences should be seen as strengths, not weaknesses. They add zest to life.

Thought for the Week

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." — Maya Angelou

Have a great day tomorrow, and for some, have a great extended long weekend.

George Danson