A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day and I hope all our mums had a relaxing day.  Mother’s Day is a good annual reminder to say thanks to the mums and other special carers who play an important role in our lives.  Thanks to Kate Thompson for coordinating the special mother’s day gifts we had available for students to purchase. We hope you loved the gift your child selected!

This week we commence Naplan Assessments for Year 3 and Year 5 students. These online assessments give a snapshot of student achievement in the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics. As a school we analyse the results to ensure individual student learning needs are catered for. Please do not stress about the assessments but look on them as a tool to further learning opportunities.

Mrs Meade and Mrs Darnell are in Coffs Harbour this week on a retreat organised by the Catholic Schools office. I had the pleasure of teaching Mrs Meade’s class yesterday and today. I was so pleased with the focus on learning evident in this classroom. The students knew the expectations in all subject areas and were fully engaged in their learning. Highlights for me were a very interactive whole class debate on the topic “Books are better than movies” and a creative drama lesson where the students had to improvise having a conversation with different people under unusual circumstances! 

This Thursday and Friday I will be attending the Diocesan Principals’ meeting for this term. These gatherings offer opportunities for Principals to share ideas and learn from one another. I look forward to bringing back information which will benefit our school.

Next week our Primary students will be participating in a ‘times tables and number fact’ challenge. I encourage all students to spend a few minutes each day practising these important skills at home! Mastering these facts is a valuable life long skill to have.

“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out!”

Have a wonderful week.

Pauline Long

Principal