Principal's

 

Panorama

Welcome to Week Four Angels,

I want to thank you all for the way you have rallied around the students and myself after the death of Basil.

Many of you will understand the connection that animals play in our lives.. but may of you do not know the backstory of how animals have helped me and my students for many years.

Basil, was a highly intelligent, farting machine who was so connected with me as his 'person', that he at times ...let's admit..ALLLLLL the time, found it hard to be absent from me at SMOTA.  He has his people at school, Ms Ogilvie, Ms. Archibald and Ms Holmes who understood him and knew of his amazing ability to calm and distract students.

I am incredibly sad to no longer have him on staff at SMOTA, or in my family outside of school.  

Thank you to all those students, parents and carers who wrote, messaged, emailed and sent in flowers and cards.  You get it... you truly get it. xoxo

Vale Basil, you big black bin chicken.

Baby News 

I had the most delightful news from Ms Archibald last night.  She and Josh welcomed a beautiful baby girl yesterday. 

 I am sure you will all join me in congratulating, Claire, Josh and their family on the newest member of their little family.  I cannot wait for snuggles!!!!!

Now we await with eager hearts on the safe arrival of Ms Ogilvie's precious bundle.

 I am currently in Wollongong at the 2023 Association of Catholic School Principal's State Conference.  After the challenges of droughts, floods, bushfires,  Covid and staffing it has been touted as time to focus on the new ways of thinking in education, reflect on how we educate and really explore the theme of New Hope, New Growth. A celebration of Catholic Educational Leadership.

There have already been some fantastic sessions and masterclasses from keynote speakers over the last two days.  Even from our very own Alistair Stewart Principal at St Joseph's Wee Waa on the challenges and the absolute joys of working in rural and remote communities.

I am sure I will share more when my head is less 'full' of the learning and I have time to process all of the insights!

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is an important time for all Australians to come together and reflect on our shared histories and cultures. This year's theme, "Be a Voice for Generations," is a call to action for all of us to take tangible steps towards reconciliation in our everyday lives.

Reconciliation is about acknowledging the past and working towards a future where all Australians are treated with respect, dignity, and equality. It is about acknowledging and respecting the culture, traditions, and experiences of Australia's First Nations peoples.

As educators, we have a vital role to play in promoting reconciliation and creating a more inclusive and equitable society. We can do this by incorporating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into our teaching and learning, by building strong relationships with our local Indigenous communities, and by promoting understanding and empathy among our students.

The National Reconciliation Week website provides a wealth of resources for schools and communities to get involved in reconciliation initiatives. These resources include educational materials, event ideas, and practical actions that individuals and groups can take to support reconciliation.

This year National Reconciliation Week is the 27th May to the 3rd June

Student Led Conferences:

Please book on COMPASS for Student Led Conferences.... Students have the right to learn and parent/carers have the right to see/hear of their child's successes from their child! 

Your children will be an integral part of these meetings, please ensure they attend.

My staff are looking foward to 100% parent/carer bookings!

A look ahead at Term 2

Student Led Conferences (Parent Teacher Interviews) Week 9. 

Tuesday 20th and Wed 21st June.

Please see COMPASS for booking details.

Teachers for booking

Mrs Grills: Transition

Mrs Ahumada: Kindergarten

Mrs Hayes: Grade 1/2

Mrs Holmes: Grade 3/4

Mr Niemerg: Grade 5/6

SAC - School Advisory Council Meeting

I would like to advise that the next SAC meeting will occur on the 14th June at 6:00pm at the St Mary of the Angels Administration Building.