FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Term 1 - Week 9

Sue Larkey

Sue Larkey is a highly qualified educator who has worked alongside students with Autism in a variety of schools. She combines practical experience with extensive research having completed a Masters in Special Education and currently undertaking a Doctorate in Education. She is a winner of the Naturally Autistic 2013 International Award for Community Contribution. Sue has also written many books on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She believes that armed with the tools of understanding and confidence, much can be achieved.

I am delighted to announce St Nicholas has engaged the services of Sue Larkey. Sue will be joining us on Wednesday 5th April to observe the support structures and daily practices we have embedded for our students. On the 6th April she will then provide professional development to our staff on further opportunities to improve the support provided to all St Nicholas students. More information about Sue can be found by clicking here.

Engaging Sue’s Larkey’s expertise comes at a significant financial cost to our school. It is a significant cost as Sue is so highly regarded as a specialist in Inclusive Education. It is a cost our school is delighted to meet in 2023, though also a cost we hope may become part of our annual budget in forming a quality partnership with Sue. 

Green Day and St Nicholas Art Competition

An enormous congratulations to everyone involved in our Green Day and our Art Competition. Green Day and the Art Competition brought great joy to our school community. To top it off, over  $2,200.00 ($1,645.30 for Green Day & $647.80 for the Art Competition) will now be directed towards Caritas to be distributed to those in greatest need.

Colour Run

St Nicholas 2023 Colour Run was another outstanding event. To date our school community has raised overall in excess of $40,000.00. Money raised from this event will go towards the implementation of our Stage 3 Engine Room (see last week's newsletter). The joy and excitement our children experienced reminds me why educating can be such a special vocation.

An enormous thank you to the St Nicholas PT&F for their coordination of this successful event. 

School Advisory Council

On Tuesday evening St Nicholas School Advisory Council met for the first time in 2023. 

The Catholic School Advisory Council provides the opportunity for members of the school and parish community to support the mission of Catholic education in the school. Working with the Principal and the Parish Priest, the members of the Council and its committees provide guidance and support to the wider school community (Diocese of Armidale Catholic School Advisory Council  Constitution, 6.1).

The 2023 St Nicholas School Advisory Council is made up of:

I take this opportunity to thank all members for their commitment and dedication to the students of St Nicholas Primary School

Open Learning Spaces

Tomorrow St Nicholas Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 look forward to welcoming our school community to the first Open Learning Space for the Year. 

Kindergarten 2024

Kindergarten 2024 enrolments are open and have been steadily submitted. St Nicholas continues to be an educator of choice for the Tamworth district and positions are in demand. Siblings of students have priority and I can guarantee their enrolment if their forms are submitted by the closing date. After this date, late applications may be confined to a waiting list. Closing date for Kinder 2024 enrolments is Monday 3rd April 2023.

I urge any current parent with a child starting school in 2024 to please ensure your application is submitted to St Nicholas by Monday 3rd April 2023.

John Clery

Principal