Principal
Welcome to Week 6 of Term 3.
Over the past fortnight, we have been presented with additional challenges regarding the COVID-19 landscape, with increased restrictions being placed on schools for the duration of term 3 and possibly into term 4. Although challenging, I would like to express my deepest thanks to our parent community for your understanding and support on the latest restrictions. These restrictions are not ideal, however, we are not operating in an 'ideal' world at present.
The primary school leadership team and I have commenced the exciting responsibility of interviewing all our prospective Kindergarten families (new and existing) for the 2021 academic school year. The Primary AP's and I have all had lots of wonderful, and at times quite amusing conversations with our prospective Kinder students. Seeing their eyes light up as they enter their Kindergarten learning spaces has been priceless. We are experiencing solid numbers in Kindergarten for 2021, which in many ways, affirms St Philomena's as a highly valued and respected Kindergarten to Year 10 learning option for Moree. From next week, Monday 31st August, we will be turning our focus to our Year 7 enrolment strategy for 2021. Our current Year 6 families will receive an email next week with a link to confirm their continued enrolment for Year 7 in 2021 at St Philomena's.
Although COVID-19 has challenged our ability to host a number of sporting events this year, it is wonderful to see how our Leaders of Learning (K-10), with the support of Mr Tony O'Donnell, have been able to design an authentic athletics carnival experience for our students on the school grounds. Our students have been extremely excited to see over the past few days the school oval being transformed into an athletics field, with running track lines being painted, and improvements to our long jump pit. Tomorrow will be an exciting day for many of our students as we conduct the finals of our field events. Although due to restrictions, parents will be unable to attend, we will be endeavouring to post images and footage of the day on our Facebook page.
In closing this weeks message, I would like to thank all our families for their continued commitment, to send their children to school in the correct school uniform. This is an important step in building positive school culture. The number of students not in school uniform continues to decrease due to our continued focus, however, we ask that parents continue to stress the importance of wearing their school uniform (particularly in Years 7-10) each day.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
God bless
Jamie McDowall
Principal