From the Principal's Desk

Dear parents, families and friends,

Eight weeks of Term 2 have now passed. As we near the end of term we enter into a very busy time for teachers. Just like the End of the Financial Year is a busy time for businesses and accountants, June is also a busy time for teachers. Report time is the business end of what we do as educators, summarising the past six months for each student, their achievements and challenges, the goals and directions for future learning. I have read many of the general comments and look forward to seeing the full completed student reports. In the near future I will be seeking feedback from students, staff and parents on the reports to ensure they are relevant, purposeful and meet the needs of our school community.

The building project is progressing. We have had to make some changes to the original plans to keep the project within budget. We are also working with the power company, as some of the work involves having the power lines moved or extended to a safer distance from the area of works. I am still hopeful of beginning work either during the holidays or early next term.

Last week we had some news announced that is both exciting and sad. Miss Charlie Austin has been successful in securing a full time teaching position back in the U.K at Robert Blake Science College in Somerset.  Charlie will be able to move back home, being much closer to family and friends, as her new school is only 4 hours from her home. We thank Miss Austin for her time here at St. Augustine’s. Her energy, enthusiasm and dedication will be greatly missed. She has been a valuable member of staff who will surely be missed by all. We congratulate Charlie on her appointment and wish her all the very best for the future. Charlie will finish employment here at St. Augustine’s on Friday 19th July. We will keep in contact with Charlie. More importantly for any of us heading to the U.K we now have a free place to stay!

Miss Marissa Balbuziente has been appointed to teach YR 1/2 A for the remainder of the school year.

Marissa brings a variety of experiences, she is familiar with the Year 1/2 students and curriculum as well as with the school community. I know she is excited about joining our staff and contributing to the life of the school  as she starts full time in Term 3. I am sure all parents and students will make Marissa feel very welcome as she settles into St. Augustine's and comes to know more fully what wonderful students, families and staff we have.

I take this opportunity to remind everyone about some procedures involved during the dropping off and picking up periods of the day. Students riding bikes or scooters to and from school must dismount before entering the school grounds and walk there bike or scooter to the storage racks. This is for the safety of all, particularly preschool age siblings. Also, I know some families like to walk their dogs to school. I think this is great, however, dogs must remain outside the school grounds. This is because there may be students or visitors that are allergic to dogs. Some students or visitors may also be scared of dogs and so we need to be aware and respectful of this. Finally, no matter how calm or friendly a dog may be, children and pets are unpredictable. So for this reason we ask that dogs remain outside the school grounds. I thank you for you understanding, support and cooperation with this matters.

There will be a couple of minor changes to school assemblies beginning next week. The seating of students and parents will be moved slightly to bring everyone closer together. We will also trial not using the microphone and speakers. Some of of students have sensitive hearing and the speakers are uncomfortable for them. Again, the wellbeing of all students is central to everything we do here at St. Augustine's.

On Wednesday our Year 3 students celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. It is a simple but beautiful sacrament in which the students discover God's great love for us. The important thing about sacraments is that they are linked to our lives. Reconciliation is an important part of life. It is not exclusive to the Catholic faith, however it is unique in the way we celebrate and rtualise it. This is what the sacraments do, they take ordinary elements from life and make them extraordinary by recognising the presence of God in these moments. As a Catholic school we practise reconciliation on a daily basis. Forgiving, being sorry, being forgiven, making up for the wrong we've done and moving forward happen all the time for big things and little things. The students need to see that this is what we do. It is important for us to start each day fresh, to forgive and to forget!!

Have a good weekend. I will speak to you again in two weeks with the final newsletter for Term 2!

Regards,

Matthew Stead

Principal