FROM THE PRINCIPAL

TERM 2 - WEEK 1

To the St Nicholas School Community  

Welcome to Term 2, a term which promises to be extremely positive and productive in the lives of the St Nicholas School Community. With the recent easing of Covid restrictions, we have yet another reason to smile and be optimistic about the road ahead.

It was humbling to stand at the front gate on Tuesday morning and see the bright eyes and wide smiles of our students as they returned to school. There are many quality aspects of our school, though our students are and should always be viewed as the very best part of St Nicholas Primary School.

Another facet of St Nicholas we should be proud of is our requirement to hit the ground running on day 1. Time is not spent easing back into routines or expectations. Our students are aware their holidays are over once they put on their school uniform and our teachers understand learning and wellbeing is our core business from 8.15am day 1.

This culture was reflected on Tuesday morning with our literacy block in full flight across the school, where each student was provided Modelled, Shared and Guided learning opportunities in Reading and Writing. Our Reading Intervention Teams were also present in the classroom ensuring as many children as possible were reading to a teacher. 

For the remainder of the school year, the St Nicholas Intervention Teams for Reading will be present in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3. Each Intervention Team is made up of three professionals who work with the classroom teachers conducting Guided Reading with students. While there is great sophistication in the programming, targeting, assessing and the teaching of each child’s reading, the additional human resources also provide the opportunity for our K-3 children to each be reading to a professional up to four times a week. Personally, as part of the Kindergarten Intervention Team, I am already enjoying being back in the classroom and helping teach our youngest members to read.

In the coming weeks I look forward to sharing with you some student analysis and data of Term 1 reading, supporting the statement that the learning of teaching to read has never been stronger at St Nicholas Primary School.

ANZAC Day

As a nation on Monday we paused, reflected and thanked our service men and women for the sacrifices they have made for our country. The St Nicholas School Captains represented our school community at an 8.00am Parish Mass, in the Tamworth ANZAC Day March and at the Official ANZAC Service in the Town Hall (where they laid a wreath).

On Tuesday our whole school also stopped for a small liturgy to ensure our students reflect, acknowledge and understand the significance of ANZAC Day, though also have an opportunity to display their gratitude.

Cross Country

Congratulations to everyone involved in yesterday’s Cross Country Carnival. Watching our children be active and healthy brings with it great joy. Thank you to Mrs Tyrrell and her band of helpers for coordinating such a successful event.

John Clery

PRINCIPAL