Deputy Principal Update

Dear Families,

I hope the last fortnight has been a generally smooth time for families. I know it has been very busy, managing children’s sporting events starting up alongside other commitments associated with work and family events. On top of this, families are also dealing with illness and supporting one another through this. For families experiencing this, you are very much in our thoughts and prayers. We hope for a quick and speedy recovery for all those affected. 

The last two weeks at St Luke’s has certainly been very busy with our move into the new school building. After two days moving, it really was an exciting morning last Wednesday when we gathered at one of the main entrances to the building and Mr Keenan, along with two student helpers, cut the ribbon and declared the new school open. To see the excitement on the children’s faces, and to feel their genuine enthusiasm for being a part of a new era of learning at St Luke’s, certainly brought great joy to myself and the staff. 

So, after a week of working inside the new building, rather than myself explaining what it has been like, I thought let’s ask the children what the experience has been like for them. After all, it is for the children that this building has been designed as a modern and engaging learning space under the patronage of St Luke. I spent some time walking through the new building and talking to a number of children, asking them what they loved about their new learning space. Here are some of their responses.

Devon Aylett: The new building is very calm and spacious. I love the new self-refrigerating bubble taps and the sliding doors between classrooms.

Kiara Payne: I love the circular seating spaces where you can relax and do your work in a different space. I love how there are lots of charging points for our devices and also the large numbers on the walls, outside the rooms.

Alicia O’Callaghan: I love how well designed the building is – very good architecture. The new rooms are spacious and the hallways are a good space to work in and socialise.

Declan Maddox: I think it’s great because we have bigger classrooms and all the 5/6’s are more together. We also have a mini-theatre space so we can do lots of different things in there.

Logan Camm: I like the school because it is really big and spacious. You can have lots more people in the building than before. 

Lachlan Schroeders: I like the hallway down the middle so you can see every class and what they are working on. I like the built-in desk in our room because you can write on the top and also charge your iPads there.

Liam Napier: I like that there is a lot of room for everyone. I also like the circular shapes in the hallways because they make you relax when you sit in the right spot.

Liam Summers: I like how the classrooms are closer together – it makes it easier to get around. I like it how the rooms are much bigger, and we can still work in other spaces for specialists.

Jiya Jis: It is great that we are now altogether and I am closer to my friends. I like the circular seats outside the rooms because they are comfortable. There is different furniture in the new building.

Abbie Robinson: I like it how we are closer to the other senior classes and we have one big building where all the classes are together.

Nate Warren: I like having all the down lights in the rooms and also having everyone together in the one space. You don’t have to walk far to get around the school.

Clancy Keenan: I like the refrigerated water because it is nice and cold. I also like the circular seats in the hallways because they are comfortable.

Harper Daniel: It feels very new and exciting. It is a nice way to finish my schooling at St Luke’s.

Henry Scott: I really like how the bubble taps are cold and also the building is bigger than before. There are more classrooms and more space.

Zara Adams: I like how you get a great view outside looking through the windows. I like looking outside when I am working.

Ella Edwards: I like how there is more room in the classroom and the building. It’s a beautiful new building.

Xavier Mitchell: I like the bubble taps and also that there is more space to do things.

Zachariah Nicholas: I like how the building is made out of different materials and how it has the St Luke’s sign on it.

Isabelle Marino: I like how the building is really big and has lots of spaces. I like how the parts all connect together and we also have a stage in our room.

Genevieve Binger: I like sitting area with the circular shapes in it. I also like the platform in our room. I like how there is room for everyone.

Noah Campbell: My favourite part of the building is the circle chairs because they are really comfortable.

Jones Zimudzi: I like how the books are displayed in our new classroom.

Cooper Clurey: I like all the different colours in our room.

Ruby Ivory: I like how it has the cross on the wall near the doors.

Lucas Dignall: I like the blue wall in our classroom and how there is a bench on the wall.

It seems fairly unanimous that the children are very happy in their new learning space. Many have commented about how good it is to be together in the one building and the circular chairs are a definite hit!! Over the coming weeks, as final works are completed, it would be good to continue the discussion with your children, reflecting on how they are settling in. As a staff, we are loving being together as well!!

A quick mention of the Middle Unit children who are attending camp next week in Beechworth. I hope it is a great time away for you all. Also, well done to the Grade Three and Five children who are working steadily through the NAPLAN activities. These will be continuing next week in order to finish them off;

Grade Three - Thursday 19th May.

Grade Five – Monday 16th May and Wednesday 18th May.

I hope everyone has a great fortnight ahead.

Mr Mac.