Principal's Report

Update

Dear Families,

In the midst of Winter, we are all working hard to provide the best education for our students and there has been many recent highlights. While I was away last week, there were a number of activities planned for Reconciliation Week culminating in an assembly last Friday. Each class presented information on an Indigenous hero. Heroes can be someone famous or living next door. I spoke about a wonderful Indigenous woman I worked previously with in Broome, W.A. Her name was Brigid Drummond and she was a leader of the Aboriginal Teacher Aids and came from Beagle Bay, a remote area north of Broome. Brigid was an outstanding role model for all people; she was passionate about her culture and also reconciliation. She was knowledgeable and a hard worker who had very high expectations for the Indigenous students and staff. Brigid had a profound impact upon those around her and together (I was the Head of Primary) we raised the attendance and academic performance of the Indigenous students at the school. She had an ability to make difficult decisions, even when it came to her own family.

As a parent, it is a critical part of our role to teach our children right from wrong. Saying NO can be difficult at times but it is an important part of teaching resilience in our children. Children cannot always have it 'their way' and need to learn to compromise and to give to others, if they are to thrive as adults. As parents, we are preparing our children for the life ahead and this at times will mean: disappointment, mistakes and even unhappiness. They need to experience these emotions as children and to learn how to re-bound.

Brigid taught the students these skills, knowing that one day it would help them transition from children into adults.

Closure Day Tomorrow

As per the parent calendar, tomorrow is a school closure day for students. Staff will still be present at school taking part in a report writing day.

I hope everyone has a great day off on Monday (Queen's Birthday Public Holiday). Go Pies!

House Names

Earlier this year Joel B from 6C sent me a letter recommending that we review the Galilee House names and he listed several suggestions. Many people have discussed with me the Houses including Joel B, Paul Mapley and staff. Year 6 have all had a chance to research names and make a presentation to Mrs Gerecke, Mr Martello and myself. Year 6 students have placed a suggestion box in the office for students, staff and parents to list their ideas. You are encouraged to add your ideas (include your name).

Staffing

Georgina Hession (Digital Technologies teacher) will begin leave next week and will be replaced by Mrs Jenni Robinson until August 3.

Sport News

There is a change to the timetable next week.  All Year 2 students need to wear their Sport Uniform on Thursday and Prep students need to wear their Sport Uniform on Wednesday.

On Thursday June 14 we will complete in a Netball Lightning Premiership and AFL Football on Friday June 15. Practice sessions will be held for both sports on Wednesday June 13.

Next term we will be competing in Dendy Athletics and Basketball Hooptime for Years 3/4 and 5/6 and practice sessions have also been planned for these sports.

Professional learning has been planned for staff in Bike Education with sessions planned for specific year levels in Term Four. 

A Local Walks permission form has been sent home via Caremonkey and families are encouraged to sign it. Students will only be able to attend local activities if this form has been signed by parents/guardians. Please read the information and contact Mr Martello or Mrs Gerecke if you have any questions.

Bianca's wedding

Miss Wallis (3W) and her partner, Matthew, will be married this weekend and we wish them every happiness.

Parental Involvement

Please read the article below regarding the author's view about being involved in the education of her children. She describes a household that is busy after hours and the difficulty in attending school events and helping with homework. The author says: "I can't say this plainly enough: I have no interest in becoming more involved in my children's education." The comments are in relation to helping with homework. The author is not the only one who is frustrated with homework, with the busyness of most households. Statistically, there is little evidence to show that homework makes a great deal of difference to a child's learning (with exceptions being: reading, spelling words and when parental guidance is provided). In today's world, children should be busy engaging in sports, hobbies, relaxation or helping with household chores. Homework is generally a revision of what has been learnt at school. With a number of children at home requiring parental assistance, it can be stressful. Homework is continuously being reviewed at Galilee to make the experience as positive as possible, while still allowing the students time to engage in pursuits of interest.

The author also stated about parent education evenings: "I found out recently that teachers hate it, too. Apparently, this pressure to be involved in my children's education actually comes from other parents." I can assure the parents/guardians of Galilee that we strongly encourage your presence at any school event. The teachers take enormous delight in forming partnerships with you in the education of your child. The staff always comment on attendance at parental events and feel supported by you when in attendance. I strongly believe that parental involvement is one of the most important elements in making a school the best it can be, where student academic learning is strong. I encourage all of our parents/guardians to be involved as much as possible and you and your children will reap the rewards.

2017 Annual Report

Please read an excerpt from the 2017 Annual Report that has been recently added to our school website.

At Galilee Regional Catholic Primary School we recognise that we are in partnership with our parents, staff, Parish and the broader community providing a happy, safe and supportive learning environment where each child is valued. Our school strives for excellence by working as a learning community with families and Parishes to ensure growth in faith and identity as a member of the Catholic community. Education at Galilee is of the highest quality and is the foundation for the future of our children.

Our School Review process identified that progress has been apparent in all aspects of schooling. With the introduction of a new Leadership team in 2017, we are committed to continued growth and progress and ensuring positive outcomes for all students. Increased professional learning activities that include teacher learning walks, structured professional learning teams and goal setting meetings has resulted in a greater degree of shared pedagogy with the aim to build teacher capacity.  We strive at all times to be a genuine learning community. All staff share a genuine commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of students and a number of programs and practices which support this have been implemented in the school. Student learning and wellbeing is at the centre of all school decisions and growing a strong, connected Catholic community is a high priority.

Some achievements from 2017 include:

·           Changes to organisational structures for both students and teachers allowing increased opportunities for teamwork, collaboration, and a more personalised response to learning and teaching.  

·           A successful School Review that acknowledged our successes and recommended a number of future goals that we have already initiated including work on our Masterplan. 

·           School Reports updated in line with students assessments to provide more detailed information to students/parents.

·           Outstanding student academic results with highest NAPLAN results in 5+ years.

·           The introduction of several new teaching approaches including Daily 5 (Literacy), new RE Curriculum and Number Intervention (report published in Director’s News).

·           We saw a large increase in 2018 Prep enrolments despite the opening of a new school.

·           Communication with families increased with a new interactive newsletter, targeted parent evenings and the trialling of Class Dojo.

·           A whole school approach to positive behaviour that includes Restorative Practices and logical consequences.

·           Students are empowered to have ‘a voice’ in their learning resulting in increased engagement and achievement.  

·           An increase in opportunities that allow greater engagement of parents, students and the parish in local and wider community projects.

·           Strong parish partnership that provides faith development opportunities for the students and their families.  

I would like to thank Fr Hugh Brown and Fr Julian Messina; the wonderful students led by our School Captains (Charlotte & Ethan); the School Education Board, led by Donna McMaster (Chairperson); the hard-working staff, including the outstanding new Deputies Danielle Gerecke & Amy Burns (Deputy Principals); and the dedicated parents particularly the Social & Fundraising Committee, the Dads of Galilee School (D.O.G.S.) and the Parent Representatives.

We have a wonderful school community at Galilee and I thank everyone for their contribution.

Please refer to the Leadership & Management Sphere or our website for the 2017 Annual Report.

I wish everyone a safe and happy long weekend.

Simon Millar (Principal)