FROM THE PRINCIPAL
TERM 2 - WEEK 3
To the St Nicholas School Community,
In my short time as principal of St Nicholas I have been very clear with the targeted driving force behind our school improvement agenda - the constant demand for improvement in the capacity of an already extremely capable staff. The improved capacity of our staff will transfer directly into improved learning outcomes for our students. Upskilling of staff was certainly on display at Wednesday’s staff meeting.
Karen Dickie, Rebecca Hoffman and Sophie Dewhurst presented to their peers recent learnings in the area of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). STEAM is the epitome of educating our students for the world of today and the future, rather than the world their parents have experienced. STEAM learning is engaging and requires the learner to think creatively and critically. The challenge for many a teacher, myself included, is to stand back, promote failure and watch the children find different ways to solve the same problem. Below are a few photos of very engaged staff using the recently purchased (fully funded by the PT&F) VR Goggles ... even if one in particular is not very flattering.
If as Principal I am determined to drive improvement in our staff, it is essential my personal philosophy is one of lifelong learning. I too must continue to get better. An element of my Professional Learning Plan for 2019 is attending next week's Association of Catholic School Principals Conference: What Matters Most: Faith, Learning and Wellbeing. The conference has brought together internationally renowned educators to support principals leading Faith, Learning and Wellbeing. I look forward to passing onto the school community some of my learning from this conference.
NAPLAN
This week St Nicholas Year 3 and Year 5 students have sat the 2019 NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN can be a dirty word in education, though at St Nicholas we use it not only as a way of reviewing our current teaching and learning practices, but also as a driver for school improvement.
For our students the message is simple, commit to trying your best and striving for 2 more marks! My thanks to Amanda Doyle, Shelly O’Sullivan, Karen Dickie, Barry Lane and our Year 3 and 5 staff for creating an environment which gives our children the best chance of success. The structures and processes implemented support our children’s desire to give their very best.
Parish Event: The Catholic Guy
No doubt you are now aware of our Parish's investment in the Catholic Guy program. Bruce Downes will be visiting from the 27th May- 1st June. St Nicholas staff will be supporting this event on the Wednesday evening. It would be lovely to see you there. More information can be found on this event under the Religious Education section of the Newsletter.
Charlie Whale
A huge congratulations to Charlie Whale (Year 6) who was recently selected in the NSW Primary School Sports Association (NSWPSSA) Basketball team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships in Bendigo from the 10th -16th August 2019. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement Charlie. We are all proud of you!
Have a wonderful week
John Clery
Principal