Deputy Principals' Report
Absences
Earlier this week you will have received an email from Yvette requesting that you use the 'Report an Absence' function on the school website. This is our way of tightening up the systems used to report absences, and trac
You may still choose to email/speak to teachers directly about planned absences but we ask that you use the 'Report an Absence' function as your first step.
Learning and Teaching News -Planning Week
This week we have implemented a new initiative at St Finbar's. Each team of teachers (Prep-2, Yrs 3-4, Yrs 5-6) has been given the opportunity to spend a whole day planning and preparing for Term 2. The opportunity to spend an uninterrupted day collaborating together has already received positive feedback from the classroom teachers, and ensures that our teaching and learning gets off to a good start in Term 2.
We'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful team of specialist teachers Mrs Lena Sirianni, Mrs Jenny Allen, Mrs Lisa Poulter, Mrs Mel Bouras, Mrs Jo Fraser and Mrs Tania Thompson who have been instrumental in allowing this to happen. Planning Week will now become a regular event at the end of each term.
Learning and Teaching - Senior Literacy Evening
Thank you to our Literacy Leaders Mrs D'Rozario and Mrs Greenway for organising and leading the Senior Literacy evening on Wednesday night. There was a great mix of hands-on activities and the theory behind how we teach reading, writing and spelling in Years 3 to 6. Mrs D'Rozario really tried to impress upon us all how important it is to continue hearing children read aloud on a regular basis even once they are independent readers in order to develop fluency and accuracy with more complex texts.
How to support your child in light of the Christchurch incident
It is always challenging in how to support your children, when incidents such as this occur. We need our children to grow up with hope and optimism about their world and themselves and to grow into resilient active global citizens. Please see these insights from Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, one of Australia’s leading parenting educators.
Seasons for Growth
Next term we are offering Seasons for Growth an innovative grief and loss program that uses imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief or loss. This program was first developed 20 years ago and has been revised and updated to incorporate new evidence and ensure that it continues to provide relevant and valuable experience for participants. Please see the sheet for more information. To access this service or ask any questions please speak to your child’s teacher or you can contact Cathy Ferrari ~ Deputy Principal and Student Wellbeing Leader who will provide you with details on how to refer your child. cferrari@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au
Don't Be A Bystander Day
Our wellbeing Leaders; Dimity, Ebony, Emma and Sasha have led the school in wearing a touch of orange to support Anti Bullying Day and Harmony Day. At St Finbar's we are inclusive of everyone and in line with our school and Catholic values, treat each other with kindness and respect, as Jesus did. If someone on the playground needs support, or someone is speaking unkindly to another student, our students are encouraged to support them and then seek teacher support if needed.
Thankyou Parents for helping your children be involved in Don't be a Bystander Day by wearing orange today! Thankyou!
Wellbeing leaders
Emma, Ebony, Sasha and Dimity
Cathy Ferrari and Michelle Hill
Deputy Principals