Principal's Message

 

 

 

Dear Parents & Carers,

It's official, St Philomena's is now finally dry after 9 weeks of heating, treating and sanitising, to ensure the schools foundations are free from contaminants as a result of the flood water.  You may have also noticed the new landscaping, garden beds and sandpit edges that have been constructed as a result of the contaminated timber edging requiring removal.  This is a wonderful upgrade to the aesthetics of our already beautiful school. With flood damaged rooms now dry and sanitised, the work can begin to restore the Student Inclusion Environment and the Primary Professional Learning Team Meeting and Work spaces. 

From the commencement of Term 2, the School Leadership Team, along with class Leaders of Learning, have been actively working with our students from Kindergarten to Year 10 reminding them what it means to be a learner at St Philomena's.  Throughout this process, we have been raising student awareness regarding their responsibilities, both in their learning environment and on the playground to always:

• Be Safe,
• Be a Respectful and Caring Learner and Friend, and to come to school each day
• Be ready to Learn and do their Best.

Students were reminded that each school day is made up of 300 minutes of learning (not including recess and lunch) and that it is important that each and every student ensures they are receiving this time and not taking valuable learning time away from others due to inappropriate learning or behaviour choices.  We encourage our parents to continue these conversations at home as a way of reinforcing this message.  The school will continue to work with our students to ensure St Philomena's remains a positive environment for learning.

Thank you to all our parents that have engaged with the Uniform Shop over the past couple of weeks to ensure their children come to school in the correct school uniform despite the cooler temperatures.  We will communicate and work with our families where compliance regarding our Student Grooming and Uniform Policy is a concern.

Finally, I would like to wish all our stage three confirmation candidates all the very best for the coming weekend as they deepen their personal relationship with Christ through the Sacrament of Confirmation.  I would like to thank Mrs Mary Davison and the Stage 3 Leaders of Learning for their commitment to preparing our students for this important event.  I would also like to warmly welcome Bishop Michael Kennedy to our parish to celebrate Mass with our students.

God bless, and have a wonderful weekend.

Mr Jamie McDowall

Principal