From the Principal

We are almost at Week 5 - we are definitely running full-steam ahead with the term now. A ‘thank you’ to everyone for the effort that has been made to establish our momentum for Term 1. 

Potential Safety Issue

I need to remind parents and caregivers about the importance of driving safely when approaching our school, particularly around high-traffic areas and locations where students and parents walk and cross the road. The safety of our students is our highest priority, and there are times when some parents put that at risk. I am sure it is not intentional, but it is dangerous. I remind all drivers to respect speed limits and adhere to safe driving practices. This includes slowing down in school zones and being aware of students walking or cycling to school. Please only park in designated areas and never park where parking is prohibited, such as bus zones or disabled parking spots.

Because of the importance of this announcement, it will be spoken of also by the Head of Junior School and the Head of Senior School. 

NAPLAN 

You may have heard or read about it, but there was a bit of buzz this week as both the NSW Education Minister and the Shadow Education Minister were presented with a numeracy question from the Year 7 NAPLAN test. Both took some time to complete the question. It was a humorous reminder that even our leaders showed signs of discomfort when asked to complete a question. I won't spoil the outcome, but I can confirm one got the answer correct and the other did not. But, in all seriousness, we want our students to know that we are proud of the work our students do every day to develop essential skills.

Speaking of NAPLAN, we are already planning our upcoming NAPLAN tests for students in Years 3,5,7 and 9. This year, NAPLAN will be held earlier than usual, with testing taking place between 15-27 March rather than May. We want to reassure parents and caregivers that students do not need to prepare specifically for NAPLAN. It's important to remember that NAPLAN is not a pass or fail test, and individual students have no consequences based on their results. Instead, the purpose of NAPLAN is to provide us with valuable information about how we can better support our students in their learning. It is what educators refer to as “just in time data”. We encourage parents and caregivers to talk to their children about the purpose of NAPLAN and remind them that it is not about comparing themselves to others but about helping us, as educators, to better understand their needs and design effective learning programs that work for them.

New Staff

I am excited to inform you that on Monday, 27th February, we will welcome a new staff member to our school community. Mrs Melissa Faapoi will join us on Monday as a Learning Enrichment Teacher. Over the past few years, Mrs Alicia Michielsen and her team have done a fine job refining our model for Learning Enrichment, and we now appoint Melissa to take that work further. With over 15 years of experience in this role, Melissa joins us with an excellent reputation. She was selected from a very competitive field of applicants. It is worth noting that Melissa is a BMGS Alumni, and we are delighted to have her back to contribute to the school in this capacity. We look forward to her positively impacting our student's growth and development.

Final Comments 

As we move forward this year, I want us to remember why schools exist. They are not just places for students to learn subjects but also to grow, explore their passions, and navigate life's complexities. Schools are where students can find lifelong friends, discover their strengths, and ask the big questions that shape their understanding of the world and their place in it.

As John Dewey, a renowned educationalist, once said, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." I really like working with you to create a supportive and nurturing environment.

Mr Steven Coote

Principal