Dear Parents,

Our children have come back enthusiastic and ready to learn. The teachers have planned a full program for their respective grades as we continue to improve in our focus areas of writing, reading and spelling.

This term we will continue to operate as a Professional Catholic Learning Community. Our focus on student improvement and building staff capacity remains relentless. It is at this time of the year that we take a very long hard look at the growth of our students, our staff and our school in order to set goals for the following year. On November 13 we will present our plan for 2020 to the Catholic Schools Office. We will be joining the Tamworth schools and will hear from each of them how their year has been and where they will focus their professional development for 2020. Our Annual Improvement Plan focus areas will be shared with the school community at the beginning of 2020.

Our Naplan results show a continued improvement across the school in writing, reading and grammar and punctuation There was significant growth in our Year 3 results in all areas which is a result of things such as, a deeper teaching of the syllabus and extra staffing in Infants classes. I also believe the discussions that are taking place in Professional Learning Team meetings around the specific results of students leads to a greater ownership and sense of collaboration for all our students. I always say, “We all own all the children.” It does take a village to raise a child and I see that in action in all our classrooms every day.

Our students will be working right up to the last few days of term. Gone are the days when colouring in Christmas pictures etc fills in the last few weeks of term. We will certainly have a few fun things happening in the rooms but there will be a learning intention related to student outcomes in place.

As I always say please come and see me if you are concerned in any way about anything to do with your child’s progress and happiness. Relationships and good communication are the key factors in maintaining a happy school.

Kind regards,

Jen

2020 BUILDING ARRANGEMENTS

Shortly the building project will go to tender. We should know the successful building team in December. We have worked out a timeline for this term in order to have everyone moved into their 2020 spaces by the last week of term. This includes a huge stocktake of resources and of course movement of furniture. The children’s learning will not be compromised as we have carefully thought out the process.

The Infants and Junior Primary classes will be housed in our spaces here and at this stage the Senior Primary students will be moving into two large spaces over at the convent. They will of course walk back for morning tea, lunch and dismissal. Travel time will be accounted for so as their lessons run smoothly.

All spaces will have air conditioning and access to the technology we currently use. Whilst the leadership team may face some challenges from time to time, for the teachers and students it will be teaching and learning as per normal. This project has a very capable Project Manager and the support from the CSO is wonderful.

It will be such an exciting process and the end result will be a state of the art facility that will be the envy of many other schools.

We look forward to keeping all our families up to date with the progress of the project.

Around the Grounds

Upcoming Sport Dates

Polding Athletics