Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our new newsletter format, we hope you find it easier to use.
Parish and School Partnership
Planning has already commenced for the parish and school Christmas concert to be held at the end of the year. Earlier this week, the parish team met with Anne Gray, Liana Stella and myself to discuss various opportunities and possibilities. The room was filled with energy, enthusiasm and loads of ideas. This is great opportunity to strengthen connections between parish, school and community. More information will be shared via the Parish Bulletin and the school newsletter in the coming weeks.
Collaborative Coaching
As you may be aware, our teachers participate in a two-hour Collaborative Coaching session every fortnight led by Samantha Edwards with a focus on student improvement in writing. The main goal for our 2023 Annual Plan is:
To improve every student's learning and growth in writing through building the capacity of every teacher.
Last week Dr. Andrew Fraser, CSBB Senior Workstream Lead visited each classroom to see “Learning in Action”.
Please see below a copy of the email from Andrew's post visit.
Dear Pauline,
Thank you for your kind hospitality and welcome yesterday, as well as the generosity of the staff in welcoming me into their classrooms.
The work that you and your team are doing is very impressive. The focus on writing, the EAL/D learner, and the use of collaborative coaching was very evident in classrooms.
I witnessed a high level of engagement with the students and an obvious love of learning. This is a tribute to the teachers!
Please pass my thanks onto the staff.
Andrew Fraser
If you go the Student's Corner tab you will find some great examples of writing from our Kindergarten and Year 2 students.
Playground Update
During the P&F meeting on Wednesday evening the proposal for the playground upgrade was shared with our community. The plans are a collaboration of ideas from students, parents, staff and the parish team.
Many thanks to our Senior students for helping to move the vege pods to the grass area near Balfour Street. In the near future, the children will be able to enjoy the vegetable garden and use the prayer space for a quiet place to pray and meditate.
The plans have been sent to the landscape designer for his team to work on designing Areas 2 and 3. I will share the Playground proposal power point via Compass.
The timeline for the playground upgrade:
Term 2
- draft plans shared with parish and school community
- plans shared with CSBB and landscape designer
- plant maple trees along the fence line with blueberry bushes underneath
- contact Bunnings to request support for maple trees, Buddy Bench, marine ply for Leader In Me artwork, seedlings
- pressure wash concrete floor and Cola
- Leader In Me wall displays painted on brick wall in undercroft area and timber fence near soccer oval
- Vege pods relocated and new seedlings planted
Term 3
- concrete path repainted (temporary measure)
- gardens near oval - new shrubs
- landscape designer to share drawings and costs
Term 4
- Areas 2 & 3 - commence work
Term 1 2024
- Project complete (with the exception of Area 1 - ramp and stairs)
Click here to view Powerpoint Presentation of Plans
Enrolment Update
We are excited to announce that we have 42 enrolments for our 2024 Kindergarten. Thank you to our wonderful parents who support Holy Family by telling family and friends about our fantastic school. Our parents and students are our best advocates.
Cathedral Precinct Invitation from Bishop Anthony
You are warmly invited to attend the Vigil Mass "Mary Star of the Sea" next Tuesday evening followed by a Diocesan- wide presentation and consultation on the future of our Cathedral Precinct.
Transition to High School
There is an upcoming free webinar next Wednesday 31st May at 6:30pm called “Little fish, big pond: Managing the transition to high school & mental health”. For all those interested to register please CLICK HERE
In partnership we achieve great things. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Pauline Dinale