FROM THE PRINCIPAL

To the St Nicholas School Community

TERM 4 - WEEK 3

After adding to the recent school holidays with two weeks long service leave I have returned with new vigour, refreshed and excited for the remainder of the 2020 school year. To spend some extra time with my family, and work on a very poor golf swing, brought great joy and is time I will always cherish.

An enormous thank you to Renee Dunst for fulfilling the role of Acting Principal with class and professionalism. Renee was offered great support from Karen Dickie, for which I am truly appreciative. Thank you to the entire St Nicholas School community for the way you have engaged in the first two weeks of Term 4 2020.

Book Week 2020

Last week our students enjoyed the wonder of reading while celebrating our annual Book Week. Reading is an amazing non-negotiable gift we develop with our students. We start our educational journey learning to read, and soon we find ourselves reading to learn.

Reading also brings enormous joy to our lives. Joy was certainly on display last week during the activities coordinated by Mrs Julie McGuirk. Whether enjoying a new story, fact-finding or dressing up as a favourite character, St Nicholas School students were in their element.

With Covid restrictions, Book Week could have very easily fallen into the ‘too hard’ basket. I thank Julie for her role in organising arguably our greatest Book Week yet. Julie’s passion for reading and the library is a wonderful asset to our school.

World Teachers Day

Tomorrow (30th October) we celebrate International World Teachers Day. At St Nicholas School we will pause for 5 minutes to thank our wonderful teachers for their dedication and professionalism. This dedication and professionalism have certainly been highlighted in 2020 through the complications of COVID-19.

I am humbled each and every day to work with such amazing colleagues. On behalf of the St Nicholas School community, I would like to thank each and every one of our teachers for the positive impact they have on the lives of so many children. Please join me in thanking a teacher tomorrow!

A day in the life of a St Nicholas student

The first day of school, or starting at a new school can be daunting for some. Personally, I still remember my nerves as a 40-year-old on my first day here at St Nicholas School. If as adults we are nervous, the anxiety this day brings to a child must not only be recognised, but supported.

At St Nicholas School we are constantly looking at ways to support our children and set them up for success. Setting our children up for a positive first-day experience falls into this category. Please enjoy the small video clip which will now form an additional component of St Nicholas School orientation for all students.

Have a great week

John Clery

PRINCIPAL