Dear parents and carers,

I have kept the same prayer this week, as was published in Week 8. There is a great deal that can be unpacked from this prayer. I am very confident that this is what all parents would want for their child and the same can be said for teachers and Principals. During the second half of Term 2, we have spoken on a number of occasions as a school about the behaviours and attitudes we want to foster. The key is that the students can’t only want these qualities in others around them, they need to want and expect them from themselves too. It is only through each person seeking to be full of love and compassion, putting others first, and forgiving, that our school can be all it can be. Again, I invite parents to speak with their children about this prayer, and about how they can demonstrate these qualities to those around them.

Study tour to the UK

This evening I am flying out to the UK for two and a half weeks, to join with other Principals and leaders from Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, to visit a number of schools and to attend two notable education conferences. I am also lucky enough to have a few days to myself before the Study Tour officially starts, which will be wonderful. The focus for the tour, and the school visits, is to further develop my understanding of explicit, direct instruction, which underpins Catholic Education’s Catalyst pedagogical approach. In recent weeks, Catalyst and the associated professional learning and early positive outcomes for students, has been discussed broadly in local media. The explicit and direct instruction that occurs through the InitiaLit (F-2) program and Spelling Mastery program, is achieving improved literacy skills for students in our system, and is gaining attention from other educational sectors. The visit to the UK is to see this explicit, direct instruction in action in schools in London, and to hear from recognised speakers who have informed the development of the Catalyst program. I look forward to sharing what I learn, when I return for the start of Term 3.

Staffing

At the end of this week we farewell Mrs Emily Ayres from St Joseph’s. While Emily has only been with us for 6 months, she has brought a great deal of colour and energy into our school. We wish Emily and her family all the best as they reunite in Newcastle following a defence posting earlier in the year. I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Elizabeth Hagerty as the new 2 Yellow teacher from the start of Term 3. Liz currently works in the school as a regular casual teacher. 

We also thank Mrs Narelle Byrne for her contributions at St Joseph’s in Term 1 and 2. Narelle taught 5 Orange in Term 1 and has provided assistance throughout Term 2, working across most classes at different times. Likewise, thank you to Mrs Megan Bolas who has been maintaining our Italian language program for much of the past 12 months. It has been great to have Italian being introduced and taught to our students, while we continue to seek to appoint a new Language teacher.

Reports

Semester 1 Reports have been sent out to parents this afternoon via Compass. While the Parent / Teacher Interviews in recent weeks will have given parents good insight into how their child is progressing, this formal report provides the required A-E grades for Year 1-6, and continuum grades for Foundation. Congratulations to all the students on their achievements throughout Semester 1. I now encourage all students and parents to discuss specific and achievable goals for Term 3 and beyond.

Year 2 Incursion

On Tuesday, Year 2 had a special visit from Duncan Smith OAM and his daughter Jakida from Wiradjuri Echoes.

Duncan came to teach the students about connection to country and culture, which they have been learning about this term. Duncan sang, played instruments, and taught them about boomerangs and bush tucker and Jakida showed them some dances then the students learnt the boomerang dance! We were also lucky enough to hear Duncan tell a Dreamtime story and then draw it for the students. Year 2 had amazing questions for Duncan at the end and we learnt so much, just in time for NAIDOC week. Duncan and Jakida will be at Westfield Belconnen for NAIDOC week performing on Sunday 2 July from 10:00-11:00 and doing mural workshops on Monday 3 July from 11:00-12:00. Follow this link for more information: https://www.westfield.com.au/belconnen/news/3kMjz6Q6CGfT9F1gzgPplC/naidoc-week-2023-belconnen

Have a great end to the week and a wonderful break from the school routine. See you all on Tuesday 15 July (Monday 17 July is a Pupil Free Day).