Giving thanks for Term 2

One of the ways in which we pray is to give thanks, which in non-denominational terms is also known as mindfulness. Being thankful or grateful is a powerful way to see the positive work of God in our lives and the way in which life is enjoyed by noticing and acknowledging even the smallest things. We would like to take this opportunity to give thanks for the term that is now ended, bringing us to the middle of this school year. 

We give thanks for:

• Our staff who work tirelessly throughout each week to bring exceptional learning experiences and opportunities to the children in our care and show that we will do whatever it takes to help them achieve the fullness of life. We thank and appreciate you all.
• Our students, who are the reason we are here doing the work. We thank you for the way in which you work with us to make learning meaningful and show us the sparks that are why we do it. 
• Our parents and carers, who entrust their children to us. We thank you for the support that you show and ask that you continue to work with us this year, as it is this collaboration and community that ensure success is possible.
• Our Parish community, who support the work we do and remind us that Jesus is at the centre of all we do. We thank you for your commitment to our school and give you in return our commitment to connecting in faith.

We hope that the holiday period we enter for two weeks is also a time for students and staff to rejuvenate so that we can return and work together for Term 3. 

Leadership in Term 3

All parents and carers will have received an email today regarding some changes to the leadership of the school during Term 3. The reason for this is that Mrs Tess Koning is taking personal leave. During this time:

• Mrs Jeannine Ucdereli will be in the role of Acting Principal.
• Mrs Sarah Blundell will be in the role of Acting Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching.
• Mrs Holly Hough will be in the role of Acting Assistant Principal Mission (Weeks 1 - 4) while Ms Laura Hatherly is also away. She will return to her position in Week 5.

These wonderful leaders will work to ensure continuity of care and learning for students and support for families.

Celebrating Our Faith

Our Leader of Pastoral Care, Holly Hough, shared this inspiring prayer with our staff this term. It has been a focus for us, in the lead up to the end of the term.

St Catherine of Siena - Set the World on Fire

The Oxford Dictionary defines possibility as a thing that may happen or be true; the fact that something might happen or be true, but is not certain. It is the uncertainty, the ‘may’ and the ‘might’, the element of doubt, the ‘this way’ or ‘that’ and the choices that are presented to us, that have the power to light a fire or to extinguish a spark within each of us. St Catherine of Siena, a doctor of the church once wrote, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Here was a woman who understood possibility. The potential each of us has when we open ourselves to the power of possibility, given to us by God the Creator. 

Imagine a world without possibility: inventors wouldn’t have invented, dreamers wouldn’t have dreamt and artists wouldn’t have created. If Benjamin Franklin didn’t believe in the power of possibility we would not have electricity. If Alexander Fleming didn’t wonder at the possibilities science could offer, we would be without penicillin and if Michelangelo didn’t see possibility in a block of marble, we wouldn’t have the statue of David. Here, we have three famous examples of people who set the world on fire, who dared to imagine that something was possible and proved it to be so.

Jesus dwelt in possibility. He shows us that all things are possible with God. When Jesus challenged the people of his time, he was also challenging us to think beyond the scope of who and what we are, to who and what we can become. He challenges us to think about what might happen or what may happen, when we step into a place of uncertainty and fan the spark into a flame. 

St Catherine of Siena, pray for us today that as a team, as a school, and as a community, we will be one with burning love to share. Pray that each one of us will be a spark so bright. Together we will be the light that sets the world on fire.

Pray, we’ll always speak the truth. In us, may the Holy Spirit bear its fruit. Being bold but never rude, giving love and mercy as we should.
Pray that we aspire, to serve with our hearts on fire.

Amen

Learning Together

Professional Learning Day - Teachers learning together

Last Friday our Teachers and Educational Assistants spent the day learning more about the new Kinder to Year 2 Mathematics syllabus, which will be implemented in 2023.  The new syllabus has a greater emphasis on the development of reasoning for students to support a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. The new outcomes and content are informed by evidence and identify skills needed by all students to develop competence in mathematics.

Our focus was on developing a deeper understanding of the structure and content of the new Mathematics curriculum so we are able to identify the critical elements and concepts in the new syllabus. Staff also spent time deepening their understanding of the Mathematics Block and planned cycles of learning for Term 3.

Keep your child safe

Your primary aged child is still developing an understanding of danger and safety. While they are often keen to do things for themselves, an adult must always be responsible for your child in the traffic environment.

Your child is a vulnerable road user. They are still developing the skills that help them to judge the direction of sound and the speed and distance of vehicles. Your child is physically small, making it harder for drivers to see them. They may be easily distracted and tend to only be able to focus on one thing at a time. This means that they find it difficult to deal with sudden changes in the traffic environment.

Your child may be able to tell you the rules and how to keep safe near in and around vehicles, but in reality, will not always be able to apply them.

You may like to take some time during the holidays to explore and visit the Safety Town website with your child.

We wish you a very happy and safe holiday break, and look forward to hearing about all your holiday adventures on Monday 18th July when we return.