Nov 20, 2024
We are now into the final weeks of the school year and we will be very busy with our usual end of year activities. Firstly, I would like to thank the parents who attended the Annual Community Meeting for the School Advisory Council and the P&F. Both bodies are important functions of our community and their efforts are greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, we have been advised by CEWA that due to increasing costs, our school fees will have to increase next year by 4%. Please note that this is the first increase here in three years and it works out to be around $1.50 per child per week extra. Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our school community.
Nov 6, 2024
We are getting to the business end of the year and the teachers are busy writing their reports. I will spend the next couple of weeks reading them which is always a rewarding task as I get to see how well everyone has done this year. As well as reports, the teachers and the leadership team will be undertaking the enormous task of mixing the classes for next year. We use a very good software product to make sure we get it as accurate as possible. There are many factors that go into getting the balance right and once it is complete, the students will get the chance to meet their new classmates for next year in the final week of the year. Occasionally, after the transition day, we get calls from parents requesting that we move their child. Please note that once it is set, we don’t move any children as one small move can completely throw the rest of the class out of balance. In the coming weeks, all students will be asked to name five of their friends who they would like to be with next year. We guarantee that every student will get at least one of their selections. Most students get more than one of their choices. A big part of our Cooperative Learning philosophy is we like the students to learn the vital social skills of making new friends and working with different people. This is an extremely important life skill they will need as they grow older.
Oct 23, 2024
Welcome back to the final term of the year! I would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Lisa Liebregts for doing a great job in my absence. I know Mr Tim Maxwell and the rest of the staff supported Lisa in a wonderful way as I was enjoying a fabulous holiday exploring Spain and Portugal. On Monday this week, the staff had a reflection day at the Mary MacKillop Centre in South Perth. We spent time learning more about the life of Mary MacKillop and what type of person she was. One thing that stood out was her immense resilience. She dealt with incredible adversity, and yet she remained strong. What was the secret to her resilience? It was her prayer life and trust in God. Mary spent time in prayer and meditation and this is something we too, are going to spend more time focusing on this term.
Oct 9, 2024
Welcome back to the final term of the year! I would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Lisa Liebregts for doing a great job in my absence. I know Mr Tim Maxwell and the rest of the staff supported Lisa in a wonderful way as I was enjoying a fabulous holiday exploring Spain and Portugal. On Monday this week, the staff had a reflection day at the Mary MacKillop Centre in South Perth. We spent time learning more about the life of Mary MacKillop and what type of person she was. One thing that stood out was her immense resilience. She dealt with incredible adversity, and yet she remained strong. What was the secret to her resilience? It was her prayer life and trust in God. Mary spent time in prayer and meditation and this is something we too, are going to spend more time focusing on this term.
Sep 11, 2024
As term three draws to a close, many of us (students, staff and parents alike) are feeling a little fatigued, perhaps looking forward to a moment to help us reset before engaging in what promises to be a busy term four. The stamina we need to see us through difficult moments just isn’t there at times and it’s challenging for us to know how to rebuild it.
‘Nurturing stamina is building the muscles of learning, one repetition and one day at a time’
(Witten, 2015)
Aug 28, 2024
Just a quick update: This week’s Principal’s Newsletter was written a little ahead of time. Why, you ask? Because our Principal is currently jet-setting across Europe! Yes, while you’re enjoying your coffee, he’s probably enjoying tapas in Barcelona or trying to decipher a Spanish menu.
Even though Mr Bechelli is off exploring beautiful plazas and indulging in local delicacies, he’s made sure you’re still up-to-date with all the important news and upcoming events.
Safe travels to our Principal, and happy reading to everyone else!
