Newsletter Week 4

Dear Parents and Carers

 Gymnastics K – 2

This week, our Kinder – Grade 2 students began a Gymnastics clinic program, which will run on Mondays and Tuesdays for several weeks this term. Gymnastics programs such as the one currently underway do a great deal to support children’s fine and gross motor development, and assist with their overall physical and mental wellbeing. My thanks to Mary de Smet for organising the program.

Catalyst

I have written in previous newsletters of the Archdiocesan educational initiative, Catalyst. It is a program of professional learning that all schools in the archdiocese are undertaking. This week, Toni Hatten-Roberts from Cog Learn will be working with the staff on a pedagogical method called ‘Daily Review’, which we are specifically applying to the teaching of Maths. It seeks to help students commit Maths knowledge to their long-term memory. I am teaching in 5M over the next two to three weeks, and will be specifically teaching using this method.

Feast of the Transfiguration

This Friday, we are celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration, a feast that celebrates our parish and the community to which we belong. The staff and students of Holy Trinity, Curtin, will be joining us for the day. K – 2 students will celebrate Mass in our Church, followed by the students from 3 – 6. Monsignor John Woods will celebrate Mass for both groups of students. Before or after Mass (depending on the grade of the students), classes from Curtin and Garran will join for some buddy activities. The staff from Sts Peter and Paul are providing lunch for the Curtin staff. Occasions such as these are wonderful celebrations of our shared Catholic identity and purpose.

Canteen Week

Next week we celebrate Canteen Week. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lauretta Raccosta, our wonderful Canteen Manager, and all of the fabulous canteen volunteers who do so much to help our canteen provide good food to our students. Events such as Canteen Week speak to the important role that volunteers have in our school and in society more broadly. Their contributions and generosity of spirit add a great deal to our school, and through the school, to society in general.

Behaviour Management Trial

The school is currently looking at the way it manages (the very infrequent) occurrences of behaviour which are the result of less than ideal choices. This may include incidents of hands on, swearing, ostracising and the like. We are adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any incidents of hands on or swearing. Students will have consequences including time off the playground and their parents being contacted. After a certain amount of incidents in a term, consequences that are more serious are triggered, such as in-school suspensions or out-of-school suspensions. At the next Community Council meeting in Week 8, I hope to have a draft of the policy to share with the CC for their review and comments. Following the review and comments, I will publish the policy to the parent community.

Movie Night

A reminder that our Term 3 family movie night is on Friday 20 August, 6-8pm. All students and parents are invited to the movie night. My thanks to the Community Council for organising the night.

Have a wonderful, warm and dry week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal