Dear Parents and Carers

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming new horizons.”

Pope Francis

Last week I attended the Canberra/Goulburn Archdiocese Principals’ Retreat. The three days were very good. The last two days were led by Br David Hill a Marist Brother, and director of the La Salle Academy at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).

https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/institutes-academies-and-centres/la-salle-academy

The theme of the retreat was ‘Beacons of Hope’ and, as the quote above from Pope Francis would suggest, it was a call to all of us leaders to be just that: beacons of hope. Br Hill drew a good deal on his own experience (principal at Marcelin College, Randwick) and wove anecdotal stories, self-deprecating humour and the latest research to make some excellent points about the moral purpose of Catholic education. He was both inspiring and very practical and did not shy away from the realities confronting Catholic schools. He named three non-religious values that are strong in society at the moment –

• Materialism (not in the sense of excessive consumption, but a view of the world that believes unless it is empirical and can be measured it, it is not real)
• Consumerism
• Excessive individualism – I’m not special unless someone is less than me.

Br Hill challenged all the principals at the retreat to be people of hope, to be people who trust, and to be people who are compassionate. Hopeful, trusting, compassionate: three qualities worthy to be persued in any educational context.

Journey with Jesus Retreat

Last Friday, students in Stage 3 attended their Sacramental Retreat: Journey with Jesus. The students participated in a number of activities designed to ground their faith and enrich their experience of community. My thanks to the Stage 3 teachers: our REC, Steph Burns; CE personnel: Nathan Galea, Luke Maher and Huw Warmhoven; and our new Youth Worker, Maddie Greenwood. Everyone contributed to a wonderful day for the children. This coming Sunday, the children who are receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation have their Presentation Mass on Sunday, at the 9.30am Mass. I look forward to joining the children at the Mass.

Strategic Plan

The school has completed the penultimate draft of our three-year Strategic Plan and it is currently with the staff and the Community Council before being published on the school’s website. Although it is still in review, it is safe to say that the three principal goals are:

• Continue to build and sustain a culture of consistent and best practice.
• Build upon a culture of high expectations for all students
• Sustain student and staff wellbeing

Sts Peter and Paul is committed to the flourishing of all its students, academically, pastorally, socially and spiritually. I welcome any feedback over the coming weeks regarding the school’s strategic plan.

Canberra Show

At the recent Canberra Show, Sts Peter and Paul entered some home grown produce, from our school garden. As we do each year, the school has done extremely well, including 1^st place in three different categories and a ‘Champion’ ribbon for ‘Best Pumpkin’ (school class). We also won a host of second place positions. This is a wonderful credit to the school and its students and perhaps has never been timelier in this age we live in. My deep thanks to our Gardening Club mentors and teachers who work so well with the children: Robyn Moore, Mary de Smet and Katie Birch. A wonderful achievement.

Inquiry Maths – 3/4B

Over the next 5 weeks, until the end of the term, I have the good fortune to be working with the wonderful students in 3/4B and their teacher, Miss Kennelly, in Maths each day. We are trialling the implementation of an ‘inquiry’ approach to Maths, which involves a more investigative and problem solving approach to understanding Maths concepts. It also involves more of a use of Maths manipulatives and concrete materials, with multiple ‘entry points’ for diverse learners, within the lesson. My thanks to Miss Kennelly and the students of 3/4B.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal