We have made it to the end of Term One. It had everything!!! We had major weather events, lots of learning, lots of sport, lots of fun and hopefully lots of growth. So many wonderful examples of our students and staff making the most of opportunities and experiences. As we close out this term we also have lots of tired staff and students and possibly parents as well. The constant demands of our lifestyles seem to mean that we are constantly on the ‘go’ and are ceaselessly busy. I hope that you get the chance to take a break and refresh and restore the energy levels for another busy term when we return on 30 April.

Our staff will begin next term on Monday 29 April with a combined professional learning day at Hennessy in Young. Teachers will learn about the practice and benefits of the Classroom Mastery program. As has been outlined in previous newsletters the program is designed to ‘teach’ and reinforce the appropriate behaviour to create engaged, positive and productive classrooms. Thankfully schools are made up of diverse personalities and we are constantly working towards ensuring that all students are engaged and learning. This program will help us deliver the consistent environments that will support optimal student learning and have a school-wide approach to the behavioural expectations and responsibilities for students and staff. Stay tuned for updates during next term.

Hopefully over the holiday break the building work will FINALLY begin. The paperwork associated with Government grants and every aspect of building programs is enormous and we are hopefully now at a stage where we can begin the refurbishment. Thank you to our Primary staff and students who have adapted to life in the Convent and have made the very best of the shift while for wait for the update to their classrooms.

As part of the Catholic Education compliance program there is a move to align all the School Boards and associated parent groups across the diocese. We will be shifting from a Board and P & F model to a Community Council with an Executive and various working groups. Essentially this will look the same with the Executive fulfilling the role of the Board but with more specific advisory capacities and the Working Group taking on the function of the P & F. We have always had the very best model of the historical Board and P & F for many many years where devoted and generous people have given up their time and used their skills to provide invaluable service to our school. The funds raised by the P & F have been enormous and the benefit to the school is obvious in many different areas of our community from additional technology, books, resources, playground equipment, infrastructure and many other things. The Board has consistently given expert advice in many important areas of the school functioning especially in terms of future prospects, building projects and community feedback. More details about the composition of the Executive and working parties will be made available next term.

Today we held a very successful Cross Country Carnival. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it was nice to see so many students attend and try their best. It was a little disappointing that our attendance was much lower than we would have liked and that many students may have deliberately chosen to stay away for a variety of reasons. We celebrate all these days as important parts of our school experience. Attendance is a mandatory requirement and we hope that students all have a valid reason for staying away. Sadly, O’Shaughnessy did not win but we are getting closer! Congratulations to Mercy House. Thank you to Ms Withers and Ms Van Kerk Oerle and indeed all the staff for their support of this event.

Please see the photos from the STEM camp where Tilly Sannazzaro was selected to attend. Tilly attended the Griffith University’s Indigenous STEM camp last week. It is an on-campus experience designed to promote university opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. This camp is held at our Gold Coast campus, with students accommodated offsite at NRMA Treasure Island, Gold Coast. Tilly participated in interactive STEM workshops delivered by Griffith’s award- winning Science on the GO! team, lab tours, learnt about university pathways and the benefits of higher education. What a wonderful experience. Tilly thoroughly recommends the experience to everyone.

We finished off the term in the best way possible. The tabloids led by Mercy House were such a success. The leadership shown by our older students was impressive. Our Year 10 students led the games and other students from secondary were in charge of our junior students. It was so much fun in the autumn sun. Lots of laughter, lots of happy children and enormous fun.

Please stay safe over the holidays. God Bless

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal