Principal's Report
We had a great first two weeks back at school. Our students have returned to school full of enthusiasm and energy for learning and spending time with their friends. As we move into the term, we look forward to some significant school events and the culmination of our year.
External Review
Our external review took place last week. A review of this type takes place every six years, with a check-in 'self-review' occurring every three years. The panel came and validated our work across the last six years, with a particular focus on the previous three years. We presented our work on analysing student assessment data and its use to inform teaching. We also shared our progress with differentiation of student learning in the classroom and work with our Gifted Education Mentor, Mrs Conserdyne and our Learning Support Teacher Mrs Pois. The panel met with staff and a focus group with students and parents. The highlight for the panel was attending the Stage 3 Student Parliament and seeing student voices in action.
This review presents recommendations for our next school improvement plan and our next improvement cycle.
Staffing Update
Mrs Stojanovski informed me in the holidays that she will be unable to return to work this year. Nicole is disappointed as she was looking forward to finishing the year with the students back at school. Nicole will continue treatment for the remainder of the term and is prepared to return to work next year. As always, I thank Amy Karbowiak, Patrick Moran and Amanda Lewis for the extra work supporting the year one and year two classes.
Assistant Principal Appointment
At the end of the last term, we announced Michael D's appointment to the Assistant Principal position. Michael comes to us from St Paul's Primary School, Gateshead. Michael has extensive experience in Religious Education, is NESA Curriculum writer and works in the numeracy curriculum as a pedagogical mentor in his school. Michael has served on leadership teams for seven years.
We look forward to welcoming Michael into the school community this term as he visits and acquaints himself with staff and students in readiness for our 2023 school year.
Facilities Update
We are in the process of renovating our admin building. Most of this work has come from our water damage earlier in the year, we are now repainting, recarpeting and refurbishing. Things will slowly return to 'normal', but I thank parents for their patience.
As we continue these renovations, availability to the office is limited. Vanessa is always available by phone or e-mail; this may be easier in the next week as we transition back into the office once the painters have completed their work.
In 2023 we are excited to put brand-new furniture into each classroom. We can provide brand new desks and chairs in each room through a grant from the Catholic Schools Office. Some other flexible learning furniture will supplement this as the year moves ahead. We are also in the process of finalising some IT upgrades across the school.
Diocesan Staff Visit
Thank you to our year six leaders for their fantastic work with our Diocesan Staff Immersion visit. The visit was part of the Holy Trinity Blackbutt Northh parish tour. Our leaders welcomed our visitors from Catholic Care, the CSO and Diocesan shared services. Our year six students, with the help of year five, put our visitors through the paces and challenged them to a Kahoot quiz about the history of our school, St Dominic, the Dominican sisters and Waratah. Our year six students were complimented on their respectful interactions, willingness to help our guests, and developing some tricky questions. Well done, year 6.
