Principal News
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we approach the end of our third week back at school, there is a strong feeling that normality is very much returning to school life. Classes are progressing well both indoors and outside for all our learners. Over this week, members of the school leadership have been visiting classrooms and engaging with our learners. One theme that consistently arises in these conversations is students' appreciation for the quality of teachers they are fortunate to have to look after them. Research completed by ACER and educational experts including John Hattie indicates that the single most significant influence on student educational performance is the teacher. Dr Tim Hawkes, Headmaster of King’s School in Sydney and a prolific educational author writes - that it matters little if the school is government run or private, free or expensive, co-educational or single sex. A great teacher can make these things irrelevant. A great teacher connects with their students and travels with them. It is unlikely that students will always have the perfect teachers for their learning style. Still, we place great importance on recruiting quality teachers who we believe can genuinely make a positive difference for their students.
The first weeks of a new school year at St Saviour’s Primary School are traditionally very busy at drop off and pick up times. I have written previously about the need to be careful when driving near the school. With 430 primary students and 230 secondary students arriving and leaving the school each day, road safety is critical for students and parents/caregivers. I thank the many parents and caregivers who continue to exercise caution, follow the road rules and remain patient, particularly at pick-up in the afternoon. However, there are a few practices that we must avoid in the name of safety and courtesy:
- Do not double park while waiting to pick up your child/children
- Do not park on the footpath at the pedestrian crossing on Lawrence St.
- Do not call out for your child/children to cross Lawrence or Perth St without using the pedestrian crossing
- Do not park across our neighbours’ driveways
- If it is raining, students using Lawrence St to be picked up will wait under the shelter of the boarding school. Staff will endeavour to identify family cars and send students to parents if safe to do so.
- Boarding school carpark is not to be used by Primary school Parents
- The service road off Neil St is for staff entry and exit only.
There are some alternative practices that I recommend you consider:
- Arrive to collect your child/children after 3.15pm
- Park away from Lawrence or Perth St to avoid congestion and walk to these areas to collect your child/children.
- Talk to friends and neighbours about carpooling options to decrease traffic congestion around the school
- Encourage your child to use public transport
Please consider what you can do to manage our ongoing traffic issues, particularly at afternoon pick-up time. We are a large school in an inner-city location, and we need to work together to address our traffic challenges. I thank you in anticipation of your ongoing support.
I look forward to the term continuing to progress without interruption and minimal student and staff absence due to the pandemic. We currently have 5 students with COVID and in isolation. Signs have been quite positive thus far, but the next few weeks will be important indicators of the extent of the pandemic at the school. I wish everyone in the St Saviour’s Family good health and great happiness.
Many blessings and thanks for reading.
Madonna Sleba