Principal News
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I think it is fair to say in Term 1 we faced a challenging term, with a delayed start for students, a period of minimal student attendance, staff absences due to covid, extreme weather events (hail storm) and the building project. I thank our staff, parents, caregivers and students for how you have rallied together to negotiate the ever-changing school landscape. The St Saviour’s Primary School Family has demonstrated admirable resilience in the face of all the challenges presented to us last term. I have every confidence in us all that we can do it all again for Term 2.
The Easter break I pray provided an opportunity for all of us to take a breath and enjoy some downtime.
All this hard work was worth it to see the joy on our students and staff on their return to work this week and to move into their new classrooms. It is our hope that by Tuesday of next week, the school administration and staff facilities will also be operational from our new facilities. As much as we have ‘enjoyed’ working so closely together in the library and staff eating alone in classrooms we can’t wait to move into our new work spaces. Later this term, we will invite parents for a walkthrough of these new spaces in appreciation of your continued support of our master plan.
Welcome
This week we welcome four new students and their families along with Mrs Cath Kimmorley who has replaced Natalie Lancuba as one of our Year 5 teachers whilst Natalie is on parental leave. We look forward to getting to know you all and extend a warm welcome to our school community.
Parent Partnership Network
Over the past years at meetings, members of the Parents and Friends and School Board have discussed what is known as a Parent Partnership Network (PPN) to help promote parent engagement within our school community. A PPN is a combination of the two groups that assists the Principal as an advisory body in various school matters such as Finance, Strategic Planning, Parent Engagements, Fundraising and Events to name a few. Last night I met with the P & F Executive and School Board members to discuss the introduction of a Parent Partnership Network here at St Saviour’s Primary School instead of having both the P & F and School Board. Later this term, all parents will be invited to attend an information night about how this network will look and operate here at St Saviour’s Primary School. If you are keen to hear more or offer your interest in being involved please contact me via phone or email. Watch this space for further details to come.
Mothers' Day Stall
Thanks to members of the P & F we will be going ahead with our Mothers' Day Stall on Friday May 6th. This will involve each class assigned a time to visit the Mercy Centre and purchase a small gift for the ‘parents’ in their lives.
If you can spare some time on this day/or the day before to assist with setup and serving please contact Renee Campbell (President of P &F) via mobile: 0417 797854
Uniforms
The weather is showing signs of cooling off and it is, therefore, timely to give some warning about uniforms for the upcoming winter. Students may wish to wear long pants or navy tights with the dress. The hat remains a compulsory part of the uniform as students travel to and from the school every day. Please ensure all uniform items are clearly marked with your child’s name. Many thanks in anticipation of your support in ensuring our students are taking pride in wearing the correct uniform.
As part of our commitment to maintaining standards, we must sweat the small stuff. It remains a priority to have high expectations regarding matters such as personal presentation and uniform. I need to be very clear in saying that students must return to school in Term 2 with a haircut that meets our expectations as outlined in the school policy. We would not expect to need to ask students to have their hair cut when they return from holidays; part of the responsibility of families is to monitor this and ensure it is attended in line with our uniform expectations. I thank all our parents and caregivers in anticipation of your assistance with this important aspect of the presentation.
Expect the best from our learners
Whilst the end of semester might seem to be a long way off, this term will no doubt fly past like any other busy term. We start with a series of short weeks, then move into events like Athletics Carnivals, NAPLAN, Prep 2023 interviews, Drama Festival. These all can be a distraction to core business - academics. I encourage all families and students especially, to work collaboratively with our highly committed staff in preparing for the end of Semester 1 so that each and every learner is given the best opportunity to make the most of their talents. Hopefully very, very few students will be looking at their school report and thinking “If only I’d …”.
A very important element in helping the learners to achieve is what we expect. Expectations exert a tremendous influence on what each learner is able to achieve. Research urges teachers and students to set their sights high – and mean it. The result will be improved student learning.
Just about every school, teacher and parent says they hold high expectations for their children. However, what is said may not be truly believed - and it is the belief that moves the learner.
Having high expectations is not all that is needed for students to succeed. Teaching and learning are very complex. But high expectations, from the adults in their lives, are the launching pad, the base from which students can aim for the stars and, using their own abilities and efforts, achieve their learning mission.
Hopefully, we will be able to emphasise to our learners the importance of having high expectations of themselves, especially in the ways in which we demonstrate our own expectations of ourselves.
As adults, whatever we want our learners to be, we have to demonstrate it to them and be successful role models for them, so they can see the benefits of what it is we are leading them to be. If we abdicate leadership, we deprive our learners of guidance and create opportunities for perhaps less desirable influences to enter their lives; all the more reason for us to be upfront leaders and role models.
If we are adults who lead, we can create opportunities for our learners to thrive. We should never be apologetic about demanding high standards. Our students need us to set standards and clearly define boundaries where there is freedom for them to make positive choices about their intended achievements and their social responsibilities. We assume leadership in this area, because we are more experienced, knowledgeable and wise. To be successful in this area, we need to be relaxed, warm and accepting whilst still being firm and insistent.
Many blessings for the week ahead.
Madonna Sleba