Principal's Message

Dear Parents

Here we are at the mid-point of the year. Before we know it, Christmas will be upon us! As we come to the end of Semester we want to say thank you to everyone who has shown their support for our school in so many different ways. We hope you enjoy the next two weeks of holiday time with your children. Tomorrow is a student-free day due to the Staff Retreat Day. School resumes next term for students on TUESDAY 19th July.

Reports were sent out via Compass yesterday afternoon so please look for them. When giving grades to students, teachers must abide by the standards set out by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority). A “C” grade means a student is achieving at the standard level set down for their stage in the subject syllabus. The greater majority of students should receive a “C”. An “A” or a “B” indicates that a student is achieving above that standard and a “D” or “E” means they are yet to reach the standard for their year level. The effort a child puts into their learning is also something to consider. If s/he works to the best of her/his ability and gets a “D” then we cannot expect them to do more. They have done their best. Likewise, a student who puts in minimal effort is not giving their best and could be capable of achieving a higher grade. All we want is for students to do their best and have a good go. The teachers are there to help and guide and encourage. If a student is struggling to achieve we look for things which may be inhibiting their progress. So if you are worried about how your child is going, please make an appointment to sit with the teachers and have a good talk with them about your concerns. Be mindful when talking to your children about their reports. Praise them for their efforts or for the other great things that are mentioned about them and help them see how they could improve.

We encourage all students to continue reading over the holidays. Reading is a great activity. It can take you to another world, it helps to enhance vocabulary, it encourages imagination, it makes you think about things, it can be very satisfying and leave you with a good feeling. As the saying goes: “A child who reads will be an adult who thinks”. Shared family story time is always fantastic!

We have been given another supply of Rapid Antigen Tests today. Every child who is at school today will take home a package. After the holidays if you would like some please call in and collect them. Covid is still around in this area and we are asked to test if we have symptoms. Anyone testing positive to Covid is not allowed to come to school for a week.

Congratulations to all students who participated so enthusiastically at the Athletics Carnival on Tuesday and had a go! I believe the sportsmanship was outstanding. Well done to all the age champions and to all those who won ribbons on the day. And congratulations to Mackillop House who were the champion house on the day. Many thanks to Mrs Croker and the team who supported her and gave the students a wonderful experience (despite the wind!) Thanks too to Ellen and Co for the canteen services.

I was so disappointed to miss the Orators Evening last week (due to a Principals & Priests Conference in Coffs Harbour) as it is always such a highlight. I have heard how outstanding the speeches were. Congratulations to all those who now move on to the Tweed Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition to be held at the South Tweed Sports Club on Friday 5th August. Keep practising those speeches!

Enjoy the holidays!

Slow is good for the soul. Slow is prayerful. Even a tiny sliver of slow does us good.

God bless.

Lynne