Dear
Parents and Friends,
The
P&F AGM is on this Wednesday 7th November at 7pm. I invite all
parents and friends to come along. I would like to take this opportunity
to formally acknowledge the work of Hamish Hutton (President), Tony Woods
(Treasurer) and Ben Farmer (Secretary) who will be stepping down. Hamish
will be leaving the school at the end of the year, for a few years at least,
until his youngest child starts school. We looked through our photos to
find a picture of Hamish, who was in so many - helping out at school events or
working tirelessly behind the scenes of school events. This photo of
Hamish at a recent swimming carnival sums up his support for the school.
Thank you Hamish, you will be missed by all. Tony and Ben will be
around for a few more years and I would like to thank them both for their
encouragement and obvious love of the school.
It
was wonderful to see Nellie B in Year 6 receive the Fred Hollows Award for
Humanity at Parliament House from Gabi Hollows and Education Minister Rob
Stokes. Nellie was recognised for her efforts in fundraising and raising
awareness of Refugees during Refugee Week. Nellie’s teacher Mr Andrew King,
recognised her potential and encouraged her to take part in the campaign.
Photos of Nellie receiving her award are on the School Blog. Well done
Nellie, we are proud of you!
Our
children continue to inspire us with their sporting achievements. Hamish S and
Charlie D in Year 5 are representing the school at a high level in cricket and
basketball respectively next week. We wish them every success!
I
warmly invite all parents and friends to our upcoming Celebration of Learning
on Tuesday 14 November between 9-10am. This is a wonderful opportunity to
see our classes in action and be part of our community of learners. Every
parent knows the difference an outstanding teacher makes. We see it in a child
who begins to ask good questions about how the world works. Large-scale
research clearly shows that in any given school year, the single biggest factor
that affects how much a student will learn is his or her individual teacher. It
is no wonder that when we think of schools that meet students’ changing needs,
the first thing many think of is great educators.
The
best teachers are active researchers, in two important ways. Firstly they are
researchers of their students: they carefully observe their pupils, and from
knowing them deeply, are able to engage them in learning that is both
meaningful to their own lives and academically enriching. Secondly, they are
researchers in the practice of teaching, actively seeking out strategies as
educational data on the field evolves and children’s needs change.
We
look forward to seeing you at our Learning Celebrations.
In
the busy lead up to the Season of Advent it is easy for us all to forget to
take time out and reflect on who we are as people of faith. In the words of
Pope Francis we can take great joy. “From my point of view, God is the light
that illuminates the darkness, even if it does not dissolve it, and a spark of
divine light is within each of us.” Go forth and enjoy the busy weeks ahead.
Enjoy a
relaxing weekend.
Peace
and God bless,
Beverly