Dear Parents and Friends,
A warm welcome to Term Three! I trust that you all enjoyed a happy and restful holiday with your families, and are now ready and fresh for the busy term ahead. It has been encouraging to see the children returning to school with a healthy enthusiasm and willingness to enjoy their learning. Let’s keep that spirit alive!
The end of semester parent/teacher interviews provided an excellent opportunity for feedback on the students’ progress throughout this semester. Success is not determined only by the results that the children achieve but also by the effort they afford to their work.
We are all born with an array of talents, capabilities and potential and it is how we work towards realising these that is most important. One of the most aspects of education is relationship. Pope Francis highlighted this in a recent address to the Italian Union of Catholic School Teachers.
“In a society that struggles to find points of reference, young people need a positive reference point in their school. The school can be this or become this only if it has teachers capable of giving meaning to the school, to studies and to culture, without reducing everything to the mere transmission of technical knowledge. Instead they must aim to build an educational relationship with each student, who must feel accepted and loved for who he or she is, with all of his or her limitations and potential.”
Throughout this term St Mary’s will undertake the Sydney Catholic Schools Inquiry and Review Process for School Improvement. This process is an inclusive four-year process that supports the principles of continuous improvement. Each year includes the reflection, review and evaluation of the Annual Improvement Plan, the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) School Improvement Tool and Reporting to the community. These actions take place with considerable community consultation using strategies for reviewing and evaluating the evidence that impacts positively on the Catholic life of the school, student wellbeing and learning, and supports a culture of continuous growth.
At the completion of the process a new Strategic Improvement Plan will be designed and will include the new direction of the K-12 Marist College. Further details will be provided as we progress.
I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.
Beverly Coffey