Yesterday and today, I have participated in the 2022 Principal’s Gathering via Zoom. Yesterday’s focus was on Trauma-Aware Education and addressed the importance of how we will respond to the growing impact of complex trauma on the outcomes for the children in our schools. The theme for today was Assessment for Teaching and Learning, and the sessions explored Formative Assessment and responsive teaching practices. The gathering finishes tomorrow after the Being Catholic sessions address some investigations around the Catholic Identity of our schools.
Today families will receive a letter regarding next week’s Cross Country Carnival. Please take the time to read this as several changes are being made to this day's format.
Friday 1 April is the annual Bishop's Inservice Day for all staff working in Catholic education across the diocese of Rockhampton. This is a PUPIL FREE DAY, so the last day of Term One is Thursday.
Next Term, we will return to 3:00 pm completion of the school day for all students. The early finish for Prep students and their siblings will cease. The current pick-up arrangements will remain in place. All families with children in Prep and Year 1 will continue to collect children from the top carpark. This has successfully taken the pressure off the Herbert Street 2-minute zone, and most Prep and Year 1 students have exited by 3:15 pm each afternoon.
Sports preferences have been collated, and some students will be invited to trial for the various teams in the near future. Trials will be communicated through Skoolbag to the relevant year levels. Children in Year 4 born in 2013 will all be playing hockey. Year 4 students born in 2012 will most likely be playing their first preference. This decision has been made because the Year 4 students participate in the Year 5 competitions for Rugby League and Netball. This can lead to significant variations in age and ability and impact the players’ safety. Season B sport commences with round one on Friday 13 May. More information relevant to each sport will be sent out at a later date.
We have joined the Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Waste Watch citizen science project. This project is designed to measure the impacts to reduce waste in schools and explore and share alternative and sustainable methods of reducing waste that goes into landfill. One small part of this is a waste audit in Term 2 by the Rockhampton Regional Council. Next term, to engage the students in this process, we will be creating a Sustainability Team that involves some staff and a selection of keen students interested in creating better practices for our school. If you have an idea, know about a process or have connections to any sustainable, environmental type groups, please let me know, and we can include this in our discussions next term.
This week, I am thankful for the virtue of helpfulness. When we do things for others, they can make a difference no matter how small. It’s about taking the time to be thoughtful. Our Year 1 classes are hosting the disco this Friday for Project Compassion. While this only requires a coin to enter, this small token will make a difference to someone.
I am thankful for the gift of helpfulness. It allows me to make a difference and often serve without being asked.
Bernadette Brennan
Rheanna Starr
There is a tough but fair Lenten message in the parable of the fig tree: before it is chopped down and reduced to dead wood, the tree is given one more chance to be fruitful. There is a 'be warned' side to this story and a 'take heart' aspect as well. Yes, be warned because every one of us must be fruitful in our own way, and yes, take heart because God is on our side.
What is the dead wood in your life and what needs nourishment?
© Liturgy Help, Jenny Close Artwork
"The highest result of education is tolerance” – Helen Keller
