From the Principal - Mrs Janelle Heffernan

Dear Families,

On Sunday the Church celebrated the great feast of Pentecost. The Church celebrates Pentecost (so called because it is fifty days after Easter), as the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, gathered in an upper room with Mary, mother of Jesus, "as a mighty, rushing wind", fulfilling Jesus' promise when he "breathed on them", as recorded in John's Gospel (Chapter 20). This event, which marks the beginning of the Church, is recorded in the book of Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2. The liturgical colour for Pentecost is red, a reminder of the flames that "rested on them". Another symbol for the Holy Spirit is the Dove, usually emitting golden rays of light. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles gifts of grace through which they would undertake the evangelical mission of the Church. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were given the miraculous "gift of tongues", so that everyone from every country understood the Christians’ inspired message of salvation as if they were hearing it in their own languages. Thousands were converted by the preaching of Peter and the other apostles.

The Solemnity of Pentecost ends the Easter Season. For centuries, the Sundays of the Catholic Church year between Pentecost and Advent were numbered as "after Pentecost". Since the Second Vatican Council, this period is called "Ordinary Time" (the first period of Ordinary Time is that between the Epiphany and Lent). Three Solemnities are celebrated in the weeks immediately following Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ) and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As parents, you have given life to your children and are their principal educators. It is in the family group that Christian values are first instilled and Christian attitudes formed.

School Reports and Interviews

At this time of the year, teachers are very busy finalising students’ assessments and Semester One reports. Teachers have worked tirelessly to assess students' progress and write reports reflective of students performance and effort. I frequently hear them talking and discussing work covered, results gained and effort applied, in order to decide on a final grade. Reporting is not an easy process and there is much time, thought and deliberation put into the final result. I congratulate all staff on their commitment in ensuring that students’ reports are a true and accurate reflection of their progress and effort. School Reports will be emailed home on Friday, 27th June.

Parent/Teacher interviews will be held in Week 10. We will again be using the Compass online booking format for Parent/Teacher interviews and more information will be sent home and a reminder on how to book these interviews electronically.

I share the following reflection, Beatitudes for Teachers, as they prepare these reports for their students:

Blessed are you who are called to teach, for you walk in the footsteps of the Master.

Blessed are you who sow peace and harmony in your school, for yours will be the joy of the Lord.

Blessed are you when you share your faith with others, for your name will be written in their hearts.

Blessed are you who plant seeds of hope in youthful hearts, for your legacy will be the harvest.

Blessed are you who are sensitive to the cries of youth, for you will become their voice.

Blessed are you who anguish now when your students are difficult, for your effort will be their light.

Blessed are you when you leaven your teaching with patience and empathy, for this is to teach as Jesus did.

Blessed are you when you reach out for your students, for you will find God and rejoice.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Congratulations to our students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last week. It was a lovely celebration led by the Bishop, supported by Fr Bing and Fr Phillip.

We thank our Year Three teachers; Mrs Winkler, Mrs Sudiro and Miss Wells, and Mr Tickle for everything they did to prepare our students. We also thank Mr Whitney for the beautiful music, Mrs Parsons and Mrs Fraser for the administration work. 

School Improvement Review
Our school will undergo a School Improvement Review in Week3 next term. All Lismore Diocesan Schools undergo this process every three years. School improvement is a continuous process, centred on maximising outcomes for all students, and sustaining this improvement over time. 

School improvement;

• is not an event that happens every few years, it is regular and ongoing
• involves all stakeholders; students, staff, parents, the community.
• is about looking forward not back.
• is driven by data and research.

The ultimate purpose of the School Review is to improve the learning and wellbeing outcomes for all students.

The School Review uses the ACER School Improvement Tool and looks at the following 9 Domains:

1. An explicit improvement agenda
2. Analysis and discussion of data
3. A culture that promotes learning
4. A targeted use of school resources
5. An expert teaching team
6. Systematic curriculum delivery
7. Differentiated teaching and learning
8. Effective pedagogical practice
9. School-community partnerships

More information to follow.

Tell Them From Me

The Tell Them from Survey has now closed. Thank you to the 85 parents and carers who filled out this survey. This will provide us with valuable information to inform our next Strategic Plan. We will provide feedback to parents when we have analysed the data.

Respect for All Members of our School Community

Respect is one of our school values and something that we are constantly talking to our students about. Respect for self, respect for others and respect for our environment is a message that our students hear regularly, and we encourage them to reflect on what this looks like in their daily interactions with others.

It is important that, as adults we also show respect to our students and families in all that we say and do. Similarly, we ask that our parents and families show that respect to each other as well. I know that there can be times, particularly around drop off and pick up times, there can be frustration and annoyance, however it is important that we remain respectful and patient to all members of our school community. I ask that we refrain from speaking negatively or disrespectfully, as this does not set a positive example to our children.

Late Arrival/Early Departure

Students arriving after the school bell has rung must be brought to the Office by their parent/carer upon arrival so that their attendance can be recorded accurately. You must also come to the School Office if you are collecting students early. Staff will call students to the Office for collection.