Dear Parents and Carers

Just like that, we are in the final week of Term 1. With a shorter term, we find ourselves fitting so much into a shorter space of time. With grateful hearts, we celebrate the rich learning opportunities, excursions, incursions, sporting events, swimming, community events, Welcome Picnic and Working Bee, Lightning Premiership, Student leadership opportunities and Holy week celebrations. Special mention to the Preps who have  successfully completed their first term of school life.

Here are some great photos of our very reverent Holy Week reflection. All students were fantastic. Well done and thank you to Year 2 BS, Yer 2 JR, Year 5 LC and Year 5 AG for your creative contributions and Rebecca Nancarrow as our brilliant Religious Education Leader. 

Think. Engage. Lead. with Strength conference: Last week, Paul Anderson and I had the privilege of attending the Victorian Association Catholic Primary School Principal’s conference for the first time. This runs every two years. The topic was Think. Engage. Lead. with Strength.

We had a host of wonderful speakers who shared their remarkable stories including Craig Foster, Mitch Tambo, Jelena Dokic and Saroo Brierly. Their inspirational stories and sharing of their core values  demonstrated how all of our stories can give us strength. If you are not aware of these people and the remarkable work they do for society today, please take the time to google.  In our current times, we are perhaps challenged more than ever to dig deeper for the strength to lead our communities.

The conference was underpinned by the strength of leadership of Mary McKillop’s story, who was an educator, a pioneer and a leader, someone who had compassion for others, regardless of their position, situation or ethnicity. “We must teach more by example than by word” (Mary MacKillop). We all certainly have our core values we endeavour to live out each day.

In our minds, the goals of the conference were achieved and we are better for the learning which has further inspired our leadership, to feel closer to God and open to finding strength in God’s love and to experience new ways of thinking to draw on inner strength and consider the inherent values we bring to our role including compassion, care and humility.

We go forward with this new experience, knowledge and wisdom which we can transfer to our own life and leadership journey. We have certainly been encouraged and inspired to further embrace our own inner strengths and that of our staff, students and community as we are challenged daily to be our best.

Photomontage of Term One:

Please also enjoy this Term 1 montage of photos showing some of the wonderful experiences we have already had together in Term 1. Thank you to our Learning and Teaching Leader Marianne Caddy.

Deputy Principal Term 2: Paul Anderson in taking Long service Leave for Term 2 and going to enjoy wonderful time with his family travelling around Australia. In Paul’s absence, Marianne Caddy our Learning and Teaching Leader will be stepping into the Deputy Principal role. Marianne can be contacted if required via email mcaddy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au 

Student Free Day Term 3 Change of Date: Please note our staff professional learning day in Term 3 has been changed from Friday 2 August to Monday 5 August. We have changed on our calendars. Please amend on yours.

Thank you all for your ongoing support this term and your wonderful care for your children.

As the end of term approaches, I wish you all a restful and joy-filled Easter time and holiday. 

Kerryn