Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you are keeping well and warm during what has been a very cold start to winter. As you are aware, there is quite a bit of illness around and we thank you for monitoring your child’s health, throughout this time. A reminder that we do have a school coat as part of our uniform and students are welcomed to wear beanies, scarves and gloves outside if feeling the cold. We naturally do not send them outside in heavy rainfall and we also open the library for the second half of lunch.

COVID Safety Reminders: A reminder to all families that if you have someone in the home with COVID and your child is attending school, as per the operational guidelines, we ask that you respectfully let us know by emailing  the class teachers of each of your children and copy me in. Also your child wears a mask each day if over the age of 8 and optional if under 8 years but strongly encouraged. All students also need to RAT test daily to attend school in this situation. All other children test if symptomatic. We ask that you ensure you are following these guidelines in order to keep all safe in our community and help stop the spread. Vaccinating your child is also strongly encouraged.

We have ample masks to supply your child with. Given the spread of the many different germs at the moment we are encouraging masks.

Reconciliation week: We celebrated National Reconciliation Week last week. The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” was a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government— to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. Our students continue to  learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Geelong Catholic Primary Principal Network - Conference 2022: 

“Gratitude is a way of being which honours and protects our relationships and cultivates a sense of interconnectedness.” – Dr Kerry Howells

On 25-27 May 2022, ten principals travelled to Hobart for the Geelong Catholic Primary Principal Network Conference. The theme of our conference was Gratitude: Learning and Leading in Faith. This conference program had its starting point in the Network Strategic Plan 2021 – 2023. Our vision, mission and values informed the selection of speakers and experiences in the beautiful location of Hobart and surrounds. The conference opened with a tour and on-country experience led by Aboriginal elders and knowledge holders who shared culture and stories. The tour provided an opportunity to engage with indigenous spirituality, connection to Country and challenged us to consider our own connections to the Aboriginal stories local to us at home.We were very fortunate to have a day of learning with Dr Kerry Howells, a world-renowned researcher, on ‘Leading with Gratitude’. Kerry guided us through an investigation of the deep dimensions of gratitude, the interplay between gratitude and its shadow - resentment, how to cultivate gratitude in relationships, and actioning gratitude as a leadership practice. The group also welcomed Carey McIver, an Executive Coach and Spiritual Director, who facilitated a conversation on our best hopes for our leadership in faith, supporting our dialogue around questions such as: 

What does it mean to be a leader of faith, in these times and for our communities?

It was two and a half days of reflection and connection, re-energising us and amplifying all the things for which we are grateful as principals of Catholic schools in our region. As a final exercise, we drafted a Network prayer drawing on all the elements of our learning:

God,

Companion on our journey, the giver of light and love,

We are grateful for the gift of each other, the members of the Geelong Catholic Primary Principal

Network.

May we all flourish as one body, and through your immense love, make a home in our hearts for you.

We pray for gratitude, trust, faith, respect and wisdom.

May we respect the dignity of all as we walk in the path set by Jesus

And let those who will, follow.

As we lead in faith, let our greatest passion be compassion

Our greatest strength, love

Our greatest act, service.

May we be nurtured to move forward as hope-filled leaders in faith.

As we journey together as companions, walk beside us, lighting the path.

Guide us forward with courage.

We ask this in your name,

Amen.

School Disco: Many thanks to all involved with the School Disco and a special shout out to Rachel Simons and Hayley Bennett from the PFA. The children had a wonderful time and it was great to see it finally go ahead in our new hall. Approximately  $2300 was raised and will continue to go towards some of the outdoor learning projects  we are completing.

Road safety: A reminder that U turns are not permitted on John Dory Drive. You are not permitted to make a U turn on a road if there is: a single continuous line down the centre of the road. 

Annual Report to the School Community 2021: Each year we complete an annual report about the previous year. Please find here the 2021 Annual Report to the School Community. It has also been added to our School Website.

Student Free Day Friday 10 June: A reminder that this Friday is a student free day. The staff will be participating in a Mathematics professional learning day with Michael Minas as per our Annual Action Plan. We look forward to this day building teacher capacity to further explore differentiation and problem solving, in order to support growth of all students. 

Wishing you many blessings for the fortnight ahead.

Kerryn