Hi everyone, as we wind up the first school term for 2019, it's a great opporunity to pause and celebrate the successes your child has had already this year. Each term is busy in its own way, but term 1 is particularly significant as children generally take some time to settle into the new routines of their new classrooms and develop relationships with their new teachers and peers. I know the students will enjoy a well-earned rest after the 11 weeks of term 1, and hope that Parents & Caregivers also find time to enjoy some relaxation and happy moments with your children. I'm looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Term 2, confident and ready to go. 

Thank you for making the time to meet with our Teacher's last week. Feedback from the staff to me has been about how positive the conversations were and how supportive and engaged parents in this community are. Research has shown that being involved and caring about your child’s education leads to greater outcomes for your children. Here is a link to some further resources that you may find of interest. 

 Last week I went to Mary Mackillop Place in North Sydney for a retreat. It was a great experience and I learnt a lot of new information about Mary Mackillop but I also learnt a lot about Father Julian Tenison Woods who was the original founder of the Sisters of St Joseph’s with Mary. Father Julian was a priest and a scientist who cared deeply for the environment and marvelled at how all living things are connected. Besides this it was nice to not be connected to my phone and to spend some quality time with my Catholic Education colleagues. This is a photo of all of us on the day we were on a pilgrimage of the steps of Mary Mackillop in Sydney. This was the place of her first burial after she died in 1909. She was moved 5 years later in 1914 to Mary Mackillop place. The second photo is her current tomb where thousands of people visit each year to visit and pray.

As you read this I am currently in Finland. This promises to be an amazing trip and I can’t wait to share with you some of my learning. I hope you all have a great holiday and I look forward to catching up with you next term.

Take care

Jamie