Principal's Update - 13th February

Welcome

Dear Families,

As we embark upon the Lenten Season, we invite you to join us in this sacred journey of reflection and renewal. Today marks Shrove Tuesday, a day of feasting and celebration before the solemnity of Lent begins. In observance of this tradition, we will participate in various activities within our school community. Additionally, we are delighted to announce that our students will attend the Ash Wednesday Mass at 9:30 am tomorrow alongside the parishioners of St. Columba's. This Mass is an opportunity for spiritual growth and communion with our wider faith community. We encourage you to embrace this Lenten period as a time of introspection, prayer, and growth. Together, let us walk this path of faith with humility and grace.

Year 5 / 6 Urban Camp

The recent Urban Camp for our Year 5/6 cohort was an immense success, leaving our students brimming with excitement and new experiences. Throughout the trip, they were treated to a diverse array of Melbourne's cultural and historical landmarks, from the solemn tranquillity of the Shrine and the grandeur of St Patrick's Cathedral to the lively bustle of Lygon Street. The visit to the Melbourne Zoo allowed our students to marvel at the wonders of the animal kingdom, while the tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol offered a glimpse into the city's darker past. The highlight for many was undoubtedly the dinner in Lygon Street, where they indulged in delicious cuisine and soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of one of Melbourne's most iconic dining precincts. Overall, the Urban Camp provided our students with an enriching and unforgettable experience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of our city's culture and history.

Update on Building Works

Construction on the Iona building has officially kicked off, marked by the commencement of demolition work within the internal spaces yesterday. The sound of heavy machinery and the sight of debris removal signify the initial steps towards transforming this space. As walls come down and interiors are stripped bare, the promise of a new beginning looms large. This pivotal moment, with not just the physical reshaping of the building but also the anticipation of what is to come—a revitalised structure ready to serve its purpose anew.

Lael Stone - Parent Session Bookings

Lael Stone is an educator, TEDx speaker, author, mother, and parenting counsellor who has been working with families for over 20 years. Her work as a birth educator, post-natal trauma counsellor, and parenting educator has seen her work with thousands of families consulting about newborns all the way to the teen years.

She is the co-creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative new school based on emotional well-being and connection. Lael is the co-host of The Aware Parenting Podcast and a sought-after public speaker who talks candidly about her experiences and her great passion for creating wellness in families through connection and communication.

As well as sitting on a few advisory boards and consulting with organisations around emotional awareness and trauma-informed practices, she has teamed up with The Resilience Project to deliver presentations about raising resilient children all over Australia in 2022/2023.

Tips for parents will include:

• Guiding our children to be resilient adults
• Practical Strategies to build stronger connections with your children
• Supporting your children through challenging situations
• Simple ways to create cooperation
• Dealing with our own triggers as a parent 
• Understanding big emotions and feelings

We welcome Lael next Tuesday evening as a guest speaker to share her wisdom with our parent community at 6:00 pm at Mary’s Mount Loreto College Ballarat. Please book via the trybooking link here.

School Advisory Council Meeting

The School Advisory Council is an active body made up of members of the school community who work in consultation with the Principals and represent the parent body to act as a conduit in providing feedback and thoughts around Community Engagement and future direction for our school. The SAC is also involved in positively promoting the school through marketing in the parish and community.

Our first meeting for the year will be held on Wednesday 28th February at 5:30 pm at the school. An induction process for new members will facilitated by Jo Anne Bond at this meeting, along with the allocation of roles and responsibilities within the group for the 2024 school year.

Foundation Wednesday Rest Days for Term 1

Foundation students will not attend school on the following Wednesday's for Term 1:
Wednesday 14th February
Wednesday 21st February
Wednesday 28th February
Wednesday 20th March

Please be advised Foundation student literacy & numeracy assessment days will scheduled during these Foundation Rest Days. Foundation teachers will provide further information.

Please note the following:
Wednesday 6th March - Students will attend due to School Closure Day
Wednesday 13th March - Students will attend due to Labour Day Long Weekend
Wednesday 27th March - Students will attend due to Good Friday Public Holiday

Important Dates

Kind regards,

Bambi Afford & Shaun Mohr
Co-Principals