Head of Primary P-6

As we enter the solemn observance of Holy Week and anticipate the joyous celebration of Easter, we find ourselves in a period of deep reflection and renewal. This sacred time offers us a moment to pause, to consider our spiritual journeys, and to embrace the profound messages of love, sacrifice, and resurrection that define these holy days. Our students participated in the Holy Week Liturgy and visited the Stations of the Cross on Wednesday 27 March, to deepen their understanding of faith, compassion, and the significance of Easter within the Catholic tradition.

Growth through challenges

We take time to reflect on our learning experiences and the challenges we’ve faced this term. We honour both our achievements and our setbacks, recognising them as essential components of personal development. It’s critical to empower our students by encouraging them to take charge of becoming more self-reliant and organised. We (parents and educators) are key in providing opportunities for students to acquire these skills and embrace responsibility. In this process, it’s important to acknowledge and impart that facing challenges and making mistakes are inevitable and vital aspects of the learning journey. In Del Monte and Gioia House, students are provided with opportunities and motivated to venture beyond their comfort zones by attempting new activities without the fear of making mistakes. We understand that if students are apprehensive about the possibility of failure, they might not explore new ideas or think innovatively, which hinders their growth as creative and critical thinkers.

While we work through new mathematics problems, compose texts, or discuss topics, we anticipate students will make mistakes. We offer feedback, and they attempt again. Sometimes, despite their utmost efforts, students might not succeed, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Every child embarks on their unique learning journey, arriving at their destination at just the right moment for them. The focus is on fostering resilience, mastering new abilities, and encouraging inquiry. We recognise that there can be no success without the risk of failure.

Help to keep our students safe

We’d like to remind all Del Monte families about the morning supervision arrangements for the safety and wellbeing of our students. The Carrington Avenue gate opens at 8:15am, with teacher supervision commencing at that time. During drop-off and pick-up times, we kindly ask that you do not park and leave your vehicle in the kiss-and-ride zone. This practice can create an unsafe environment for our students. For everyone’s safety, please use the designated crossing at The Boulevarde and Carrington Avenue. It’s important to remember that our children are always watching and learning from us; by following these guidelines, we’re teaching them how to stay safe in their environment. Additionally, we ask for your cooperation in respecting the private properties surrounding the school by avoiding parking in private driveways.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to ensuring a secure and efficient process for all.

NAPLAN

ACARA reset the NAPLAN measurement scale and time series in 2023. This means that from 2024, we will be able to see NAPLAN results as a time series and compare them to previous years for Year 5 students. Schools will receive full results, from June 2024, after which parents and carers receive their child’s Individual Student Report at the start of Term 3.

It’s important for parents to recognise that NAPLAN is merely a single indicator of a child’s educational journey. A child’s success is influenced by a diverse array of factors, including the nurturing atmosphere at home, intrinsic motivation, and a distinctive approach to learning. Emphasise your child’s strengths and take every opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments.

THE LITTERARTY WASTE ART COMPETITION

We are thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement of Year 4 students Jessica and Sofia. Their art piece entitled ‘Then and Now‘, entered into the Litterarty Waste Art Competition, and has been honoured as a finalist. This significant accomplishment highlights their incredible talent and deep commitment to exploring environmental themes through art. The work will be showcased at the 2024 Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival at Bondi Beach from 21-24 March, where the winners will be announced on 24 March at 2:30 pm. We encourage our community to give their support by viewing the 2024 Litterarty Gallery on the festival’s website, going live tomorrow, and join us in wishing our talented artists the best of luck in the final judging. This recognition speaks volumes about the power of art in advocating for our planet, and we couldn’t be prouder.

St Dominic the Adventurer

Last Wednesday our Year 3 students commenced their Dominic Adventurer journey. They have created poetry based on their favourite outdoor places. This week we are looking forward to a Nature Walk and learning about the outdoor environment at Strathfield Park.

Thank you to Mr Walker for leading this enriching program for our Year 3 and 4 students.

Term 2 P-4 Co-curricular

Registrations for Term 2 Co-curricular Activities have been sent to families. A link to the communications can be accessed by clicking on this link: Term 2 Co-curricular.

Parent-Teacher-Student Meeting

We look forward to meeting with you at our parent-teacher-student meeting to discuss your child’s progress on the days below. More information will be communicated in due course.

Del Monte: 14 and 16 May from 3:30pm to 7:15pm

Gioia House: 21 and 23 May from 3:45pm to 7:30pm

Secondary Library Access and Pick-up Procedures

I need to address a recent trend within Gioia House families, specifically the end-of-day pick-up routine.

Since the beginning of the year, we have observed several instances of parents of Gioia House students entering the library before the conclusion of Period 6, seeking to find their daughters. In some cases, parents have requested to wait inside the library while their daughters finish their after-school activities. This practice is unprecedented and marks a departure from our established protocols.

To ensure the library remains a conducive environment for study and to maintain the safety and security of all students, I kindly ask parents to refrain from entering the library to look for their daughters or to wait for them inside the library. Instead, if you arrive early and wish to meet your daughter, I encourage you to call the library directly. The library staff will gladly facilitate a meeting point outside the library for you and your daughter.

I appreciate your cooperation as these measures are implemented with the best interests of our students’ educational experiences and safety in mind.

Lord, in moments of doubt, remind us of Your promise, ‘I am the resurrection and the life’ (John 11:25), renewing our hope as we await the dawn of victory over the grave.

Wishing you and your families a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter season.