Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers

As we come to the end of a term we often look back at all the hard work completed and the goals achieved.  We then look to the next term.  This quote reminded me of how we re-focus as teachers and educators to reach out for new goals.  

“Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.

 Disturb us Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas. Where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. – Sir Francis Drake

Annual Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan

At the beginning of this year, I highlighted the school's Strategic Plan and its three main goals.  I wanted to place these in our newsletter again with some of the activities that the school has been doing to move these areas forward.  Covid 19 has played a significant part in making us modify some of our goals, but we have pushed very hard to make positive changes at our school.

Improved Student Engagement

Staff to use NCCD platform to implement Personalised Plans – The staff have worked extensively with CE staff, Cameron Hill and Susan Frawley to analyse how teachers cater for the individual needs of some of our students.  Further work will be completed in Term 4 based around evidencing the strategies that are being used to enable students to access their learning pathways. 

Staff to analyse PAT (Progress Achievement Tests) - Based around student’s year levels, teachers analyse where gaps in learning may be or where students need to be pushed further to encourage growth in their learning. 

Develop High Expectations

Advertise and improve the visibility of SJV in the school and wider community – The school has altered the way it presents to parents by utilising a different system of contacting people after an enrolment enquiry.  It has developed a strategic method of advertising through Facebook and local advertising.

Review and update school policies – The school in consultation with CE has updated policies relevant to the effective management of the school.  These are aimed to be released on the SJV website next term.

Strengthen Well Being

Open communications between staff and parents – Teachers look to expand communication using See-Saw and Class Dojo.  Improve the way the newsletter engages the community through interest pieces and student involvement. 

Improve the school plant – Modifications to the building, external areas and to improve the user experience for the whole community. 

School Plant
The school is currently trying to implement many changes to its infrastructure to give the community the best facilities that it can.  Below I have placed down the changes that I anticipate occurring between now and the end of Term 4.  I would like to thank CE who have been very supportive, both from a planning and financial perspective.  

Boundary Fencing – Currently 2.1 metre security fencing is being placed around the entire school, including a brand new play area behind the Presbytery.  This extended place will be a great new place for soccer/football goals.  The fencing will make our playground far more safe, secure and fun. 

Bathroom Upgrades – The bathrooms are being upgraded with new cabinetry, tapware, cisterns, doors and hand dryers.  This should make going to the toilet more of a fresh experience!

Hall Refinishing – Our school hall, steps and stage will be completely re-sanded and re-finished to bring it back to what it looked like when it was first laid. 

Garden Upgrades – Pruning and ripping out of old overgrowth in our front garden beds and replanting of some areas to bring a greater appeal to the front of our school. 

Book Week –21^stOctober Wednesday Wk 2

Book Week is still planned for the children in Term 4.  As of today, the format will be based on our current Covid guidelines.  This means not assembling in a large group, but still celebrating the week by dressing up as their favourite character from a book.  I hope that Term 4 will see a change to Covid rules and we can reassess our plans at the beginning of Term 4.

LED Sign

Currently the school is giving a new look to the content we are placing on our sign.  The idea is to make the images and text far bigger and brighter so that our community, as well as the wider-community, easily understands the message conveyed.  A new aspect to this messaging will be three slides that are pushed out every week under the school’s strategic goals – Student Engagement, High Expectations and Well-Being.  This is to keep the community informed about what we do here and how these activities are helping us achieve our goals. 

Walkathon

Next Wednesday the children will venture out on our annual Walkathon.  This week is the children’s last opportunity for fundraising.  From Friday afternoon of next week the children will be able to start selecting their prizes which is always a great way to end a wonderful event. 

Carnevale

Just a reminder that you can still place an order for the Carnevale lunch until tomorrow. 

Viva Italia!!

Stay safe and God bless.

Peter Rodda

Principal