Dear families,
We have officially made it to the end of the school year!
Congratulations to you all for the amazing effort you have put into this strange year.
The students re-entered school in the most wonderfully settled way this term.
Yesterday, students had the opportunity to spend some time in their 2021 classes. I know there were a few anxious moments for some of them. Change is hard, I know, but I also know how much time and effort was placed into trying to obtain the perfect blend of classes. This year, students were also asked to nominate 5 learning buddies they’d like to be with. Each student was given at least one of these buddies.
I also know that there is often talk around this time of year regarding straight vs multi age classes. I am a firm believer in the benefits of multi age for many reasons. The main reason being that the multi age philosophy forces us as educators to teach the child, not the curriculum. We all know that age has very little bearing on ability or need. The multiage way of teaching believes that we should be looking at a child’s abilities and teaching what they need next, regardless of the year level they are in. As a leader, I am passionate about supporting teachers to challenge their students. Every student deserves to not only experience success, but to also learn the ability to work through struggles and manage difficulties, so that their successes are even more worthy of celebration.
I am looking forward to an exciting year of learning alongside this wonderful community.
I’d like to thank the many parents and guardians who have made me feel so welcome in my short time here. I have enjoyed my time here so far, despite the circumstances we faced.
I wish each of you a wonderfully blessed Christmas and pray that the celebration of the birth of Jesus fills you all with hope and great joy.
Until next year,
Sonia
In case you missed them...
On Tuesday night we celebrated our Grade 6 Graduation. You can watch the ceremony here.
Today we held our end of year assembly during which, amongst other things, we announced our school leaders for 2021. Here is the live stream link.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ~ Dhriti Amin
SPORTS AND VALUES ~ Keely Williams
ACADEMIC PERSISTENCE ~ Isabel Rodriguez-Canache
VISUAL ARTS ~ Stella Ligudzinski
PERFORMING ARTS ~ Isabelle Nelson
MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP ~ Lila Boyd
we are also not ready for all that Christmas usually entails as we are all already exhausted!
So this Christmas, we at St Mary’s wish you hope, hope for a brighter 2021, we wish you peace, time to wind down and be at peace this holiday season, we wish you joy, all the joy that erupts from the faces of our children during this season and love, we wish you all the the opportunity to spend Christmas with the ones you love this year, finally.
Yours in Faith
Matthew Taylor
Religious Education Leader