Dear Friends,

Yesterday a special Retreat Day was shared with the students from Holy Trinity who are celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation over the coming weeks.  We pray for these children and their families as the complete this important step in their Faith Journey. 

Next week, our teachers for the first time this year, will meet with parents (ELC-Year 6) and students (Years 3-6) for learning conferences. For Kindergarten to Year 6 these conferences will be held via Microsoft Teams, our ELC will be meeting in person with their teachers. Thank you to families who have  already booked in for these conferences through our Szapp communication stream. Please ensure you have logged on to your child's Microsoft Team channel prior to your scheduled learning conference. This will ensure any technical issues can be sorted prior to your scheduled day and time.  If you have missed this opportunity, please contact your child's class teacher as soon as possible.

Remote learning has given many parents the opportunity to see their child closely as a learner.  Next week's learning conferences with your child's teacher gives you a valuable opportunity to reflect on observations of your child as a learner - not  only the knowledge they acquired, but more importantly the skills they developed as a remote learner. Let us use this time to address the development of a broad range of skills and dispositions including social, self-management, communication, thinking and research skills. These ‘AtL’, as we call them in the PYP, are the building blocks that support our learners in all areas of learning and of life.

A written report will follow these in depth conversations between students, parents and teachers in Week 10. The report will address students' engagement with learning skills - thinking, communication, responsibility and collaboration - and have grades for Religion, English and Maths.  More preparation and value will be given to the learning conferences next week, reflecting on growth, acquired skills and areas of development needing focus for the remainder of 2020 and beyond.

Congratulations to the Hinchcliff family (Zac and Lexie) who welcome the wonderful arrival of a baby brother, Nathaniel. 

With every best wish for a holy and peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families,

Philippa