Dear Friends,

We began Week 7 with our first Advent Liturgy, present by 1 Red and Miss Joy.  It is always reflective to begin Advent with the concept of HOPE, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Since our last school newsletter we have celebrated again some incredible learning and achievements with our Awards Assembly.  We congratulate the following students: 

Week 5 Award Winners

ICAS and Maths Olympiad Winners

Not only did we celebrate our students' learning achievements recently, but also the learnings of our staff.  Each of our teachers across the ELC and school participated in their own professional inquiry project throughout the year, that enabled staff to further their own capabilities, pursue a passion, go outside their  comfort zone, stretch their learning and creativity and take action to further develop this craft of teaching.

As Guy Claxton says, “we want our students to naturally think critically, creatively and collectively about the world in which they find themselves, find or devise work that is fulfilling and responsible and strive to make our world a better and safer place to inhabit for generations to come.”  I thank our incredibly talented teachers for their efforts to further explore this professional inquiry research, to ensure our students are given every opportunity to grow and be motivated to exercise their attitudes of resilience, curiosity and collaboration.

It was also wonderful today to welcome all our Kindergarten students and their parents/carers for 2023 to orientation day yesterday morning.  It is always such a privilege to be able to share with families all the incredible characteristics of our school, including the warm and caring community.  At this time of year we not only welcome those for 2023, but sadly we also farewell community members.  On our school staff we thank and farewell the following members:

• Brendon Pye, who has been awarded an Deputy Head Of Junior School position at Burgmann College
• Tracey Hanlon, who has been awarded a teaching position at Radford College
• Kathy Falaras, who is taking a CSA position at Mother Teresa
• George Passaris & Katelyn Judd, who are both travelling overseas next year.

Mel Punyer will also continue next year on maternity leave and Jane Foley and Angela Small will be taking leave for 2023.