What a term it’s been!

Packed with lots of learning at the Primary Campus with many enjoyable events and excursions/incursions too, and it hasn’t finished yet, with the College community coming together on Friday to celebrate De La Salle Day. This special event, on our annual calendar, invites us to reflect on our Lasallian heritage and traditions and importantly, we acknowledge St John Baptist De La Salle, Founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC) and Patron Saint of educators. Look for the photos in the next edition of the Star.

Here are some of the highlights for this term:

The term started out with lots of energy at the Primary Campus. Our Year 1s and 3s started planning their recipes and shopping lists for the term for the Kitchen Garden Cooking program. Year 3s invited members from the Leadership Team to join them throughout the term to experience not only the planning and preparation that goes into the program, but also to experience the fun and enjoyment and coming together at the end of the lessons to enjoy a shared table. The Year 1s value being part of the cooking program and have been learning valuable skills and enjoying the experience too. A special mention, thank you to Mr Matthew Williams, Deputy Principal Pastoral & Head of Secondary for taking the time out of your day to cook with us. We hope you enjoyed the lessons as much as our Year 3s did.

We conducted two College Tours this term, led by our Student Leaders. The tours are always booked out and the comments we hear back are very pleasing. We appreciate receiving feedback from prospective parents about the new facilities and the positive praise about the disposition and manners of our Student Leaders, and their knowledge about the school and all things Primary.

Book Week is always an enjoyable week at the Primary Campus with many activities taking place, including Where’s Wally, special guest readers and of course we all count down to the annual Book Week parade. Students and staff were invited to dress up as their favourite book character with staff finding their creative side, dressing up as Pirates, Indiana Jones, Willy Wonka, characters from 101 Dalmatians and Where’s Wally, just to name a few. There were many great dress ups, but by far the most effort by a staff member goes to Mr Mitch Boulton who dressed up as the late Steve Irwin ‘the Crocodile Hunter’. Mr Irwin would have been delighted with Mitch’s impersonation, temporarily changing his dark ringlet hair to a wig not that dissimilar to the way Steve wore his hair and there was something to be said about Mitch’s style of handling a croc! There were certainly a few laughs amongst the students and staff.

Several year levels celebrated Mass or participated in ‘Liturgy of the Word’ and we welcomed parent/caregiver attendance. On Thursday, Week 4 we celebrated a Whole School Mass – the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We raised funds and collected goods for Hutt Street and Catherine House through a ‘Crazy Sock Day’ and we are thankful for the community support we receive on these special days.

Co-Curricular kept us all busy with a number of winter sports on offer at the Primary Campus. Mrs Jane Hidson, Co-Curricular Coordinator has independently managed 48 teams, coaches and volunteers, whilst coordinating rosters and games; as well as making herself available to attend information sessions and meetings across a range of organisations that contribute to our successful sports program. A big thank you to our volunteers and staff who support this program.

Monday and Tuesday, Week 9: Our Lasallian Star families were invited to their first parent-teacher conversation. These conversations provide an opportunity for teachers to share insights about each student’s transition to school, their literacy and numeracy progress, social and emotional development, overall wellbeing, and learning goals. It is also a chance for parents and caregivers to ask questions and strengthen the partnership between home and school for best learning outcomes for all students.

Tuesday, Week 9: Families from Reception to Year 6 were invited to attend the student led Learning & Achievement Conferences showcasing learning across the curriculum, including specialist subjects. With Specialist teachers highlighting students’ learning in exhibitions throughout the school. These conferences provide students with the opportunity to:

• Identify their learning strengths and areas of growth
• Understand and share learning concepts
• Use oral and presentation skills to articulate their learning
• Further utilise digital technologies and collaborative skills
• Reflect on Primary Values

There were a variety of engaging education excursions and incursions, too many to mention, but here are a couple: The Silly Scientist was a great hit; the National Railway Museum – where there is always interesting things to see; the Thriving People Event for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students – it was a significant opportunity for students to build relationships, celebrate together and learn about their cultures and identities; Sprout Cooking School – a hands-on opportunity to explore healthy eating, sustainability and the joy of cooking for our Year 1s. We registered again this year to be part of ‘The Great Book Swap’ raising funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Mr Bill Hansberry presented to parents/caregivers – Raising Kids with Grit and Empathy, including many take-away ideas and information.

The Parent Committee have been active again this year in supporting the Primary Campus events and fundraising. Most recently, the Quiz Night raised funds for Puddle Jumpers, and we thank the families and businesses that donated prizes and gift cards for the raffles. The night was a real success. We celebrated Father’ Day with ‘Lamingtons for Lads’ and a coffee cart, which was supported by a great turn out. There were fun outdoor activities and lots of photos taken up against the Father’s Day backdrop – it was a memorable occasion. The Gift Stall was set up and ready to go that same day, with students selecting one or two Father’s Day gifts with their pre purchased voucher. We thank the Parent Committee for their planning and organisation of the day, and we appreciate their efforts ensuring everyone had a great time and for all the support they offer the Primary Campus.

Our sustainability team ‘EarthMates’ have been very active with students across all year levels. There’s been some additional greening take place; lots of planting and harvesting in the garden with lots of the produce used in the cooking program recipes; chicken responsibilities, including collecting eggs, feeding, kindness and gentleness; as well as tree planting in recognition of National Tree Day.

The Primary Dance Concert took place on Thursday, Week 9. So much talent amongst the students. Our Performing Arts Teachers – Miss Talia Gaertner-Jones and Mrs Holly Dineen have worked extremely hard over the year, coordinating and choreographing, and to get the students to a point where they could all perform on the day, including our youngest learners the Lasallian Stars, was amazing. Well done to everyone involved.

Wednesday was the night of our school’s performance in the Catholic Schools Music Festival. Fifteen students took to the stage, after much learning and practice under the guidance Miss Gaertner-Jones and Mrs Dineen. Previous festivals have always been a great success, and our performance didn’t disappoint – well done to the Choir!

As we all look forward to the term break to refresh and re-energise. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday. Term 4 is shaping up to be engaging and energetic.

Damian Patton
Deputy Principal – Head of Primary