Term 2, Week 5 - 19th May, 2023

From the Principal

Dear families,

I am currently writing to you from Charleville, where I have been working with leadership members from TCSO and the other principals of our 31 schools in the diocese. 

Today we listened to a presentation and engaged in a discussion about TCS ATAR results from 2022 and how we can ensure the greatest impact for our students to achieve success in their future pathways. It was interesting to engage with the secondary school principals and find out more about what they do to prepare their students for success in ATAR (the primary mechanism used nationally for tertiary admissions). We also discussed the importance of identifying and extending our students in primary school to encourage their success as they move through their learning journey.

I was able to discuss with my peer principals the work we are currently doing with our students at St Maria Goretti to expect, encourage, recognise and celebrate success. Something we do very well at St Maria Goretti is differentiation - a high impact teaching strategy that provides the right amount of support AND challenge for every student. A differentiated school team is always seeking ways to modify the classroom and their teaching strategies to meet student needs.

At the moment, we are collecting our termly reading data to inform our teaching and learning agenda. It is wonderful to hear about the success our team are having in their classrooms with reading improvement and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all staff to ensure this success. In our context, we have the ability to group our students based on their learning needs and reading goals. This begins with our staff coming together to analyse reading data each term to identify students that need support and extension. Currently, we have some of our Year 1 students reading with students in the 2/3/4 classroom to deepen their knowledge and skills and extend their learning. This is an example of differentiating the content of the curriculum based on student readiness and is one of many ways our school recognises and responds to the needs of our learners and ensures success for all. 

Semester 1 Report Cards

This semester our report cards will take on a different look as we move to reporting on our students educational progress within the Sentral program, the same program that incorporates the Sentral Parent Portal. These report cards will be available within the Sentral for Parents App at the end of term 2, as well as in hard copy on request. 

We hope that these new look report cards will provide a clear depiction of student achievement, and how students are tracking in their learning journey.

Grant success!

Recently, we have been successful in two separate grant applications - the Go for Gold funding, and School Upgrade funding. The Go for Gold funding will go towards the purchase of 1 set of rugby league football posts for our keen footballers. The School Upgrade funding will help with the purchase and construction of a new outdoor learning and play area.

This will be discussed in more detail at our PEN meeting next Wednesday after school in the library. All are very welcome to attend.  

Do it for Dolly

Last week we wore blue, purchased blue cupcakes and most importantly raised awareness and understanding of the importance of spreading kindness and being aware of how our words can impact others. Thank you to Naomi Smith for her work in organsing 'Do it for Dolly' day, with over $350.00 raised and donated to Dolly's Dream - an amazing effort for our small school! Thank you to our very generous community for supporting such an important cause.

TCS Leadership Forum - Charleville

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Upcoming Term 2 dates

23rd May - Teddy Bear Picnic (9:45am - 11:00am)

24th May - PEN meeting (3:30pm in the library)

26th May - National Sorry Day liturgy (9am in the P/1 classroom)

9th June - SMG Semester 1 Disco! (Retro themed dress)

16th June - Small Schools athletics carnival (Goondiwindi)

Thank you to Mrs Kara Locke and all of my wonderful staff for holding down the fort in my absence this week. I look forward to seeing everyone when I return in Week 6. 

Yours in education,

Casey Robinson

Principal

"God loves us all." (Mary MacKillop 1906)

Library News

Step into Stories Author Visit

James Foley shared his enthusiasm and skill for creating award winning books during his online presentation over Zoom last week. James was taking part in the Step into Stories event where 4 authors and illustrators presented to students across the Diocese. Students in Years 2-6 enjoyed their interactions with James and they produced some great drawings of Secret Mole from James' latest book! 

National Simultaneous Storytime

This event is a national celebration of story set down for Wednesday 24th May. We will be sharing the book The Speedy Sloth in the library and having some fun with a readers' theatre version of the story next Thursday. 

Learning in the Library

Prep and Year 1 are continuing their exploration of Australia via maps and the story Are We There Yet ? written by Alison Lester.

Book talks and information locating skills are continuing in Year 2-6

Library Lessons

Happy Reading Everyone!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

Students of the Week - Week 4

Students of the Week - Week 5

Sight Word Certificates

The 5 C Awards

Notices

Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish - Mass Times

Sunday 21st May - Lay Lead Liturgy

Sunday 28th May - 9am Mass

Sunday 4th June - 9am Lay Lead Liturgy