Principal's Log

Student, parent and teacher conferences provide an important opportunity for discussions about how young people can improve their learning. A key part of this process is to ensure that young people are the main players of their learning game. As parents and teachers, an important part of our role is to help young people to identify and then take ownership of the ways in which they can improve their own learning. Parents can assist by ensuring routines provide good time and space for young people to engage in effective home learning that is free of distraction. Rather than planning the way forward for young people, parents can create better outcomes by ensuring the responsibility for improving sits with the young person. By listening to what the young person is going to do, parents can assist them to set realistic goals made up of small steps that can be recognised and celebrated. This is a helpful way to grow the sense of personal efficacy, ownership and improved learning. We thank all teachers, parents and students for the focus they have provided for effective learning and for the time they have given to be part of the recent student, parent and teacher conferences.

There was very good spirit at the Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival this week with all students making the most of the opportunity to participate in each of the events. The structure of the carnival provided opportunity for every student to compete in each event and contribute to the overall performance of their House. This meant that as groups of students moved through each event they could celebrate each other’s best efforts, whether peers were breaking records or participating to the best of their ability. Congratulations to all students for the way they participated and encouraged each other and well done to Bula House for winning the carnival! Thank you to Mrs Allyson Savari and Mrs Sanet Strong for providing the Friends of Pacific BBQ. Well done and thank you to Mr Mark Hauser and his team for the leadership and organisation of the carnival.

We are in the final stages of preparation for OCEANfest and parents are encouraged to respond to the communication being emailed in the next fortnight requesting volunteers to assist with the running of various stalls. We thank our OCEANfest committee for their leadership and the broader community for your support and look forward to a great community event.

May God equip us to engage strongly in our learning and relationships so that we might be a blessing to many.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal