Dear Parents & Caregivers

There have been many articles in the media recently highlighting teacher burnout, the large number of people leaving the profession and the modern-day external pressures schools currently face. One prestigious school in Perth is even considering cancelling camps because they are unable to manage teacher workloads and accommodate the varying food intolerances and allergy requirements of their students, while other schools are collapsing classes and finding creative ways to ensure their students are safe and continue in their learning. Whilst I do not believe we are at that point, the demands on teachers in terms of compliance, academic accountability, parent engagement and meeting the needs of all students is increasing at an alarming rate and this is impacting the mental health of teachers across Australia. As teachers, our role has always been about educating and caring for students, so we need to navigate these stressors and continue working towards providing the best schooling experience possible for all our students. You can support your teacher by communicating regularly and respectfully with them, by showing an understanding for the increasingly complex requirements of their role and by standing alongside them as you work together in the best interest of your child.

Code of Conduct

All adults (teachers, parents and carers) within Catholic education, are required to abide by Catholic Education’s Code of Conduct. The code is to describe the minimum standards of conduct in all behaviour and decision making to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

The code outlines 12 conduct statements which must be adhered to, and if breached, must be reported to the principal. These include:

1. You act safely and competently.

2. You give priority to students’ safety and well-being in all your behaviour and decision making.

3. You act in accordance with the values of the Gospel as defined in the Code of Ethical Conduct.

4. You conduct yourself in accordance with laws, agreements, policies and standards relevant to your relationship with the school community.

5. You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community.

6. You treat personal information about members of the school community as private and confidential.

7. You give impartial, honest and accurate information about the education, safety and well-being of students.

8. You support all members of the school community in making informed decisions about students.

9. You promote and preserve the trust and privilege inherent in your relationship with all members of the school community.

10. You maintain and build on the community’s trust and confidence in Catholic schools and the Church.

11. You act reflectively and ethically.

12. You allow students to have a voice in their education, safety and well-being.

Swimming Carnival

Next Friday, our students from year 3-6 will be competing in our second annual faction Swimming Carnival. Information has been sent home to parents. If you have not received anything please contact your class teacher.

Mini Marvels

Mini Marvels is our free parent involved 3-year-old program which commences on Thursday 9th March. The program will be offered each Thursday from this date from 9-10:30am, and will be led by Miss Chelsea Moore (our Kindy teacher). For those interested in enrolling in the program, please contact the office on 97324700.

RULER

Unfortunately, our RULER parent presentation night has had to be pushed back to Wednesday 22nd March 5:30-7pm. At this presentation we will be discussing RULER as an approach to the teaching of social and emotional learning and how you can use it to create an emotions matter climate in your home. For now, if you would like more information, please visit our website or join our closed parent support group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/496253799370470/

NAPLAN

Recently, important information was sent home to parents of Year 3 and 5 students regarding NAPLAN for 2023. NAPLAN is a national assessment that all student across Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 complete each year. NAPLAN assesses students’ ability and growth across Literacy and Numeracy and provides schools with important information that can be both used for strategic whole school decision making and to support the learning of individual students. NAPLAN will occur during weeks 7 and 8 of this term.

Interim Reports

The Term 1 Interim Reports are due to go home on Thursday 24th March. These reports give you information on your child’s school behaviours and social and emotional development, as well as progress across the learning areas. Please contact your child’s class teacher should you require a follow up conversation.

QCESR

In Week 9 of this term, our school will be participating in a Quality Catholic Education School Review. This review will involve Catholic Education consultants reviewing our processes and practices, and providing information for both the school and myself in goal setting and future focuses.

Year 6 Camp Fundraising

Our Year 6 parents are currently planning some community fundraising opportunities to support our students in heading to camp this year. These include hampers, wood raffles, containers for change and a school disco. More information will come of these initiatives soon. Thank you to Cathy Cavuoto for taking the lead on this one.

Parent and Friends

Our next P&F Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 14th March at 9am in the staffroom. It would be great to have many parents there supporting our executive team.

School Website

Our school website is live, updated regularly and able to be accessed at http://www.stmarysdbrk.wa.edu.au/. Please look here for all school related parent information.

Enrolments

We are still taking enrolments across all years for 2023. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please ask them to contact 97324700 and I will give them a personal tour.

Andrew Gammon

Principal