Dear School Community

Science Week is well underway and the school is a hive of activity.  The student research projects for the Science Expo have been displayed in the gymnasium and show the learnings and understandings of our amazing cohort of students.  A highlight this week has been the Skype session with Dr Karl and hearing the tricky questions that the students have provided to him for explanation.  On Sunday a group of 9  students from Grade 6 will be running a stall at the Burnie MakerX being held at the Burnie Arts & Function Centre.  There are presenters from all over the NW displaying technology, arts and innovations.  The MakerX runs from 11am to 3pm and is free entry.  A big thankyou to all of the students and staff who have worked tirelessly to make Science Week another success.  A massive thankyou to Mr Dome for all of the coordination and organisation.

Our student SRC has been holding weekly visits to Umina Park to spend time with the residents.  This has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn from people who have seen many changes in our community and are able to pass on much wisdom and understanding.  It has also been an opportunity for our students to teach the residents various activities including computer coding.  In turn our students have had experiences in activities such as line dancing and bocce.

I am constantly reminded by visitors to our school of the amazing cohort of students we have.  Visitors are always commenting on the polite manner in which they are spoken to, the exemplary behaviour displayed and the capacity of the students to hold meaningful conversations.  There was no better example of this than on Tuesday when a group of grade 13 Rosny College students were here filming.  These 18 year olds went out of their way to explain to me the amazing interactions they had with our students and even commented that they have worked in schools across the state and have never come across a group of kids as amazing as ours.  This is an enormous pat on the back to you the families.  Thank you for all the time and effort you place into the growth and development of your children.

Good luck to all students who are playing in grand-finals and finals this weekend and over the coming weeks in their chosen sport.  Remember that whether you win or lose you have done an exceptional job and respond to whatever happens with respect, humility and excitement.

Please remember that if you are wanting to meet with a teacher or senior staff member it is required that you contact the front office to schedule a meeting time.  We believe that communicating with parents and carers is very important and want to ensure that meetings are given the time and respect needed.  The start of a school day and the end of the school day is very busy for staff and it is very hard for a teacher to meet with a parent / carer at these times.  Also, it is not always possible for a senior staff member to meet a community member during the day without prior notice due to the various array of scheduled responsibilities.  Please ensure that you contact the front office to request a meeting and a suitable time will be organised.

Regards

Andrew Woodard

Principal (acting)