For the past two years we have been involved in a Toowoomba Catholic Schools' initiative called INSPIRE Maths. The focus areas of this project included exploring how mindsets towards Maths could be changed through language and teaching approaches as well as how research into effective teaching might be used to improve the practice of our teachers and therefore the outcomes for our students.  We have seen much success with this project as a school and do not intend for it to end at the conclusion of this school year.  However, the project itself culminated in a 'Students in Maths Day' last Thursday for some upper primary students who travelled to St Saviour's College in Toowoomba.  They were invited to engage in a number of workshops around Maths themes which they did with much enthusiasm.  It is always a delight to take students to an event such as this and they certainly represented the school well.

By the time you read this newsletter, we will have hosted our first Prep Practice Morning for those children who will be starting Prep next year.  It is always very exciting to see the children in this environment and to watch how they interact.  This is an important day for the teachers too.  There is a lot of educational research about how significant the relationship is between the teacher and the learner as well as children feeling safe in their environment. This is an early opportunity for us as a community to make our new Preppies feel safe and valued. Another day will be provided next Wednesday, after which the children will receive a gift from us to keep them busy over the holidays.

In a few weeks we will begin the annual Granite Belt Lecturette Competition, with Town Final first which will be followed by the District Final.  Congratulations to those students from Year 6 who have been nominated to represent the school at this competition and we wish them all the best.

Finally, we said goodbye last Friday to Miss Bella who successfully completed an SBA course with us over the past two and a half years.  During her time here she made a big impact on the children and the teachers and was an enormous help to both.  Bella will be missed but we wish her well in the future.

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary