This final term of the academic year has started with earnest and there have already been many highlights.

The author visit and workshops by Dr Cameron Stelzer were well received by the students, as was the Bonsai experience.  It is wonderful that we are able to enhance the curriculum for our learners with such opportunities and I thank Nardia Stanford and Raylene Kendall for their organisation of these events.

The Colour Run last week provided much entertainment and it was fitting that the Year 12 students choose to bring their school days to a close surrounded by students from Prep - Year 11.  Thanks are extended to Tracey Cullinan and Gianna Blaxland-Zanatta for their preparation of the event and to all the students who fundraised for the school.  The same day also saw some students attend a chess competition in Warwick where they represented the school well. Thanks to Anna Jones for accompanying them. 

Some of our students have also participated in the Maths Team Challenge at Stanthorpe State High School where one of our teams took out first place.  Congratulations to all who took part and represented our school admirably. 

Last week we recognised the efforts and achievements of many of our students at Awards Night.  As always, this was a wonderful night of celebration for students, parents and teachers.  Of course, not all students can receive awards but we should pause to acknowledge the progress that so many of our learners have made this year - and will continue to make before the academic year comes to an end.  

It would be easy to rest on our laurels as we enter the final part of the year, but evidence from around the classrooms suggests that the primary students are doing that.  There is still a buzz of learning in each room and a sense of finishing the year on a high.  Over coming weeks, the students will complete various assessments which we will use to determine the growth each of them have made over the year in Maths and Reading in particular.  As a Visible Learning school, it is important that we are evaluating our impact and monitoring data is one way that we can do that. 

Finally, this week we recognise all the teaching staff across the school on World Teachers’ Day and thank each of them sincerely for their dedication and commitment to the children in their care. 

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning