Dear Parents and Carers,

Tell Them From Me: Your Questions Answered!

Our recent survey indicated to us that there are some issues which are proving to be confusing, or which require clarification for some of our families. This term, I’ll be addressing these in my fortnightly newsletter inclusion. This week, let’s clarify the manner in which we enter the school buildings in the morning.

Students are able to access the K/1 playground from 8:30am, when the two teachers on duty arrive to unlock gates and toilets. Parents are welcome to join us in the mornings, and at that time, students engage in a number of activities: handball, handstands, hopscotch, playing on the equipment, and generally catching up on the previous evening’s happenings. At 8:50am, students line up in their class lines, we all greet each other, and then we listen to our wonderful Year 6 leaders present the Acknowledgement, lead prayer and announce the day’s clubs and birthdays.

In the past, we have moved from the assembly area to our classrooms in a rather noisy fashion. Our hallways were noisy places, with students yelling over the top of each other, having long and loud conversations in the corridors as they unpacked their bags, and generally being very unprepared for the day’s learning. We changed our model last year, and now encourage students to move in (almost!) silence to their classes, although they’ll still say a cheery hello to Father Simon, or share a smile or whispered conversation with a friend or teacher as they walk. This means that students with complex needs who may be highly sensitive to loud noise and chaotic movement are able to start their day in a more positive frame-of-mind. But, just as importantly, transitioning quietly into classrooms sets the tone for all other students that learning is about to begin, which it does – and very quickly! 

Please get in touch with me if you have any other questions about our morning assembly or the ways in which we begin our day.  

Petra Cole
Assistant Principal 
petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au