Dear Parents and Caregivers
As I write this newsletter, I cannot believe that we are only 3 weeks away from the end of the term! Although we have had some of our community affected by COVID, I thank parents and caregivers for being vigilant and keeping their child at home when unwell. Please continue to monitor your child for COVID related symptoms if unwell and do not send them to school. I thank everyone for their patience as we navigate this tricky time.
LENT Week 3
The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year C are a call to repent and return to the Lord.
The first reading tells of how Moses encountered God in the burning bush. The psalm sings of God’s kindness and mercy. In the second reading Paul tells us to learn from the past. And in the gospel Jesus warns people to change their ways. He also tells the parable of the fig tree.
God gives us many opportunities to grow, but we must not resist his efforts to help us mature in faith.
This week we are asked to consider the following question:
What needs to change in my life to grow in faith?
NAPLAN
Hopefully, many of you would have seen the Advertiser or our Facebook page last week regarding our NAPLAN results for 2021. We are extremely proud of the significant efforts and improvement of our Year 5 students in NAPAN in 2021. The article noted that student results “had shown increases in their scores significantly greater than both the national average gain and the improvements made by students at similar schools”.
Of all the Diocesan schools in the Eastern Star project, SJMS was the only school named and 1 of only 6 Diocesan Schools to achieve these results across South Australia. This is a result of the intervention and teaching strategies implemented by all staff at SJMS and our commitment to improving student outcomes from 2018 to 2021. Well done everyone for your hard work.
Preparations are now well underway for this year’s NAPLAN. We are preparing the infrastructure to ensure that IT equipment is ready for this year with students participating in a state wide practise this week.
School Board AGM
Our School Board AGM which was planned for Wednesday 30 March at 6:30pm in the Piazza will now be delivered online as we are still unable to meet face-to-face in schools. All families will receive via the Skoolbag app a copy of the Reports that would have been presented on the night. As well, a link will be provided to families so that you can access a brief message from the Chairperson of the School Board, P&F and myself.
Performing Arts Studio / Building Update
Our PAS is almost complete. We had the pleasure of being able to access the area today and take some photos to share with you. We hope that once restrictions are lifted we may be able to share this space with the wider community.
Over the holidays, there will be resurfacing of the asphalt and hopefully markings for basketball / netball courts to be completed. Construction for our Nature Play area will also commence during this time.
We look forward to a completely transformed space in the not too distant future.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield