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From the Head of Primary: End of Term 2 Newsletter 2022

I would like to thank all families for their support of our staff. Our students love being at school and that is a testament to the dedication and passion of our teachers and the strength of our family partnerships. It has been a busy and fun Term 2. 

The biggest highlights of the term were obviously the 20 Year Service on Thursday and Columba Day!! The fete, the food and the talent quest!! Our school is amazing and our traditions are young and new, but our Kindergarten to Year 12 photograph is the celebration of twenty years of incredible growth and dedication to learning. It is timely to thank our foundation staff members and their contribution to our amazing school. Mr Little has not been able to attend our celebrations because of his current travels, but we hope he is enjoying the celebrations through Facebook and Instagram. I hope you have ‘Saved the Date’ for our 20 Year Gala Ball next term. 

The term has been jam packed with a season of Performing Arts Showcases. Our dancers danced, our choirs sang and our young string players were jubilant. The 20 Year Vocal Showcase was a highlight because of the inclusion of our alumni choir and special guests, but our Stage 1 guitarists stole the show. A big thank you to our Performing Arts faculty, led by Director of Performing Arts, Mrs Isabella Mistry, for these special occasions. 

The craft of writing has been the focus for our staff and students this year. Through building staff capacity in supporting students to develop the craft of writing we hope to empower our students to develop a love of writing and feel proud of what they compose. Under the expert guidance of our Director of Humanities, Ms Elissa Strahley and leadership of our Primary Director of Teaching and Learning, Mrs Sarah Jones, staff have engaged in a range of workshops which have focused on expanding the literary devices and techniques our students use to engage an audience for a specific purpose.

Our Year 6 students represented our school admirably in Canberra and our Sustainability Leaders continued their work of leading by example by running a World Environment Day with Mrs Ann-Kathrin Kiehn. 

The Primary School had success in Public Speaking this term with our most successful team ever to attend the event. Held at Cypress Lakes for the first time, we had several wins, many place winners and two Highly Commended. Our Debating team has also excelled in the HICES competition and came in equal first in the Primary Division. We had several teams participate in the Da Vinci Decathlon and we are especially proud of our Year 5 girls team of Olivia Martin, Kirsten Hii, Caitlin French, Eloise Flower, Zayna Chauhan, Beatrix Quirk, Jemima French and Mahli Lees, placing third in the Code Breaking discipline. This is the first year we have participated in the ACER Global Academic Challenge. HIgh Distinctions, Distinctions and also a medallion win for Riley Hill. 

Wellness Week is my favourite part of the year. Mr Cockington certainly made it a memorable Week and our Student Leadership Committee really stepped up to lead the school. Our students loved painting rocks with Mrs Catlin, Lego Masters with Mr Cuckson and Mrs McCann, a camp out with Ms Rosewood and Mr Cockinton, 1km Run, Dance Challenge and so many other activities around the school.

An addition this year was the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. What a wonderful day was had by our furry friends. Lucky bears! Mrs Hall played Old Skool marbles with the kids and there was weaving, colouring-in and a SCAS-tastic Bazaar where we learnt how to do amazing new things with our Year 6 leaders. 

And I haven’t even mentioned the sporting news… Primary Athletics Carnival, HRIS 3/4 Basketball Gala and Cross Country. A special mention to Cam Risely who was selected for the CIS Touch Football team and Imogen Newstead for CIS Netball. Thanks to Mrs Angela Van Zeeland and Mr Ben Offereins for all their organisation, particularly under the trying circumstances of constant rain.   

In staffing news, this term we farewelled Mrs Debbie Muir, Mrs Kathleen Brazel and Mrs Georgia Cummins. We wish all these ladies the best in their new positions and in Georgia’s case, a move to a multi-category class at Port Macquarie High School. They are lucky to have such wonderful teachers join their teams. Mrs Kellie Hall will be on Long Service Leave for Term 3 and will be replaced by Mrs Lauren Van den Berg and Mr David James will step in as Acting Stage 2 Coordinator. 

In Term 3 we will welcome Mrs Sally Drury in Year 2 and Miss Samantha Ryder into Year 5. Sally hails from Orange Anglican School and is very much looking forward to her relocation to our beautiful mid-north coast. Samantha is moving back to Port Macquarie from Mungindi on the NSW Border and is excited to be closer to family and joining us at our fantastic school. 

I hope all families have a safe and relaxing holiday break. It is very much needed. Again, a big thank you to our families from all the Primary School staff.

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