Term 4 Week 9 Newsletter

From the Principal

Just like that, the school year is over, and what a year it was!

Sadly, we started the year with COVID restrictions which meant that we were not able to have all students and families on site.

Over my 12 months here, I have learnt a lot about the school and the community. In addition to my child-centred approach, I have taken onboard feedback from families about past and current concerns. My consistent approach has been to focus on school improvement and to be genuine, whilst ensuring Our Lady Queen of Peace is providing the very best for the children in our care.

Moving forward with a new vision

I’m sure you have heard me say, “There have been times I feel like I am walking in someone else’s shoes.”, as the school year was already planned for me. Though I have tried to personalise it to suit my own leadership and vision, there have been some restrictions. 2023 is my opportunity to bring my vision to life as it will be based on and staffed on what I believe is important to this community.

Finding the balance between implementing change and people being comfortable about change can be tricky. I have found the support of both the School Board and Parents & Friends helpful in managing this balance.

Change during the holiday break

I hope you have learnt a bit about me; I am not very good at sitting on my hands. You have already seen many changes that have occurred in the school. Over the holiday break, more changes are coming!

New Early Years and Primary Precinct

The creation of the Early Years and Primary Precinct is a priority for me. At the start of 2023, classrooms will have moved and some structures will be put in place. Part of this vision will continue to be rolled out during Term 1, 2023. The delay is based on either accessing resources or labour to complete it.

New Performing Arts Room

Over the holidays, we will have moved and refurbished the Music Room, which will become known as the Performing Arts Room. There will be space for Music, including 3 glass instrumental booths, as well as a stage area.

Click on the images below to enlarge.

New Food Tech Room

Next door to the Performing Arts area, will be the Food Tech Room. I have just purchased two commercial ovens for this space; combined they will have capacity for 16 muffin trays that can hold 12 muffins each. This indication of size shows how a whole class can cook at one time. The Breakfast Club will return in 2023 which will use this new Food Tech space.

Resurfacing of courts

We now have timelines for the resurfacing of our courts and the construction of our Nature Play area. The court resurfacing is scheduled for the end of March/early April, and the Nature Play is scheduled for the end of May.

And finally ...

Thank you to all staff, students and families for a good year, and I look forward to an exciting new year. I have truly appreciated the kind words families have shared with me about the school, and value that you are able to see the change that is occurring in this community. I am not content with leading a good school; I want to lead an amazing school. This transformation does not occur overnight, but I know we are heading in the right direction.

As always, my door is always open. I always appreciate knowing about the good, the bad and the ugly - only if I know, change can occur.

Merry Christmas.

Lee Abela
Principal

From the APRIM

The last few weeks have been a joy to be involved with. We had our:

Carol’s Night, which was a wonderful celebration,
end of year Mass,
Year 6 Graduation events, and
final assembly.

Classes have been learning about Advent and the birth of Jesus; this is central to the celebration of Christmas in our Catholic faith. It is a busy and wonderful time of year, and I hope that you all are enjoying this time of Advent and preparing for Christmas celebrations.

Matthew 1:18-24

This Sunday will be the fourth (and final) Sunday of Advent before Christmas. The Gospel reading according to Matthew will be read.

In this reading, Joseph did not believe Mary at first. A message from a dream helped him believe. We have cause to thank Joseph for showing what dreams can be made of! The message of Advent (and our life) is: ‘Do not be afraid’. This is what the angel said to Mary and what the angel said to Joseph. God does not bring fear into our lives but peace and acceptance and, finally, rejoicing.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus was born of Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, a son of David.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’.

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for welcoming me into the school community over the last two terms. I look forward to returning next year and working with the staff, students, and families.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas. See you all in 2023!

Click on the images below to enlarge.