Dear Families,

This week we hold our Colour Run. Since 2020, this has become a regular fundraising event on the calendar. Aside from the fundraising element, this is also a great opportunity for students and staff to have a bit of fun towards the end of the year. A big thank you must go to Carmen Myles for organising this event and to the SCC for organising the sausage sizzle.

Last night, I had the great pleasure of attending the 23rd Annual Prime Minister’s Awards for Science. While the room was filled with some of the most amazing scientific minds in the country and there were a number of eminent scientists recognised, it was also an opportunity to recognise excellent examples of science teaching. The winner for the Primary division was a teacher by the name of Mr George Pantazis from Marble Bar Primary School in WA. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged and recognised First Nation knowledge and the deep understanding he had been able to develop as a result of working with local elders, but also knowledge he had gained from his students. The passion George had for his work and his commitment to his students was clearly evident and profound, and by the end of his acceptance speech he had a fair portion of people in the room wiping away tears and everyone in the room standing. He was the only awardee to receive a standing ovation. I think this reception acknowledged his dedication, but also the esteem with which his profession was held in a room full of luminaries. Every scientist and science educator in the room recognised that his work as a primary school teacher is critical to our nations prosperity. Our primary teachers play a critical role in ensuring the next generation is well prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

This Wednesday two representatives from Deloitte will visit our school to talk with teachers, look at data and observe lessons. St Thomas Aquinas is one of two schools in the Archdiocese to take part in a case study to assess the effectiveness of the teaching strategies implemented over the last two and a half years. As early adopters of these strategies, we have seen a positive impact on the learning of students across the school, but particularly from Kindergarten to Year 2. We are excited about sharing this learning with other schools in our system and across the nation, so that all children can benefit.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith