Wishing you all a safe, happy and Holy Christmas

Thanks to everyone in our school community who have worked so hard to make St Ita’s a truly wonderful learning environment.

Each year we grow bigger in terms of student population and with this growth, the dynamics of our school change immensely. I thank all those in our learning community who are able to embrace the changing dynamic of St Ita’s and work hard to make it a place where all students are nurtured academically, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

Thank you to all our students for the application they put into their studies and for the way that they endeavour to live the Gospel values in their day to day schooling. All your efforts are to be commended.

Thank you to our wonderful teaching staff for their enthusiasm, dedication and ongoing commitment to being great role models of life-long learners. We are blessed to have such a professional staff who constantly give above and beyond to make sure your children are loved, respected and cared for on their learning journey.

Finally, I would like to thank Father Confidence for his spiritual leadership, his wisdom and his ongoing support to all in our school community.

To all in the St Ita’s community I wish you a safe, happy and Holy Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the new 2024 school year.

SCHOOL BOARD / PARENTS AND FRIENDS

Could I take this time to thank both the School Board and our Parents and Friends reps for their collective efforts during the year. The people who take on positions for these two groups do it voluntarily and the work that they do is truly valued by the students and staff of St Ita’s. On behalf of all, a big heart felt thank you.

CHRISTMAS IN A SHOE BOX

Thanks to all those in our school community who have supported this year’s St Vinnies Christmas in a shoebox. Once again the school community got behind this wonderful group and it’s great to know that these presents will be distributed to those in our local community who are in need.

MESSAGE TO GRADUATING GRADE 6 STUDENTS

The end of this year marks the end of the Primary school journey for our graduating Grade 6 class and the beginning of their secondary phase.

The step into Secondary school is a big one and I know through talking with many of the graduating kids, there have been times where you have experienced elements of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, excitement and plenty of wondering relating to what next year will look like.

Here is my promise to you. “Everything will be ok.”

Before our graduating students finish up this year, please take the time to say thanks to your parents and say thanks to your teachers. They have walked with you on the journey and have always been there for you along the way.

A few weeks back, I was invited to a Principal’s forum by the Member for Narracan, Wayne Farnham and Shadow Minister for Education, Jess Wilson to talk about a number of issues relating to Education within our electorate.

The meeting gave us all the opportunity to talk about the topics of concern such as the short fall in government school funding, students returning to school from home schooling, children dealing with trauma in their lives, the impact of inclusive education, state wide teacher shortages and building respectful and harmonious school communities.

One of the key strengths of our school is its strong sense of community which we have worked really hard to foster over a long period of time. In the last 6 years we have developed our WSAPB (Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviours) At St Ita’s we, the students, teachers and parents are a community that is compassionate, inclusive, respectful, resilient and we work in effective teams.

We have spent significant time developing and promoting a school culture that encourages and celebrates student success, as well as builds high standards of positive student interactions.

We have high expectations for all our students within our learning community. This is a key ingredient of our success as a school. We are an aspirational community, which engenders a culture of high expectations and high achievement.

We have behaviour expectations for all our students and our school is a place where daily interactions between students, parents and teachers are respectful, inclusive and courteous.

Now you could call me bias but I really respect and admire the commitment of the St Ita’s teaching staff. I hope you all feel appreciated, valued and respected. You have all done an amazing job working with our graduating students here tonight.

Something I really want our graduation students to take away from their years at St Ita’s, is to not only understand but to enact on the 5 pillars of our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviours, which are at the core of everything we are as an effective learning community.

Genuine Inclusiveness

Inclusion is the act of embracing all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, religious beliefs, education or national origin. Inclusion is about giving equal access to opportunities, eliminating discrimination and removing barriers. Inclusion empowers people by valuing and respecting what makes them different.

Genuine Compassion

Compassion connects us with the object of our concern. Compassion includes respect, honouring the other’s person dignity as a fellow human being. Our concern, if it comes from genuine compassion, is based on the recognition that, just like I do, this other person wishes to be free from suffering”

Genuine Respect

Respect is like air. We take it for granted until we run out of it. It is one of the most important communal based traits. It’s the foundation of trust. Without a respectful culture, you can’t win the hearts of people.

Genuine Resilience

Resilience refers to both the process and the outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences. It’s your ability to withstand adversity and bounce back and grow despite life’s downturns,”

Being resilient does not mean that people don’t experience stress, emotional upheaval, and suffering. Demonstrating resilience is about working through emotional pain and suffering.

Genuine Teamwork

Working well in a team means working with a group to achieve a shared common goal in an effective way. We do this by actively listening to one another other, supporting and assisting those struggling or uncertain. Approaching teamwork with a positive mindset and attitude can produce amazing results and our focus is always working for the good of the group as a whole.

So yes, I concur …. there are some really tough challenges relating to and facing education at the moment. But after last week’s meeting and conversations that came from it, I feel really proud that St Ita’s is seen as a positive learning community that provides support, encouragement and growth opportunities for all.

To all our Graduating students, you leave St Ita’s knowing that you are unique, you are valued and you are loved. And most importantly, God will always be with you on the many journeys you take. 

“Remember the past with gratitude, Live the present with enthusiasm and look forward to the future with confidence.”

Andrew Osler