From the Principal

I would like to extend a personal thank you to all the students and families who supported the recently held Colour Fun Run. So far, we have raised just over $12,000 which is subsiding the cost of the teaching screen that has been installed in the Campus Gymnasium. It was wonderful to see the students, staff and families engage in the spirit of the occasion to make it a fun Campus event and a successful fundraiser to support the resourcing of a Campus programme.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the families who responded the parent survey about the benefits, purpose and suggested improvements for Campus. The Campus Administrator, Bianca Henderson is summarising the trends coming from the responses. Campus Leaders from the three schools on Campus are meeting next week to update our Strategic Plan from this feedback, as well as the feedback coming from the staff and the students. I was really pleased to see parents valuing Campus for the extra opportunities it offers for all the students. We received just under 100 responses which is about 30% of the families across the three schools. The summary of information will be included in the next edition of the Campus Newsletter that will be circulated before the end of the school year.

Gratitude is a continuing theme and I would like to thank two representatives from the Nativity School Board, namely our current Chairperson, Matt Koukourou and our Treasurer, John Pedersen. Both have had significant stints on the Board and will be stepping down at our next Annual General Meeting which is held at the beginning on the next school year where there will be a more formal recognition of the significant contribution they have made. We will be looking for replacements, especially those who have a level of expertise with risk management and finances. If this is an area of expertise, we would welcome you to nominate for a position on our School Board. Please contact me if you would like further information.

Every family will have received an invitation via email and in hard copy to a workshop being held on Tuesday November 26th on our Master Plan for capital development. We have appointed Brown Falconer Architects to develop a Master Plan to upgrade the learning areas and grounds. This is an opportunity for all parents to convey your message to the architects about what is being planned for the future. This is an exciting project and I am hoping for a strong presence from parents to attend the workshop. There is a creche available. The students and staff are also participating in separate workshops. The feedback from the workshops and a brief that has already been presented will generate a draft of the future planning which we expect to see at the beginning of 2020 school year. The next step is having the plan approved by the Catholic Education Office Capital Development Committee. It is expected stage one of the Master Plan will be ready to go in the second semester of next year.

I can now officially announce that Ben Searle has been offered and accepted the position of PE Teacher and Sport coordinator at Pulteney Grammar beginning in 2020. This is disappointing for us but an excellent opportunity for Ben. He will be farewelled and thanked at the upcoming Thanksgiving and Graduation Mass. Campus leaders will announce Ben’s replacement in due course.

Next weekend is the Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the Church liturgical Year. We then move into Advent, to prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Similarly as a school, we are in that phase with finishing a school year and preparing for 2020!

Kind regards
Greg Haynes