As you may have seen on our Facebook page, the College was delighted to be advised last week that a National Award for Excellence in Educational Facility Design has been won by the College for its R-6 and Early Learning Centre development. The Learning Environments Australasia National Award follows two state awards won last year. We are proud to have been the only school from any educational sector in South Australia to be an award winner in the 2022 National Awards. Further details are available on our latest news page stfrancis.catholic.edu.au/news-events/latest-news and to view the Learning Environments Australasia Award Gallery visit learningenvironments.awardsplatform.com/gallery/bavlkllY?category=vEmwaBMq.
Most pleasing of all, of course, are the wonderful opportunities for learning that our new facilities are providing on an ongoing basis for our students and staff.
Last week was a big one for celebration and recognition, with one of our College Music Ensembles recognised in Generations in Jazz 2022. Previously held live in Mount Gambier, Generations in Jazz this year was an online event that nevertheless involved the recorded performance of music groups from schools all across South Australia. Our amazingly talented JazZone placed third in their division, which is an enormous achievement for these students and our wonderful music staff who lead them. This is the first time in many years one of our College ensembles has placed in this most prestigious of events. Our heartiest congratulations to the brilliant JazZone members; Erianne Alexander, Matilda Barnes, Charlotte Ernst, Harry Lovelock, Tilly Lovelock, Max Maher, Charlotte Peacock, Ashlee Peterson, Nathan Sachse and Lauren Watson.
It has been wonderful to have David Booth, a local indigenous artist, in our College across this term working with students from Reception to Year 6. David’s Artist in Residence role with us during this term has been a wonderful education for our students about Indigenous art and culture. Our students all contributed to magnificent murals which are currently being completed by David and before too long will be on display across our school site.
It has been great to have the Footsteps Dance program in the College this term, each Tuesday working with our R-6 students. I know the students have loved participating in the program, and hopefully our families have benefited from having some moves busted out at home! An enormous range of Knockout Sport competitions have been held throughout this term, and I congratulate all of our students for the way they have engaged in the program. I also wish to acknowledge and thank those staff who volunteer their time to coach, manage and coordinate our Knockout Sport teams, under the coordination of Nadia Honner. Without the generosity of spirit of these staff stepping forward, these great opportunities would not be available for our students.
Our best wishes our Year 9 to 11 students in the midst of their examination period at the moment. We hope these opportunities provide them with a chance to reflect the strength of their learning throughout this first semester. We are looking forward to three key events over the next few weeks; the St Vincent de Paul Sleepout next Tuesday 28 June, our Transition Sessions for our new Reception students, and the Catherine McAuley performance on Friday 1 July. The sleepout, organised through our Vinnies Faith-in-Action Group, is a wonderful way for our students to show empathy and solidarity for those who are doing it tough in our wider community at the moment. One can only imagine what sleeping rough would be like in Mount Barker over the last couple of weeks! We look forward to welcoming new Reception students and their families to a number of orientation sessions occurring between now and the end of the term. We are excited to have 27 new students joining us in Reception for our mid-year intake. The Catherine McAuley performance for our students will provide an opportunity for us all to connect with the story of the Mercy Sisters, who started the St Scholastica School here onsite in 1902, through having a deeper understanding of the story of the founder of their order, Catherine McAuley.
Gavin McGlaughlin
Principal
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