I have been working with Bluebird Childcare in implementing a Before and After School and Vacation Care service to operate out of our school. It is with some excitement that I am able to announce that we have been approved to be able to offer this service to our families.

Our school community joined together yesterday morning to celebrate the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Led reverently by our Year 4 class, it was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what Lent means and what we can do during this period to turn back to God. Fr Mat reminded us of the importance of fasting, giving and praying and ways that we can do this in our everyday lives.

Although we had a slight false start to the beginning of our year, the children have settled in well and we have loved seeing their smiling faces and the way they have commenced in their new classes. There has been lots of learning already taking place in the classrooms with the students thoroughly engaged in their tasks. Thank you to all parents for helping to ensure the children are prepared for school and encouraging such a positive attitude.

As another year comes to a close, I reflect back on all that has challenged us, strengthened us and helped us to grow. In what has been an unusual year, I believe our students, parents and staff have coped very well and although there have been some disappointing times along the way, I still believe we were able to experience many successes.

I was fortunate enough to attend Rottnest with an amazing bunch of Year 6 students last week. They not only represented our school incredibly well, but I witnessed examples of determination, compassion, inclusion and great manners.

Our Principal, Mr Russell Wylie is away on camp with the Year Six students, along with Mrs Alice Tippett, Mr Joel Lawrance and Mrs Marion McRae on Rottnest Island this week. From all accounts, they are having a great time with excellent weather.

Thank you to all the parents and staff who came along to our ACM last night. It was great to see so many come and support our school and hear about all the wonderful things that have happened over the past year and what is planned for the future.

Congratulations to all those students who participated in our Faction Swimming Carnival and Fun Day last Friday. It was a wonderful day, expertly organised by Mr McRae. A big shout out to him for all the hard work in ensuring the carnival ran smoothly and I would also like to acknowledge and thank all the parents who provided assistance on the day, either through helping out with the running of the carnival or by
coming along and supporting the students.

It has been a busy two weeks with the children participating in Swimming Lessons at the Recreation Centre.

As I visit classrooms over the course of the week, it is always heartening to see the way the students are continuing to engage with their learning, even as we head towards the end of the year.