The St Thomas More choir visited Mirrambeena Residential Aged Care last Thursday 15 August with their choir teacher, Mrs Marnie Fulton.

A reminder to families that this year, we are participating in a system-wide school climate survey. The information provided through the results of this survey will assist us to ensure we are meeting the needs of the community we serve.

Last Monday, Mrs Achmad and I attended the Leaders’ Forum day held at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre. Gathered at this day were all leaders from Catholic schools from the Perth, Geraldton, Broome and Bunbury dioceses.

Russell and I gathered with over 480 CEWA Principals and Assistant Principals from across the State on Monday 29 July at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre to explore the Catholic Education Strategic Directions, as promulgated by the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA).

A very warm welcome back to all our children, parents and carers for third term. I hope you all managed to enjoy some of the sunshine and spend some time relaxing with friends and family. It is always great to see so many happy, smiling faces on the first day of term and the children also looked very happy to be back as well.

It is difficult to comprehend that we are now halfway through the year and our children have already received another semester of quality education. When I reflect on all that we have achieved over the last six months, it inspires me to know that there are so many fantastic learning opportunities being provided for our students.

The Year 5 students were super excited to set off on their camp to Woodman Point yesterday, where they have participated in such educational activities as visiting the Fremantle Prison and the Fremantle Maritime Museum and challenging themselves through rock climbing and going on a flying fox.

Year 4 and 5 students were excited on Friday as they received their new iPads. Already they have been incorporating these devices into their learning, using them to complete physical movements through Champion Life – a program teaching the children how to participate in various physical activities, producing a report, which includes images, text and diagrams and as a research tool.

Last Sunday, we were privileged to witness 10 of our Year 6 students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Fr Tony Chiera reminded the students not to have fear in their decision to become adults in the Catholic faith and asked the community to always support our youth in their spiritual development.

We were lucky enough to have the Brunswick Women’s Choir visit us yesterday morning. It was an interactive experience for our Year 3, 4 and 5 students, where our choir was able to perform with them and then we were treated to a performance from the ladies.