Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

Over the past nine months, St Clare’s teaching staff have been implementing a number of strategies into their classroom practice designed to improve the learning outcomes for our students.  All classes are expected to begin with clear Learning Intentions:  statements that make clear to students what they are expected to learn during each lesson.  These Learning Intentions are supported by Success Criteria:  the specific outcomes that a student must meet to ensure that they are successful in their learning.  Some success criteria may be adhered within a lesson; others will reflect learnings across a series of lessons or a unit of work.

These initiatives are based on the work of educationalist Lyn Sharratt, who has a long history of helping systems of schools improve their learning culture and student outcomes in many countries around the world.  Along with many schools across our Catholic system, the St Clare’s Clarity Working Group will be working with Lyn in Newcastle in mid-March.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our day-to-day lives, I wish to thank students, parents and staff for their continued support of our hygiene guidelines.  The St Clare’s executive is very keen to re-engage with the wider community, but recognise that many of our practices and procedures, that had served us well previous to the pandemic, will not be appropriate until we have all received inoculations against COVID-19.

All of our families should have received their Compass login information which allows parents and caregivers access to student timetables, letters, forms and daily updates.  Parents and students not at school also have access to all lessons and tasks via the Compass App, where each day teachers log study information and tasks that classes are mastering each day.  If you are experiencing any difficulty regarding Compass, please call the St Clare’s Office and staff will assist you to access the App.

The distribution of the Ashes on Wednesday marked the commencement of the 40 days of Lent, an important time of personal and community reflection before the Easter season.  At each of our Lenten ceremonies on Wednesday, ashes were distributed and students were challenged to reflect on their lives and make what changes they need to make to ensure that they are growing towards being people of good conscience.

Reflecting on the wrongs of the world is relatively easy and is not often transformational, but when individuals make the commitment to address the deficiencies they see in themselves, great personal and community growth can occur.  My thanks to Ministry Coordinator Denise Ryan and the team of students and staff who worked to make St Clare’s Ash Wednesday gatherings a wonderful time of reflection and prayer.

My thanks also to Assistant Principals Theresa Avery and Phil Gibney for their work in ensuring that ‘school photo day’ ran smoothly.  Thank you also to our students whose good manners and positive community spirit helped make the day enjoyable for all involved.

Last week’s annual swimming carnival was conducted under COVID-19 guidelines which meant that many of the traditional chants and inter-house contents had to be modified to ensure the health and safety of all involved.  The day was a wonderful expression of community spirit much enjoyed by students and staff.  My thanks to Sports Coordinator Laurent Gonfond, Senior Student Sport Leaders, competitors and staff for their collaboration in ensuring a good day was had by all.

Recently, our Stage 6 students had the opportunity to attend a University Road Show and investigate areas of interest that relate to future career and study options.  Year 11 and Year 12 students reported that the information they received was very helpful and had given many of them significant “food for thought”.  Careers and Vocation Education Coordinator Karen McCann organised access to the event for St Clare’s students and is a knowledgeable resource for any student or parent who may want to make an appointment to discuss course selection, employment opportunities, applications for scholarships or any aspect of post-school work and study.

I hope that this newsletter finds you and your family fit and well.

God bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal