Our Motto: Friendly Respectful Courageous Learning

Our Commitment: With courage we learn, connecting to people and place. Striving for excellence by being curious, creative, and resilient.

This week and next week, we have the wonderful opportunity to come together for our teacher, parent, and student interviews. These conversations are a powerful reminder of the growth our students are making every day, both in their learning and in their personal development. A key focus during interviews has been student goal setting, especially around the learning asset of being a Thinker. Students are exploring how to ask thoughtful questions, make connections, and reflect deeply on their learning. We’ve also celebrated progress in reading fluency, with many students setting clear goals to improve their pace, accuracy, and expression. It’s inspiring to see students take ownership of their learning, supported by the dedication of our teachers and the encouragement of our families. Together, we are building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Our school was aglow with warmth and joy as families and the school community came together to celebrate the Winter Solstice. The afternoon/evening was filled with laughter and excitement as children enjoyed a variety of fun games, and the handmade lanterns, crafted with by families were beautiful. It was a wonderful opportunity for connection and celebration, showcasing the spirit of our community. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the School Association, our amazing parent volunteers, and dedicated staff for organising and running such a special event.

At our school, we are deeply committed to every student’s success and wellbeing. One of the most significant factors influencing both is regular attendance. Research and our own data show that missing as little as one day a fortnight can lead to noticeable declines in academic achievement and student wellbeing. Currently, only 52% of our students are attending school at least 9 out of every 10 days. This means that nearly half of our students are missing more than four weeks of learning each year. For the second half of the school year, we need to collectively place school attendance at the centre of the decisions we make that impact whether children are at school. Everyday counts, and together we can ensure our students have the best opportunity to have bright lives and positive futures.

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Jay, a cherished and devoted father in our school community. Jay contributed greatly to our wider community through his dedicated service with the Bicheno Volunteer Fire Brigade, and his commitment and kindness will be remembered by many. We collectively grieve this profound loss and extend our sincere condolences to Belinda, Mia, Rory, Adam, Hieu and Bo during this incredibly difficult time. As a school, we stand together in love and support, and we will continue to surround Belinda, Mia, and Rory with care, compassion, and strength.

Kind regards,

Tom Spykers

Principal