Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

This week our teachers are engaging in a Professional Development opportunity that focuses on improving students' learning in the area of writing. The program is called “The Seven Steps To Writing Success Program”. Seven Steps to Writing Success is a writing program that empowers teachers to inspire their students to rapidly improve their writing skills, and most importantly, learn to love writing! It creates engaging classrooms where students learn to love writing and become lifelong learners.

As part of our School Review and Improvement Strategic Plan this year we were hoping to embark on a whole day of Professional Development in term one that focused on the Seven Steps program. Due to the Covid Pandemic our plans needed to change and now the staff are completing three two hour modules as stage learning groups. The first of these modules is this week and the other two modules will be completed in the first half of next term, as extended staff meetings after school. 

I would like to commend the dedication of our staff, who give so generously of their time to improve their own teaching practices in order to work towards improving student learning outcomes. The Diocese of Wollongong Catholic Education Office states that as part of their shared mission we wish to "create vibrant Catholic school communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning." This ‘sense of vibrance’ was on display this week as our staff engaged in rich and meaningful dialogue with Mrs Cassandra Miranda, a teacher Educator from the CEO, who will help support the implementation of the writing program over the next eighteen months.

As the term draws to a close I would like to express my gratitude for the support provided by the parents and carers of our school community. Term Three has presented us all with many challenges. As a Catholic community, who proudly promotes a partnership that is centred on gospel values that offer guidance and support for each other, we are truly blessed that we belong to St Anthony’s.

May I wish everyone a well deserved and much needed holiday break. Please continue to stay safe and healthy, as we look forward to a rewarding and positive term four.

Take Care

Justin Devlin

Principal