Principal's Message

The opportunity to work in a positive and supportive school environment is a wonderful vocation for teaching and non-teaching staff in a school. I have been incredibly blessed to work in two such communities during my 38th year of teaching.

On Tuesday of this week, our staff caught up via a zoom meeting to support each other during our fourth day of school closure due to the effects of the recent flooding in the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys. Mr Brendan Goswell led the staff prayer from Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus teaches the Lords Prayer, as he spoke, suddenly over 90 voices recited those precious words together. The recitation of the Lords Prayer during this zoom was not simply speaking words, in this case I believe it was wonderful colleagues coming together presenting loving support for each other in prayer. The reading finishes with ‘For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you’; I see these words lived in action at St Paul’s every day where staff wish to support and inspire students sometimes not at their best, to find the right way to be a better person. Fr James also spoke to us during the Ash Wednesday Mass that Lent provides us a time to be a better person as well, I am pleased to say that I continue to be impressed with the staff of our community continuing to live the Gospel values that the College has been founded on 60 years ago.

Important Matters
Many thanks for the patience and generosity of families during the recent school closure due to the significant weather events affecting both the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys. A significant strength of our College is the advice and support we receive from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCS). I met with DLCS leadership throughout the recent significant weather events affecting all schools within the Lismore Diocese and their concern for the St Paul’s community was consistent. I would also like to thank the Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Mr Guy Campbell, for his support and advice when we met considering the impacts of school closure on families in both our schools. I would like to recognise the hard work of many of our students during the past week supporting farms impacted by floods, I received many communications outlining the great work of our students in the field helping with stock movement, fencing, etc.

Term 1 Classrooms
The recent school closure was supported by excellent organisation of Term 1 assessments led by the College Learning & Teaching team. There was immediate advice sent to families on Friday Week 5, supporting student learning during school closure which was superb. We have begun the year very well in our classrooms with a focus on being prepared to begin work at the commencement of class working closely with our teachers. We have a focus of being at class on time with the correct equipment and getting down to work. We will not accept disruption in our classrooms, which includes distracting others or defiance towards the teacher, there is an expectation that our classrooms are vibrant positive learning environments and any efforts by students to undermine this requirement will be met with a strong response from the school.

DLCS Parent and Caregiver Concerns and Complaints Policy
The most recent Parent and Caregiver Concerns and Complaints policy can be accessed via this link and via the College website. I recommend that you review this policy carefully as it provides excellent information regarding circumstances where you feel a concern or complaint needs to be raised with the College. The most productive schools are ones where parents and families have confidence in working closely with the College in supporting the best interests of their children. As such we are always keen to seek feedback from parents and families regarding these matters. The Parent and Caregiver Concerns and Complaints policy provides a clear framework of how concerns and complaints should be followed up within our College community.

Best wishes for Weeks 7 and 8.

Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal
kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au