From the Principal
Last Sunday’s Gospel…
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and spoke to her. She was so struck by what He was saying that she went and told everyone else in the village and they came out to meet Him too.
He stayed in the village with them for two days. Now it doesn’t sound like a very remarkable story but it is, for a number of reasons. Firstly, Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. They didn’t speak at all. Secondly, Jesus was speaking to a woman. And third, this woman was going to the well when other people didn’t use it because she was an outcast in her village because of the way she chose to live. So this story shows that Jesus’s message is for all who are willing to hear it and He will keep reaching out to us and offering us His message even if we are not worthy of it.
From the Principal...
NAPLAN began today and apart from a number of students forgetting their headphones or leaving their iPads at home – lucky we had spares ready, it all went very smoothly. Just another day at school. This is the best way to approach it. Research shows that when our brains are in a stimulated but calm state we do our best learning and are able to show what we know. So thank you for supporting your children, and us, with this. Please continue that support by making sure they have their equipment with them. The students are much more comfortable with their own iPads and headphones.
I have received a number of reports that students are bringing mobile phones to school and not handing them in to the office. I haven’t spoken to individual students yet because I understand this could be an arrangement they have with you. I am speaking to our Year 5 and 6 classes generally to explain the rules around mobile phones in schools. Can you please support us by following them with your children too. These are diocesan processes too – not just unique to Holy Family. We understand that some students may need their phones to have contact with you because they are travelling to and from school independently. We ask that they drop them in to the office on their way through and pick them up on their way out. Office staff will call students if they haven’t collected their phone in the afternoon. So why is this the process? There are a number of reasons. iPads go through the school wifi system which is protected by a series of sophisticated security measures. Students cannot access inappropriate content and students personal data is protected. This is not true of phones because they use their own network. We must prevent students having access to inappropriate content. We also have an obligation to monitor how devices are being used. The size of the phone makes this almost impossible. Students can be monitored taking photos, making recordings and uploading content on iPads because of our electronic monitoring systems as well as what we can see them doing. The same cannot be said of a phone. As I am sure you would agree, privacy of students at school is critical as is their wellbeing. If a student has an urgent need to speak to you, they are welcome to come to the office.
Lastly, it is good for students to have time away from their devices. We all need to disconnect from time to time and while this last one doesn’t have quite the serious implications of the ones above, it is still important. I am telling the students that if we suddenly have a number of phones come to the office each morning, they are not to feel embarrassed or think they are in trouble. Just start doing the right thing and all will be ok. After this, and having written to you now, I will follow up with individual students. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please let me know. I am happy to speak to you about it.
Reconciliation classes have commenced and we are working closely with the parish to provide support. The new model seems to be working very well and I learn something new each week listening to the presenters. Thank you for bringing your children so they have the chance to deepen their relationship with Jesus, as do we.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Athletics Carnival on Monday. The teachers have worked very hard weaving your feedback through the event lineup. Let’s hope the weather won’t force us to make any amendments. It should be a wonderful day.
God bless
Mrs Michelle Rolfe
Principal
