From the Principal's Desk

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It has been wonderful to see the joy on our students faces as they arrived at school this week with such enthusiasm and hope for all that the new school year holds for them. There has been a definite ‘buzz’ around the school as the children settle into the year rekindling friendships and making new ones.

The joy with which the students greeted their teachers and classmates captured all that we hold so dear about our school. The students warmly welcomed new students and greeted new staff with courtesy and kindness. I am certain that we are in for an excellent year of positive relationships and excellent outcomes for our students across all domains of school life.

Sincerest thanks to our staff for their dedication in preparing their classrooms to welcome the students last week. The classrooms look inviting and attractive and are testament to the care and devotion our staff have towards ensuring school is an exciting place for our students.  The teachers are just as happy to be back with their new groups of students as they use the first few weeks to develop confidence in students and to gradually introduce them to the new experiences and expectations for the year. At this early stage, class teachers are working together to design programs that allow students to experience success as well as revisiting and revising concepts already taught.

As Principal, my number one priority is the happiness and safety of every child. Children who are feeling happy and safe are receptive learners. From the moment you enrol your child at Liwara Catholic Primary School you are encouraged to develop a strong partnership with us. When parent’s express confidence in the school and teachers, and are involved in some way, their children are more likely to be happier and perform better academically so as soon as the current restrictions are eased we look forward to seeing many of you around the school grounds and in and around the classrooms.

A warm Liwara welcome to all our new families who have joined us this year and we hope that you are already feeling a part of our beautiful school community. We have already held our first P&F and Advisory Council (formerly School Board) meetings and our enthusiastic P&F committee are in the midst of planning our New Parents’ Night so that we can officially welcome all new families.  More details will be sent out soon.  A creche, coordinated by Mrs Margetic will be available for children in the OSHC building.

Even though we are still in Phase 4 of the WA Government COVID-19 Roadmap, the Liwara staff have voted unanimously to slowly and safely welcome our community back into the school whilst the children are present,  so we are re-introducing our Kindy Parent Roster which is one parent a day; our Support A Reader volunteer program which entails one adult working with one student; our Library volunteers (who work in the Library with no students present) and of course our invaluable canteen volunteers who work with Deb or Kathy.  If your child is in Kindy or part of the Support A Reader program and you would prefer not to have other parents in the room with them at this stage, please inform your class teacher.  Early next week you will be invited to add your name to rosters and volunteer lists that will be sent out via Seesaw by members of the staff who coordinate these areas.  All parents entering the school grounds must continue to scan the SafeWA App and adhere to health and  hygiene requirements.  Pre-arranged parent/caregiver meetings can proceed,  adhering to physical distancing and hygiene protocols.  I thank you, once again, for your patience, understanding and cooperation.

The Uniform Shop will be re-opening in the next few weeks and I will keep the community informed as soon as this is in place.   All adults other than staff must maintain physical distancing of one person per 2 square metres at all times when visiting the uniform shop.

Our students are looking fantastic in their uniforms and it is testament to the pride our parents place in the school, in ensuring the children are always in their correct attire. There are enormous benefits in ensuring all students wear our full school uniform.
These include:

• Defining our school identity.
• Developing within our students a sense of belonging to our school community.
• Providing an opportunity to build and enhance ‘school spirit’.
• Promoting a sense of inclusiveness, non-discrimination and equal opportunity.
• Enhancing the health and safety of students when involved in school activities and excursions.
• Promoting positive community perceptions of our school.

I ask that you also take careful note of your child's school shoes and please check they are wearing formal black shoes , lace ups or strapped (not black joggers/sports shoes) to school. This requirement is for students in Year One to Year Six or brown school sandals in term 1 and 4, when not in their sports uniform.  Black joggers are to be worn only on Physical Education and Class Sports days.

We continue this year with our whole school focus on student wellbeing and resilience. We acknowledge that students experience a tremendous amount of physical and mental growth on a daily basis, and face lots of new experiences and challenges. Being resilient gives our students the ability to tackle these head-on, bounce back from any setbacks and have the best chance at success. It allows them to learn and grow in all situations – two skills that are crucial to positive wellbeing and development. Resilience will also help them to approach new situations, people or experiences with confidence and a positive mindset, which will make them more likely to succeed. Teachers will introduce a number of strategies across the school, to foster positive wellbeing and resilience.  I look forward to providing parents with opportunities to assist with our focus from time to time throughout the year.

Wishing you God’s blessing.

Andrea Millar