Dear families,
It has been a very busy and exciting week for students, teachers and families as we settle in to our new building. The buzz on Monday morning was palpable and has continued! It will take some time to get into the rhythms of movement and protocols in and around a new space and I ask for your patience as we navigate this exciting new period on our school story.
Families will most likely have noticed a few unfinished areas of the building and surrounds, as well as a few defects. Given we are now operating in the space, our builders have tapered back their work for a short while. They will attend to most, if not all unfinished business during the holiday break. We are hopeful of everything being fully operational come the beginning of term 2-and that includes some new ‘occasional’ furniture in the central spaces. Other areas of the school should also come back ‘on line’ very soon, including the ‘bush garden’ space. I know our younger students are very much looking forward to this.
Over the next few weeks, remediation works will be undertaken in the old village precinct. This will include removal of transportable buildings, and I remind families to check szapp for a letter from me regarding the logistics of the move of these buildings. Once gone, we will be able to commence works to restore that area to ‘green space’ again.
I want to acknowledge and sincerely thank Stallard Meek Flightpath Architects – in particular Tim Hastwell and Stavroula Rozaklis; Horizon Constructions – in particular our wonderful site foreman Bryce Thompson and project manager Ben Manetti; and CESA representative De’Arne Matthews for their professional and capable support of this project over a long period of time-especially in dealing with a regularly demanding and stressed principal!! We have been blessed to have such outstanding support in bringing the project to life. An official opening of the new building is still some time away, and we will keep families up to date as this proceeds.
I would also like to acknowledge the generosity of our Federal Government in providing what has been called a “wellbeing boost” for all schools in Australia. We received a grant of approximately $18000 to be spent on wellbeing initiatives and we have been using that funding to support the implementation of the “grow your Mind” program, as well as providing furniture and resources for our new sensory room – watch that space!
This week, and for the past 40 days, we have been engaging with our faith through a focus on Lent and the events of Holy Week. Easter is a most important season of the Liturgical year and the time when we remember and reflect on the core tenets of our Catholic Christian faith. Our students have been engaged in learning, and in awareness raising about the charitable mission of the church. This week we celebrated the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and the more sombre Stations of the Cross. Once we return from the Easter break, we will celebrate Jesus Resurrection. I encourage all St Francis families to attend Easter services-particularly on Good Friday and Easter Sunday-to engage in this most fundamental aspect of our Christian story. Our parish here at Christ the King will warmly your attendance! More information about Easter services can be found at www.lockleysparish.com
Now we have ourselves settled into our new spaces, our attention will turn to planning for parent-teacher interviews. Over the coming days and weeks, further information will be shared about the process for these important conversations.
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