Recently I was inspired by the story of Paralympian Ezra Frech. As a 9-year-old boy he expressed his belief “You can dream it and you hope for it, or you can make it happen.”  His optimism, persistence, resilience and motivation is written in the moments of his life journey and his story continues through the years.  He made his goal of becoming a Paralympian happen through hard work and dedication.  Nothing happened by accident for him he lives by his motto “finish well”.  As we enter the last few weeks of the term, all students are encouraged to do this, to make it happen for themselves through hard work and determination, and to finish the term well across all dimensions of school life.  Learning does not stop with assessment. Our learning continues, and we begin the work of our next unit and face the next challenge.

NAPLAN next week

With the change of dates from May to March, NAPLAN commences next Wednesday for our students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The test window for NAPLAN is 15-27 March 2023.  It is important that all students approach these tests like they do their learning, although for NAPLAN there is no drafting or study they can do to prepare themselves.  Students simply need to use the tools they have learnt in class throughout their schooling and focus on this during the tests.  Life should continue throughout NAPLAN as normal. These tests are just another opportunity for our students to demonstrate their learning. 

Being prepared for the day is the biggest thing you can do as a family to assist the smooth completion of NAPLAN:

• Ensure home life is kept as normal as possible. Do not place special emphasis on NAPLAN tests
• Do all the ‘good things to get ready for learning’ - eat a good breakfast and be on time and ready for school (as you would every day)
• Ensure laptops are fully charged at the start of each school day
• Be positive and embrace the opportunity that NAPLAN provides students - to demonstrate their learning and progress.

Confirmation and Communion – St Joseph’s Parish

St Joseph’s Parish is now taking enrolments for the Sacraments of Confirmation & Holy Communion.  To be eligible to enrol in these sacraments, young people must have been baptised and received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.  Bishop Robert McGuckin will hold Confirmation on Thursday 20 April at 7pm and Holy Communion will be the following Sunday 23 April at 9am.  To enrol or find out more about these sacraments please contact St Joseph’s directly on 07 4662 4011 or email dalbyparish@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education