A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear School Community,

It is my great pleasure to write to you for the second edition of the newsletter. The first weeks have passed and it is good to see our students settled into their daily routine. Education is a long journey and we need to work together to make it a joyful one. Research shows that parental involvement plays a crucial role on a child’s education. According to Henderson and Berla (1994), students’ learning outcomes maximize when parents;

a) create a home environment that encourages learning,
b) express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children's achievement and future careers,
c) become involved in their children's education at school and in the community.

Parental engagement benefits not only the students but also the school and the community positively. Therefore, we encourage you to take the necessary actions and communicate with the school on a regular basis.

At Sirius College, we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all students. We provide a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard. We have zero tolerance for bullying and any form of child abuse. We have implemented many strategies to keep our school environment safe. One way we have allowed students to be heard is with the addition of our new voice box that is inbuilt in front of the library. This will enable students to voice their feelings if they are uncomfortable talking with any of the staff directly. We will address any concerns of our students in an appropriate manner.

Two important events, Harmony Day and Parent-Teacher Interviews, are scheduled for the last two weeks of Term 1. Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity, a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. Harmony Day will be celebrated on March 21 at our campus. The details of the program will be shared with you next week. Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on March 29 and 30. These meetings provide opportunities for parents and teachers to share and discuss educational matters with each other. Please make sure that you complete the bookings in advance. If you are unable to come, please contact the school so that we can arrange another appointment for you.

Regards,