Welcome back.

I've had the opportunity to chat with some of our students this week as I've been making my way around the school, and they all have interesting stories to share about their holidays. It's heartwarming to see that they enjoy having a break from the regular school bells just as much as I do. Of course, there are students who can't wait to get back to the routine and are excited to catch up with long-lost friends!

I understand that every term is busy, but for our Year 5 students, Term 3 is particularly packed. This term, in addition to Interschool Sport, our Year 5 students will be attending camp. Each Year 5 class will visit the Gumburu Environmental Centre at Paluma for a 2-night/3-day camp. The camp will include a full schedule of activities that promote environmental stewardship, learning related to their Science unit on Adaptations, as well as activities focusing on leadership and resilience. At this time of year, they will also enjoy the cooler weather as they walk through the Rainforest, up and down the range into creeks and outdoor classrooms. The students will learn independence by carrying out daily routines, trying new foods, and sleeping away from home, which is challenging but rewarding. I want to acknowledge the hard work of our teachers in organising the camp and sacrificing their family time to be on duty 24/7 for five days to provide our students with this experience. A big thank you to our Camp parents who will also be on duty 24/7, taking leave from their jobs and families to assist our teachers for the duration of their child’s class stay.

With Catholic Education Week just around the corner, our Eco Warriors are on a mission to positively impact our community. They've raised funds by collecting containers for change and are now ready to kick off the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Their aim is to use the money to purchase much-needed blankets and pillows for families in our community who may require assistance during the cooler season. These are challenging times for all our families due to the soaring cost of living. If possible, your contribution, whether it's a new pillow, sleeping bag, blanket, doona, warm socks etc., would be greatly appreciated. We will be accepting donations until Monday, 22 July. Please bring your donations to the front office.

Regards

Nicole Lennox