Over the past two weeks we have had parent teacher interviews. These are a crucial part of your daughter’s education. There is ample evidence that shows there is a direct correlation between parent involvement in their child’s education and that child’s success in their learning. When a parent simply asks how their child is travelling, looking at their books, or helping them complete their calendar of assessments that child feels there is a shared interest and care. With adolescents it can sometimes be difficult to strike up a conversation about their school work without the child becoming defensive. Positive conversations of this type can only happen if there is trust. That is, trust that there will be no blaming, lecturing, scolding or anger in the discussion. So I would suggest as a start non-threatening questions such as, who did you sit next to?  Was your lesson in the morning/afternoon? Are any of your friends in the class? Have the capacity to build trust. As the conversation begins to build you can ask about the topic she is currently learning about. What part of the topic does she enjoy? What activities are her favourite? These questions will illicit more specific responses that will develop into an ongoing conversation.

I would like to thank all our parents who were able to attend the parent teacher interviews. It was a great opportunity for staff to meet you and discuss with you your daughter’s progress. If you were unable to attend, then I encourage you to email your daughter’s teachers as they will be very pleased to share their observations of your daughter's progress with you. I would also like to thank the staff for their support of the evenings after a full day of teaching. They see these evenings as essential in support of your daughter's learning.

We have been successful in attracting some government funding to refurbish the Westview building. The building work will begin in term 3. The first stage will involve the creation of two brand new kitchens near the maintenance area of Westview. This is expected to finish by the end of the year. The second stage will be at the reception end of Westview when we will have refurbished TAS areas, textiles and DT areas. During this building, we will apply for some further funding to be used to assist in the final stage which will be the centre of the building. It is expected that this building will begin mid-2020. By the end of 2020 we will have a very contemporary space which will be very exciting to teach and learn in. In preparation of this building we will need to move a few spaces around and obviously secure the work area. Much of this will be done over the coming holiday break. We look forward to keeping you posted on the developments.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the girls who have achieved success over the term. To the debaters who are growing from strength to strength from week to week. To the Year 11 girls who competed in the Rotary Youth Excellence Awards through the week and Imogen M who was awarded the coveted Youth Ambassador of the Year 2019. To all the MISA teams who are performing exceptionally well in their codes and to all the girls who have been diligent in their studies and worked hard this term.

I will leave you with a few words on the feast of Pentecost which will be celebrated this Sunday.

 May the courage and spirit that filled the disciples on that day, in that room, inspire you also to go out and live the good news in our communities.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal