After two years of lockdowns and rounds of learn@home, Term 1 at Barbreck was the perfect start to the school year.

Hosting community events once again was such a joy for all concerned. Evident at all of our events was the laughter and happiness at once again being together as a community, catching up with old friends, meeting and making new friends, especially at the Parent Information Evening, PFA Welcome Evening, and PFA Social events. It was also delightful to welcome our families as they enjoyed special events such as the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Easter Bonnet Parade, and the Easter Service.

Welcoming girls at the School Gate is a highlight of my day. It has been wonderful to see such happy girls arrive at School, eager to start their day. Their happiness has not wavered at all this term, which makes for a very happy year ahead.

I have contacted a number of our new parents to see how their daughters have settled in and I would like to share some of their comments with you. There were many who shared the same sentiments below.

“She is just loving it and is having the best time! She feels safe and has made friends; she has already been invited to a birthday party. I haven’t seen her smile so much!”

“Both girls are really happy and are grinning from ear to ear.”

“She is very happy and looking forward to going to School each day. She was not happy at her other school. She reads a lot and loves the Barbreck Library. It was a wise decision to move to St Catherine’s.”

These comments are a testament to our wonderful Barbreck Community – one that is kind, respectful of others, and shares a common goal – to provide the best for our girls in all aspects of schooling. I thank our community for working in partnership with us as we strive towards these goals – it is our combined efforts that make us so special and achieve so well!

The girls have had a great and uninterrupted start to the year. Their teachers have been forging ahead and delivering our personalised programs of learning, with our girls engaging eagerly in all units of work across the subjects. Our explicit model of teaching continues to deliver consistently good results and girls are benefitting from knowing the lesson aim and the criteria for success in each lesson.

The uptake of co-curricular activities has been significant, as girls return to the before and after school activities they had missed due to COVID restrictions over the past few years. This is a great indicator of how our girls are returning to their school routines and for some, having the confidence to stretch themselves by trying and engaging in new activities. Our Co-curricular Program has much to entice girls to try something new, as do the many sporting opportunities we provide. This week saw our divers participate in an Interschool Competition, with many of them achieving well in placings. There are so many opportunities for our girls!

We have a comprehensive and exciting Term 2 planned for the girls! To ensure a smooth start, I ask that you check on their supplies of pencils etc, check uniform lengths as many girls are shooting up in height, and your supply of blue ribbons for their hair each day. I also ask that you give their school bags a good clean-out as you do not want to find any nasty surprises when you go to pack for next term!

I wish everyone in our Barbreck community a safe and wonderful break spent with loved ones and friends. Your daughters inspire us each day to continually strive for improvement, with the efforts of our fabulous Barbreck staff being evidence of this. Your daughters are a wonderful tribute to you all!

Please know your continued support of us is valued and appreciated and we could not do as much as we do without you – thank you!