I really hope you enjoyed the last edition of our newsletter that was a little more child focused. With such positive feed back we will produce another edition later in the term.  

Hopefully you recognise this graphic from out school Strategic Improvement Plan.

To continue our Parish links and support the school in promoting our catholic identity I am giving a short presentation to the parish this Sunday.  I’ve added a shortened version for you to read.

Good morning, everyone my name is David Treloar and I am very honoured to be the new Principal of Our Lady of Victories Catholic School, Shortland. It is a vibrant school community dedicated to nurturing the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of each student.

Our Catholic school’s mission extends beyond serving only Catholic students—it’s about embodying and sharing the values of the Gospel with all who walk through our doors. While only 39% of our student cohort identifies as Catholic, every child benefits from an education rooted in compassion, service, and moral formation. However, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle 

This belief lies at the heart of our approach at Our Lady of Victories.  

At Our Lady of Victories, we embrace the whole child and through our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework, we foster a positive and inclusive school culture. Through PB4L and our pillars, ‘In truth we Love, in truth we Serve and in truth we Live,’ we aim to instil values of respect, responsibility, and resilience in our students, preparing them to be compassionate and capable members of society. 

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 

Our Lady of Victories is home to a dedicated team of staff, who are committed to providing a supportive and enriching educational environment. Our Lady of Victories is a proud Catholic school, our Josephite charism permeates throughout the school. Mary MacKillop the foundress of the Josephite Order had a desire provide a quality education to all children.  Similarly, it is our desire at Our Lady of Victories to equip our students with every opportunity to experience educational success.

We have a community where faith is lived, not just taught, and where Catholic identity is visible in our care for the marginalised, our commitment to justice, and our nurturing of spiritual growth. Mrs Patricia Dunn, our school Religious Education Coordinator is fully committed to being authentic in her role in helping to shape our school to be one that is welcoming of students of all backgrounds, fulfilling the Church’s call to evangelize through witness, ensuring that our school remains a vibrant ministry of the parish and a beacon of Catholic values in the wider community.

It is our school’s goal to build capacity of the teaching staff; building the capacity of the staff to support and lead student learning. Learning Intentions, Success Criteria enable real-life applications for the children, linking life to lessons. This linking is crucial for clarity in learning. The pedagogy that essentially sharpens our focus on what matters most, Clarity.  

"When learning, and the path towards it are clear, research shows that there a number of important shifts for students. Their motivation improves, they stay on-task, their behaviour improves, and they are able to take more responsibility for their learning." Absolum, M. (2006). 'Clarity in the Classroom'.

With expert knowledge and leadership from our Assistant Principal Amber Deegan, our lesson sequences and programming are designed to challenge and inspire students, encouraging them to strive for excellence in all areas of their education. We offer a broad range of tasks that cater to the diverse interests and talents of our students. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that each child reaches their full potential, both academically and personally. 

Our spacious playground is a favourite among students, offering ample room for play and exploration. Recently, we have added new play equipment, enhancing the outdoor experience for our children. The central garden beds are a beautiful addition to our environment, providing a serene space for reflection and learning about nature.

Finally, I’d like to reflect again on the words of Mary MacKillop and my philosophy as a Principal of Our Lady of Victories, “remember we are but travellers here” Let us act upon those needs we see, Lead with heart and conviction and aim to be an inspiration to all I come in contact with.

Thank you for listening to me and thank you for praying for our school community. We are in this together and we, most especially the children need your prayers and best wishes. 

 Uniform and Wellbeing Reminder

As part of our commitment to student wellbeing and safety, I’d like to kindly remind families of the importance of students tying back long hair during school hours. This simple practice supports and applies to both boys and girls:

• Health and Hygiene: Tied-back hair, helps prevent the spread of head lice and keeps hair away from faces during meals and activities.
• Focus and Learning: It reduces distractions in the classroom, helping students stay engaged and on-task.
• Safety in Play and Practical Lessons: Whether in sport, science, or the playground, tied hair reduces the risk of accidents and ensures children can participate fully and safely.

This expectation is part of our uniform policy and reflects our shared values of responsibility and respect—for ourselves, for others, and for our learning environment.

Let’s work together to ensure our students are not only dressed for success but also prepared to thrive in every aspect of their school day.

Baby News

We would like to Congratulate the Zartiga-Lumbang family on the arrival of beautiful baby girl. We wish them all the very best.

Kind regards

David Treloar

Principal.