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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
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Each year as a school we set a number of goals and focus areas as part of our continuous improvement process. After a great deal of deliberation, the school has set the following goals for our Annual School Improvement Plan for 2026:
Catholic Identity Goal Statement: To strengthen staff capacity in teaching Religious Education to confidently deliver the Journey In Faith and MITIOG units.
Teaching & Learning Goal Statement: To strengthen teacher confidence and capacity to teach Mathematics to increase student outcomes.
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Goal Statement: To strengthen opportunities for student voice to increase engagement and sense of belonging.
Inclusion Support Goal Statement: Strengthen staff capacity to support neurodivergent students.
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This is the final year of our current strategic plan cycle and the school has engaged education consulting group Tatu to support the development of a new strategic plan for 2027-2031. The team from Tatu will be onsite in August to carry out focus group sessions with staff, students and families. Catholic Education Northern Territory’s Strategic Plan, Towards 2029, is currently in draft format and is set to be realised shortly. This document and its focus areas will also influence the school’s plan.
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Along with three other schools in the Catholic Education Northern Territory network, St Francis of Assisi will take part in a three-year numeracy pilot project through School Plus and funded by Westpac. The pilot initiative is designed to address critical needs and drive improved mathematics outcomes in the schools. In 2026 the focus will be on building the capacity and confidence of teachers in mathematics instruction.
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In 2026 the school will also undergo a routine assessment by an independent assessor appointed by the Office of the Registrar Non-Government Schools. This assessment is to ensure that the school is meeting the registration standards under the Education Act 2015 and Education Regulations 2015.
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I am very pleased to announce that the school was successful in its application through the Northern Territory Block Grant Authority (NT BGA) to undertake a project to replace the entire lock and key system for the school. The NT BGA which is responsible for administering and distributing Australian capital grants for all non-government schools in the Northern Territory will contribute $10,836 with the school contributing $5,835.
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In other facility upgrades, we had new carpets installed in all classrooms during the holidays and will install new vinyl in the senior activity room during the year. The school will also continue our five-year painting schedule with the administration block to be painted both inside and out. We are also carrying out major repairs to the air conditioning system in the library and investigating future upgrades to our Early Learning Centre and Outside of School Hours Care buildings.
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In staffing news, I am excited to announce that Nola Hebb has taken on the newly formed role of School Business Manager. The scope of the role includes strategic, operational, and hands-on responsibilities for all the business and non-teaching functions of the school. The school is currently in the process of recruiting a Communicator and Administration Officer to allow for the reallocation of duties.
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On a personal note, I will be taking carer’s leave from Monday March 16th to Friday March 27th. In my absence, Clare Nolan will be Acting Principal.
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NAPLAN Testing Window - March 11th to March 23rd
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Harmony Day - Friday March 20th
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Final Day of Term One - Thursday April 2nd
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School Closure Day - Monday April 13th
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With Faith in their Future
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School: (08) 8988 1212
Early Learning Centre: (08) 8988 2821
After School Care: 0429501507
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