Why do we keep getting lost? One wrong turn near the airport and we end up in the styx. Gerry and I are getting on really well, but with all due respects, he couldn't navigate his way out of a brown paper bag.
Today was Catholic schools day and boy are they ethos proud? To date we have been most impressed with the schools visited, but once we walked in to today's schools we felt very much at home. Modern Catholic symbols were very evident and proudly displayed.
Holy Eucharist School in West Melbourne has high levels of disadvantaged pupils, but the very best of resources to offset this. There were more desktops, laptops, interactive whiteboards and plasma screens in use than we have ever seen.
Some observations:
- Almost uniquely among local Catholic schools, positive decision made to enrol pupils of many different faiths.
- Bible open in the foyer with the Gospel of the day.
- School is open to serve the needs of the pupils 360 days of the year (but not with the same staff!) Breakfast Club, after school activities, parish youth club activities, language lessons etc. operate on school premises from morning until night.
- State of the art robotics programme in senior classes.
- Majority of funding comes through the Catholic Education Office. This year's budget is $4 million.
- 60% of pupils from Sudan. ESL given in-class. LOTE also given.
Also visited Resurrection School in St Albans but unable to fit it all in. More anon-going back tomorrow.
Nath na Seachtaine:
"NAPS, we call them Baby Prins!"
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