Guided By Truth
Creating a Belonging and Connected Culture
Yesterday I had the privilege of working with our wonderful Year 6 students as we began refining our whole-school expectations—ideas shaped by every year level—about how we want to treat ourselves and one another at Santa Clara School.
What struck me most was the thoughtfulness and empathy in the conversations. Our Year 6 leaders did an incredible job collecting, unpacking, and representing the voices of younger students. Their collaboration culminated in a rich discussion around three powerful words: comfortable, calm, and peaceful.
As they debated which word best captured the feeling, we strive for in our school environment, a deeper understanding emerged: what helps one person feel calm may have the opposite effect on someone else. Through the wisdom of our students came a timeless truth: one size does not fit all.
This insight aligns beautifully with the Berry Street Education Model, which we have been integrating into our daily practice. The model reminds us that students need to feel safe, valued, and regulated before they are ready to learn. Key strategies we are using across the school include:
Strength-based approaches, recognising that every child brings unique talents, challenges, and needs
By actively listening to student voices and fostering a culture of understanding, we’re not just teaching expectations—we’re building a community where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
I am incredibly proud of our Year 6 students and the leadership they are showing. Their contributions are helping to shape a Santa Clara where belonging and connection are not just goals, but daily realities.
In Truth, we flourish.
Julie Southwell
Principal
Loving God,
You created us to live in community,
to love one another and walk together in faith.
Help us to see You in each person we meet.
May our school be a place where all feel welcome,
all are valued, and all belong.
Guide us to build connections of kindness,
understanding, and peace.
Unite us in Your love,
so that together, we may grow closer to You.
St Clare and St Dominic, pray for us.
Amen.
Disco Fever – A Night to Remember!
A huge thank you to our amazing P&F for organising this year’s ‘Bop Till You Drop’ school disco—and what a night it was! As rain poured outside, our School Hall lit up with music, laughter, and nonstop dancing. Students from all year levels grooved under the disco lights, played games, and sang their hearts out.
This year’s event introduced a new evening format, shifting from a daytime school disco to a night-time celebration—and the change seemed to be a big hit! The night ended on a sweet note with ice cream for all, which proved to be just as popular as the dance floor.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and parent volunteers who generously gave their time to supervise, support, and bring the magic to life. Your presence made the night safe, smooth, and truly memorable for our students.
We’d love your feedback on the new structure—please join us at the upcoming P&F meeting on Monday 17 June at 5:15pm to share your thoughts and help shape future events. Everyone is welcome!
Every Day Counts – The Impact of Attendance on Learning
At Santa Clara School, we value every child’s learning journey—and regular attendance plays a vital role in student success. Research shows a strong link between consistent attendance and both academic achievement and social wellbeing.
We understand that occasional absences are unavoidable but missing just one day a week can add up quickly. The table below helps highlight the long-term impact of regular absences:
