Term 3, 2026 Newsletter: week 6

Dear parents,

Once Norway led the world in the adoption of EdTech and one-to-one iPads; now it is leading the world in the other direction, having banned phones in classrooms in 2024, funding paper textbooks rather than laptops and heavily restricting the student use of AI. Reporting an extraordinary 60 per cent fall in school student mental health interventions, an uptick in academic achievement and a reduction in bullying since these measures were taken, the correlative evidence in support of direct instruction, phonics and the pen and handwriting learning economy of SMMC is mounting. What seemed intuitive is now widely acknowledged.

I was mindful of this global conversation during the keynote and workshops at yesterday evening's highly successful Careers Night. It was interesting to note the near-total absence of AI-talk. In contrast, the key messages for senior students were to reflect on strengths and interests, to trust in God's plan while working hard and to invest in extracurricular activities, such as sporting teams, hobbies, getting a job, driving, being of service and nurturing an attitude of docility and generosity.

Today is Mrs Viv Boddy's last working day ahead of the arrival of a new Boddy. Mrs Boddy has made such deep impressions in her relatively brief stint in the Visual Arts and English faculties. I am particularly grateful for her inspired artistic example, which will be on show in student works at the Festival of the Arts. Come Monday, Mrs Heather Cattell will take up where Mrs Boddy has left off, teaching English and Visual Arts in Years 7,8,9&10, while Mrs Loretta McFarlane will take on Kindergarten PDHPE and K-4 Sport each Tuesday. I wish Mrs Cattell and Mrs McFarlane every success.

Finally, a big thank you to mums and dads for the effort and thought put into Book Week costumes. If there is one thing our students love to do, it's dress up. I trust that the connection to books and reading remains intact, though teachers will leave students in no doubt, just in case the meaning is elusive. There are two more opportunities for dressing up: the Footy Colours Day (an easier one) and the Feast of All Saints (hmmm, challenging). In the meantime, thanks as always for your support.

Warm regards,

Ian Smith

Principal

Week 6 Term 3, 2026 Newsletter.pdf

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