Dear Parents & Guardians,

Welcome to the 2024 school year!

It was lovely to see so many excited and happy students, parents and staff last Wednesday ready to commence the academic year ahead. I warmly welcome new families to our school, especially our Kindergarten students who are commencing their educational journey.

We have the pleasure of welcoming some new staff to the school:

• Mrs Jess Brumby - Prep Teacher (Thursday & Friday)
• Miss Abbey Williams - Grade 2 teacher (Monday - Wednesday)
• Mrs Courtney De La Torre - Grade 4 Teacher (Monday - Friday)
• Ms Natalie Eastwood - Grade 6 Teacher (Monday - Friday)
• Teacher Assistants - Mrs Natalie Edwards, Mr Dylan Burnett, Miss Hannah Direen, Miss Maddy Wilton, Miss Ke-nnye Marantelli, Miss Melodee Estcourt & Miss Emma Unsworth.

During the holiday break, Mrs Jess George requested 12 months leave. Mrs Gemma Bennett is taking on the Kinder class for Term One and the Ludo Educational Lead/Set Up for Success coordinator. Mrs Many Bobrowski has moved next door into the Ludo space.

I sincerely thank our dedicated staff for their work before the return of students. Many hours have been spent preparing classrooms, curriculum planning for the year ahead, undertaking professional learning, office administration tasks and preparation of the grounds. We have a fabulous supportive team who work here!

Our Breakfast Program is up and running for the year. Held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 7:50 am - 8:15 am, all students are warmly welcome to attend.

Welcome Back BBQ

All families are invited to join us in celebrating the start of the year with our Welcome Back BBQ. This will be held next Wednesday evening February 21st between 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm in Area 1 (outside the Grade 1 - 4 classrooms). To allow us to ensure we have sufficient catering we ask families to respond the the invitation already sent on Compass. 

Carpark

In the busyness at the start and end of the school day, it is important that all families are safe. Please only walk along the designated pathways and use the crossings both inside and outside the school grounds. We ask that you do not cross Wyndham Road in any place apart from the school crossing. Please do not walk through the carpark.

Advisory Board Membership

Due to various circumstances, we need some new members for the School Board. For the 2023 school year, the Board was in recess. The School Board works collaboratively in an advisory and supportive role with the Principal. Board members are appointed for a three-year term and may be reappointed for a subsequent three-year term. Some of the particular responsibilities of the School Board include:

• To cooperate with and support the Principal in the promotion of the Catholic identity and evangelising mission of the school;
• To participate in and cooperate with the school on the planning, research, development, implementation and evaluation of the School’s Strategic Plan;
• To advise on and assist with the formulation of school-level policies;
• To support the development of the school budget and the monitoring of the financial sustainability of the school;
• To ensure that the approved processes of review and monitoring  of educational outcomes are implemented; and
• To assist in collaboration, consultation and building of partnerships with the local parish, the parents and the broader community.

If Board membership is something you would like to pursue, then nominations should be in writing and signed by the proposer, seconder and nominee and forwarded to the Principal, Mrs Susan McGann by March 1st, 2024. For nomination forms please contact the school office. Nominations need to be submitted to the Director of Catholic Education for consideration. If you wish to gain more information I would be happy to discuss this with you further.

Uniform

Link to uniform policy

It has been a pleasure to see the students return to school looking neat and tidy and wearing their uniforms with pride. Please take note of the requirements for shoes with the formal uniform - sandshoes are for wearing with the Sports uniform only.

 A few reminders to ensure we start the year off well - 

• Kinder to Grade 2 wear the sports uniform each day
• Grade 3 -6 students only wear the sports uniform on the day they have their PE lesson. 
• Monday - Prep, Grade 1 & Grade 5
• Tuesday - Grade 2M, Grade 3 & Grade 6
• Wednesday - Kinder, Grade 2B & Grade 4
• School shoes need to be black leather lace-ups (boys and girls), or mary-jane style for girls is also acceptable. Canvas and skate shoes, black shoes with white soles and /or symbols are not acceptable or appropriate for school. 
• Students may choose to bring their sports shoes to change into for recess and lunch playtimes but must change back into their black shoes before going home.
• If for some reason your child is not able to be in the correct uniform, please send a note to their classroom teacher.

We appreciate your support in following these uniform guidelines.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

Term 1 Parent-Teacher meetings for Prep - Grade 6 students will be held on Monday 26th February and Thursday 29th February.

These compulsory parent/student/teacher meetings will be held with your child’s class teacher. It is desirable for each student to attend these 10-minute meetings with their parent/guardian. Further information about booking these meetings has been sent through Compass. If you are unable to access Compass, please contact the office for support. 

CALLING ALL PARENTS!  

This year, we are CALLING ALL PARENTS to get involved with Project Compassion!  

As we embrace the season of Lent, a time of reflection, sacrifice and giving, we invite you to join us in this special initiative that aligns with the spirit of the season. This year, we are reaching out to you, our wonderful parents, to get actively involved with Project Compassion!  
 
Your children will be actively participating in Project Compassion at school to make a significant impact on the lives of those less fortunate, and this year, we would like to invite parents to jump on board too! We believe that together, as students, teachers and parents, we can help to encourage our kids and amplify their efforts.   

We believe that your participation as a parent is instrumental in fostering a spirit of compassion and unity within our school community. As Easter approaches, we encourage you to get involved by taking part in Give it up for Lent – whether you forgo your daily coffee, or indulge in a little less screen time, or give up your car during Lent – get sponsored for your efforts and contribute to brighter futures, for all generations.  

Let's make this season of giving truly special by coming together as one supportive and compassionate school family. Let's stand together, create awareness and actively contribute to making the world a better place.

Mrs Libby Piesse