This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.  In 2020 I was fortunate to go on a pilgrimage with Bishop Peter Ingham and some staff from Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong, including teachers and support staff, to the Holy Land.  The Cenacle in Jerusalem was one of the many places we visited.  This room is where the disciple gathered for the Last Supper, and again when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We often talk about Pentecost being the Church’s birthday as the Catholic Church began this day.  To be in the room where the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation and Holy Orders essentially began, was one of the most spiritual experiences I’ve encountered. The children’s religion lessons have been focused on Pentecost, so I encourage you to ask them to share with you their learning experiences this week and next.

School Hours

The current enterprise agreement for teachers states that staff can only be asked to provide supervision for 30 minutes prior to the school bell.  For our school this means teachers can only be asked to work from 8.15am.  A few years ago the very generous decision was made to open the gates a little earlier (8am) to assist working families.  Since then the school has been able to provide before school care through ASPIRE, a service that wasn’t available at the time of the original decision. Given that we now have before school care for those that need it, and in order to comply industrially with teaching requirements, from Term 3 the school gates will open at 8.15am. We ask that children are not dropped off before this time as there will be no supervision until 8.15am. Contact ASPIRE on 0499 018 351

Car Pick Up Lines

Can I please remind all parents that dismissal occurs at 2.55pm.  Could I kindly ask that you do not start lining up in the car pick up until this time to prevent a build up of cars in Kembla Street.  You may find coming at 3pm a more optimal time as most of the cars have gone by this time and picking up your child(ren) should be much quicker.

Boys Haircuts

I’d like to thank all the parents who ensure their children are always complying with our uniform expectations.  Overall the uniform standard is very high and that is thanks to you, their parents.  Recently there have been a number of boys coming to school with variations of a ‘mullet’ haircut.  While I understand these are very fashionable at the moment, they do not comply with our uniform policy and I ask that you do not have your son’s hair cut in this manner.  Our policy states:

• Hair should be styled in a manner that attracts positive comments only, with an emphasis on a neat and tidy appearance. No extreme haircuts or styles.

• Hair should be cut in an evenly cut manner. Hair should not have an extreme difference in length, but rather be of a blended appearance.
• Hair that is collar length or longer must be tied back.

Scarves, beanies and gloves

During the cold weather students are permitted to wear beanies, scarves and gloves (preferably in green).  We ask that these are only worn in addition to jumpers, cardigans and jackets, not in place of them.

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal