Dear Parents

While I had a lovely time on long service leave during the first two weeks of the term, it is very exciting to be back and I look forward to celebrating all that we have achieved this year with you all.  I would like to thank Mr Hoctor, for not only continuing his role as Assistant Principal, but for also stepping up as Acting Principal during this time.  My time away was far more restful knowing that the school was in such capable hands.

Thank you

Last week we held our final P&F meeting for the year.  At this meeting the P&F acknowledged the many, many hours that have been given to the school through the time and talents of these three mums.  At the end of the year their youngest child finishes Year 6, and despite our pleas to stay, they will no longer be members of the P&F committee.  While I have only known them for less than a year, the impact of their generosity has been profound.  I have lost count of the number of times they have said, “We do it for the kids,” - and they aren’t just talking about their own.  The whole school community has benefitted from their generosity and they will forever hold a special place in our hearts.  Thank you Danielle, Emma and Marianne, you will be missed!

We will hold a thank you afternoon tea on Monday 12 December at 2pm in the library for all volunteers.  All families are welcome.

Welcome BBQ

On Sunday 13 November the school will be hosting a sausage sizzle after 9am Mass to welcome all new families to the school.  This is an informal gathering that we would like to invite the whole school to.  A sausage sizzle and poppers will be provided by the school and the Catholic Women’s League will provide tea and coffee.  The gathering will be held on the playground and the children are welcome to play on the grass and playground equipment.  To assist with catering please complete the following Google Form. 

Parents on Playground - Friday Afternoons

Following a conversation at our last P&F meeting, there was a request for parents to be allowed into the school grounds on a Friday afternoon prior to the bell, to allow time for community bonding.  We are happy to accommodate this request, therefore from next Friday, 11 November, we will open the gates from 2.45pm.  This will continue on Friday afternoons only. Families are welcome to gather on the playground and mingle until the dismissal bell goes at 2.55pm.  We kindly ask however, that you do not approach or peer into the classroom during the final 10 minutes of the school day while the teachers are preparing for dismissal.  The students being picked up by their parents or another family member will then be dismissed from the basketball court.  Students will not be walked to the gate on O’Donnell Street on a Friday afternoon.  We look forward to seeing some of you next week!

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

While we strongly discourage students having a mobile phone at school, we also understand that you may feel safer if in some circumstances your child carries a mobile phone (e.g. catching a bus or due to shared custody arrangements).  If your child does need to bring a mobile phone to school, this must be handed into the school office at the beginning of the day and collected in the afternoon.  Students are not to have phones on them personally or in their school bag during the school day.

There are a small number of students who are wearing smart watches. These are banned in many primary schools, however, we will allow your child to wear these watches provided they are not used inappropriately or as a communication device while at school. 

Kindergarten Orientation

Our Kindergarten orientation will be held next week on Thursday 10 November at 9am in our school library.  2023 Kinder students do not need to attend, however we do want at least one parent to be present at the orientation.

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal