Issue #16 16th October 2024
Principal's Update
Welcome to Term 4! I hope you enjoyed the break from the school routine and enjoyed some family time. Term 4 is always a busy one, a Term Calendar was sent home last term and attached to our last newsletter.
Our carpark is a busy place, and it is everyone's responsibility to follow the rules to help keep everyone be safe. Please only park in the correct allocated spaces, not along the grass, over the pedestrian crossing lines or in the bus bay. Do not speed though the carpark and always give way at the pedestrian crossing. Thank you.
We have recently seen a significant increase in the amount of children who are arriving to school before 8am. Supervision of students does not begin until 8.30am, and we do not expect to have any children arrive on site before 8.15am. With an increase of students early in the morning, we have noticed a number of children behaving incorrectly and also injuring themselves or others. There should be no children arriving prior to 8.15am. If this is difficult for your family due to work, I encourage you to please contact OOSH.
Thank you for sending your child in the correct uniform each day. A reminder that the correct socks and shoes are important, and that necklaces, nail polish and makeup are not allowed. As we move into the warmer months, you might like to include sunscreen in your child's bag for them to apply. We always recommend roll-on sunscreen rather than bottles that can leak in a child's bag.
Explosion of Colour
This Friday, 18th October, we look forward to our 'Explosion of Colour'. Thank you to the many parents and PIP Team who have organised the event and volunteered to be a parent helper. There will be a designated spot for parents to watch from the perimeter, you are welcome to join us from 2pm.
The afternoon will be held on our school oval, and only children with permission/payment through Compass can participate. Permission is due tomorrow.
Children should wear a white t-shirt to school with other shorts/pants (any colour). Please expect the clothes to become extremely dirty/colourful, so do not send your children to school in anything treasured or valuable. Children will be provided with some colourful sunglasses to wear and keep. During the afternoon, each class will have the opportunity to move through the obstacle course. Volunteers will be placed throughout the course to spray the fluro-coloured powder onto the children.
Please be mindful that the children will have lots of colour on them as they leave school and get into your car, you might like to consider beach towels/extra clothes for the trip home. Please also consider the children who are catching the bus home, they may need a spare shirt to get changed into.
World Teachers' Day
Next Friday, 25th October, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. Teachers influence and make such a significant difference in the life of a child. The teachers at our school dedicate their professional lives to helping your child be the best they can be; in their learning, their faith development and their growth as a young person. The intricacies of working with kids involves discovering how to get the best out of each one of them. It is complex and challenging work, which is also a lot of fun. Our teachers are privileged to work with your children. Your children are blessed and very fortunate to have our teachers helping shape their young lives. Please talk with your child, about how they might thank their teacher next Friday.
Term Overview
This week you will receive (via Compass) an overview of the learning your child's grade will cover during Term 4. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.
Year 5 Leadership
Currently, our Year 5 students are talking about leadership in class, and preparing their Leadership Speeches for some of the formal leadership roles in our school. Please keep these children in your thoughts and prayers. The tradition in our school is that the Year 6 students are outstanding role models for the younger children. Our present Year 6 children continue to be wonderful examples.
Kinder 2025
Kinder 2025 will join us for their first 'Transition to Big School' morning in a few weeks, Wednesday 30th October. We can't wait to meet our newest members of the school. Parents, if you haven't done so yet, please come in and collect your child's t-shirt to wear. They are ready for collection in the school office.
Christmas Carols
At this stage, it is likely that we will be unable to hold our annual Christmas Carols evening in December. I recognise that this is an event that we all look forward to and is cherished by our school community. I remember attending our school's very first Christmas Carols evening back in 2009, and it has now grown into a large, fun-filled gathering. It is disappointing that we will need to cancel the night, which is a decision that we don't make lightly. We expect the builders to begin their preparation for building during November, resulting in a significant part of the oval, including the stage and play equipment, becoming a worksite. Both safety and logistics mean that our carols evening will not go ahead in 2024, however it will be back again in 2025. If the build is further delayed, as can happen with builds, and the oval/stage is free to use in December, then we will happily add it back to the calendar. We have tentatively saved Monday 16th December as the evening, if this occurs. I appreciate your understanding of why we have made this decision for 2024.
Flourish
Next week we have our parent Well-being workshop, 'Flourish' run by our Parent Engagement Coordinator Victoria, please see the flyer below. We would love to see you there, bring a friend!
Storytime
Please note that Storytime will be on a different day this term. Please see the dates below. We invite any younger brothers or sisters to attend Storytime and borrow a book! See you there.
From our REC
Socktober - Friday Week 2
Next Friday all students, staff and families are encouraged to wear crazy socks to support Catholic Mission and the incredible work they do around the world. This year Catholic Mission's focus country is Mongolia. Students are asked to bring in a gold coin donation.
We will begin the day with a Mission Mass led by our Mini Vinnies Team. Mass will begin at 9.15am. Please join us if you can. Throughout the day the students will play soccer games for 45 - 60 minutes in their stages. Our teams will be mixed and there will be 4 or 5, 10-minute games. Soccer is a universal game that can be played simply around the world. In some countries around the world people make their soccer balls with recycled materials bound with string. We look forward to supporting Catholic Mission with our annual Crazy Sock Day.
All Saints Day Mass - Year 4 Leading
On Friday 1st November we will be attending Mass to celebrate the Feast of All Saints Day. Year 4 are leading our Mass. Please join us if you are able to.
Year 5 and Kinder 2025 Sunday Parish Mass - Sunday 1st December
Please save the date for our final Sunday Grade Parish Mass of the year. Our Year 5 students will lead the ministries and sing or dance to a Thanksgiving Hymn. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Year 5 students to see their buddy again after meeting them for the first time that week.