Principal's Message
Welcome back everyone to 2021
Firstly, I would like to begin by thanking all the teachers who have been in school two and three weeks before the official school year started, setting up classrooms and getting things prepared for our students. Secondly, in the same manner, I would like to thank all parents for helping at our working bee on the weekend in preparation for the start of the school year.
Recently I read a wonderful prayer for children that I believe applies to our entire community –
“Lord Jesus, I ask for Your help as I begin this new school year. Allow me to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before me. Open my eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings. Open my heart and mind to new friends and new teachers. Give me a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with my studies and courage to accept new opportunities. Help me to be attentive to my teachers and let me experience Your presence in my new friends. Jesus, inspire me to do my best this year!”
Welcome to the beginning of another chapter of your child’s life. Have fun.
Welcome BBQ and School Launch
The 2021 School Launch and social BBQ will be held next week on Friday 12th Feb run by our School Community Council members. Parents and children are invited to join staff in the hall at 6pm for a 5-10 minute talk on our 2021 goals and introduction of new staff.
The free BBQ will commence just at 6:15pm with an opportunity for the children to play on the school equipment afterwards. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there.
Could you please RSVP using the QKR! App that is being sent out to all families tomorrow.
Opening School and Staff Commissioning Mass – All families welcome
Our Opening School and Staff Commissioning Mass is on Sunday 14th February at the SJV church at 9.00 am. It will be a Parish Mass, so both the staff groups from St Jude’s and St John Vianney’s will be there. Father Michael is looking forward to commission both staff groups to prepare them for this year’s mission of educating your child. It would be wonderful to have our families well-represented at this Mass to support the staff from both schools.
Covid 19
In essence, many of the protocols during the school day will remain unchanged. Children will be required to maintain the handwashing regime after play periods and additional cleaning of indoor and outside surfaces will be maintained.
I ask though that all adult visitors maintain social distancing when on the school site.
Like last year, it is mandatory to keep your child home if they are unwell. We can have students and parents visit the school who are immunocompromised and they cannot run the risk of contracting any illness, let alone COVID 19.
Prayers for Ariana Year 1
Last year, one of our wonderful children was diagnosed with a type of bone marrow failure called Aplastic Anaemia. This condition is serious and has progressed to the point where Ariana needs regular blood and platelet transfusions and will undergo a bone marrow transplant. Ariana will require a week of chemotherapy leading into the transplant and will have a long absence from school. This has been explained to her class that Ariana is sick and they have a ‘Monkey in the Chair’ to represent her absence (http://www.monkeyinmychair.org.au). I have spoken with the family regarding help from our wonderful community and they are just processing everything before they talk further with me. Please keep Ariana in your prayers.
Welcome New Families and Kinder
I would like to welcome everyone back from the holidays but especially our 17 new families.
Of course, greetings would not be complete with a special welcome to Kinder! I was in the Kinder classroom this week and they seem to have adapted very well to the rigors of bells, uniforms and ‘jobs’ that their teacher asks them to do. It has been wonderful that parents have already organised a time for their child to complete vital assessments during their Wednesday ‘break’.
Tuck-shop – Important Notice
Could parents please log onto Qkr! To change their child’s class for 2021, otherwise, your child who is now in Year 3 will receive their lunch in the Year 2 basket.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will be open once per week on Wednesday Mornings between 9:05am-9:45am. Jess Dong, one of our Year 1 mums, has kindly volunteered to run the Uniform Shop. The school would appreciate anyone else who has mentioned an interest to put their name forward as an extra support person.
Welcome New Staff
Welcome to Mrs. Joanne Reed (Assistant Principal (acting) and Learning Support, Mrs. Janice Spackman (3/4CA – 1 day per week), Miss Sarah Winnel (Yr. 3/4P - Fulltime), Miss Keeley O’Neil and Mrs. Jenny Isbel (Learning Support) If you see any of these staff members or of course our existing staff members, say hello to make them feel welcome.
Meet and Greets
‘Meet and Greets’ will occur on Monday to Thursday mornings and afternoons next week depending on teacher’s availability. These sessions only go for 10 minutes and are an ideal time for you to touch base with the teachers and raise any concerns and share some goals that you have for your children. Booking information has been sent out via hard copy and email. This information contains everything needed to register your appointment.
Staff Professional Development
Staff returned to work last week to complete three days of professional learning and preparation. Of course, I saw many members of staff working at school throughout the holiday period, ensuring that all was in readiness for the students’ first day on Monday.
The major focus for our Professional Learning this year is the new Catalyst Program that forms the CE’s educational vision for our system. More information regarding this program will follow in the ensuing weeks.
School Drop Off/ Pick up and
A reminder to all families that the students are not to arrive at school before the morning 8:30am (unless waiting with their own parent/carer) duty. Pick-up for students should be between 3:10-3:30pm. If students are dropped off or picked up between these times, they need to come through the front office and be signed in by their parent/carer.
Medical Plans
If your child is on a medical plan, could you please make sure that you have updated their plan and sent it into the front office. You should receive a reminder email regarding this tomorrow.
Contact list
You will receive your contact details generated by our school database. This list needs to be updated and sent back to the school. If you have no amendments to make could you please write on the front sheet ‘No Changes’ as this will make the Front Office administration much smoother. If there are changes could you please write ‘Changes’ and circle what needs to be amended, especially phone numbers and email addresses.
School Counsellor
I would like to welcome our new counselor Mrs. Kate Worthington. Below I have included a letter of introduction from Kate herself.
Dear school community,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Kate Worthington; I am the Student and Family Counsellor.
I have a background in Psychology and Social Work and have been working with children, young people and their parent/carers for over 20 years. I have predominantly worked in the field of child protection, early intervention as well as the homelessness sectors.
I am passionate about working with children and young people and feel privileged to assist them and their family in experiencing positive life outcomes.
Please contact the school if you would like to access the Student and Family Counselling Program. I look forward to working with students, families and staff in 2021.
Working Bee – Thank you
A massive thank you to all the parents and staff who helped at the Working Bee prior to the first day of school. Much was achieved so I have placed some of the highlights below.
- New soccer goals built and installed on the bottom playfield
- All weeds whipper snipped
- Clearing of carpark garden ready for new work this term
- Pruning of all trees of branches in and around the school
- Blowing and removal of all rubbish
- Trimming of hedges in and around school
God bless you and your families
Peter Rodda
Principal