Welcome to Week 5 Term 2

Currently my daughter is writing a persuasive text on ‘Why Autumn is her favourite season?’ Upon completing research we both found this wonderful quote regarding the current church season of Pentecost, which of course falls in Autumn.

“When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That's what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost.” ― David Wilkerson, The Cross and the Switchblade

Fete

Our fete is well and truly moving forward and as such, we need to collect items to make it a roaring success. 

Right now could I please ask you to look at White Elephant items and Books.  These two areas always create interest at our fete.  Please do not restrict yourself to your own houses; we gladly will take items from uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends.  Put the call out to those you know and we can begin creating a stockpile now. Just send them in or drop them into the Front Office and we will sort everything our from there.

Right now it would be great if we had two more people on board.

Sponsorship Coordinator

Someone to chase up our previous sponsors to see if they would like to continue to support the school.  

Bookings Officer

Someone to book rides and events

Please put your hand up!!!!!! 

Principal Review

As this is my fifth year at SJV I am up for a Principal Review beginning this term and finishing early next term.  The process will involve our school PIL (Performance Improvement Leader) the Deputy Director, Dr Tony Bracken and an independent consultant.  The objective of this process is to further develop my leadership skills and as such, the whole community will receive a survey this term.  Early next term, the panel will interview key staff and community members and all of this information will be used to help formulate constructive feedback and growth points. 

I look forward to hearing directly from my community to enable me to act upon feedback given.   

Red Hill – Current CE Position

I have had a small number of parents talk to be about St Bede’s Red Hill and its potential closure, which was recently reported in the Canberra Times.  The concern was that Red Hill and SJV are both small schools and the potential direction that CE was taking in this area. 

The message that Principals have received is that CE is beginning a program of assistance with all system schools concerning enrolments.  They are however, particularly focusing on schools that are in higher socio-economic areas and as such, our school can expect support.  As a system, all principals have been told that Red Hill sits in a unique position and that it is the only school that has been looked at in regards to closure, but there is no certainty around this direction.

However, on Tuesday afternoon all Principals received an email of which I have placed an excerpt below:

Dear Colleagues

I write to you with good news. I confirm that, following the consultation, St Bede’s, Red Hill will remain open as a highly valued Catholic primary school.

The passion and commitment of the school community has been clear through the consultation period. The constructive engagement of parents has identified concrete initiatives, which can enable the St Bede’s community to grow and prosper.

I encourage any parent who wishes to enrol their child at St Bede’s for 2022 to apply for enrolment as soon as possible.

The consultation has been difficult for the school community and the wider community of Catholic education.  The funding cuts announced in 2017 for Catholic education in the ACT were dramatic and required us to work through them. Since 2017 the funding cuts pursued by the Australian and ACT governments have been reduced significantly. This is due to the support and advocacy of so many across Catholic education.

Thank you for your commitment and support of Catholic education and St Bede’s.

Good wishes

Ross Fox
Director

Enrolments - Open Day Morning - Saturday 29th May 10:00am-12:00 

Please spread the word what a great school SJV is and don't forget to mention to people that they can have a tour on the last Saturday morning of May.  Time and again it has been proven that word-of-mouth is the best way to get our message out amongst the community.  

Athletics Carnival – Friday 18^th June

Please keep in mind that our Athletics carnival is on Friday 18^th June.  Due to the time of year, we are starting the carnival at 11am and will be back at school by 3pm.  Information notes will follow the newsletter from our organisers but parent help on the day is always appreciated. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

The online booking system was opened Monday for all parent/carers to make appointments since Monday.  These sessions are extremely important for you to have input in your child’s school life.  Not only are they used to discuss how your child has been going at school, but are also used to ensure effective goals are set for next term.  Can I please ask that you make an appointment ASAP if you have not done so already. 

 White Token Lunch

Our White Token "super special" students Alicia L, Jonathon E, Geoffrey S, Connor B and George S all enjoyed their White Token Lunch with Mr Rodda yesterday.  Lots of wonderful conversations around the table.   

God bless you and your family

Peter Rodda

Principal