Dear Families,

I was thinking of you all as I was having my coffee and reading the paper on Saturday morning. Being so much older than you and having children in their twenties now, I often look at you all in the mornings and afternoons and have admiration for all that you are juggling as you navigate family life, school life and at times a social life. In particular to our beautiful Prep families, congratulations for the morning organisation of getting your children to school, many with toddlers in toe and school bags filled with lunch boxes, water bottles and more.

An article by Kate Halfpenny in the Age really spoke to me.

“First up, nobody’s ever ready to be a parent, or at least to look after somebody else full-time. A lot of the time you’re grabbing on by your fingertips, aiming just to avoid disaster. The sheer terror of the love, sleep deprivation, the simultaneous despair and delight, sends you mad.

But one day your kid smiles or speaks (or becomes a construction manager and architect) and you know the rest of your life was a dress rehearsal for the creation of that particular person.”

Please click on the link below if you would like to read more.

https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/even-with-the-sleepless-nights-crushing-self-doubt-and-times-of-despair-parenting-really-does-pay-off-20230209-p5cjb2.html

HOLT Tennis

We congratulate our senior students Carmen and Iggy for representing SMPS at the Inter School tennis trials last week.

Hello my name is Iggy and I competed in The Holt District Tennis Competition at St James School and came runner up. I played against 3 other boys whose names were Flin, Jackson and Christian who won the whole thing. I am now playing in the beachside tournament in Oakleigh in March. Carmen who came with me came 3rd. The tournament was really fun and I look forward to competing in the next tournament.

HOLT Swimming

Congratulations to our students from Years 3 to 6 who tried out for our Swimming Team, on a freezing cold day at Prahran Pool a few weeks ago. Thank you to Mrs Mason and Mr Addicoat for trialling and timing the students. I was informed that the rain was so strong it was sideways! We wish; Wilson, Anthony, Poppy M, Amelia, Alec, Huy, Ava Q, Anna T, Poppy D, Lachlan, Tara, Olivia T, Olive and Zelie all the best for next Tuesday 21st February at the Oakleigh Pool. Thank you to Mrs Mason and Mr Buttigieg for attending this carnival to support our students and the HOLT district.

Interhouse Athletics Carnival on Thursday 2nd March 2023

We are excited to be having our Interhouse Athletics Carnival at Bricker Reserve Moorabbin in a fortnight. The students from Years 3 to 6 will participate in many track and field events. Our junior students will join us later in the morning to participate in modified track and field events. Mrs Kidman and Mr Addicoat are working hard towards this fantastic day. All families are very welcome to come and cheer for their athletes! Information regarding this will be sent out next week.

Magnificent Year 1 Learners

I had the pleasure of hearing from three of our magnificent Year 1 students last week. They read their sentences proudly and with confidence, well done Harrison, Paul and Arabella. Look at their wonderful learning and beaming smilies!

Prep B Visit the Principal's Office

Last week I had a lovely surprise with some very special visitors. They had lots of questions and were very interested in the landline phone and my stapler!

It is great to see the Preps learning about our school.

Assemblies each Friday from 10:30-11:00am in the Year 5 Learning Space

We love having family members join us at assembly each week. This is an important time where we gather as a school community, share our learning, hear from our Year 6 Leaders and be led by our Year 6 hosts, celebrate birthdays and our weekly awards and sing the National Anthem and much more.

Fees

School Fees & Levies Statement have been sent home with your child, please check their school bag. In Around the School Erica has attached a Direct Debit Authority Form and Concessional Fee Application Form. If any of these forms relate to you, please fill out and return to the office as soon as possible. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Erica.

ICT Information Night - Thursday 16th February 7-8pm- postponed to a date TBC

Thank you for your understanding, with us having to postpone this information night due to Anthony Speranza being struck down with a virus this week. We look forward to seeing him next week. He has been missed by us all.

MEET THE TEACHER : Tuesday 1:30-6:00pm & Wednesday 22nd Feb 3:40-5:00pm

From Anthony Speranza our Deputy Principal, Learning & Teaching / Wellbeing Leader

Bookings are now open for our “Meet The Teacher” interviews:

Tuesday 21st February from 1:30pm to 6:00pm (all interviews face-to-face in your child’s classroom)

Wednesday 22nd February from 3:40pm to 5:00pm (all interviews online via videolink)

Due to HOLT swimming next week, Angela Mason’s Year 5 interviews will be on:

Tuesday 28th February from 2:00 - 5:00pm (face-to-face in Year 5)

Please note that on Tuesday 21st February, all students will be finishing at 1:00pm. TheirCare is available should you need it.

The interviews are an opportunity to meet your child’s classroom teacher and discuss how they have settled into the year, as well as share information with your teacher about the needs of your child. An effective partnership between the home and school is key to the education of your child, and we appreciate your time to make this conversation happen.

We are pleased to offer the convenience of face-to-face and video conferences, however please note the day when selecting your preference as all interviews on Tuesday are in the classroom and all interviews on Wednesday are online.

For video conferencing, upon making your booking you will receive a video conferencing link. At your allocated time, please click the join link and wait for your class teacher to admit entry into the virtual room.

Interviews are strictly 10 minutes only. The smooth running of our parent-teacher interviews relies on all parents keeping to the timetable. Please consider other parents and end on time. If you need more time with a particular teacher, arrange a separate meeting or phone call.

Students are not required to attend the interview.

To make a booking, please follow the link below or scan the QR code:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/w845y

Bookings close on Monday 20th February at 8:00pm. If you need to make or modify a booking after this time please contact myself on 03 9510 7420 or anthony.speranza@smstkildaeast.catholic.edu.au

Shrove Tuesday - Tuesday 21st February

Next Tuesday our resident chef, Mr Speranza together with members of the P & F are making pancakes which the children will enjoy. Last year I was on camp with the Year 5 & 6s, and am looking forward to joining in this year, as those of us on camp were envious we missed out.

Ash Wednesday - Wednesday 22nd February

Please join us at 9:15am Mass next Wednesday, as we celebrate Ash Wednesday, leading us into Lent for 2023. Our students from Prep to Year 6 will be participating in this important day in our liturgical calendar. We thank Jes Earle, our Performing Arts and Education in Faith teacher for working with Father Jerome and Bernadette in preparation for this Mass. For more information about Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent, read Jes' engaging Religious Education News section of this Newsletter.

Welcome Drinks tomorrow evening 7pm - 10:00pm

We are looking forward to celebrating the start of our school year tomorrow evening, under the sails outside Prep and Year 1. Name tags, music, drinks at happy hour prices and lots of catching up and meeting new friends will make this a really fun night. The weather promises to be perfect. If you haven’t bought your tickets please do so asap. This is an adults only night as alcohol will be present.

Take care and wishing God's blessings and peace upon each of you.

Mrs Cathy Ferrari

Religious Education News

Jessica Earle Religious Education Leader

Jessica Earle
Religious Education Leader