Dear Parents and Carers,

Recently, we have experienced several days where the temperature during the school day has reached the mid to late 30s. When this happens, the school puts in place measures to manage the safety and well-being of students and staff.

These measures include: spending more time indoors where the temperature is cooler, (air conditioning), being vigilant about keeping hydrated, reducing or eliminating any strenuous or vigorous physical activity and seeking shaded areas when playing outdoors for short periods.

All of these measures are in line with Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools and Department of Education and Training Policies and Guidelines.

Where the temperatures are forecasted to be in the mid-30s or higher, the school will review what measures to implement for that day. This may include modifying or postponing activities or events to ensure student and staff safety is the highest priority.

2023 Stationery and Booklist

This year, a change was made to how families order stationery and booklist items by introducing booklist and stationary charges within the school fee structure. The collection of these funds allows the school to bulk order (at discounted rates) all required stationery for the students, including digital subscriptions to learning resources to support the teaching and learning of the curriculum. This approach allows the classroom teachers to manage the flow and easy access to all the stationary items needed by the students during the school day, and throughout the year.

I am happy to report that we have received many positive forms of feedback from parents and carers about the benefits of the new approach.

Please note the teachers will distribute or make available any stationery book\resource items needed by the students throughout the school year.

Administration of Medication at School - Policy Update

As a school that is part of the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, St Simon’s is working through implementing a range of updated “system-wide” policies.

How the school manages the medical and health needs of students is outlined in the Medical Management Policy (please see the link below).

The way we handle the administration of the medication and medicine is outlined in the school’s Administration of Medication to Students - Procedures document (see link below)

Over the coming weeks, we will contact families with current arrangements in place for medication administration and put things in place to ensure they are consistent with the updated policy.

Families with students in Year Six and Year Four will also be contacted soon as this updated policy has implications for how medicine is administered at school camp.

I highly encourage all parents to familiarise themselves with these documents and consider what steps must be taken concerning their child\ren health needs and attendance at school.

All current arrangements for the distribution of medicine to students during school hours or activities will remain in place until the updated policy has been applied.

Car Park Pedestrian Shelter

The construction of the pedestrian shelter at the front car park is nearing completion.

We look forward to being able to use this new facility to assist with the picking up and dropping off of students from the car park area. We hope families attending the Twilight Cinema night this Friday will be able to get a closer look at the new structure, as this will be a main entry for the event.

Family Night Under the Stars, hosted by St Simon’s Parents’ Association

Tickets are still available via CDFPay. Click here to purchase.

Sausage sizzle, popcorn and drinks will be available on the night as well as a coffee van and ice cream truck. Get your camp chairs and picnic blankets ready for Encanto to screen at dusk. We are excited to see you there for a fun family event!

Exclusive Twilight Zoo Experience for St Simon’s Families!

Together with parishioners of St Simon’s and the parish and schools communities of St Jude’s, all school families are invited to an exclusive Twilight Zoo Experience.

ZOO PARTY 2023!

We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting a Zoo Party at Melbourne Zoo - 18th March, 5:30-9:30pm.

Come for the whole time or just part of the time.

We will have exclusive use of the zoo for our party! Each family group will only pay $10 (for the whole family) to secure your tickets. That is $10 per family group - parents and children, including your under 5s and over 12s, (up to 8 people) per ticket.

That is a great saving on a regular zoo visit!

Family members outside your immediate family can also come, so save the date with grandparents and cousins! They also just need to pay $10 for their family group (8 people per family ticket)

Ticket Booking payment via CDF Pay. Click here

After payment has been made, Melbourne Zoo tickets will be distributed via the classroom tubs the week prior to the event.

Gala Twilight School Sports - New for 2023

Save the Date: Friday 31st March 4:30 - 6:30pm, School Oval

This year, we are excited to announce a new event for the whole school to participate in, Gala Twilight School Sports.

All students in Prep to Year 6 are invited to attend, where they will gather in the house colours of Red, Blue, Yellow or Green! There will be plenty of space for parents and families to gather and watch students compete in various novelty activities, including a sprint running race.

Students in Years Three to Six will still be able to learn and compete in athletics track and field events through the school’s PE program, including a dedicated day for competition at Bill Stewart Athletics Track, East Burwood, during Term Two.

Prep 2024 - Enrolments Open - Spread the Word

If you know of a family in your networks or local community with a child starting prep in 2024, please let them know we are booking school tours for 2024 Prep Enrolment. Please visit us online at ssrowville.catholic.edu.au

There will be a Prep 2024 Enrolment Information Night held in the school library on Wednesday, 22nd March 2023. Interested families can contact the office for more information.

Tom Wursthorn

Principal

St Simon's Parents' Association

Family Night Under the Stars