Principal's Message
Dear parents, students and the wider community,
Last Saturday night our community held our Trivia Night. The night itself was a lot of fun and the effort that had gone into the costumes was generally outstanding as we all did our best to meet the 'Hollywood' theme. It was a night where I believe we all had a lot of fun, our community got to know each other better and we raised some funds towards improvements around the school. Thanks again to the many members of our P & F and wider parent community for the work you put into making the night so successful.
On Tuesday our senior students attended the annual JPC Catholic schools Lightning Premiership. They were among 550 students from the 'feeder' schools to JPC who competed on the day. Well done to our students and staff who were part of this and the many parents who popped down throughout the day to support their children. A special thanks again to our retiring football coach, Grant Budge.
On Wednesday we had members of the Victorian Police Force Neighbourhood Policing Unit talk to our children. They had a 'show and tell' with our Year 1 & 2's and Foundation students which was informative and fun but did lead to one staff member being 'cuffed' I believe!. They also met with our Year 5/6 classes with a focus on the perils of social media. It was great that our Neighbourhood Police were able to discuss the dangers that can eventuate through inappropriate use of the internet and apps. In the end it is about keeping our young people safe.
Next Wednesday transition continues for Foundation 2023 after the Super Starters afternoon last week. However this time, it is for the parents who have confirmed their attendance as we share a meal of welcome with them next Wednesday night. We have now confirmed our numbers so are unable to accommodate any additional numbers however we are more that happy to add them to our waiting list. Staff look forward to sharing this time with our many new and existing families.
Some of our Year 6 students continue their preparations to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 23rd October. Next Thursday 20th October our 9 students preparing to receive Confirmation will join the students of St Joachim's and from the wider Parish in a day of retreat at John Paul College facilitated by the JPC Liturgy Team. The students will also have the opportunity to meet with our Bishop, Fr Tony Ireland, who will join them for part of the day. Please find time to keep them and their families in your prayers.
I have been informed by a couple of families that their children will be moving on from St Anne's at the end of the year. We will be very sad to see these families move on but we understand that such decisions are part of life. With staff now looking at classes for next year it would be very helpful to know if any other families will be leaving our school at the end of the year, beyond those who have informed me, as well as our Year 6 cohort.
Rod Shaw
Principal
School Attendance and Unexplained Absence
Please contact the school if your child is going to be absent by leaving a message on 9786 4736 and press 1. Please give details of your child’s name and class with areason for their absence such as: unwell, appointment, holiday or family reasons. Alternatively an email can be sent to office@saseaford.catholic.edu.au with cc to the child’s teacher.
If you are running late, (after 9:00 am) please attend the office to sign your child into school and collect a late pass.
If you are picking up your child early you will need to collect them and sign them out from the office.
As per our policy this will be our morning routine for absences:
Parents will be contacted as soon as practicable on the morning a student is absent via a text message.
If parent does not contact the school after receiving the text message, the school will contact the parent by phone. If the parent is unreachable the emergency contacts will be contacted by the school.
If there is still no response, and the school feels that the child is in danger, the police will be contacted.
Ongoing unexplained absences or lack of cooperation regarding student attendance will result in a formal conference being organized. Unresolved attendance issues will be referred to D.H.H.S.
This is a legal requirement.
Democratic Principles
The six (6) principles of Australian democracy include:
(a) elected government; and
(b) the rule of law; and
(c) equal rights for all before the law; and
(d) freedom of religion; and
(e) freedom of speech and association; and
(f) the values of openness and tolerance