Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the first school newsletter for the 2024 school year.

The summer holiday break is experienced in many different ways, with families juggling home and work commitments. However, I hope that each of you had the opportunity to break the routine and spend some time together as a family.

As we begin the Term, I am mindful of the journey of our new prep students and their families as they start their primary school learning at St Simon’s. These moments are important milestones for our students, filled with emotions and feelings.

As we continue these first few weeks, classroom teachers, support staff, and school leaders are attuned to this and are available to parents for a chat or reassurance. Overall, our preps are beginning to settle into the routines of school life and are becoming familiar with our playgrounds and spaces.

This year, we introduced the Meet and Greet the Teacher appointments held on Tuesday 30th January. This was a helpful and supportive way for families and students to reconnect with the school after the summer break and provide an opportunity for parents and carers to share information with the classroom teacher about their child.

This information, alongside our transition program between staff from the previous year, provides classroom teachers valuable insights about the students in their classes. We had a positive response from families taking up the opportunity to meet with teachers, and early feedback suggests this was welcomed and appreciated.

Beginning of the Year Mass Friday 9th February - 9:15 am

All families are welcome and encouraged to join the school and parishioners for the beginning of the school year mass at St Simon’s Church at 9:15 am Friday 9th February. This will be the first time we will gather formally as a school parish faith community.

Welcome to Preps Families and commissioning of the staff Mass - Sunday 11th February 11:00am

On Sunday, 11th February, we warmly invite our new Prep students and their families to 11 am Mass as a way of being welcomed into the St Simon’s Community.

The School staff will also attend Mass as part of the Commissioning of our Staff for a new school year. The parish will provide hospitality with a free sausage sizzle after Mass, with families welcome to attend.

New Staff Welcome

As a St Simon's School community, we extend a warm welcome our new staff:

Brittany Marasco, classroom teacher 3G
Khayla Seneviratne, classroom teacher 1R
Melissa den Elzen, classroom teacher 4R

Year Level Term Letter

Each Term, parents and carers will receive a Term letter from their child’s year-level team outlining the key curriculum areas and activities, including information about excursions and camps for the term ahead. There are also reminders of important protocols and procedures related to school life. Year-level letters will be emailed to families by Friday, 9th February - end of Week Two.

School Assemblies - Term 1

School Assemblies will be held most on Fridays on even numbered weeks in Term 1 and take place in the school hall at 2:30 pm. School families are welcome to attend.

The dates for school assemblies for Term 1 are

Friday 9th February
Friday 23rd February
Thursday 7th March
Friday 22nd March

Return of Canteen 2024 - Call for Volunteers

The Canteen is scheduled to resume on Friday 23rd February (Week 4). We are now seeking volunteers to establish the 2024 Canteen Roster. Click here for more information.

Sunsmart - New school year

At St. Simon’s, we require students to wear a sun hat whilst outdoors during recess and lunch and whilst engaging in outdoor activities. We have a strong culture of wearing our hats and know that families will support the school in ensuring we are protecting the students from exposure to the sun and UV radiation.

Students who don't have a hat will need to sit quietly and play in the designated shaded area.

School fees 2024

School fee accounts for 2024 will be emailed to families next week. Firstly, thank you to the many families who have contacted the office to set up payment arrangements for the year ahead.

Please note: If you plan to pay your school fees in full, this must be finalised by 31st March. Otherwise, a payment plan with regular contributions is required.

School fees are an important function of enabling Catholic schools to operate, and we require all families to work with us to meet these financial commitments.

If you are experiencing difficultly meeting your school fee obligations, please contact the school office to make an appointment with the principal to discuss the circumstances.

You may be eligible for reducing your child’s school fees if you are a Health care card holder. Please contact the school office to discuss.

Click here for more information

2024 Image\Photo Consent - Operoo Form

This week, all families should have received an Operoo email regarding 2024 Image\Photo Consent. Please respond to this form as soon as possible, as this will allow the school to consider your child's inclusion in video and photography related to school activities and publications.

Save the date: Essential Digital and Online Safety Parent Forum - 7pm THURSDAY 29th FEBRUARY

Save the Day 1st March Twilight Sports

4:30-6:30pm

Bereavement Message - Thoughts and Prayers

At this time, please keep the family of Winter Poole (Year 4) in your prayers as they come to terms with the sudden death of Marcus Poole, Winter’s father, during the summer break.

Finally...

Finally, this year, we will be publishing our school newsletter fortnightly.

The next newsletter will be published on Monday 12th February.

Happy Families

RIDING THE WAVES