Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
Loving God,
You call us to new life in Christ Jesus with a love that is real and sincere. In this, the season of Lent, strengthen us to learn from Jesus’ example and teach us to be faithful disciples with Jesus as the centre of our lives.
Amen.
Prep Information Morning change of date
On Monday, 31st March, an information session will be held in the school library from 10.00am-11.00am. Please note the date has been changed. The meeting is aimed at prospective new families in 2026, but existing families are most welcome to attend. Topics covered will be specialist programs, mental health and wellbeing initiatives and strategies for helping parents prepare their child for school. If you have any family or friends looking to enroll their child at a school next year, please pass on this information. If you are intending on attending, please inform the school office.
Down Syndrome Day
Tomorrow, 21st March, is Down Syndrome Day. Children are invited to wear ‘silly socks’ to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.
Concussion – Important information to be aware of
If your child has experienced concussion outside of the school setting it is important that they rest for a period of 24 to 48 hours and then gradually return to activities after this time. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sporting activities. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.
It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of school; this is to ensure the school can monitor your child’s wellbeing and adapt activities as required.
This factsheet link below from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Head_injury_return_to_school_and_sport/
There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children’s research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.
https://www.headcheck.com.au/
Best Wishes
Best wishes go out to Kascha Blair and her partner Ian who will be expecting their first child in the coming weeks. Kascha finished work last week in preparation for this special time in their lives.
Movie Tickets
A reminder to all families with the holidays coming up, that discounted movie tickets can be purchased from the school office.
School Sports
Last Friday we had another successful school sports day at the Lake Oval. The children are to be congratulated on their participation in the sprints, relays and tabloid events. Congratulations to Gold team who were the eventual winners on the day. A big thank you to Matt Absalom who did a fantastic job organising the event. A big thank you also to all the parents who helped out with our Fun Food BBQ.
External School Review / Pupil Free Days
This year, as part of the 5 year school improvement cycle, our school will participate in an external school review. This will take place in Term 3 on the 8th and 9th of September. Between now and then our staff will be required to work in teams to complete a number of reflective tasks. Schools undertaking a review are allowed an extra pupil free day to complete these tasks, which will ultimately give us the required information to set goals for the next 5 year cycle. In Term 2 we will have a pupil free day on Friday 23rd May.
Also, as already outlined, in 2025 DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd) have granted schools the opportunity to participate in collaborative professional development. This is in line with a new long term strategic plan that has been developed. The 3 days between Easter Monday and Anzac Day (22nd, 23rd and 24th April) will be pupil free days. On these days our school will be collaborating on various aspects of school life with Sacred Heart Colac and St. Brendan’s Coragulac. This is the first week of Term 2. Please put these dates in your diaries.
Michael Mahoney
(Principal)