Dear parents, students and families,

This week the readings talk about the gifts we have been given by God and the way we use them. Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart from Liturgy helper discusses: Being God’s handiwork means God took great pride and care in creating us. What are some of your gifts and talents– characteristics that God takes great pride in? Do you feel awkward when you are asked to list your gifts and talents? Why or why not?

On Wednesday the Grade 5/6 children went off to Adventure Camp in Portsea. The team caring for them have let me know that they are having a great time. Yesterday they went to visit Sorrento Park and Portsea back beach and today they are working through rotations at camp of flying fox , giant swing , canoeing and other amazing activities. What luck they have had with the weather as well.

We began NAPLAN testing for the Grade 3 children this week and it is running very smoothly . Our thanks to Mr Sullivan, teachers and our amazing LSO staff for making this process as easy as possible for our kids.

We had thirteen of the children attend the Reconciliation Information evening last night at the Church and thank Father Martin for an informative session. Thank you to our parents and children who participated well and were very reverent in the Church.

A reminder to all families that sometimes children have differences in the playground. When this occurs the school follows our policies regarding behaviour management. Please make yourself aware of the Parent Code of Conduct so that we have clarity of the expectations of families when dealing with difficult situations. If you have concerns about the management of any issue at school please don't hesitate to contact one of the Leadership team by phone or email. Sally Thomas - Acting Principal, Rikki Winduss - Wellbeing Leader/Faith Leader/Family School Partnerships, Michael Sullivan - Teaching and Learning Leader, Toni Chiodo - Mathematics Leader. Of course, Rod Shaw the Principal will be available for discussion on his return from sick leave.

Next week, NAPLAN continues, we have House Sports on Friday and the P& F are hosting a Disco party on Friday night.

Call for small businesses

We are calling out to any small businesses within our community who would like to advertise their business in the news letter during the last week of term. Please send information to

office@saseaford.catholic.edu.au with the subject small business for newsletter.

Please keep Rod in your prayers as he recovers from surgery.

God bless

Sally Thomas

Acting 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 a reason 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

Wellbeing

Emotions