Dear Families,

The photos in today's newsletter banners show our beautiful emerald green grass on the oval, which has bounced back from the winter conditions. I thank the PFA for continuing to pay for the fertilisation, pest control and aeration of the grass as part of its ongoing maintenance.

Halloween Disco tomorrow

We are looking forward to the Halloween Disco, tomorrow. It will be fun to see the costumes that the students wear. Although costumes are optional, we know that parents will ensure that they reflect a sense of fun and are not too scary for the other students. If you are concerned that your child is too young or that your child is sensitive to some Halloween concepts and images, it may be best to mention it to the supervising teachers.

Anthony Adaman, our Religious Education leader, has provided this information about Halloween...

Parents may like to take the opportunity to explore the historical and religious connections of Halloween with their children. Whilst Halloween is often associated with costumes and trick-or-treating, it has a back story linked to Christianity.

Halloween originally stemmed from All Hallows' Eve, the evening before All Saints' Day (November 1st) This Christian holiday celebrates all the saints, both known and unknown.

Over time, traditions associated with All Hallows' Eve blended with other festivals marking the harvest and the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere. This cultural exchange shaped modern-day Halloween, with its emphasis on costumes, decorations, and the celebration of life's cycles.

Furthermore, November holds special significance for Catholics. It's a month to remember loved ones who have passed away. All Souls' Day, observed on November 2nd, allows families to reflect on the lives of those no longer with us.

Prayer Focus

This week's prayer focus is based on Mark 10:35-45, exploring the theme of: Follow Your Light.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “there is something we want you to do for us.”

“What is it?” Jesus asked them.

They answered, “When you sit on your throne in your glorious Kingdom, we want you to let us sit with you, one at your right and one at your left.”

Jesus said to them, “You don't know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink? Can you be baptized in the way I must be baptized?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup I must drink and be baptised in the way I must be baptised. But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. It is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them.”

When the other ten disciples heard about it, they became angry with James and John. So Jesus called them all together to him and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. This, however, is not the way it is among you.

If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, he must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.

Reflection Questions:

What does it mean to be a truly great person?
How do you think Jesus defines greatness?
Who were the disciples, and what attracted them to Jesus?
Why might it have been challenging to follow Jesus in his time?
What does it mean to follow Jesus today?
Why did Jesus think helping others is more important than greatness?
How can we apply this teaching to our own lives?
What are your strengths and talents?
How can you use your abilities to make a positive impact on the world?
What makes you feel fulfilled and connected to others?

2025 Classroom Arrangements

In 2025 there will be 2 classes of Prep and 3 multi-age classes in each of Year 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6. We will have 11 classes in total.

As you are aware, teachers change schools and change teaching levels from time to time, so any of our current staff or new staff members may teach your child in 2025.

Planning for the 2025 school year will be commencing soon. Staff undertake a long and detailed process of organising which class each child will be allocated to, based on many factors.

Our professional staff make considered decisions in light of what is the best for each child with our available resources, in the context of the other children, not just in the context of an individual child. Such factors include the academic and social/emotional needs of each child, working relationships and friendships.

We would prefer it if you left these decisions to staff, but if you have any urgent information regarding the placement of your child, please put your reasons in writing, addressed to me strictly before Friday, November 1st. You may receive a phone call to discuss the issues.

Information received after this date cannot be considered as it will impact on decisions that will have already been made. Information about the placement of your child should be written in the context of your child’s needs, not your preference for a teacher, so please do not use teacher’s names. Requests for 2025 cannot be guaranteed due to the complicated nature of our processes.

The process of class placements includes an opportunity for each child to nominate three children they work well with and three different children they play well with. We guarantee that each child will be placed with one of these nominated children.

If your child is not returning to St. Leonard’s in 2025, I would appreciate you letting me know, by letter, before Friday, November 1st.

Change of Procedures at Commencement of 2025

At the commencement of 2025, St Leonard's will be moving to a new model of testing students and this will change the dates for the start of the 2025 school year. Many schools have already moved to this model due to increased costs of emergency teachers, the need to have current data on each student as soon as possible and so that the classroom teachers can then commence a less interrupted program of learning.

Details of the testing timeslots will be sent home before the end of the 2024 school year.

Please add these to your 2025 calendar.

28 January: Staff only return to school

29 & 30 January: Staff at school testing individuals and groups of students at their allocated times. Students are expected to attend school at their allocated testing times and extended holidays will be considered unexcused absences. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

31 January: Year 1-6 Students commence school (Prep individual testing)

3 February: Preps commence school

5 February: Preps not at school. Individual Testing

Twilight Sports 29 November

A reminder to all families that the Twilight Sports will be held at Central Reserve on 29 November. The event will be held on the grass athletics track at Central Reserve between 4:30pm – 6:30pm. The events will start at 4:30pm sharp and should conclude by approximately 6:30pm. All students are expected to be seated by 4:15pm at the latest to ensure we can start on time.

School will finish at 1:30 pm on the day to allow staff adequate time to set up for the event and to enable families to be at the reserve at 4:15pm for a 4:30 pm start. Camp Australia outside hours school care will be available. Please make sure your child has had lunch and adequate food for them to last until 6:30pm. Parents are welcome to BYO picinic blankets and the PFA are planning a sausage sizzle. (More information to come.) Please make sure your child has used the bathroom at home and that they are dressed appropriately.

Please make sure your child has a cold water bottle, sun hat and that you have applied sunscreen before leaving home.

Parents are reminded to sit on the outside of the track whilst the students are seated on the inside grassy area under the school marquees, provided by funds raised by the PFA.

I request that parents remain on the outside and do not cross the track to see their child during the athleticscarnival.

St Leonard’s Performing Arts and Choir

Choir Performance

Junior & Senior Choir

Performance for elderly residents from “Home Instead” who will visit St Leonard’s

Date: Thursday 5 December

Time: 11.30 – 1.30pm

11.30 – 12.00: Rehearsal

12.00 – 12.30: Choir Sings

12.30 – 1.00: Meet with visitors and give out Christmas cards

Place: Function rooms in the Community Centre

Wear: School uniform with choir vest and hat (to be handed out at school)

Families welcome

Christmas Concert

Prep – Year 4, Junior & Senior Choir,

Optional acts from Year 5&6

Performance for the school community

Date: Friday 13 December

Time: 11.30 – 1.30pm

Place: Sports hall in the Community Centre

Wear: School uniform with Christmas decorations, t-shirts, head bands, hats

Families welcome

Briefly

Swimming: Our 8 day swimming program begins on November 11th and runs until November 22nd. There will be no swimming on Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th November. This means that the first week of swimming will be for 3 days only and the second week will be for 5 days. The permission form for the swimming program has been sent out via Operoo. Please respond and accept the form as soon as possible so we can confirm numbers with the pool.
Gastro: There have been several cases of gastroenteritis (or gastro) reported at school. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, stomach pain, headache and muscle aches. This is a highly contagious disease. We appeal to the parent community to refrain from sending your child to school until at least 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. If you are concerned managing your child’s symptoms, we encourage you to seek medical advice from your GP or NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gastroenteritis
Junior Advent Faith Night 26 November: This special event from 5:30-7pm will be a wonderful opportunity for our Prep to Year 2 school community to come together and celebrate the true meaning of Advent. We've planned a variety of interactive activities that will engage both children and adults, highlighting the spirit of the season. Please add this date to your diary.
I am very proud, as we all should be, that St Leonards has two new regional champions in the sport of discus. Both Dallas and Natalie finished 1st today in discus and will compete in the State Championships on the 6th of November. Congratulations Natalia and Dallas.

Enjoy our beautiful spring weather.

Robert Horwood

Principal

Code Camp