Courage, Faith, Love

Dear parents and friends of St Agatha's Primary School,

As we conclude Term 2, we reflect on the Catholic belief and the profound wisdom it offers, particularly through the metaphor of the 'Tempest'. In life, we all face stormy times, filled with challenges and uncertainties. Just as Jesus calmed the storm for his disciples, the Catholic faith assures us that we are never alone in our struggles. Trusting in God's plan and finding solace in prayer can provide the strength and peace needed to navigate life's tempests. May we all remember that with faith, even the fiercest storms can be calmed.

What a term it has been. Two of our staff have stopped work to have babies! Congratulations to Irena Culic who had a baby girl, Lana and Priscilla Maddelena who welcomed a little boy, Zander.

A message from Irena

Dear all members of the school community,

I am excited to announce that on May 28th, 2024, I welcomed a baby girl into the world. Both Lana and I are doing well and enjoying spending time together!

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my Year 3C students, as well as their parents and carers, for your incredible support, kind words of advice, and warm wishes during this special time.

I look forward to seeing all the wonderful students and families of St Agatha’s and sharing stories with you in the near future.

Best wishes and see you all soon.

Mrs. Irena Culic

Year 3C Teacher

A notice from Pricilla

Exciting News: Our New Passive Play Space!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new passive play space in the Courtyard! This beautifully designed area includes a Yarning Circle, a dry creek bed, a giant paved chess board, and picnic tables. These elements are designed to foster creativity, reflection, and social interaction among our students.

A Yarning Circle is a traditional Indigenous Australian practice used for storytelling, sharing knowledge, and building respectful relationships. It provides a safe space for students to speak and listen from the heart. Our Yarning Circle will be a focal point for activities during NAIDOC Week and other cultural events, promoting understanding and unity within our school community. Please read the Wellbeing News page for more information about NAIDOC Week, with a link to SchoolTV.

Our dedicated staff have been guiding the students on how to use this space effectively while adhering to our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility, and Safety. This new area not only enhances our school environment but also provides a peaceful retreat where students can engage in calm and creative play.

Swimming program for Foundation - Year Two

We are excited to announce that our Junior Swimming Program will be held during Week 2 and Week 3 of Term 3. After careful consideration and feedback from last year’s program, we have chosen Paul Sadler Pool in Narre Warren to host our swimming lessons. This decision followed a thorough review of local swimming schools.

The key benefits of Paul Sadler Pool include:

A cleaner facility with superior change room amenities
Small group sizes of no more than eight children
Enhanced assessment procedures during the first lesson
A viewing room for parents
Exclusive use of the pool, with no sharing with the general public or other school groups

After consulting with parents, staff, and the School Advisory Committee, we agreed to book Paul Sadler Pool for our program. Unlike previous years, the program will run as an intensive over two weeks. The students will have lessons Monday - Thursday for two weeks. Our school closure day on Friday 26th July will provide a much needed break for our juniors as they recharge over a three day weekend. The intensive nature of the program means that for 8 of the 10 term weeks the students can focus on learning literacy and numeracy skills.

I value parent input and look foward to seeking feedback from parents at the conclusion of the swimming program.

School Reports Released on PAM

This week, the school reports have been released on PAM. We encourage all parents to take the time to read through these reports and celebrate the progress and achievements of their children. The reports are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the students and teachers throughout the term.

Parent-Teacher Interviews in Early Term 3

As we look ahead to Term 3, please remember to book in for the upcoming parent-teacher interviews. These will be an excellent opportunity to discuss your child's progress in more detail and to set goals for the remainder of the school year. Information on how to book will be sent out separately.

Important Dates: School Closure Days and Term 3 Start

Please note the following important dates:-

Friday, 19th July and Friday, 26th July are school closure days.

Wishing You a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday Break

As we break for the holidays, we wish all our students, families, and staff a safe and enjoyable break. We especially thank and farewell Mrs Megan Ami who will begin parental leave to have her second baby really soon. We welcome Mr Zvonko Majstorovic who will take up teaching 3A for the remainder of the year.

We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for another exciting term. School resumes on Monday 15th July. There will be a whole school assembly on the first day of Term 3. All are welcome!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Warm regards,

Michelle Bruitzman

VillageOSCH News