Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Well, we are certainly underway for the 2024 school year, with plenty happening in our school community.

It was beautiful to see many families join us for the beginning of the school year's mass last Friday. Our prep students did a marvellous job attending their first whole school mass. Congratulations to our Year 6 student action leaders as they received their badges and a blessing for their leadership responsibilities for this year.

School Drop Off and Pick up procedure

Morning

The school gates and grounds are open for student arrival at 8:20am and this is when staff supervision commences. Any student arriving before 8:20am must be checked into the Before School Care program or be accompanied by a supervising adult.

The classroom doors open at 8:30am with the first bell ringing at 8:40am, followed by a second bell at 8:45am to commence learning time. The external gates to the school are closed between 8:45-8:50pm. From 8:50, any parents or carers remaining on the school site are required to exit through the school office doors.

If your child arrives at school after 8:50am, a responsible person must sign in the student at the school office with a late pass.

Afternoon

The pedestrian gates for school dismissal are unlocked at approximately 3:05pm which allows parents and carers to enter the school grounds to wait for the 3:15pm dismissal bell.

Supervision of the dismissal time commences from 3:15 pm until 3:30pm. Any students who have not been picked up by this time will be taken to the school office. Parents and carers will be contacted.

If you are collecting your child early from school you must sign out via the school office.

Zooper Dooper Counter Sales - Tuesdays Lunchtime Term 1

Thanks to the tremendous support from our Parents’ Association, Zooper Dooper sales commence this week from the school canteen.

Zooper Doopers are available for purchase at $1 each.

To ensure a smooth and safe experience, we ask the following:

Students only consume ONE zooper dooper each lunchtime
Students can purchase a zooper dooper for their sibling\s
Students should refrain from purchasing zooper doopers for friends as this can strain friendship groups when only some friends in the group receive a zooper dooper and others don't.
Students at our school are to refrain from sharing food with other students (even though it may be done with a spirit of generosity) to ensure we create a safe food environment.

School Photo Day - Thursday 22nd February

Order forms for school photos will go home this week. Please follow the instructions on how to order photos, including arrangements for sibling photos.

All students need to wear summer uniforms on school photo day. Students who have PE on Thursday should bring their runners to school separately in their school bags, and they will have time to change in readiness for PE.

The girls' Summer uniform can be the school summer dress or skort.

All students would be wearing black school shoes. No runners, please.

Reporting student absences

If your child is away from school, it is important to report the absence to the office as soon as possible. This can be done by calling the school 9755 4222 and listen for the prompts to report a student absence, email office@ssrowville.catholic.edu.au or contact your child’s teacher.

The school has legal requirements to track and monitor the attendance of students school, and we appreciate your assistance in this matter.

Raising Kids in a Digital World - Thursday 29th February 7pm!

Register here

Amazing Doors prizes to be won by people who attend on the night!

THIS SESSION IS A MUST-ATTEND FOR ANY PARENT OR CARER WHOSE CHILD USES TECHNOLOGY AT HOME!

Canteen - resuming in Week 4

Thank you to all our marvellous volunteers for being available to run our school canteen. The Roster has been filled for Term 1, and we look forward to the canteen service resuming on Friday 23rd February.

Life Saving Victoria Helicopter visit to St Simon’s - Next Wednesday 21st February!

St Simon’s has been lucky enough to be chosen for a school visit from the Life Saving Victoria Rescue Helicopter, scheduled for next Wednesday, 21st February at 2pm (subject to change and emergency needs)

If all goes to plan, the helicopter will land on the school oval with Surf Life Saving Victoria members coming to share important water safety information with our students and families.

We look forward to sharing some photos and videos of all the action!

School Newsletter and Audiri

All new prep families should now be receiving the school newsletter via email. If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving the newsletter please following the prompts at the bottom of the notification email.

All families are encouraged to download the “Audiri” app from your smartphone app store and connect with St Simon’s School. The Audiri app is an important communication tool we use to share “just in time” information about activities happening within the school. Please contact the school office if you need assistance.

Happy Families

PLAY IS DECLINING AND SO IS MENTAL HEALTH