Principal's Message
Dear parents, students and families,
We have entered the third week of Advent! The Third Week of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice, and this Sunday is the time for us to rejoice because Jesus came and died so that we may live forever with him!We had a beautiful Advent Liturgy on Monday and will again next Tuesday at 9.15am. We were joined after the Liturgy by Mr Peter Vyverberg, who volunteers for our St Anne's St Vincent de Paul chapter, to rejoice on behalf of the needy in Seaford for the lapathon donation of just under $1900 that will go towards Christmas Hampers.
"May we rejoice always, may we pray continually, and let us give thanks in all circumstances; for this is your will for us in Christ Jesus. We celebrate the gift of today; help us to let go of disappointments of the past and trust you with our future. We know joy because we know you".
Monday was a very important day for our Year 5 cohort. Each year we ask these students to apply for a variety of leadership roles. Some apply for a range, some apply for just one. Not every child in Year 6 will receive a formal leadership role at St Anne's for 2025 but that does not mean they are not responsible for leading and setting a great example. I am certain that their parents and grandparents who heard them speak as well as staff and their Year 3-6 peers were amazed at how well they all spoke and what a difference they want to make to their school. I have watched the majority of these students come through from pre-schoolers to becoming our leaders next year-fair to say I am beyond proud for the growth as great young people they have made so far on their journey. Be proud if you got a role but do not be too disappointed if you did not, you will all have plenty of opportunities to enjoy your year and make our school an even better place.
This week we have again had a transition time for our 2025 classes on Monday. Many of our Year 6 students have been at their secondary schools completing their own transition, as have some of our other students at different year levels, who are moving on to brand new schools both near and far. We wish these families all the very best and thank them for their time and contributions to our school. Nothing stays the same for ever-we all move on eventually.
As part of moving on, our Grade 6 students have their Graduation evening tonight and the staff are looking forward to proudly joining this wonderful group of young students who are finishing their time at St Anne's. We hope your night is a success, your parents are proud and you enjoy your last few days at our school.
Tomorrow morning we have our end of year Mass at which we give thanks as a community for our year and for our Parish Priest Fr Martin. Tomorrow afternoon we also acknowledge some of our students who our staff feel have had extra special years at our annual Awards Ceremony. As you would be all very well aware I am extremely proud of ALL of our children who have achieved so much this year and made St Anne's a great place of learning and fun whether they receive an award or not. Well done to you all.
Next week our Year 6 have a celebration day on the Monday before we gather to farewell them from the hall at the end of the day. Their St Anne's schooling will conclude then unless parents require them to be at school on Tuesday. Reports will be issued on Monday to all students acknowledging their achievements in the second semester. School will continue on Tuesday for our Foundation - Year 5 students until dismissal at 1pm which starts the summer break for the students.
Next year commences for the staff on Tuesday 28th January, for our Year 1-6 students on Wednesday 29th January and on Monday 3rd February for our brand new Foundation students.
God bless and thank you all so much for the year in whatever way you contributed. I look forward to seeing many of you to start next year and for those moving on-may God be with you.
Rod Shaw
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 areason 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