From the Assistant Principal
Dear Families,
MUSICAL UPDATE:
Our musical rehearsals are now in full swing. In previous newsletters, we have advertised the performance dates. Please be aware that each class will perform on only ONE OF THE NIGHTS. The lead and ensemble cast will perform at each performance.
PERFORMANCE DATES WILL BE:
Monday 30th November - Mackillop classes
Tuesday 1st December - Nagle Classes
Wednesday 2nd December - Patrick Classes
Details of ticketing and start time will be provided over the coming months.
ATTENDANCE
In New South Wales, all children from six years of age are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling. Children are expected to attend all school activities, on time. Regular attendance helps your child: − develop the skills needed to access the world of work and other opportunities − to learn the importance of punctuality and routine − make and keep friendships.
Principals help to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of your child. Principals have to keep accurate records of student attendance and the reasons for any absences. Principals are responsible for accepting or not accepting a parent’s explanations for their child’s absences.
Principals may request further information from parents for long or frequent absences, even where they are explained by parents as being due to illness. When absences are unexplained by parents, or the explanations are not accepted by the principal, the school will work with parents to help address the issue. The main aim is to sort out what is preventing the child from getting to school and putting strategies in place to help. Sometimes, the school will ask support staff and other agencies to assist.
If you plan to take extended leave (5 days or more) during the school term, an exemption needs to be applied for prior to the absence. Please contact the office for more details.
SCHOOL COUNSELLING PROCEDURES
Students may need to see the school counsellor for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, friendship concerns, self-esteem and many other concerns that may be affecting their wellbeing at school or their learning. Sessions are play-based and child-focused and each case plan is designed based on the individual needs of each student.
REFERRAL PATHWAYS
- Referred by class teacher, principal, or other staff (eg: diverse learning). In this case, the referring staff member will call the child’s parent to discuss counselling, and then liaise with the school counsellor.
- Referred by parent . If you would like to refer your child, please speak to the class teacher or contact the school counsellor via the school.
- A student may self-refer. If this happens, the school counsellor will call and discuss this with the parent.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once a staff member or the school counsellor has discussed counselling with you, a consent form will be sent home. Once it has been returned to school, the student will be placed on the counselling wait list. When a spot becomes available for your child, the counsellor will contact you to discuss the school counselling program and provide further information about how sessions will run.
SESSIONS
Children will have ten sessions with the school counsellor, and these will occur during class time either weekly or fortnightly, depending on the needs of the child. Throughout the program, the counsellor will contact parents periodically, or as the need arises, with updates regarding how sessions are going.
Have a great week,
Jim Heelis
Assistant Principal