Principal's News

Week 8

This week I continued showing some new families around the school. We will have about 285-290 children in 2022. This year we see 40 children depart Year 6. At this stage, we have 48-50 Foundation children. 2023 may see our overall numbers surpass 300!

Schools are fortunate to have parents who give so much. One parent who started before my time here is Jo Zampaglione. She is one of the last Foundation parents (along with Tom) who promoted and established our sporting involvement in the community. She has been involved in the netball (and other things) at St. Luke's the entire time. We thank her for her passion for St. Luke's and the children.

I remember my first visit to St. Luke's and Jo heard that the new principal would be at school meeting people. She even went to the the trouble of getting her hair done!

Staffing

In the previous email, I announced Jess Moodie as a new teacher for 2022. I am pleased to welcome the following people to our school:

Lijarna Bekirofski, Grace Holland and Darcie Jondahl. All four new staff will be teaching across the year levels. Eloise Liddell will be back on class for 3 days per week and will share a class. In the next newsletter I will share some more information regarding new staff and other changes e.g. specialist subjects 

Other staff news

We wish Mrs Buzza all the best with her upcoming birth in early January. She will finish with us today.

We congratulate Miss Dainton (Mrs Forge) on her marriage last Friday to Luke.

It was lovely seeing Jess Johnson during the week. She is currently on maternity leave and doing really well. Meg Kelly has been on leave and enjoying motherhood. She sends her well wishes to all. 

School Calendar

I have enjoyed seeing the photos for consideration. I joined 6 children at the golf course during the week Here are some photos I took of Mrs Findlay in action.

Covid Update School Operations Guide

Participating by students aged 12-15 who are not fully vaccinated, in school activities held at external premises 

The Department of Health has advised the Department of Education and Training that students aged between 12 and 15 who are not fully vaccinated will be able to attend camps, excursions, graduations and other school activities held at open premises that are also used by other schools or patrons from Tuesday 23 November.

This exception to the current directions will apply only to school-organised activities when at least one teacher is present.

School Events

We are holding our assemblies outside or if weather intervenes, holding these online.

We are working through changes to Covid guidelines in school and hopefully our planned graduation for the Year 6 children will go ahead on Tuesday 14th December at 12:30pm. Families (12+) will be able to attend if fully vaccinated. This covers any sibling 12+ and not at St. Luke's. See the previous message for students enrolled at St. Luke's. 

There will be NO whole school end of year event. We will put all our efforts into welcoming in the new school year with an opening mass and some form of social gathering on the school grounds. 

School Fees

Thank you to those who have finalised payments if not on the direct debit system. We are finalising accounts now for 2021.

Building Update

Work continues on our new building. Staff were able to walk through this week. It is very exciting! The brick layers finished today and work on the inside continues. Car park and bus shelter areas will appear in the near future. We will love these areas! The children will be excited about the refrigerated water bubblers where they can fill up their drink bottles.

See the 'Around the Grounds' page for some photos.

Have a great weekend.

David Keenan

(Principal)