Dear parents, students and families,

Last Friday many of our Year 3-6 students participated in the District Field events at Ballam Park. I would like to congratulate the students on representing the school so well. Thanks to the staff who supported Mrs Ary with the event and the many parents who were able to take some time to attend, support and cheer for our students.

This weekend our students intending to receive their first Eucharist are again invited to attend any of the Parish Masses which are also acting as enrolment Masses for those students intending to receive Reconciliation for the first time this year. Tomorrow we celebrate the Ascension with a whole school Mass which families are warmly invited to.

Foundation had their excursion to the Zoo on Tuesday which according to all I have spoken to is likely to be an unforgettable experience for the kids. I bet they all slept well that night as I know the staff were certainly exhausted on their return.

On Wednesday our Year 5 students attended John Paul College to have an experience of Secondary schooling. Mrs de Veer was very complementary of the student's participation on the day. Well done to the students and many thanks to JPC for offering this valuable experience.

Tomorrow is "Walk Safely to School Day" and you may like to participate in this. It might also be the start of a brand new habit. Mrs Winduss has provided communication regarding how you can participate.

Next week National eSmart Week which features the theme “Be your best self online”. Certainly we will spend some time focusing on this with the students as I am sure all parents and staff have concerns about the keeping our students/children safe in the digital world.

Winter Uniform will be compulsory from next week. Check in the School News page for a list if you are unsure what to wear.

Please continue to check for future dates for your diary in the newsletter. There is a School Closure day on Friday 9th June and Moira has mentioned that Happy Kids will be open for those who require it. As it leads into the King's Birthday weekend it may suit some families to have the extra day to recharge your batteries!

God Bless

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 a reason 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

Wellbeing

Look on the bright side