Principal's Message
Dear parents, students and the wider community,
On Wednesday we had an online Zoom meeting for parents/ carers regarding the Roar Program. We thank those who were able to attend and hope they found it useful to understand a little more about this program which supports students to learn more about managing their personal safety, respect, consent, bullying and the law.
Tomorrow our home and away Senior Sport commences for our Year 5 & 6 students (possibly some Year 4's as required). Our first round of games will be played away at Aldercourt PS and the following week (July 29th) at home against Kananook PS. I hope all the students have an enjoyable time and represent their school with pride.
Looking ahead next Tuesday 26th July is our school Feast Day. Traditionally St Joachim's and ourselves have celebrated this together but, as it is the 35th year since St Joachim's opened, they will be celebrating with a special day on Friday 29th July. Details have been shared separately regarding our Feast Day through Seesaw to let you know more of how we will celebrate the day and hope that some of you will be able to participate.
Tradition holds that St. Anne, or Ann, is the mother of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. There is no mention of Anne in the bible. Non-biblical books from the early Christian centuries acknowledge Mary’s parents as Joachim and Anne. These sources claim that Joachim and Anne were childless for many years of their marriage. The Angel Gabriel appeared to them separately and declared that they would in fact bear a child who must be dedicated to God. Hence, Anne became the mother of our Blessed Virgin Mary.
Made universal by Pope Gregory XIII, the church celebrates her feast day along with Joachim, on July 26th. St. Anne, Hebrew for Hannah, meaning “grace”, eventually became the Patron Saint of married women and childless couples.
Regarding Covid, it seems cases are starting to rise again. Please check your children if there are any signs of illness or we have alerted you that there has been a case in your child's cohort of students. If they are Covid positive it is the law that they are to be off school and isolating. We know Covid does not make everyone sick to the same degree but it certainly makes some people very sick. Masks are being encouraged to be worn again if you wish to send your child with a mask. It is not a mandate- yet! However it is mandatory that face masks are required to be worn for those aged eight and over who are household contacts and attending school and they are to take five RATs over seven days and receive negative test results.
God Bless and stay well
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