From the Deputy 

Swimming program

This year's swimming program will be run by the swimming instructors at Swimable, hosted at St Mary's College swimming pool.

It is anticipated that each student will receive 8 lessons over a fortnight period. Our school has been given a tentative booking for a 4 week period between Monday 8th August until Friday 2nd September. Due to staffing shortages at Swimable, we have not been given precise dates for each year level and their allocated fortnight of swimming. Once we know the dates and times for year levels, we will advise parents accordingly.

Thank you everyone who has returned the paper form indicating your child’s skills and a reminder that we also require permission via the operoo notice sent last week.

On the days that students are swimming they will be required to bring the following to school:

- Bathers (to be worn to school under school uniform, as swimming lessons will be in the morning)

- Underwear to change into after the lesson

- A swimming cap

- A towel

- Thongs / flip flops

- Goggles if desired

- A carry bag for all items, separate to school bag

Urban Living Public safety 

A reminder to all families to be vigilant with their children in public areas in our surrounding suburbs. Please have a chat with your children and let them know that if they see sharp objects such as broken glass or syringes that they don't pick them but but leave them and get an adult. They can then continue to play safely away from the unsafe objects. This will also be covered in Wellbeing - Child Safety lessons in the next fortnight. You may like to show your child a picture of some sharp objects to stay clear of and seek adult help. 

Student Representative Council update

Towards the end of last Term and at the start of this Term, our Student Representative Council Meetings have been focussed on student wellbeing and safety. In particular, we are looking at ways of improving the playground experience for all students so that they are safe and are able to enjoy themselves as much as possible during break times. The council was asked for their feedback on “hotspot” areas which can be improved. Personally, I was thrilled with the students who were able to honestly and insightfully identify their concerns. They were also encouraged to conduct their own observations in the playground, and seek the input of their peers and classmates.

The staff Wellbeing Team consisting of myself, Cathy Ferrari, Catherine Le Hunt, Ian Scott, Daniela Borgese, Aoife McGuiness and Kat Reade have also met to analyse the school’s data in relation to playground incidents. Combined with the student input, the SRC and the staff Wellbeing Team will look to improve playground expectations, so that all students understand their role in contributing to a safe and harmonious playground. 

Pastoral Care Program with St Mary’s College

This Term we are fortunate to have Emma Doyle from St Mary’s College who has engaged with us to bring pastoral care connections between the college students and our primary school.

Emma, with some Year 10 students are organising some sport games and activities to run with our Year 6 students during break time. The first 2 sessions have been a huge hit and I thank our student Wellbeing Leaders Mateo, Anabella, Molly and Harriet for surveying the Year 6 students on games that they would like facilitated by the college students.

Other ideas for pastoral care between the College and the Primary School include a reading Buddy Program and a Digital Technology Program. We are fortunate to share our Parish with the College and we are looking forward to the benefits of our primary school students interacting with college age students.

Save the date: P&F Student Movie Night, Thursday 25th August

Please save the date for our next event, a movie night for all students in Prep to Year 6 on Thursday 25th August at 5:00pm. Details to come in the next newsletter.