Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to school for Term Three. It was great to see the smiling faces of the children on Monday morning and also to welcome some new families to our school. There are a number of exciting events and activities to look forward to in Term Three. Please look across at the 'Term 3 Event Details’ page for further detail and calendar dates. Specific information related to your child’s class will be forthcoming via Class Newsletters next week.

This term is always a great time of learning for the children. With limited interruptions, it is an opportunity for sustained teaching and learning in all year levels. The trajectory and acceleration of learning for some of our Prep children this term may well shock our Prep parents. As a staff, Week One is all about setting up the children for success in the upcoming weeks. We call it Wellbeing Week. Our staff commence a series of lessons from the You Can Do It program, with this term’s focus on one of the ‘Five Keys to Success’ - Resilience. Week One is also a time when we revisit expectations around behaviour, classroom routines, general bookwork and homework. At assembly on Wednesday, we will talk about manners, movement around the school and acceptable behaviours in the playground. As teachers, we need your help with this. The words ‘Hello’, ‘Please’, ‘You’re welcome’, ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘Thank you’, all begin to be formed at home. It is also at home that children learn to be honest, to be considerate of others, to be on time, diligent, show friends sympathy, as well as show respect for their elders and their teachers. Home is where they learn to be clean, not talk with their mouths full and how/where to properly dispose of waste. Generally speaking, the children of St Agnes’ are incredibly well mannered and exhibit exemplary behaviour. We all need reminders now and then though, so it would be great if you have some conversations with your children this week and perhaps even make the above a focus with your children for your household in Term Three.

P&F Social Night - Friday 12th August in the School Hall

Across on the P&F Page of this newsletter, you will find a ‘Save the Date’ for the upcoming parent social event. If you look closely at the graphics, you will be probably be able to work out what is planned for the evening and just how fun it is likely to be! It is being organised by parents of our school, for you, the parents of St Agnes’. It would be great to have a really strong attendance at this event. Such occasions help to foster a positive culture within our school, as parents/families form new relationships and strengthening existing ones. Tickets on sale soon!

Sacrament of First Eucharist and Confirmation

This term, our Year 4 students will prepare for and receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist. The Eucharist Family Faith Night is on Wednesday 20th July. The evening begins at 7:30pm in the school hall. The faith night will run for approximately 1 hour and it is an expectation that a parent/guardian attends this night with their child.

Our Year 6 Sacrament of Confirmation candidates will also prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation this term, to take place at the beginning of Term Four. The Confirmation Parent Information Night is on Wednesday 31st August at 7.30pm, in the hall. The students will receive the sacrament at Saturday evening mass on Saturday 15th October, which commences at 6pm.

Year Level Parish Masses

This Semester will also see the recommencement of weekend Year Level Parish Masses. After a challenging two years, we are making a concerted effort to strengthen the relationship between Parish and School. Each year level will help plan and lead a weekend mass and we ask that all children and families are present. This is part of the commitment to contributing to the faith life of our parish and school. Please see below, the dates for each year level mass - All masses are at 6pm:

Prep Parish Mass - Saturday 30th July
Year 1 and Year 2 Parish Mass - Saturday 10th September
Year 3 and Year 4 Parish Mass - Saturday 29th October
Year 5 and Year 6 Parish Mass - Saturday 12th November

It might also be a great opportunity for children and families to get together either before or after these masses for a social get together.

Extend - Before School and Vacation Care

We are pleased to confirm that Extend will offer Vacation Care onsite at St Agnes’ in the September School Holidays. The service will run four days per week, during both weeks of the holidays; Monday to Thursday. To allow this to happen, for the duration of Term Three, Before School Care will operate on Monday and Wednesday mornings only. After School Care will continue to operate as normal, five days per week. I encourage all families who require either or all of these services to make your bookings early and often. The more these services are utilised, the better chance we have of maintaining and growing these offerings.

State Cross Country Championships

Best wishes to Callan Duddy who is representing St Agnes’ at the School Sports Victoria State Cross Country Championships at Yarra Glen tomorrow. Callan has been very successful in all events to date and we wish him well for tomorrow. Go Cal!

Student and Staff Illness

This term, we expect there will continue to be Covid-19 cases and instances of the flu from time to time. Please keep your children home if they are unwell. It is not fair to other families or the staff if children are being sent to school while sick. As per our normal procedure, when children present to the sickbay unwell, parents will be contacted to collect them. Please continue to notify the school if your child or a member of your household tests positive for Covid-19. We have a supply of rapid antigen testing kits which can be made available when required. We also expect there to be ongoing challenges related to sourcing casual-relief teaching staff this term. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding as we look to split and join classes for short periods to cover staff absences.

Term Three School Fees

Term Three School Fees are now payable via EFT, cash or credit card. Please contact Shannon (sshine@sahighett.catholic.edu.au) in the office to organise payment. You will receive an updated statement before the end of this week.

Important Dates for Term Four

We will be having a whole school Grandparents Day on Thursday 27th October. There will be a Liturgy in the morning, classrooms will open and we will finish with morning tea (9am-11am). Our Visual Arts Showcase will also be held on the evening of Thursday 24th November. Students work from across the year will be on display, as will those who play musical instruments.

Assembly

Assemblies will continue to operate as normal this term, in the Hall on Wednesday afternoons at 2.40pm. Parents are welcome to attend. At assembly, there will be presentations from classes, student awards, birthday acknowledgements and special announcements.

Wed 13th July - No class presentation

Wed 20th July - Year 2

Wed 27th July - Year 6

Wed 3rd Aug - Prep

Wed 10th Aug - Year 5

Wed 17th Aug - Year 3

Wed 24th Aug - Choir

Wed 31st Aug - Year 1

Wed 7th Sept - Year 4

Wed 14th Sept - No class presentation

Looking forward to a great term ahead!

Kind regards,

Lachie.

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