From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at two masses last Sunday. Bishop Tony Ireland, our southern regional Bishop, celebrated mass and confirmed our Confirmation candidates.

I would like to thank and congratulate all the Confirmation candidates for their conscientious preparation to receive the Holy Spirit – they practised with great enthusiasm, clearly understanding and appreciating the nature of the Sacrament and its meaning for them as young Catholics. Most importantly, the children were well prepared by you, as parents, and by our dedicated 5/6 teachers Ilona Cetrola, Clare Inwood, Jacqui Sharp and Shanlan Moore and most I am sure, understood the significance of the occasion in their journey of faith. I also acknowledge the work of Jo Cowan, our Religious Education Leader, who supported the children and teachers through the preparation of this sacrament.

Let us pray that this group of children will be able to keep the Spirit alive within by calling on the gifts and fruits of the Spirit when the need arises in their lives. We all must endeavour to be open to the Spirit to deal with the challenges we face in the world today.

School Promotions

We are often reviewing ways in which we can best promote our school to the wider community.

This week we were excited to have new signage installed on our new building. It is anticipated that this can be seen if you are heading city bound on Ferntree Gully Road and also as you head south down Huntingdale Road.

We are also preparing signage to add to the high brick wall on Ferntree Gully Road. This will take the form of some large photos which will showcase our facilities and student learning in action.

Another way of connecting with our local community as well as promoting our school is through our interactions with our local kinders and Early Learning Centres. At least twice each term we are visiting St John's Kinder, Three Bees ELC and Guardian ELC to have our senior students read to the preschoolers. Our children enjoy this activity and the preschoolers love having a story read to them.

Jon Bode, our Performing Arts Teacher, has also been visiting these preschools and offering a free 30 minute incursion/drama activity.

3-6 District Athletics

Next Monday, 22nd August, sixty-seven of our Year 3-6 students will be competing in the district athletics against other Catholic and Government schools within the area. These students have been offered training before school each Thursday thanks to Sue Tobin.

We wish all our athletes a fun and successful day.

Swimming

Our Prep- Year 4 swimming program commences next Tuesday and students will be heading to Ashburton Pool for their lessons.

A swimming program is now mandated in all Victorian schools and is viewed as an important component of every child's education.

Our Year 5 and 6 students will be participate in an Open Water Learning Experience (OWLE) later in the year. This program is lead by Surf Living Victoria and will take place at Mordiallac Beach.

FETE Update

The next Fete meeting will be held ONSITE next Wednesday 24th August at 7pm in the staffroom. Please refer to the Fete page in this newsletter for further updates.

Prep 2023 Meet and Greet

Next week Jill Palermo and myself will be meeting with our 2023 Preps and their parents for an informal conversation. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and put a face to our new students and learn more about them from their parents.

Take care and keep safe everyone

Brendan Welsford

Principal