High Expectations, Inclusivity, Students with a Voice, Excellence for All!

Achievements

Another term has come to an end so quickly. As I reflect on what has been achieved, I congratulate the students and staff who have again, made the term another successful and rewarding one. Some of the highlights are: The Resilience Project started; 100 days at school for Foundation Children; Book Week Celebrations; National Science Week activities; Football and Netball Lightening Premierships; Soccer Final; Districts Athletics; Grandparents and Special Friends’ Celebration; Excursions; Incursions; Athletics Day; Assemblies; Masses; Confirmation; SAT; PFA; P&F and St Aloysius Concert, and then just the regular teaching and learning that has taken place in our Science based unit of work this term.

Confirmation

Last week the students from Year 5 & 6 received the Sacrament of Confirmation during a Mass celebrated by the Very Rev Fr Brendan Hayes. Fr Hayes acknowledged the importance of the sacrament in that the students were given the opportunity to take responsibility for their faith journey and take hold of what they believe in.

The preparation by their teachers enabled the candidates to realize the steps that they were taking would eventually be the basis of the journey of faith in their lives. This would then lead to them taking a greater, more mature role in the Church's mission of living the Christian faith daily and witnessing to Christ everywhere.

The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit were referred to during their preparation and are an acknowledgement of what everyone has within them. The children who were not being confirmed were part of the preparation and for them it was a realization that the Spirit is with all of them.

Thank you to their teachers Ms Estelle Austin, Mr Daniel Podbury and Ms Vanessa Will who have worked alongside the De La Salle and catechetical class students, in preparing them for the sacrament, and to Mrs Toni Dent for being the liaison teacher between the four groups of students during the preparations.

A special thank you to Ms Kathryn Hannan who helped after Mass during the small celebration in the Pavilion. (See photos on the Confirmation Page of this newsletter).

Wellbeing

I wish to advise that Ms Peta Overbury will be taking on responsibility for this role for the remainder of the year while Mrs Emma Clausen is on parental leave.

Birth Notice

We welcome the birth of Georgia Evans-Smith who was born on Sunday weighing 6 pound 6 ounces. We congratulate Samantha, Dave, Emily and Max on her safe arrival and are happy Mum and baby are doing well.

The Green Resurfacing

The turf on the green section of the play area will be replaced over the holiday break. We thank the PFA and their fundraising, as these funds have contributed to payment for this work.

Working Bee

Our second Working Bee for this year will be on Sunday 20 October from 1.30-3.30pm in preparation for the Art Exhibition and the Spring weather. A reminder that if you attend the event your Maintenance Levy will be credited to your school fees. If they have been paid in full, the credit will apply to next year's fees. If your child is leaving at the end of the year, the levy will be refunded.

CEMSIS Surveys

The Survey Portal closes this Friday so please take the 10 minutes required to complete the surveys. Thank you to the families that have already done so.

Sun Hats

In line with our SunSmart Policy, it is an expectation that in Term 4, all children wear their hats when they are involved in any form of outdoor activity, on return from the school holidays. Only the appropriate and tidy school hat is to be worn.

A 'No Hat no Play!' Rule applies.

Last day of school for 2019

As indicated in a recent communication to all families, the school year will end on Friday 13 December for the students at both campuses. Thank you to the families who have indicated that they will be requiring the OSHC program during the three days from Monday 16 December until Wednesday 18 December provided at Glen Huntly. For the families that haven’t indicated that they will be needing the service, would you please send an email to me directly by Friday 11 October, so the necessary arrangements can be finalised for you. Latecomers may not be accommodated due to already large numbers.

St Aloysius After School Care Program

Below you will find a copy of the communication sent to families at Caulfield Campus this week, for your information. Mrs Julie Moir has been instrumental in the running of the program since 2008. Her dedication and commitment to the students and families must be commended and valued as true spirit of the community.

Dear Parents,
We wish to advise with sadness and regret after some 35 years of Service to the parents of St Aloysius Primary School, that we will be closing the St Aloysius After School Care Program.
With the closure of the St Aloysius Primary School, it will not be feasible to continue running the Program.
The last day of the Service will be Friday 13th December, 2019, in line with the closure of the St Aloysius Campus.
Thank you to each of you that have used the Service on a regular basis or just an occasional basis, it has been fabulous watching each of the students grow.
Yours faithfully,
Julie Moir Margaret Carlei
Co-Ordinator Principal

Personal Message

I wish all our families and staff a happy, safe and well deserved break over the next two weeks. I look forward to returning reinvigorated and ready to start our Term 4 with the same commitment to teaching and learning expected by the high standards already set at our wonderful campuses.

Sincerely with kind regards

Margaret Carlei

Principal

“A PRAYER FOR STRONGER COMMUNITIES,

SAFER CHILDREN.”

Gracious God, you said, “let the children come to me”.

The hurt felt by those wounded by abuse weighs heavily upon us.

Trust has been eroded when institutions failed to appropriately respond to their needs. Lord, we as Church stand in need of your healing and help.

We ask, you god, to strengthen and guide all in our catholic communities. Grant us wisdom in our time to make decisions that protect children and the vulnerable.

May our families and communities, through love, generosity, commitment and patience, build stronger communities safe for our children.

Let your grace and love fall gently upon our children, giving them the inner strength, peace and resilience they will need for their life’s journey.

We ask you, God, to help our catholic communities to be resolute in building a community where our children flourish and are safe.

Amen.

Prepared by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

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