Principal's Message

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends,

 

I trust families have been able to spend some time outside during these autumn days. The 'what ifs' that float around almost daily from our politicians tend to create even more uncertainty for so many areas of society particularly the education sector. We may as well enjoy the sunshine when we can!

 

I was reflecting back on how many families I have given my blessing to when they have told me they were heading off for a period of family travel, often up to and exceeding a term. My requests were always keep a diary, read each day and do some maths around travel costs/distances. 

 

Keeping that in mind, with your child/ren's class teacher and specialists continuing to provide a program close to what they would have received at school and parents at home helping your children the kids are in a pretty good position........ as long as they engage in the majority of the school learning. Should they miss school provided learning due to a break being required by a family or student for whatever reason please reflect on the quality time you actually get to spend with your own children doing activities you had never thought you would, even if it is crammed in around your own work commitments. Seriously, keep up the good work!

 

There has been a slight change to our remote learning provided by teachers from next week. Your children will have all of their specialists on the Wednesday and this will be the major focus for the day. It will hopefully allow families a bit of a break from such regular screen time and also allow for a focus on the important specialist teaching areas.  It will also allow our staff to hold their online meetings and provide some co-ordinated planning time. For all stakeholders- we believe it will be beneficial.  

 

Our class on-line meetings have commenced and I know there has been a lot of excitement around this. Our meetings are to have a wellbeing focus as I know the children will be looking forward to seeing and chatting with their teachers and classmates. Already there have been some additional teacher directed online interactions as well with staff working with small groups as required.  The world really has turned on it's head for home and school when teachers are in their homes meeting with students in their own homes. We are only 3 and a half weeks into remote learning. So much for all of us to learn together to make the most of this experience. 

 

A reminder again that we are very aware of how stressful this time is for many families regarding health and financial circumstances. As a school community we will continue to do our best to support your family in ensuring an ongoing education for our students. Please let us know if there is something we may be able to do to support you. 

 

Thanks to Michelle Haggarty, Mrs Trower and Mrs Thomas who co-ordinated the Mothers' Day gifts. They certainly enjoyed dropping many of these gifts off to the families who had purchased them and seeing our families in their own home settings. 

 

Here is a prayer you may wish to reflect upon:-

 

I  thank you, Creator of us all, for my  mother.

I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all those years. She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to love and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth.

 

Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace.

 

Bless her this day with your love.

 

God is with us - let your light shine!

 

God Bless

 

Rod

School Attendance and Unexplained Absence

Please ensure you contact the school before 9:30am if your child is going to be absent or late  by leaving a message on 9786 4736 and press #1.

If you are running late (after  9:00 am ) please attend the office to sign your child into school. 

 

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 phone call or text message.

If parent does not reply or 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.