Week 6, 2020

To all the parents and carers of St Fidelis,

Last week the Catholic Church community began the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. As a faith community, the teachers and students joined the parishioners of St Fidelis to celebrate Mass. Lent lasts for a 40 day period during which we prepare ourselves individually and collectively to celebrate Christ's sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

Some facts about our Catholic traditions:

Why do we begin lent by wearing Ashes?

Wearing ashes, which can be a sign of mourning, unites us as we embark in this solemn period. The ashes reminds us to behave in a way that nurtures our relationship with God. On Ash Wednesday, we physically show our belief with ashes but our actions through the year must be our hallmark.

Father Michael spoke to all of us about the three practices especially associated with Lent: almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Almsgiving encourages us to do charitable works. Prayer enables us to commune with God and one another. Fasting directs our intention away from the physical needs to focus on the spiritual fullness. As Father Michael said we should not do these actions to boast to others but to take actions that strengthens our connections to God and each other as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus death and resurrection.

SCHOOL REMINDERS

EVERYDAY COUNTS

If your child is absent, please advise the office before 9:30am on the day of absence via:

Email: fidelis@sfmoreland.catholic .edu.au

Skoolbag app

Phone 93833600

If the school has not received a notification of your child’s absence you will be notified via SMS or phone call. Attendance at school is compulsory. It is a legal requirement to record all absences. These are recorded and will appear on your child’s report each semester. Please try to avoid booking after school activities where possible which require children to leave early. This will be recorded as early dismissal.

School Hours

Supervision begins and gates open at 8:30am.
First bell at 8:45am.
Second Bell at 8:50am (all students should be seated in class by this bell.)
Students are not to be left unsupervised in the street or front foyer.
School finishes at 3:15pm every day. Teachers will walk their class to the playground to ensure all students are picked up
If you are running late please call the office.

At the beginning and end of the day we welcome parents, grandparents toddlers and visitors to our school grounds as they drop off and pick up students. For safety reasons, school students are not permitted to play on the Adventure Playground before and after school. There are no ball games during these times to avoid any injuries.

WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT

We have a brand new website with a fresh new look, more information about our school and all that we have to offer. Thank you to Maria Surace (one of our lovely parents, mother of Dante 5/6CJ) and Genesis Websites for the many hours of work and consultation with the development of our website.

Check it out at sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au

Thank You Thank You!!!

Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to drop off our 2020 School advertising flyers. We still have more streets and more flyers if you would like to enjoy a lovely walk and help the school as well.

Facilities Update:

Since the last newsletter, a few things have happened in our Library/ STEM Innovation space.

Library books have returned and are ready for borrowing from this Wednesday
Tables have been placed in the space
Lego Robotic Kits are labelled and ready to go
iPad, desktops and interactive TV have been set up
Completion of laying of the carpet
Feature wall has been completed - come and have a look at the lovely design by (Anthony Brazel, Ava and Alfie’s dad ) It looks sensational!

Staff will undertake some professional learning at staff meetings in the coming weeks on the use of some of the robotics equipment we have purchased.

LIBRARY /STEM INNOVATION SPACE BLESSING

On March 18th at 8:50am, Father Cartwright will bless the new refurbishment. All of our School leaders and parents who are able to attend are invited into the SPACE for a special blessing. During the day, the students will be able to come and explore the SPACE with their teachers and class. Official classes for all St Fidelis students will begin in Term 2.

STEM/INNOVATION SPACE OPEN DAY

Please stay tuned for details about an Open Day and Twilight Evening for all parents to come and see out new Library/STEM Innovation Space. It will take place early Term 2.

Parents and friends

If you are able to attend the Parents and Friends meeting tonight at 7:30pm in the school staffroom we would love to see you. The funds raised by the hard working committee all go to your students' education. Without your assistance, the STEM/ INNOVATION SPACE would not have been possible this year. We still have lots we can add and improve in this Space but it will only be possible if we have enough volunteers. If you are unable to attend the meeting but are able to assist in other ways, please let a committee member know. In the coming newsletters I will let you know how much we require for further equipment and furniture for our new space.

Thank you so much for your time and generosity I am lucky to have an amazing community of parents and students.

School Fees –Term 1

There are three more weeks before First Term Fees are due. Please note our new fee paying structure for 2020.

Payment Schedule
Divide your Amount Owing by THREE (3) Instalments due by:
Instalment 1	Friday 20th March 2020
Instalment 2	Friday 19th June 2020
Instalment 3	Friday 11th September 2020 ALL FEE payments to be completed

School fee payments can be made via credit card, cheque or cash. A direct debit arrangement can also be organized please see Jane or Ann at the office.

Outstanding fees from 2019 must be paid immediately. Contact Mrs Watson if you need to discuss this further.

Our school does rely on school fees for many recurrent costs so prompt payment is appreciated.

Enrolments Existing Families

Existing Families Foundation enrolments 2021. If you are an existing family and have a child starting school in 2021. Please see Ann and Jane at the office for an enrolment fo

Community News

Penola Catholic College

Simonds' Catholic College

St Aloysius Girls College

Simonds Catholic College

Parade College

Mercy College

Genazzano College