STA Clovelly Newsletter

Principal's Message 

OPEN DAYS @ STA

Over the past few weeks we have had open days for prospective parents. New families have visited and were taken on tours of the school by our Year six students. At the conclusion of the tours the parents have given feedback on how impressed they were of our Year six students.

 

I heard comments such as ‘the students know their school so well’, ‘the students talked to us about the history of the school’; ‘we were told about the St Anthony's charism’, ‘the students are so articulate.’ The praise for our Year six students was constant. Congratulations to our Year six students and to the teachers who assisted them with their preparation.

Harmony Day

This week, STA celebrated Harmony Da, which commences on the 21st of March every year. The staff and students came together to celebrate our diversity in accordance with the theme ‘everybody belongs’. Harmony week aims to engage people around the world to participate in their community, respect cultural diversity and foster a sense of belonging for everyone. 

 

On Monday, 21st March, students wore the colour orange and colours from countries around the world to represent freedom of ideas and inclusiveness. Students also completed a range of activities in their classroom to discuss the importance and significance of Harmony Day. 

Student Attendance 

Australia has one of the very best education systems anywhere in the world. Each day, our young people are provided with opportunities to learn more about the world they live in through their experiences in and out of the classroom. Schools teach children about themselves, their relationships with others and about life beyond school. This includes preparing them for the workforce. 

 

Regular attendance at school is critical to ensuring that every student has the kind of opportunities in life that he or she deserves. When students are not at school, they are missing out on so much. Without the knowledge, the skills or the support that schools are so good at providing, young people can get left behind and find themselves underprepared for a fast-paced and often very challenging world.

GOOGLE REVIEW 

As you may know we are heading into the enrolment period for students starting kindergarten in 2024.  As a key strategy in our marketing campaign, I ask that you promote the school by leaving a favourable review on the school’s Facebook page and Google Reviews 

(simply google St Anthony’s Clovelly and look for the page to the right). 

You may like to comment on:

  • Our caring teachers 
  • Strong sense of community were every child is known 
  • Opportunities for every student
  • Well appointed classrooms with up to date technology and flexible furniture options to enhance the learning environment.
  • Extra curricular activities in the arts dance, drama, music, guitar and keyboard lessons, chess, specialist art lessons.
  • Extra curricular activities in sport - pathways in swimming, soccer, rugby league, netball

Recent data has also suggested that word of mouth has a powerful influence on prospective families choosing a school for their child. Your continued support when speaking about the school in the wider community is greatly valued.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2024

Another Open Day is being held tomorrow, Thursday 23 March 9.00-10.30am & 3.30-5:00pm. All parents are encourage to attend and see learning in action. Please also let your family and friends know and encourage them to attend and submit their applications. 

Appropriate Use of Smart Watches at STA

It is becoming increasingly common for our students to be wearing Smart Watches and we ask for parents and carers to assist us in the correct use of these devices.

 

Incorrect / inappropriate use of Smart Watches could become an issue of privacy and distraction within school classrooms, playground areas and toilets.

 

Some versions of Smart watches have functions to take photos from the device, record sound, to receive messages and calls, and to send messages and photos or call. This is effectively the same as having a mobile phone at school.

 

As Smart Watches are “wearable’ devices and it would be inconvenient for watches to be taken off / put back on as students enter / leave school we are implementing the following procedures –

  • Please speak with your child about the correct use of their Smart Watch in the school setting ie not taking photos, not recording other people speaking, not sending / receiving calls or texts during school hours.
  • Parents/carers are asked to not text or call their child on the Smart Watch during the school day (due to the interruptions to learning time).
  • Please ensure your child’s watch is set to ‘Class Mode’ (if possible) so that they are unable to perform the above functions.
  • If not really needed for parents’ / carers’ “peace of mind”, GPS tracking or student safety (ie sending a text as a student leaves school to inform parents/carers they are on their way home, texting if there is problem on public transport, etc) then perhaps the Smart Watches are best left at home.
  • In situations of a student not using their Smart Watches appropriately, the device would be confiscated, parents/carers informed of the breach of school rules and asked to personally collect the device from the Front Office, and decisions would be made in relation to the child being able to wear the Smart Watch again in the future.

We thank, in anticipation, parents and carers for their support and co-operation with these requests / information in regard to the use of Smart Watches by students in STA. 

 

Please be aware that every classroom does have a clearly displayed wall clock and “bells” are used throughout the school day to indicate recess, lunch and home times.

DEEPEST SYMPATHY

We offer our thoughts and prayers to, Ms Meri Hardi, whose mother, Roza, died last week. We extend our deepest sympathy to Meri and her family at this sad and difficult time. May eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her. 

May she rest in peace. 

 

 

Yours in Partnership

Anna Novak

Principal