News from our 

Assistant Principal

Student Attendance 

Systemic Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney must record daily student attendance. All student absences must be followed by an explanation/medical certificate from parents within one week of the absence. This can be completed using our school web based system – COMPASS.  Numerous absences including partial days can have a negative impact on quality learning time.

All academic research on attendance has a direct correlation between high attendance and high success. Sydney Catholic School’s Attendance Policy aims for students to maintain a high level of attendance across our system. To provide some context a student with a 90% attendance rate is absent for 4 weeks of the school year – the table below expresses clearly how quickly absences add up and can impact your son’s or daughter’s education.

School Fee Reminder 

As we are approaching the end of the school year, please ensure your school fees are paid in full by the due date of 28th November 2022, unless you have an approved arrangement to extend.  

Car Line - Safety Reminders                           

At Our Lady of Fatima we value the safety and wellbeing of all of our students. In the interest of the school community and in particular, those who use the car line service we remind parents of the following:

• Pick up times and any changes to these times for students K- 6 will be communicated via COMPASS. It is important not to arrive at the carline prior to your child’s allocated time to reduce traffic congestion. You may be asked to move on and return at the nominated time
• Please ensure that your family surname is clearly displayed on your windscreen
• Parents and visitors are to drive at a safe speed (not exceeding 5km) when on the parish and school grounds
• When dropping or picking up your child /children DO NOT exit your vehicles. If your child is unable to leave or enter the vehicle unaided you are asked to park off site and walk to the school to collect your child from the oval or school exit gates
• Students are not to walk between cars when exiting their car but to walk to the pedestrian crossing
• DO NOT open/pop car boots as this can be a safety hazard for students and teachers on the Pedestrian crossings. Please have your child’s/children’s bags in the vehicle

STEM Program

VMware, which is one of the largest software companies in the world, has joined forces with Our Lady of Fatima to deliver a series of coding sessions as part of the Hour of Code program.  A group of Stage 3 students have been selected to participate in this initiative, Each session has the students completing written and virtual challenges via a series of online games using Google and Scratch. The program will be delivered virtually via Zoom and face to face sessions. We look forward to the students sharing their experiences and acquired skills over the next few weeks.

Notre Dame University Student Teachers

We welcome the practicum students from Notre Dame University this term and wish them every success with their professional teaching experience. The practicum teachers will be working collaboratively with teachers designing a variety of teaching and learning activities aligned with the Curriculum and National Professional Teaching Standards to engage the students in authentic learning experiences.

De La Salle  Breakfast Club

The De La Salle and Year 6 Breakfast Club will commence in Week 3 on Wednesday 26th October from 7.30 am - 8.00am. Students will be served breakfast and have the opportunity to socialise with their peers and college students.

Students will be supervised by staff from Our Lady of Fatima in addition to college staff members.

Students can be dropped off at the front of the college at 7.30am where they will be met by a school staff member.

Please note that the college is not a nut free environment and products containing nuts will be available.

Louise Gordon | Assistant Principal