Principal's Report
Dear Members of the St. Cecilia’s School Community,
This is our last newsletter this term and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the St Cecilia's community, (students, staff and parents), for their work so far this year with such a renewed sense of hope and positivity. We have had such a positive start to the year and I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support of St Cecilia's and support for the staff; it is greatly appreciated.
I would like to thank the staff for their amazing work throughout the term in all areas of school life to ensure that the learning and care of all the children at our school is a priority. Thanks also to the Parents' Association for their work throughout the term and for those many parents who volunteer in our school in many various capacities. Our sense of community and willingness to contribute continues to make a difference.
Our capable and active Leadership Team continue to meet weekly to prepare and pave the way so that our School Improvement Plan for 2023 continues to strategically set out our key goals and actions that we wish to achieve this year.
Most of all, I would like to congratulate our students for a remarkable term. Tremendous learning has commenced, surrounded with events and special initiatives that continue to enhance the school experience for our young people. Experiences this year already have included: a senior leadership day, a public speaking program, Meet and Greets with the parents, Buddy Program, District swimming carnival for the swimming team, a Welcome Back Mass and Function, Foundation Info Night, many school tours for prospective parents, multiple Friday school assemblies facilitated by Year 6's, school photos, Naplan, Shrove Tuesday (pancakes), Ash Wednesday, Healesville excursion, cyber safety webinar, Open Day, Year 5/6 Sailing, school disco, a Holy Week presentation and a BRAND NEW WELCOME GARDEN!
What a busy and exciting first term!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Easter and encourage you to bring your families along to the St Cecilia's Parish celebrations over Holy Week and Easter.
Have a safe and restful term break and we look forward to a busy and productive Term 2 that commences on WEDNESDAY 26TH APRIL.
(We will have a coffee van on that first day back for staff and parents! - see below)
Celebration of Holy Week
Today we were led by our students through a remarkable celebration of Holy Week. This year our class enactments were held in the hall followed by a Stations of the Cross walk facilitated by our senior students. This was held throughout the school grounds including Father Kevin's garden. In order to include our parents and parishoners, we invited them to participate in the Stations of the Cross component. We would like to thank the 30 or so parents or parishoners who were able to join us.
This was an incredibly moving, reverent and meaningful celebration. I would like to thank Annmaree Hoy for her leadership with this occassion and her impactful words to the staff and students, to the senior staff and students for the poignant and memorable depiction of the Stations of the Cross and to the students in each level who sang, moved and prayed for us to provide a perfect lead in to this Easter season.
St Cecilia's Holy Week and Easter Mass Times:
Thursday 6th April Holy Thursday
7:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
Friday 7th April Good Friday
3:00pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Saturday 8th April Easter Vigil
7:30pm Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
Sunday 9th April Easter
10:00am Easter Mass
(please note: no 5:30pm Mass)
School Advisory Council
This week we held our first School Advisory Council meeting for the year.
Our Council is made up of the following members:
Chair: Paul Townsend (Parishoner)
Secretary: Sarah Begley & Laura McCarthy (parents)
Principal: Marty McKenna (Principal)
Parish Priest: Father Kevin (Parish Priest)
General member: Matt Mooney (staff member)
General member: Jen McGrath (parent)
The School Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the voice of parents/carers and the wider parish informs and supports the decisions made by the principal and parish priest for the good of school and parish. At all times, School Advisory Councils have the wellbeing of, and outcomes for, students as a paramount consideration.
The School Advisory Council supports the school and the principal in many ways, including by:
• supporting the development of child safety initiatives and culture
• promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and culture
• articulating and enacting the school’s vision and mission
• promoting faith formation and development
• assisting with capital resource planning and maintenance
• disseminating information about the school in accordance with the Terms of Reference for School Advisory Councils
• implementing school policies as required
• supporting and communicating school and parish matters, including the school’s annual report
• giving advice on issues such as enrolments, school improvement plans and enrolment trends
• engaging in discussion about the annual school budget and other financial matters
• giving advice about the school’s master plan.
We look forward to sharing more news on the goals and work of the St. Cecilia's School Advisory Council.
2024 Enrolment Process
Numbers are building rapidly for Foundation 2024
We have provided many school tours for prospective parents already this year for Foundation 2024. The level of enthusiasm and interest is enormously encouraging.
This note is simply a check in to see that we have accurate numbers of siblings that are intending to commence Foundation next year at St. Cecilia's. Several families have indicated that a sibling will be commencing but have not yet submitted an enrolement form. Please ask for one at the front office or download one directly from our school website.
If you have a child starting school in 2024 please ensure you have submitted your application form asap! (available on our website). http://www.scgleniris.catholic.edu.au/
If you intend to enrol a child in Foundation at St. Cecilia's in 2024 at St. Cecilia's please complete this form (if you have not already done so)
Parents Association (Maintenance Committee)
We have recieved a very limited response for the following initiative - so I thought I might just place this in our newsletter again - in case there are any interested and willing parents! Thanks.
We are excited to announce a new initiative at our school that will require your involvement and support. We are forming a maintenance committee that will be responsible for various tasks to improve the school grounds.
As a Catholic Primary School, we strive to create a welcoming environment for our students that reflects our values of community and service. We believe that by working together, we can make our school a better place for our children to learn and grow.
The maintenance committee will be responsible for tasks such as gardening, painting, and general upkeep of the school buildings and grounds. We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated parents who are willing to lend their time and expertise to help us achieve our goals.
We believe that involving parents in the maintenance of our school will foster a sense of ownership and pride in our community. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet other parents and build relationships that will benefit our children.
We invite all interested parents to complete this brief google form that will enable us to take this initiative further. We look forward to working with as many parents as possible to create a beautiful and welcoming environment for our students.
Parking - Pick up and drop off
I met with our local council onsite yesterday regarding our drop off and pick up zone. We have applied for some updated signage that might assist our parents and neighbours around what is permitted and what is not. We are still experiencing examples of parents making unsafe decisions. Next term I will provide our community with a clear update with any new information.
Thank you to all parents who continue to show patience and demonstrate safety during this tricky time, particularly in the afternoons.
NCCD Information Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) On School Students with Disability.
What is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data?
Schools must now complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) every year. It counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or “help” at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs of students with disability.
Please read the following form for more information.
Free Yoga Classes
Over the past two weeks, we have been able to offer some free lunchtime Yoga sessions for our students.
These sessions were faciliatated by Mel from Australian Yoga Academy.
Australian Yoga Acacdemy has been delivering programs since 2000.
For more information about their work, please click on the link below.
https://australianyogaacademy.com/yoga-aya/
We had a fantastic response from many students from all year levels.
Early next term we will send out new information for families that would like to enrol their child(ren) in a 5 week Yoga Course during the first half of a lunchtime.
More info to come regarding costing, dates and permissions.
We believe that yoga:
- Provides skills for students to use in everyday life
- Promotes self-esteem and positive self-image
- Improves individual and social awareness
- Calms and settles the mind
- Enhances physical strength, fitness, and flexibility
Congratulations and thankyou to all of those students that took part and had a go!
Coffee Cart
COFFEE VAN IS COMING!
Date: Wednesday 26th April (1st day back next term)
Event: Coffee Cart Morning for staff & parents
Location: Outside the hall
Times: 8am(staff) 8:30 - 10 am (parents)
Coffee - Flat White, Latte, Cappuccino, Long Black, Short Black/Espresso,
Chai, Hot chocolates, Tea/herbal teas
Milk options: Full cream, lite, Soy (Bonsoy), Almond (Alternative Dairy Co - but we keep a MilkLAB for anyone that requests it specifically), Oat & Lactose free
Sugar (Low GI Liquid Raw Sugar) or Equal sugar free sweetener, Flavour syrups: Caramel, Vanilla, Hazelnut (what a choice!)
Drop the kids and stay around for a coffee and a chat!
(for the adults only please)
Gold coin donation.
See you there...
Enjoy the holidays everyone,
Marty McKenna
Principal
St Cecilia’s School