Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome back! It has been so lovely to see many of you at drop off and pick up over the past week as we dive into the final term of 2025. I hope that you found some time to relax and recuperate over the school holidays, even if that meant simply appreciating a slower pace or being out of routine for a while. It is always a pleasure to come back to school and feel the buzz around the place as students reunite with their classmates and catch up with their teachers.

Through our Inquiry Projects units this term, centred around the theme "Together, We Belong", students will have the opportuntity to broaden their understandings of the world around them and what it means to be part of a community where diversity, identity, tradition and culture are rich and thriving. Again, I invite anyone who may be able to support students' learning in this space through immersion in a cultural or language experience, workshop, talk or performance to reach out. After all, who better to teach us about our community than our community itself?

I wish you all the best for a wonderful Term 4 and, as we begin to think about closing out the year, hope that you will celebrate the learning, growth, accomplishments, blessings and experiences that have made up your children's time at SoGS in 2025. We are looking forward to an exciting, busy, productive and fun term with plenty of special events, celebrations and opportunities for families to get involved.

Building & Facilities Update

Just before the holidays, the Year 5 classes were set up in the Art and STEM rooms where they will be situated for the beginning of the term, as the Year 5 area remains a construction zone for the final stages of work to be completed. Thank you to our wonderful teachers and students for their flexibility and adaptability as these improvements are made, particularly Mrs Garro and Mrs Peel who have given up their spaces so that the Year 5s can get on with learning while their classrooms are out of use. Art and STEM specialist classes are taking place in each classroom during this period, so there is minimal disruption to our regular schedule.

Over the holidays walls were knocked down, others were added, carpet and windows were installed and what an INCREDIBLE transformation already! The changes, while seemingly minor, will have huge impact in terms of learning and teaching as movement and sound will be streamlined, optimising the learning environment for all. We are so excited to see the final result and can't wait for the Year 5s to be back in their space enjoying their upgraded classrooms.

Fees & Finance

Thank you to the many families who have already finalised their school fees for the year. These contributions support our global budget, which funds building works, classroom resources, stationery, excursions, incursions, and specialist programs. Your support makes a real difference to the opportunities we can provide. If you are experiencing difficulty on meetings these payments, please contact the office to arrange a meeting time.

Road Safety Reminder

Safety is always our top priority. We ask all drivers to please slow down when entering the car park and remain vigilant at crossing points.

A reminder too that:

All children must remain in their seatbelt until the car has come to a complete stop.
Toddlers must be securely harnessed at all times.
Students should not remove their seatbelts while waiting in the Kiss and Drop queue.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep every member of our community safe.

Sun Safety Reminder

As we begin Term 4, students are reminded to wear their hats to and from school each day, as well as during lunchtime and recess and any other time they are outside throughout the school day. Please encourage your children to apply sunscreen before coming to school.

It is also timely to remind families to clearly label jumpers and jackets as it begins to warm up. Many belongings which get removed during play time often don't make their way into bags - if they are labelled they are easier to return to their owners.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth

Religious Education

Francis House Celebrations