Principal's Desk

Dear Parents,

This evening I have the pleasure of hosting our current Parents’ Association (P.A) and School Advisory Council (SAC) members for a light supper and refreshments. It is an opportunity to express our thanks and gratitude for their generosity of time and talents. The members of the PA are tasked with the responsibility of building community through social events as well as raising funds for the benefit of our students. The SAC members provide input and advice on a variety of school matters, including school initiatives, policies and school improvement. Both the PA and SAC require a commitment to attending meetings on a regular basis, often with actions to follow. Once again, we are thankful for the willingness of these parents to contribute to our community - thank you!

Finding time to volunteer can be extremely challenging, with work and family commitments understandably the priority. Within the school calendar of events, there are many opportunities for parents to be involved in the life of the school. While some parents are able to commit to being part of a formal committee or advisory council, others are willing and able to assist where required.

I would like to express my gratitude to every parent who has volunteered in some way, shape or form. This includes, but not limited to, sporting events, excursions, Mothers / Fathers day stalls, whole school community events, classroom help and working bees, just to name a few. A huge thank you to you all!

Christmas Family Night - this Thursday - change of schedule

Due to the forecast of steady rain for the remainder of the week, we have had to cancel the food trucks as they require advance notice for cancellation without the school incurring additional costs.

The revised schedule for the event is 6pm - 7pm.

Families are still encouraged to bring along a picnic dinner, rugs and chairs and to dress in a Christmas theme! There will be no food sales on the night. The event will take place on the basketball courts.

In the event of wet weather, the evening will be cancelled - fingers crossed the rain stays away!

Farewell of staff

I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the following staff for their contribution to HT. I look forward to formally thanking them at the end of the year.

Mrs Brylie Johnson (St John the Baptist, FTG)
Mr Jason Kumar (St John Vianney’s, Mulgrave)
Jo Thompson (Noble Park Primary)

We will also farewell Laura Crowe, who is expecting her third child early next year.

I wish these staff members all the best as they pursue new opportunities to further their careers.

New online platform - SIMON / PAM (Parent Access Module)

As communicated earlier this term, we have made a decision to transition to a single platform named SIMON / PAM (Parent Access Module) for our school management and communications. SIMON Everywhere is the APP interface that opens up the ability for the school to use push notifications as the main communication tool with parents.

Through this interface parents will be able to enter student absences, access important and helpful documents and forms, links to useful web sites, view reports, sick bay visit information, consent for excursions, real time update of student medical information, acceptance of school policies etc.

What happens next?

In the week beginning 27th November, all parents will receive an email from noreply@yourschooldomain that contains instructions and a link to click on. Please ensure that you check your JUNK or SPAM mailbox. The email may arrive this week or next.
Parents must create their PAM password by clicking on the link in the email. This will allow them to log in to the browser version of the Parent Access Module (PAM).
Download SIMON Everywhere from the App store/Play Store. Select the Tools menu option and Add School. Find Holy Trinity School from the list then select the “Login” button for parents. Login using the PAM login details. See attached flyer for details.
Once SIMON Everywhere is set up, there is no need to go to PAM through the web any more
Once logged in, parents will need to verify their email address
If parents would like to change their password or email address at any point, they can go to the Settings icon associated with the selected school Enter details into the ‘Change password’ or “Change Email” boxes. NOTE that an email address change will require that email address.

School Fees 2024

Please refer to the attached page in regards to the School Fee structure for 2024.

Music Program 2024 - final opportunity to complete the expression of interest!

We are moving in a new direction with our private musical instrumental lessons in 2024. We are looking to engage with the `Music Bus’. Visit www.themusicbus.com.au for more information.

Classes to be offered are:

Keyboard (Prep-y6)
Ukulele ( Prep -y6)
Drums (y1-y6)
Guitar (Y2-y6)

Lessons will :

* be 30 minute duration - once per week

* be held in the hi tech music classroom on wheels on our site

* cost $20 per week ($22 drums) payable by the term on commencement

If you wish to take part please complete this expression of interest form by Wednesday 29th November (extended date) The Music Bus - expression of interest form

Victorian Fisheries Authority - Little Angler Kits

Today each Year 5 student has been given a `Little Angler Kit’, compliments of the state government.

`The Victorian Government is giving Victoria’s next generation of recreational fishers the opportunity to get hooked on fishing, with free Little Angler Kits for kids across Victoria.

The kits will set families up with everything they need to wet a line including a fishing rod and reel, line, tackle box, some tackle and a Kids’ Guide to Fishing that includes information and links to educational resources to learn the basics such as fishing safety, knots and rigs.

The kits will help youngsters get active, learn about the aquatic environment and have fun in the great outdoors whether they be down the coast, on Port Phillip Bay or by a river in regional Victoria.’

For more information visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au

End of Year - Important Dates:

Gratitude Mass - Friday 8th December @ 10.00am

The students will travel to and from St Judes Church by bus for a whole school end of year Gratitude Mass. Parents are welcome to attend.

Following Mass, remaining in the Church, the `hand over of student leadership ceremony’ will take place. We will also use this opportunity to farewell staff who will not be returning to Holy Trinity in 2024.

Move Up Day - Monday 11th December

The class groupings for 2024 will be announced to students. Students will have the opportunity to meet in their new class groupings and meet their new classroom teacher.

Semester Two Reports

School reports will be accessible online from Monday 11th December.

Last day of School (Year 6 / Years Prep - 5)

Our Year 6 students will finish the school year on Thursday 14th December with a Guard of Honour commencing on the basketball court at 12.30pm. They will then attend the Graduation Mass and Ceremony at 6.30pm at St Jude's Church.

Students in Years Prep - 5 will finish school on Friday 15th December at 1pm. There will be a Prep Graduation ceremony (Prep parents only) at 9am and a whole school assembly (all parents welcome) at 12.30pm. This will include the presentation of TORCH Bearer of the Term Awards.

Please note that supervision will not be provided by the school for students after 1pm (unlike Terms 1, 2 and 3). TheirCare will be open to provide a service from 1pm until 6pm.

2024 Important Dates

Please note that a number of dates have been added to the `Important Dates' section of the newsletter.

School Blog

Our students are responsible for a lot of the School Blog content, so please take some time to appreciate their posts. It is also a great way to find out about school events such as Camp, Production, Sports Events, the Arts …. And much more!

http://blog.htws.catholic.edu.au/

Warm Regards,

Adrian Scutt

Principal

Time to eXcel