From the Principal

 Do all that you do with love ~

Dear Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you rested, rejuvenated, and ready to embark on the journey that is a new school year.

As we opened our doors to a new academic year, our staff were buzzing with anticipation and enthusiasm. We extend a warm welcome back to returning families and say a big hello to those who are joining us for the first time. 

Our Foundation learning space was all ready for the little people and our teaching team, Miss Foster and Mrs Tyne, had their biggest smiles ready. It was a joy to be outside welcoming families through the gate and taking photos of such an important milestone for the children. I'm sorry if I missed some of you, I know a few families used the side entrance and I tried to catch as many as I could!

Attendance

Every day counts in terms of school attendance. Every day your child misses is an important piece of learning and whilst a day here and there might not seem a big issue, these days soon add up. If your child misses 1 day of school each fortnight, that is the equivalent of 4 weeks a year. 

This doesn't mean we are asking you to send your child to school when they are unwell, please keep them at home if they are sick. We also understand that for many of you, visiting family involves taking extended trips overseas. If you are planning a family holiday, please email me to let me know.

If your child is not attending school the process below needs to be followed:

• Please phone the school before 9.00am or provide written communication about an absence. 
• Alternatively, you can register your child's absence on PAM.

If the school has not received an explanation for a child's absence by 9:30am, an SMS will be sent to parents / guardians requesting that they contact the school as soon as possible, registering their child/ren's absence. If the school has not received a response to the SMS by 10:00am, a phone call will be made requesting an explanation for the child's absence. Please note, if contact cannot be made with a parent / guardian, the school will begin to contact emergency contacts from 11:30am.

Please help us by communicating an absence from school as soon as possible.

A prayerful moment

I shared the poem below with the staff on Tuesday as we embarked on a day of professional learning focusing on ways we can support the children in our care. I share it with you as well as this work cannot be done in isolation, the best possible education for your child can only be achieved by the school and home working in partnership together.

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day

Seeing a little one out at play

"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile

"Mine to keep a little while

To bathe his hands and comb his hair

To tell him what he is to wear

To prepare him that he may always be good

And each day do the things he should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again

As the door opened and someone came in

"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile

"Mine, to keep just for a little while

To teach her how to be gentle and kind 

To train and direct her dear little mind

To help her live by every rule

And get the best she can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more

Just as the little one entered the door

"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled

And each took the hand of the little child

"Ours to love and train together

Ours this blessed task forever." 

Thank you for the wonderful start to the term, here's to a great year!

Felicity Broughton

Principal

principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au