News from our Assistant Principal

Louise Gordon| Assistant Principal

Swimming Carnival

Our annual school Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 28th November at Caringbah Leisure Centre for students in Years 2-5. This event is classified as a normal school day and all students are expected to attend.

We look forward to parents attending or volunteering their assistance at this event. Please ensure that you have provided consent via the Compass event for your child prior to the carnival.

Kindergarten and Year One students will participate in fun and fitness/water based activities on this day at school organised by our Year Six students.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish Christmas Eve Paraliturgy

If your child would like to participate in the Christmas Eve paraliturgy at our local parish, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Caringbah, we need some volunteers for readings and some actors for the Christmas story.

Please contact info@olfcaringbah.catholic.edu.au, with your child's name and grade so that we can start practising in the coming weeks for the upcoming mass.

*Note: To participate, your child/children must be able to attend Christmas Eve Mass on the 24th December at 5:30pm.

School Uniform

Students are reminded to wear their school hats daily especially with the warmer weather we are experiencing. Our school policy is ‘no hat no play’ and no participating in a sport lesson. Correct white sports socks are also to be worn with black or white sports shoes.

Carline Safety Reminder

With the many events that occur during the weeks leading up to the end of the year it is important that safety rules are followed especially when using carlines.

Please review the following important safety rules when using the carline facility:

DO NOT open car boots this is a safety hazard. Please have your child’s/children’s bags in the vehicle

SLOW DOWN - Adhere to the speed limit- 5km
Please remind your child/children not to walk between cars after exiting the car and to use the pedestrian crossing at all times. Please note that walking between cars is extremely dangerous
Display the family name in large, clear letters on the dashboard for easy identification at pick up
For ease of traffic flow please drive down to the second speed hump when directed

Do not stop over the pedestrian crossing

Parents/Carers are asked not to park in the school administration carpark for drop off or the surrounding business car parks.

Respectful Parking

We kindly remind all members of our school community that parking is not permitted in the local business areas, including the Caringbah Hotel and Dan Murphy’s carpark.

Local business owners have raised ongoing concerns that their customer parking spaces are being used during school pick‑up times. We ask for your cooperation in respecting these areas to maintain positive relationships with our neighbours.

Teaching respectful online socialising in a Catholic school community

As parents raising children in a digital age, we have a shared responsibility to guide them in using technology with kindness, integrity, and respect. In Catholic education, we strive to nurture not only academic excellence but also moral character. This includes helping our children become respectful and responsible “Cyber Citizens.”

Children begin forming their values and attitudes toward online behaviour long before they create their first social media account. They learn by watching us. That’s why modelling respectful online interactions is one of the most powerful ways to teach them.

Core Principles of Respectful Online Behaviour

Treat others as you would like to be treated
This timeless principle is central to Catholic teaching and applies just as much online as it does in person. Remind your child that behind every screen is a real person with real feelings.
Think before you post
Words and images shared online can last forever. Unlike spoken words, digital posts can be saved, shared, and revisited. Encourage your child to pause and reflect before posting, especially when emotions are high.
Be mindful with photos
Posting photos online gives others the ability to reuse or manipulate them. Teach your child to ask permission before sharing images of others and to think carefully about what they share of themselves.
Post when calm
Emotion-driven posts often lead to regret. Help your child understand the value of waiting until they feel calm before responding to conflict or posting about sensitive topics.
Two wrongs don’t make a right
Even when faced with disrespect or negativity online, responding with kindness and self-control reflects our Catholic values. Encourage your child to be a peacemaker, not a participant in online drama.

Tips for Parents: Modelling respectful online use

Be a role model: Speak kindly online, avoid gossip, and show restraint in emotional posts.
Talk openly: Share your own experiences and challenges with online communication.
Set boundaries: Create family rules around screen time and social media use.
Pray together: Include intentions for kindness and wisdom in digital spaces during family prayer.

Faith in Action: Digital citizenship as a Catholic value

Respecting others online is not just about etiquette—it’s about living our faith. Jesus taught us to love our neighbours, forgive others, and act with compassion. These teachings apply to every part of life, including the digital world.

Encourage your child to ask:

“Would I say this face-to-face?”
“Does this reflect the values I believe in?”
“Am I lifting others up or tearing them down?”

Helpful resources for Families

Louise Gordon | Assistant Principal