Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to week one and the beginning of another new year at school. I hope you enjoyed a great break with family and friends and are ready for another busy year at St. Christopher’s. It was terrific to see so many excited children (and parents) on Tuesday. We welcome all of our Prep 2024 children and their families as well as those new families whose children joined other grade levels throughout the school. We also welcome back all of our returning families and staff. We look forward to working in partnership with everyone in our community and celebrating many great moments with you in 2024 and beyond.

Assemblies

This year our assemblies will take place on Fridays at 3pm in the hall. These will commence tomorrow and include our students of the week. Next week's assembly on Friday 9th February, will include the distribution of the Year 6 Leadership badges. All parents and friends are welcome to attend any assembly.

School Times

School Hours 2024

The school day begins at 8:55am when the bell sounds and students must be in attendance. If you are dropping your child off after this time, they will need to be taken to the office as external doors will be be locked. Students can be dropped off at school from 8:30am when there will be a teacher on duty at the crossing. The doors to the school will be opened at 8:45am so that students can put their bags away and get ready for the day. Students should then go back outside to play until the bell sounds. School concludes each day at 3:30pm. Students not picked up from school immediately must wait near the hall. Students can only play on the playground if their parents are supervising. A teacher will be on duty at the crossing until 3:45pm. Students who are not collected by this time will be taken to the office and parents will be contacted. Any children still in the office at 4:00pm will be taken to After School Care. Before and After School Care (Camp Australia) is available for families who require care for children outside of the times stated above. Please note that staff meetings this year are usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and as a result, teachers will not be available after 3:40pm on these days. If you wish to discuss a matter with your child’s teacher, please see them or myself, to make a time.

Parking/Safety

Please ensure that you park within the allocated parking bays either near the church or behind the hall. For safety reasons it is not appropriate for students to cross Doon Avenue, especially near the corner opposite the office. Please also note that it is illegal to do a right hand turn into Blackburn Road from Doon Avenue during peak times (morning drop off and afternoon pick up).

Parent Teacher Meetings

These will be held on Monday 12th February. On this day students will be dismissed at 1pm. Camp Australia After School Care will be available from this time if you require it. You will receive an email that details how to register for an interview with your child's teacher. Please note that the purpose of these interviews is for parents to share important information about their child with the classroom teacher.

Extra Curricular Activities

Some of our extra curricular activities (Tennis, Instrumental lessons and Robo Buddies) commenced this week. Chess and Kelly Sports will commence next week. If you would like your child to be a part of any of these programs, see the contacts on the 'Extra Curricular Activities' page.

Kelly Sports

Kelly Sports will start again at lunch time on Tuesday for all interested children in Prep to Year 4. Please see the flyer below to register your children.

PSW School Bags

Some families wanting to purchase school bags from PSW late last year or earlier this year, were told that they didn't have any in stock. PSW have advised that they now have school bags available.

Working With Children Check (WWCC): All people who volunteer in a school, including parents, are required to have a WWCC. Registration can be completed on line at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au .

If you have concerns regarding your child's learning or wellbeing, please contact their teacher or myself.

Regards

Shane Davoren

Prayer

of the week