Welcome
Manuela Watson
WEEK 2, 2020
We Love to Learn
St Fidelis is about Learning.
Learning about whom we are, our God and our World.
Learning involves students, parents, teachers, parish and our local and global community.
We learn best when we are safe, active and independent,
make connections, work with others and understand how we learn.
Together we try new things, value others, share our learning and reflect on what we have learnt.
We are guided by the teachings of Jesus and St Fidelis.
We are always and everywhere faithful.
To all the families and carers of St Fidelis,
What a warm start to the term! It was so lovely to see all the students happy faces last week especially when they reunited with their friends. I have really enjoyed catching up with the children’s stories and holiday adventures. I am so delighted to have caught up with many parents in the schoolyard, I look forward to working with you and your children again this year and delivering the best educational outcomes and opportunities that we can.
This year our Religious Education is getting to know The Gospel of Matthew. Last week the staff engaged in professional learning with Matthew Navaretti the (Religious Education Consultant from CEM) to explore different ways we can engage in scripture with our students this year. It was necessary to engage in this scripture passage as adults to enable us to listen to each others interpretation and to discuss ways we can teach and engage with the students when it comes to scripture. This term the whole school will focus on Matthew 25:35-40
'...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
This is a long newsletter this week with lots of information and reminders please take the time to read and familiarise yourself with school operations, information and reminders.
Have a great week
Manuela
Keep up to date with School events
To ensure you are kept up to date with school happenings our newsletter is distributed each Monday via email, SkoolBag app and on the schools webpage. You are strongly encouraged to read it each week so that you are continually informed about school events. Today’s newsletter contains lots of important information including upcoming school events and important aspects of school organisation and some important dates.
Sacramental Preparation and Celebrations Dates:
Eucharist
Tuesday 19th May –Eucharist Family Faith Night 7:00pm in the School Hall
Saturday May 23rd or Sunday 24th - First Eucharist Passport Weekend.
Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required
Saturday May 30th or May 31st –Second Eucharist Passport Weekend.
Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required.
Saturday June 6th or June 7th –Third Eucharist Passport Weekend.
Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required
Saturday June 13th or June 14th –Fourth Eucharist Passport Weekend.
Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required
Saturday June 20th FIRST EUCHARIST CELEBRATION at 2:00pm at St Fidelis Parish
Additional information will be given closer to the date.
Confirmation dates
Tuesday 14th July –Confirmation Family faith Night 7:00pm in the School Hall
Saturday 25th July and Sunday 26th July - First Confirmation Passport Weekend. Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required
Saturday 1st July and Sunday 2nd July - Second Confirmation Passport Weekend. Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required.
Saturday 8th July and Sunday 9th July - Third Confirmation Passport Weekend. Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required
Friday August 14th Year Six Confirmation Celebration at 6:30pm at St Fidelis Parish Church.
Reconciliation Dates
Tuesday 6th October - Reconciliation Family Faith Night 7:00pm in the School Hall
Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October – First Passport Weekend. Attendance at one of the Parish Masses is required.
Saturday 17th October and Sunday 18th October – Second passport weekend. Attendance at one of the parish Masses is required.
Saturday 24th October - Reconciliation Ceremony at 4:45pm at St Fidelis Church followed by 5:30 pm Mass (Group One)
Saturday 31st October - Reconciliation Ceremony at 4:45pm at St Fidelis Church followed by 5:30pm Mass (Group Two)
You will be allocated a group closer to the time of Reconciliation
New teachers to St Fidelis
A very warm welcome to four new teachers to our learning community, Ms Di Manthos (Deputy Principal, Literacy and Learning and Teaching Leader) Ms Colleen Monaghan (Numeracy leader) Ms Stefanie Carriera (Year 1/2 ) Ms Olivia Sargent (Year 5/6) I’m sure they have all been warmly welcomed by the St Fidelis Community.
Welcome Foundation Students of the Class of 2020
Last Friday we welcomed all our new Foundation students and their families. We saw many big similes on the student’s faces and of course, they looked so smart in their St Fidelis uniform.
It was wonderful meeting all the parents, the extended family and friends of our new students. The first day of school is such an important milestone one to cherish and hold on forever. My hope and dream is that all the children and families that have joined our community for the first time enjoy and cherish the next seven years and beyond in our parish and school community. I wish them well as they begin this part of their learning journey. I have visited the Foundation class each day and read them a story and they are a beautiful cohort of children ready for learning.
Foundation Rest Days:
The Foundation students have the following as rest days
Wednesday 5th February
Wednesday 12th February
Wednesday 19th February
Wednesday 26th February
Mrs Wenckowski will contact you when you child is required to come to school for learning Assessment. This assessment is a general assessment to assist in determining starting points for Literacy and Numeracy for each student. Full time begins Monday March 2nd.
Thank you to all staff
Thank you to all the staff for their preparation for the beginning of the year. A number of weeks prior to the start many staff returned to prepare for the beginning of the year. I want to thank them for their dedication and for giving up their personal time to ensure the best preparation for when the students return to school.
Facilities Update:
Over the summer holidays, work began on the refurbishment of the Library and STEM Innovation Space. I want to thank some of the dads in our community and other volunteers for giving up their time to assist with the removal of the carpet, wall heaters, demolishing and designing ideas of Stage One of what will be an amazing innovative, creative Learning Space when it’s finished.
Last week we saw electricians install some extra data points and power points. The painters will begin work this week and I hope the laying of the carpet to happen soon after that.
This refurbishment thus far has been possible due to the $20,000 from the Local School Community Grant we received last year and some of the equipment from the fundraising from the Parent and Friends.
Like all projects, this will have to be done in stages. Stage 2 will include more robotic equipment, Lego equipment, new shelving for books, soft furnishings for the library and some carpentry work for the library office.
My hope is that we have another successful fundraising year to enable this SPACE to be a showcase space where the students imagination will thrive through lots of hands on experiences, problem solving, creativity and also to have an environment where they can enjoy a good book in comfortable inviting surroundings.
Parents and Friends
Our first Parents and Friends Meeting for 2020 will be held on Monday February 10th at 7:30pm. Last year we discussed scheduling evening and day meetings in 2020. At next weeks meeting we will look at the 2020 calendar, organise dates and times for school events such as: Hot Food Days, Stalls for Mothers Day and Fathers Day and other fundraising ideas. If you have any ideas for fundraising please email myself or see one of the committee members. If you are unable to attend the meeting next Monday night. All fundraising for 2020 will continue to be spent in the Library/STEM innovation Space
Parent Teacher Conversations
On Wednesday the 12th of February, the students will be dismissed at 1:00pm in order to have the Parent Teacher Conversations. The conversations will begin at 1:30pm and you can book your time through the online booking portal.
The purpose of these conversations is for you to meet your child’s teacher and discuss their strengths, challenges and any other points of interest or concern that may be necessary for the teacher to know. This is another way for the teachers to add to your child’s profile as they get to know your child during the first months of school. In preparation for the conversations, teachers will be sending home questions for you to answer. Can you please answer a few questions about your child and return to school before the 12th of February.
End Of Day Dismissal
All classes have a designated area in the yard where they line up. Their classroom teacher will remain in the yard until someone that is authorised to do so picks up your child. If your child has not been picked up by 3:25pm they will be taken to the front office where they will be supervised until you arrive. If you are running late please call the office so that we can reassure your child that you are on your way as many children can get anxious.
Before School Drop Off
Due to child safety it is not acceptable to drop your child off at school before 8:30am as school supervision begins at 8:30am. Teachers and Office staff are busy preparing for the day and are unable to supervise early arrivals. The only exception to this rule is if you have scheduled an early meeting with the Principal or a teacher. We provide a before school service for parents who need to drop off their children early. Please adhere to the School Daily Routine below:
DAILY ROUTINE
The safety of all students is most important when students know what is expected of them each morning. It helps not only with the morning routine but enables them to be ready to begin each day and maximise their learning.
8:30am - School supervision begins
Students and families are permitted to enter classrooms and teachers are required to be present.
8:45am – First bell
All students to prepare for learning
8:50am – Learning begins
Whole school assembly (Mondays) in Hawthorn Yard
Whole school assembly – Prayer (Fridays) in the hall
10:00am – ‘Brain Food”
11:15am – 11:40am – Morning recess
1:15pm – 1:30pm – Supervised eating time
1:30pm – 2:10pm – Lunchtime (2:05pm - first bell “toilet, drink, line-up”)
3:15pm – Dismissal
Assembly
This year we will have two shorter assemblies. The main purpose of school assembly is to develop a feeling of unity among all the students, teachers and parents. It is a gathering of all members of our school for different purposes.
In 2020, we will have two school assemblies per week, Monday morning in Hawthorn Yard around the school flagpole and Friday morning in the school Hall.
Monday Morning assembly
The purpose of our Monday morning assembly is to:
- Communicate and focus the school’s agreed ways, dispositions or Gospel value that we want to display as individuals over a fortnight
- Acknowledge the students who are celebrating their birthday that week
- Communicate any special events for the week
- Say the St Fidelis School Prayer
- Sing the National Anthem
Friday Morning assembly
The purpose of our Friday morning assembly is to:
- Gather as a school community in the hall
- Pray together as a faith community (organised by a Year level)
- Announce the Students of the Week
- Listen to any announcements (Parents & friends, Caritas message, sports reports, individual recognitions etc….)
- NB every third week a year level will hold their class assembly to communicate their learning.
- This Friday will be our School Leaders assembly - all welcome.
Parent Getting to Know you Morning Tea
As part of our parent engagement, we will be having the Parent Morning Teas again this year. The purpose of these morning teas is for the parents to build relationships and promote a positive culture in the school community. It has been a tradition over the past couple of years for parents in classes to gather in the staffroom for morning tea and get to know each other over a cup of tea. This was introduced so that you can meet the parents of the children your child’s class. This year will be having Year level morning teas in the staffroom instead of class levels. Please save the date below:
The dates for the morning teas are
1/2s Monday February 10
3/4s Monday February 17
5/6s Wednesday February 19
Whole School Mass
On Friday February 14th we will participate in a Whole School Mass at 9:15am. Mass will take place at St Fidelis church. This will be the first Eucharist gathering as a school community for the 2019 school year. I would like to see as many families attend as possible as this is a special School Mass for all the community.
Medical Conditions
It is important that we are aware of the students who have particular medical conditions. If your child does have a medical condition please notify the school immediately if you have not done so already. Medical Action Plans are required to ensure the correct care can be administered in the case of a reaction or emergency. This includes Anaphylaxis and Asthma Action plans.
School Fees 2020
Some families have outstanding fees from 2019. If you are one of these families it would be appreciated if you come and settle your account this week. Below you will find the new fee payment structure for 2020. It would be appreciated if you pay your account by the payable by date listed below.
Student Levy Payments 2020
The student Levy of $480.00 from Foundation to Year Four and $790.00 for Years 5 and 6 will now be invoiced for Term One 2020 and payable by Friday 20th March 2020. This levy is per student.
School Fees 2020
Our family school fee in 2020 is $1840. This fee is broke into three accounts:
Term One $613.34 - Payable by Friday 20th March 2020
Term Two $613.34 - Payable by Friday 19th June 2020
Term Three $613.32- Payable by Friday 11th September 2020
ALL FEE payments to be completed Friday 11th September 2020
Payment Arrangements
If you wish to pay via instalments and /direct debit please see Mrs Russo or Mrs Prestia to arrange this.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) Application
Parent CSEF applications close on 30th June 2020. To be eligible you must:
a) Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be the holder of a Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR
b) Be a temporary foster parent, and
c) Submit an application to the school by the due date.
Application forms are available at the school office.
St Fidelis Parish - Youth Music Scholarship
Expressions of interest are open for our parish's Youth Music Scholarship 2020. This opportunity is open to Year 6 and high school aged singers who have a genuine interest in music. Youth Scholars are given free singing lessons, mentoring and have many performing opportunities, as well as a generous annual scholarship award. Please help spread the word.
Email us for more information - emily.tam.music@gmail.com