Principal's Report
Dear Parents,
This is our last newsletter this term and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the St Cecilia's community, (students, staff and parents), for returning to school this year with such a renewed sense of hope and positivity. We have had such a positive start to the year (despite numerous Covid cases throughout the school) and I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support of St Cecilia's and support for the staff; it is greatly appreciated.
I would like to thank the staff for their amazing work throughout the term in all areas of school life to ensure that the learning and support of all the children at our school is a priority. Thanks also to the Parents' Association for their work throughout the term and for those parents who volunteer in our school in many various capacities. We really feel as though we have almost returned to normality.
Our Leadership Team continue to meet weekly to prepare and pave the way so that our School Improvement Plan for 2022 continues to strategically set out our key goals and actions that we wish to achieve this year.
Most of all, I would like to congratulate our students for a remarkable term. Tremendous learning has commenced, surrounded with events and special initiatives that continue to enhance the school experience for our young people. Experiences this year already have included: a senior leadership day (ASPIRE), a debating program, STOMP dancing, Meet and Greets with the parents, a swimming carnival for the swimming team, anti-bullying incursion, Foundation Info Night, school photos, Year 5/6 Camp, Shrove Tuesday (pancakes), Ash Wednesday, Healesville excursion, cyber safety webinar, Open Day, French Cinema excursion, Year 5/6 Sailing, school disco, Colour Fun Run and Holy Week presentation.
Our year 6 camp was a wonderful event, where we all had such fun. What a blessing that we were able to reschedule with all involved. Enormous thanks must go to the staff who attended camp with the children for their 24/7, round the clock care, energy and enthusiasm.
What a busy and exciting first term!
As we posted yesterday, we enjoyed an awesome day on Thursday at Ferndale Park.
Lots of smiles! Lots of fun. The stuff that matters!
Our thoughts were with those who could not join us for the run.
A special thanks to our staff and incredible parent helpers!
Here's a little clip for those that couldn't be there (thanks Miss Walsh!)
Please note: fundraising is still open until the end of the holidays. First week back we will announce the process for ordering prizes.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Easter and encourage you to bring your families along to the St Cecilia's Parish celebrations over Holy Week and Easter.
Have a safe and restful term break and we look forward to a busy and productive Term 2 that commences on WEDNESDAY 27TH APRIL.
St Cecilia's Holy Week and Easter Mass Times:
Thursday 14 April Holy Thursday
7:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
Friday 15 April Good Friday
3:00pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Saturday 16 April Easter Vigil
7:30pm Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
Sunday 17 April Easter
10:00am Easter Mass
(please note: no 5:30pm Mass)
2023 Enrolment Process
Numbers are building rapidly for Foundation 2023
We have provided many school tours for prospective parents already this year for Foundation 2023. The level of enthusiasm and interest is enormously encouraging.
This note is simply a check in to see that we have accurate numbers of siblings that are intending to commence Foundation next year at St. Cecilia's.
Our school tours for Term 1 were fully booked and our enrolment numbers for foundation/prep 2023 are building quickly. If you have a child starting school in 2023 please ensure you have submitted your application form asap! (available on our website). http://www.scgleniris.catholic.edu.au/
If you are a current family and intend to enrol your child into Foundation next year, please complete this short form.
Parent Survey (Religious Education)
This is an invitation for St. Cecilia's families inviting them to complete a survey to assist us in our understanding of our Catholic Identity.
Catholic schools across Victoria were created through the vision, dedication, hard work and commitment of the whole Catholic community.
Today, schools are challenged to:
- articulate their identity and vision
- express their distinctiveness as Catholic schools in a society where the Christian faith is increasingly marginalised.
To assist schools in facing these present realities the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) and the Catholic Education Offices of Melbourne, have entered into a research partnership with the Catholic university in Leuven, Belgium (KULeuven) to profile and develop the Catholic identity of Catholic schools.
The Enhancing Catholic School Identity Project will assist schools to understand better how their Catholic Identity is expressed in work and practice and support them in their future development.
Below is the link to all St. Cecilia's families inviting them to complete a survey which will assist us with this work.
The purpose of this survey research is to gain meaningful insights into how your son or daughter’s school views its Catholic identity today and how such identity might be shaped for tomorrow. Everyone’s input is important. Your responses are anonymous and your personal data is treated confidentially in accordance with ethical and legal guidelines. Only you will be able to view your individual results and this can be done once you’ve completed the questionnaires.
Canteen Update
We still have a day of paid for, but unsupplied, lunch orders from last year. We are proposing that we simply carry out these orders on the first canteen of term 2. We will provide a clear update of who this involves in Week One of Term 2.
We will commence Canteen next Term in Week 2.
Save the Date
Saturday 4th June - Parents' Association Mid Year Function
More information and requests for support will be sent in the weeks to come.
Return Dates:
This is an update regarding starting dates for Term 2.
Monday 25th April: ANZAC DAY
Tuesday 26th April: Staff Professional Development Day Onsite (pupil free day)
Wednesday 27th April: Students resume
If you require care for your child(ren) on Tuesday 26th April, we will be offering a full day holiday program on this day through Camp Australia. Follow the information below to make a booking if required.
This will be during normal school hours 9:00am - 3:30pm.
Outside School Hours Care
The Before and After School Care program at St Cecilia’s is run by Camp Australia.
You can register at www.campaustralia.com.au and search for St Cecilia’s in Victoria.
For further information ring Camp Australia on 1300 105 343.
Have a great break everyone!
Warm regards,
Marty McKenna
Principal