From the Principal

 

IN  FAITH  WE  WILL  SHOW.......

Respect, Empathy, Inclusion and Excellence.

Welcome to the 2021 school year!  It was wonderful to see the excited faces of students and parents returning to school last week.  The welcoming faces as they walked through the gates was a reassurance that all was back to normal and routines were once again back in place.  As I walked around the school and into the classrooms, it appeared that everyone was settled, and the children were all on task with their work.  It was most pleasing to see everyone happy to be here.  Thank you to the staff that made the classrooms look inviting.

I would like to especially welcome all the new families starting their first year at St Anthony’s School, especially if they have moved to a new school community.  I hope you and your child/ren have a successful time at our school and that you become part of this warm and welcoming community. 

I also welcome the new staff who have joined our school team:  Mrs Susan Lema,  Year 2 and Education in Faith Leader,  Mr Tim O'Mahoney, Years 3 & 4, Mrs Sarah O'Hara P/1 Mon - Wed, and Mr Ben Talko, Learning Support Officer, LSO.

On behalf of the school I welcome our new Parish Priest, Fr Leenus Neetany, who has made his presence seen amongst the staff of our school. His eagerness to engage with the Parish community has been well announced and appreciated.

Congratulations to the Prep students who have settled into their classroom routines with ease and comfort.  Having the Year 1 students with them has been a bonus and they have settled quickly into the routines and expectations of the classroom setting. Thank you to their parents whomade them feel reassured that they were ready for school and to their teachers Mrs Sarah O'Hara and Mrs Marie Georgiadis who ensured that they were all engaged and happy on their first days with us. 

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Our newsletter is published fortnightly.  It is an expectation that everyone, families, students and teachers read it as a great deal of thought and effort goes into providing detailed information which is imperative to your child’s school life.  We are very proud of the easy access and links to all school information such as the calendar and website.  Remember this is your link to curriculum, special events, parents and friends (PFA), children’s news and highlights, not forgetting the community news.

SCHOOL STARTING TIMES

A reminder that the best time for children to arrive at school is at 8.40am in preparation for the doors to open at 8.40am.  Children who arrive prior to this are asked to use the OSHC program that is available each day.  Children should not be on school grounds unsupervised.  If you require your child to be dropped off early on occasion they must attend the front office, where they can be supervised by a teacher.  This is not the responsibility of the Administrative staff and it is not in their duty of care responsibilities.

SAFETY AT SCHOOL CROSSING THE ROAD

The safety of our students is paramount not only at school but also on their way to and from school.   The traffic along Grange and Neerim Roads has returned to normal, especially at the start and the end of school hours.  I ask that you use the Pedestrian Crossing at the intersection where it is safer than trying to dash across the road through the cars as they drive along either roads.  As adults the example of safety and correct procedure should be shown so that the children learn how to obey the rules.  Please speak to your children about crossing safely at the lights.

MEET AND GREET

Thank you to the parents and carers who attended online last Tuesday to meet their child’s classroom teachers for the opportunity to share details about their child.  If you were unable to do so, please feel free to organise another time with those teachers.

COVID -19 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES 

As we have seen in the last few days the Government Health Department makes changes according to the situation at the time. At this point in time please note the following regulations:

• Face masks must be work by all adults when entering the school building
• Social Distancing must be maintained when outdoors on the school premises and around the church area

SCHOOL FEES

School fee invoices have been delayed due to a technical delay and will be distributed in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience.

PAST STUDENTS

Congratulations to the following past students who have shown excellence in their studies at Secondary College:

Aveline who was accepted into MacRobinson Girls' School due to her high performance at secondary college.  

The following Year 11 2020 students who are all attending Star of the Sea College, and received DUX of  their VCE Year 12, Unit 3/4 subjects : 

Lucy - Biology; Caoimhe  - Dance and Anika - Swedish. 

To  Alex M from De La Salle College who received DUX of VCE Unit 3/4 Music Performance.

May the year ahead be positive and stable within our energised community.

Sincerely yours                                      

Margaret Carlei

Principal

“At the very heart of each Catholic school is a desire for the full flourishing of each student across religious, physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains.” 

Horizons of Hope.