Dear parents, students and families,

What an amazing turn out we had for our Cancer Council Mothers' Day Morning Tea and the activities morning. We were truly blown away with the attendance. I wish to thank staff and families for their donations to the raffle, staff and the Year 6 students who hosted the event and to all those who could attend. I believe it will have provided many happy memories.

On Monday 11th May we had our House Sports which encompassed sprint races for the students. This event provided great opportunities for our House Spirit Leaders and all of Year 6 to step up and lead their peers and there were plenty of smiles all around. Senior sport continues currently against our local state schools with us having a mixed bag of results but all students participating well. Thanks to the staff involved with this, and Ben Cadd, who is coaching our undefeated football team.

This morning we had our Walk to School morning which was very well attended. Thanks to the staff who co-ordinated this event and our local police from the Carrum Downs station who attended with lights flashing to support the event.

Tomorrow morning we begin our Pentecost Celebration with a whole school Mass. The children have been focusing this week on how they can be the hands, heart and feet of Jesus in their everyday lives.

Tomorrow afternoon at 2.30pm we will have the formal opening of the new senior block. With luck this will occur on the basketball court, as advised, however if the weather does not enable this we will be in the senior block with any parents attending invited to sit in Mrs McKenzie's room.

Next week our Year 3-6 students will be doing their swimming lessons. On Saturday 30th May our students will receive their First Reconciliation that have been preparing for this. We wish them all the best with this on their spiritual journey as they receive this Sacrament. Our Year 6 students taking part in their Confirmation preparation will hold their initial meeting with Fr Martin on Wednesday 3rd June in the Church commencing at 6.30pm.

A reminder that our staff will be on retreat for Thursday 4th an Friday 5th June where they will be focusing on further developing how we deliver MACS Vision for Instruction on the Thursday and enhancing our prayer practices on the Friday. These days will be student-free and I thank families for making alternative arrangements.

Please keep in your prayers our students currently attending Mass to support their preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

God Bless.

Rod Shaw

Principal

School Attendance and Unexplained Absence

Please contact the school if your child is going to be absent by leaving a message on

9786 4736 and press 1. Please give details of your child’s name and class with a reason for their absence such as: unwell, appointment, holiday or family reasons. Alternatively an email can be sent to office@saseaford.catholic.edu.au with cc to the child’s teacher.

If you are running late, (after 9:00 am) please attend the office to sign your child into school.

If you are picking up your child early you will need to collect them and sign them out from the office.

As per our policy this will be our morning routine for absences:

Parents will be contacted as soon as practicable on the morning a student is absent via a text message.

If parent does not contact the school after receiving the text message, the school will contact the parent by phone. If the parent is unreachable the emergency contacts will be contacted by the school.

If there is still no response, and the school feels that the child is in danger, the police will be contacted.

Ongoing unexplained absences or lack of cooperation regarding student attendance will result in a formal conference being organized. Unresolved attendance issues will be referred to D.H.H.S.

This is a legal requirement.

Democratic Principles

The six (6) principles of Australian democracy include:

(a) elected government; and

(b) the rule of law; and

(c) equal rights for all before the law; and

(d) freedom of religion; and

(e) freedom of speech and association; and

(f) the values of openness and tolerance

Kaboom House Sports