Dear Parents and Friends,

I hope your child had a good first week back at school. All of our learning and teaching and extra curricular programs have commenced. Students have been taking part in various forms of assessment that will be used by teachers to plan lessons and support children.

Parent/Teacher Meetings

The first of two Parent Teacher Meetings will be held next Monday 12 February beginning at 1:40pm and finishing at 8:00pm. Bookings can still be made. Please see the email from Tracey in regards to how to book a meeting. This is an opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and communicate anything that may be especially relevant about your child. It is NOT for teachers to comment on how students are progressing. As all staff, including myself, will be involved in these meetings, I ask that all children be collected at 1pm. If this is not possible your child can be booked into Out of School Hours Care with Camp Australia which will run from 1pm. Book online at www.campaustralia.com.au

Security

If you are visiting the school or dropping off/picking up your child during school hours (8:55am-3:30pm), please note that the external doors are locked. The only access to school is via the school office entry. Please do not ask students or staff to open other doors.

Traffic and Parking off site.

Please note that it is illegal to do a right hand turn into Blackburn Road from 8-9am and 3-4pm. This is not only dangerous but holds up other cars leaving the school. When possible, parents are encouraged to consider parking off site when dropping off or picking up students. Tambo Court is just north of the school and a gate in the fence allows direct access to the school oval. If you live close by, please consider walking/riding to school. These measures will help to eleviate congestion in the school parking areas that occurs some days.

Parents Association

On Tuesday night our first Parents' Association meeting took place. Parents attending discussed and commenced planning events for 2024. They also voted in Elaine Archibald as President and Divya Vijayarangam as Vice President. Our Parent's Association is a volunteer group that promotes the welfare of, and provides support to, the school and its community. They meet on the first Tuesday of every month, on site or online. New members are always welcome.

Welcome BBQ

Our Parents' Association are running a Welcome BBQ on Friday 1 March from 3:30-5:30pm. This will be a great opportunity for parents and friends to catch up and for students to have some fun and enjoy a BBQ. We hope many of you can attend. See the flyer below.

School Concert

Yesterday students commenced Performing Arts lessons with Cathy Ellis. Cathy runs K & C Dance and Drama and will be working with each class every Wednesday to prepare students for our whole school concert which will take place on the 23rd October. Yesterday students got an introduction to Circus Skills. This will be an additional specialist lesson for all students. Please see further details on the 'School Concert' page.

Assembly

We will have a whole school assembly tomorrow at 3pm. This will include our Students of the Week as well as the presentation of the Year 6 leadership badges. All welcome and encouraged to attend.

PSW School Bags

PSW have advised that they now have St. Christopher's school bags available.

Welcome

A big welcome to new students to our school other than Prep. We hope you and your families have had a good first week!

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