Welcome!

A message from the Principal

Commissioning Mass for Staff

On Sunday, 2nd March, we held the Commissioning Mass for our staff during the 10:00 am service at St. Kilian's Church. The mass was well-attended and provided a meaningful opportunity to formally bless and commission our staff for the year ahead. This event underscores our commitment to working together to offer the best possible learning experiences for our students.

Start of Lent

This week, as we enter Week 6, we begin the season of Lent with Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday marking the start of this significant period in the Church calendar.

Shrove Tuesday (4th March): To celebrate Shrove Tuesday, we will offer pancakes to students during Breakfast Club time between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. All are welcome to join in, and we will also have Milo available to enjoy with the pancakes. Please note that there won't be a coffee van on-site for this event. Additionally, several student leaders will represent our school at the Caritas Launch in Pall Mall.

Ash Wednesday (5th March): On Ash Wednesday, we will gather in the Knuldoorong for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 10:30 am. Fr. Junray will lead this service, and all are welcome to attend as we mark the beginning of Lent together.

World Day of Prayer

On Friday, 7th March, we observe the World Day of Prayer, an international, ecumenical movement that unites Christians from various traditions in a common day of prayer each year. This year, the service has been prepared by the women of the Cook Islands, with the theme "I Made You Wonderful" based on Psalm 139:14. The program invites us to recognize that God created each of us with great attention and loving care, highlighting our unique and special place in God's creation. As we open our hearts to this truth, we are transformed and begin to treat others as beloved children of God. For more information, please visit the World Day of Prayer Australia website: worlddayofprayeraustralia.org/wdp/.

School Sores (Impetigo) Awareness

We have had a case of school sores (impetigo) reported within our school community. Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection characterized by red sores that can break open, ooze fluid, and develop a yellow-brown crust.

Exclusion Guidelines: Children diagnosed with impetigo should be excluded from school until appropriate antibiotic treatment has commenced. Sores on exposed areas must be covered with a watertight dressing while at school.

Preventative Measures:

Ensure good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly, especially after touching the affected areas.
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, clothing, or bed linen.
Keep nails trimmed and discourage scratching of sores to prevent spreading the infection.

For more detailed information, please refer to the attached fact sheet on impetigo and school exclusion periods on the Wellbeing page in Navi.

Labour Day Long Weekend

Next week, we have a long weekend with Labour Day on Monday, 10th March. Enjoy the public holiday, and we look forward to welcoming students back for Week 7 on Tuesday, 11th March.

Prep Students Full-Time Transition

Following the Labour Day long weekend, our Prep students will join us full-time starting Tuesday, 11th March. Congratulations to our Preps on reaching this milestone! We look forward to seeing you full-time. Prep parents, you are the best judges of your children's needs. If you feel your child may still need occasional breaks, please communicate with your child's Prep teacher to make the best arrangements. Starting school is a significant achievement, and our primary goal is to ensure that school remains a positive experience for all students, especially our Preps, as they begin to foster a love for learning.

NAPLAN Testing

NAPLAN testing for our Year 3 and Year 5 students will commence in Week 7, starting Wednesday, 12th March. The tests are scheduled to take place during the morning sessions. For any students who are absent on the day of a scheduled test, catch-up sessions will be available within the testing window. NAPLAN assesses students' abilities in reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy, providing valuable insights into their educational progress.

Term 2 Start – Student Holidays

We are now halfway through Term 1, with five weeks completed and five weeks remaining until the Easter break. This year, for the first time, the Easter break will consist of three weeks. Students will conclude Term 1 on Friday, 4th April, and recommence on Monday, 28th April.

The extended break follows the public holidays of Easter Monday on 21st April and Anzac Day on 25th April. The Sandhurst Diocese has designated the three days between these dates as student-free to allow staff to participate in professional learning sessions with renowned educational practitioners from around the world. This initiative aims to enhance our teaching strategies and enrich the learning experiences we offer our students. So for all students, this means 3 weeks of holidays over the Easter period.

God Bless,

Jeremy Darmody

Principal