Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers

We were delighted to see so many mothers, grandmothers, and other important women gather for our Mother's Day breakfast and Liturgy. Year One's performance of "My Mum" by Anthony Browne was a highlight, but all the children involved in the liturgy were fantastic. There were even some tears during the beautiful singing, and the children loved seeing pictures of their mums on the big screen. A special thank you to Mrs. Giannokis, Mrs. McClure, Miss Geraghty and Miss Kelly for preparing the children so well.

I wish all our Mum’s a very Happy Mother’s Day and hope your special day is filled with love, laughter and happiness. 

Mothers Day Stall

This year, our Mother's Day Stall was a great success. Our newly appointed P&F president, Liz Raleigh, demonstrated excellent organisational skills in coordinating the stall. Despite having fewer volunteers than anticipated, each class enjoyed browsing for that perfect gift for their mum. 

School pick up - Kiss & Go

I've received several complaints since the return to school from a resident who's been having difficulty exiting Centennial Avenue because of parents waiting to join our ‘Kiss & Go’ line. The resident is concerned that some parents are using Centennial Ave as an extension of the Kiss & Go, instead of driving around the block if there's no space in the designated set down area outside the school. I understand that Clovelly Rd gets busy in the afternoons, and we've seen more parents using the Kiss & Go service. However, it's important for us to be mindful and respectful of our neighbours.

Changes to Staffing Term 2

Today, we bid farewell to Mrs. Giannokis as she embarks on the journey of preparing for the arrival of her second baby. Welcoming a new life is an extraordinary blessing, and we extend our warmest wishes to Mrs. Giannokis and her family.

In light of Mrs. Giannokis's departure, we are pleased to announce the following staffing changes:

• Miss Geraghty will step into the role of Religious Education Coordinator, bringing her dedication and expertise to the position.
• Miss Eva Clinton will join the Year Two team, teaching the class one day a week enabling Miss Geraghty to fulfil her leadership responsibilities.
• Mr. Peter Mallos will assume the role of Year 3 teacher on Thursdays and Fridays, taking over from Mrs. Giannokis.
• Mrs. Julie Traylen will return as our Art Teacher imparting her creativity and passion every Monday.

Staff Development Days 

On the last day of Term One the teachers started a course designed to provide a systematic guide to the best, evidence-based strategies for teaching and assessing reading. The course was designed as a collaboration between Sydney Catholic Schools and the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy at the Australian Catholic University and is an evolving cornerstone of our system’s literacy strategy. We will continue our work in this area throughout this term.

On the first day back we had a staff spirituality day. Father Pat joined us for Mass and led us in a discussion about the power of prayer and the importance of hope in our lives. After spending a day with staff, I can safely assure you, your children are learning and growing with capable professionals who are filled with hope for their futures.

Winter Uniforms 

Beginning Monday, May 13th, students are required to transition to their full winter uniform. During the two-week changeover period, we trust your judgement to ensure students are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. However, we kindly request that students wear either their complete winter or summer uniform and refrain from mixing elements of both. Your cooperation in maintaining students' pride in their uniform is greatly appreciated.

Smart Watches and Phones 

Starting Monday, we kindly request that students leave their smart watches at home. Our goal is to create a learning environment where everyone can concentrate without any distractions. While smart watches may not be able to send messages or make calls, they often have games and apps that can divert students' attention from their studies. If you have any questions or concerns about this request, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in supporting our focus on learning.