Principal's Message
Dear parents, students and families,
We have entered the second week of Advent! The Second Week of Advent is the week of Peace. This verse tells us that Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace. The word peace is the Hebrew word shalom which means completeness or well being. We continue with our Advent Liturgy each week as we develop with the students their understanding of preparation and waiting.
A prayer for peace:-
When Jesus went up the mountain, he taught his disciples.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
May we all work to be peacemakers at this time of the year and always.
We raised $1889 from the Lapathon for the Christmas Hampers to be supplied to families in need by our local St Vincent de Paul's chapter. Peter Vyverberg will be at Monday's assembly to say thanks on behalf of the needy in Seaford.
Foundation 2025 Orientation has now concluded and all these students now know their teacher for next year. We look forward to both an exciting year and a great year of learning for our new students.
On Monday we opened our classrooms and were joined by many family members. We were proud to celebrate our students as they have worked very hard this year, with some great results, with our testing showing so much growth for so many.
Last night was our Christmas Concert. Thanks to our Advisory Council, with some help from other parents, for setting up and running the BBQ. Thanks also to Mrs McArthur for her leadership and our very own elves, the Learning Support Officers, for the beautiful set up of our stage. All the effort that our classes put into preparation was definitely worth it. I trust everyone enjoyed the performance. It was lovely to see such a huge turnout.
Staffing for 2025.
Senior Leadership Team
Principal: Rod Shaw
Deputy Principal/ Diversity Leader: Mrs Sally Thomas
Leader of Faith/ Wellbeing Leader/Literacy Support: Mrs Rikki Winduss
Learning and Teaching Leader/ Literacy Leader/ Sustainability Leader: Michael Sullivan
Numeracy Leader: Mrs Toni Chiodo
Curriculum Leaders
ICT: Miss Heather Eagling
Our House Spirit: Mrs Brooke Ary
Fire Carriers Leader: Mrs Hannah Ward
Community Leader: Mrs Kaleigh McKenzie
Class Teachers:
Foundation: Miss Heather Eagling/ Mrs Toni Chiodo
Foundation: Mrs Gill Brown
1/2: Mrs Alexandra Reid
1/2: Michael Bright
1/2: Mrs Hannah Ward
3/4: Mrs Melanie Briggs/Miss Laoise O'Toole
3/4: Mrs Dorinnia Burns
5/6: Mrs Kaleigh McKenzie
5/6: Mrs Ceri De Veer
Specialists
PE/Creative Arts: Mrs Brooke Ary
PE: Mrs Danielle Coulsen
Italian: Signora Maria Morina
Performing Arts: Mrs Catherine McArthur
ICT: Miss Heather Eagling
Library Technician: Mrs Lisa Brooking
Learning Support Officers (LSO's):
Mrs Lea Freeland
Ms Leonie Marks
Mrs Lisa Brooking
Mrs Angela Gough
Mrs Jackie Canavan
Mrs Candice Legge
Mrs Madison Dixon
Office:
Mrs Michele Wain
Mrs Debbie Trower
As you can see there will be some changes from this year. We welcome back Mrs Dani Coulson from maternity leave to teach PE one day a week. Mrs Melanie Briggs, who has been regularly employed at St Anne's will be teaching one of our 3/4 classes for 2025, 4 days per week. Miss Laoise O'Toole will be teaching the 3/4 class each Monday. We warmly welcome these new and returning staff.
Tomorrow and next Monday 9th December we will have sessions for the students to be with their teacher and class for 2025. We have found this helps alleviate at least some of the anxiety that comes for some of our children with change.
Next week is our last full week of schooling for the year. It is another week with some significant occasions. Our final assembly is Monday afternoon, our Grade 6 students have their Graduation evening Thursday night, we have our end of year Mass Friday morning and our Awards Ceremony Friday afternoon.
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 areason 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 and collect a late pass.
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