Principal News
Monash Health Award
For the second year running, our school has been recognised for improving the health outcomes in the community. This time we won the Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong region award for improving healthy eating among all organisations. The award recognised the innovative approach to the Kitchen Garden through the academy program, which is extremely popular amongst students, and sees them making healthy snacks, along with harvesting and planting vegetables.
Sad News: Farewell Mrs Cheyne
A large part of the success of the program has been Mrs Glenis Cheyne who has led the kitchen garden with Mrs Drossaert. Glenis was responsible for writing grants that provided the garden beds and many items to cook with. Glenis has landed a full time position at Ramlegh Park Primary School, which is a very large school. We know her talents will be will utilised there and missed here. Thanks Glenis for all that you have done. Glenis last day here will be the 13th November, where will will launch a Holy Family Cookbook she has been working on.
Improving Communication
We have received our MACSSIS data survey back this week. What was pleasing was 14 families filled it in, our biggest response and something that many larger schools can't get. This shows that our parents are keen to be more involved with the school. Whilst it was overwhelmingly positive, one key message was improving communication. This will be a core priority of our work next year, but it starts now.
The Operoo platform will cease to exist in Australia in January. We are collecting and will be ensuring all data is stored safely. We will be moving to nForma for parents, and all parents will get an app. Through the one app you will:
- Get messages
- Sign Permissions
- Fill Out Medical Information
- Record Absences
- Receive the School Report
- Receive medical alerts in real time
These are all issues we have faced and unfortunately we have had to wait to move to a platform that will incorporate all this. In coming weeks, we will provide support for families to assist downloading, including allocating special times to assist with the download. I hope this will occur from mid November.
Parent Involvement
It has been wonderful to seer more families involved in the school recently. A particular thanks to those parents coming to the Oz Harvest session and to Abby and Mel who have been incredible is assisting in the Garden or Cookbook. That is what we are trying to build at Holy Family and there will be more specific opportunities coming soon.
Subway Orders
These will resume next week. We will provide envelopes on Wednesday.
Pilgrimage
Tomorrow our staff are participating in a Religious Education session at National Gallery Victoria. This is a Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic School accredited program. We have found out that it will be videoed as well, so some of our staff may be captured to promote this partnership. After that session, we will be making our way to our home Cathedral, St Patrick's for prayer and learning about the Cathedral. We ask that you pray for our staff as they deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Closure Days
A reminder about our Closure Days coming up:
Friday 31st October: Staff RE PD
Monday 3rd November: Staff Report Writing.
Tuesday 4th November: Melbourne Cup Day