Principal's Report

Dear members of the St. Cecilia’s School community,

Welcome Back to Term 3!

I hope you are all well-rested and rejuvenated after the holiday break. My Italian and Spanish suntan is fading fast, as is my Italian and Spanish accent! (something to behold). As we embark on Term 3, I am thrilled to welcome everyone back to school. The enthusiasm and energy that a new term brings is always palpable, and I am confident that together, we will achieve great things.

Reflecting on the Year So Far

Looking back on Terms 1 and 2, (despite my considerable absences) we have much to celebrate. Our students have shown remarkable growth, not just academically, but also in their social and emotional development. They have participated in various activities, from excursion/incursions to specialist classes, special event days, sacraments, sporting events and a myriad of learning experiences in and around their classrooms and have excelled in so many areas. I want to extend my gratitude to all the parents, guardians, and staff who have supported and guided our students through these accomplishments.

What’s New in Term 3?

As we dive into Term 3, there are several exciting initiatives and events to look forward to:

New Curriculum Enhancements: Our teachers have been hard at work over the break, preparing engaging and challenging lessons that will stimulate our students' curiosity and love for learning. St Cecilia's is continuing to engage in significant work as part of the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) 2030 Flourishing Learners and Vision for Instruction. Our entire staff participated in a Professional Development day on Day One this term (Monday 15th July) which was dedicated to this initiative. 

Extracurricular Activities: We have an array of extracurricular programs kicking off this term, including new clubs and opportunities, including chess and drama. Whether your child is interested in robotics, drama, tennis, chess, music or basketball, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Community Involvement: We believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. This term, we will be launching (or revisiting) several initiatives such as Grandparents Day, French Olympics Day, Book Week, Father's Day Breakfast, Confirmation, First Eucharist and our Art Show!

Supporting Our Students

We understand that returning to school can bring a mix of emotions for our students. Some may be eager, while others might feel a bit anxious. Please know that our dedicated team of teachers, school counselor, and support staff are here to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. We encourage open communication, so if there are any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Parent-Teacher Partnerships

Our school thrives on the strong partnership between home and school. We value your involvement and encourage you to stay engaged with your child’s education. This term, we will continue to provide opportunities to keep you informed and involved in school life.

Upcoming Events

• Grandparents Day: Join us on Friday 26th July for a morning where our visitors can meet their grandchild’s teachers, tour the classrooms, and learn more about the exciting plans for the term.
• Confirmation: Friday 26th July - 7pm at the Cathedral
• 100 Days of Foundation: Friday 2nd August
• French Olympics Day: Mark your calendars for Monday 5th August for a special French/Olympics Day. More info to come!
• Book Week: One of our favourite weeks on the school calender. Dates and details will be shared soon (Week 6)
• Fathers Day Breakfast: Mark your calendars for Friday 30th August for our annual Father's day Breakfast.
• First Eucharist: A family night, commitment mass and First Eucharist Masses in weeks 9 and 10.
• Art Show: Opening Night on Tuesday 10th September - also open on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th. More info to come.
• Last Day of Term 3: Friday 20th September -1:20pm finish

Let’s Make This Term Extraordinary

As we start this new term, let’s work together to make it a successful and fulfilling experience for our students. Your involvement and support are crucial to their success, and we are grateful for your partnership.

Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. Here’s to a fantastic Term 3!

Grandparents (and special persons) Day

We had THE BEST morning today with our special visitors. Here is a brief clip. Please enjoy and be sure to check out more photos later in this newsletter.

Work on The Vision For Instruction Continues

The MACS initiative Vision for Instruction at St. Cecilia's focuses on enhancing and modernising the approach to teaching and learning within the school community. This initiative aims to align instructional practices with contemporary educational standards and to foster a more engaging and effective learning environment for all students. As educators, these steps are enormously exciting.

Here are some incremental steps the staff at St. Cecilia's has been taking to implement the MACS Vision for Instruction:

Professional Development Workshops: Teachers have been participating in workshops and training sessions focused on innovative teaching methodologies, technology integration in the classroom, and differentiated instruction techniques.

Curriculum Review and Alignment: There has been a comprehensive review of the curriculum across various grade levels and subjects to ensure alignment with state standards and educational best practices. This includes updating lesson plans and instructional materials to incorporate more interactive and student-centered approaches.

Technology Integration: The school has been incrementally integrating technology into daily instruction. This includes using interactive whiteboards, educational software applications, and online resources to enhance learning experiences and cater to different learning styles.

Assessment and Feedback: There is a renewed emphasis on formative assessment techniques to monitor student progress more effectively. Teachers are continuing training in providing timely and constructive feedback to students to support their ongoing learning and growth.

Collaborative Learning Communities: Staff are encouraged to participate in collaborative learning teams within the school. This includes subject-specific teams and professional learning teams where teachers can share ideas, resources, and strategies to improve instructional practices.

Parent and Community Engagement: Efforts will be made to involve parents and the broader community in understanding and supporting the MACS Vision for Instruction. This will include workshops for parents on new teaching methods, opportunities to showcase student work, and regular communication about educational initiatives.

Overall, the incremental steps taken by the staff at St. Cecilia's reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and to providing a high-quality educational experience that prepares students for future success in a rapidly changing world.

Upcoming Dress-Up Days: Plan Ahead!

We are excited to inform you about some fun and engaging dress-up days planned for the coming weeks. To ensure that everyone has sufficient time to prepare, we wanted to give you advance notice of these special events. Here are the details:

Friday, 2nd August - Green and Gold Day: We are joining with schools and workplaces around the country to celebrate our Australian Olympic Team by dressing in green and gold attire.

Monday, 5th August - French Olympics Day: To add to the atmosphere of celebration students will be invited to wear clothing that represents one of the following

• An olympic sport they are interested in (unfortunately AFL, netball or cricket are not olympic sports)
• National dress or national colours of a country (other than Australia) they have a connection to

Friday, 23rd August - Book Week Parade: Dress up as your favorite book character and join in the parade.

Friday, 20th September - Footy Dress-Up Day: Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite footy gear on the last day of term.

We hope this advance warning will assist you with any necessary preparations and help avoid any last-minute stress. We look forward to seeing all the creative and enthusiastic outfits on these days!

Thank you for your support.

Confirmation tonight!

As our Confirmation Candidates approach this significant milestone in their spiritual journey, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes. Confirmation is a special time of reaffirming faith and commitment to living a life guided by the Holy Spirit.

We pray that these senior students feel God's presence in their hearts, bringing strength, courage, and wisdom. We remind them that this is not just a single event but the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and service. 

We are incredibly proud of each of them and look forward to seeing the wonderful ways they will contribute to our community and the world.

Head Lice

We have had a number of recent cases of head lice within our school.

Please read and note the following advice regarding Headlice in Schools.

Expectations of Parents: It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children do not attend school with untreated head lice.

To achieve this, it is reasonable to expect that parents will:

• regularly inspect their child’s scalp and hair to detect the presence of lice or lice eggs;
• regularly inspect all household members and treat them if required;
• and notify the school if their child is affected, and advise when treatment has begun.

Detection: it is considered the prime responsibility of parents to detect and treat head lice. There is no general expectation that schools will physically check students for the presence of head lice. 

Treatment: As outlined above, it is the parents’ responsibility to treat head lice. Current information on recommended treatment is available from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html, the local pharmacy or doctor and could be provided by the school to parents as the providers of treatment.

Finally, please contact the school if your child has a case of head lice.

Thank you for your continued support.

St. Cecilia's School Fair

Late Arrival or Early Departure

Over the year, we have noticed a growing number of students who are arriving late for school or leaving early for various reasons. This will obviously occur for all of us at some stage, however it might be interesting to note that if sustained absences occur, the amount of school missed is quite substantial. 

This is a reminder that students arriving after the learning bell at 9am are considered late and must sign in at the office. Parents collecting students before the end of the school day must also sign students out at school reception.

This table provides a simple reminder of how absences can have a huge impact on our student's learning over a period of time. 

Important Dates for our Sacramental Years

Please refer to the Parents Assoiciation page further in this newsletter, as there are a number of important events coming up this term. 

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s Primary School