From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you all again for another great week at St Simon’s. As each week seems to fly by I keep trying to remind myself to focus on everything that is happening at the present as it is so easy to get caught up with all those things we need to do in preparation for our new school year.
Over the past few weeks we have been busy with Prep Transition days, Grade 5 Leadership speeches for 2024, preparing student reports, and finalising Grade 6 awards and class placements for next year.
Prep 2024 Transition
Our three Prep transitions sessions went well over the past few weeks. The students have had lots of opportunities to become comfortable with the classroom structure and learning activities. It has been wonderful to see how comfortable the students are engaging in fun activities which build their confidence and already new friendships have been developed.
Our comprehensive transition program for our new Prep students, ensures that students become very familiar with our school, so that they are ready when their 'actual' turn begins.
It was also lovely to see that many families joined members of the St Simon's Parents’ Association for tea and coffee. This was an excellent opportunity to get to know one another and to build community spirit. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the St Simon’s Parents Association for organising the morning teas.
Semester 2 School Reports Semester
Over the past few weeks teachers have been involved in writing student reports as well as analysing data gathered throughout the Semester Two assisted by the Maths and Literacy leader. At St Simon’s we use numerous assessment tasks as well as teacher observations and records to inform our report writing.
Next week, school reports will be emailed to families and are just one part of our reporting to parents that occurs throughout the year. We hope that these student reports are a cause for celebration of learning and that families are able to focus on the positive achievements whilst encouraging their child/children to consider their challenges as they continue their learning journey at St Simon’s.
Staff Transition conversations
This week, staff begin to conduct formal conversations regarding the transition for new classes in 2024. This is an important part of the learning community continuity as our students progress through their learning time at St Simon’s. As educators, we collect data and information about student learning and social-emotional needs. All of our staff meetings this week and next week are focused on having conversations with colleagues.
Change Over Day for Students
Next Monday 11th December, is our whole school transition for next year. It offers students a great opportunity to meet their class for 2023, as well as their classroom teacher. Our staff have planned a number of great team building and getting to know tasks for the session. Students from other schools, who are joining St Simon's in 2024, will also be present on this day.
Advent Liturgies
Thank you to the Preps for beginning our Advent Journey last Friday afternoon. Advent is a time focusing on the heart of the Christmas story, the coming of Jesus into our lives.
This week we will continue to reflect as a school faith community about how we are “getting ready” for Christmas. On Tuesday, we celebrated the second Advent liturgy and the Grade Three students did an excellent job. This Friday 8th December, the Grade Two students have prepared the third Advent liturgy for us, please join us in the church at 2:30pm
On Monday 11th December is our final Advent Liturgy, organised by the Grade 4, please join us in the church at 2:30pm. Thank you to our year levels for preparing and leading us in this time of Advent reflection.
Finally, please find the following “save the day” information for all families to be aware.
All school families are well to join the staff and students for the following “end of year” celebrations:
- End of Year Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday 13th December at 9:15am in the Church
- End of the Year Final Assembly Friday 15th December at 11:30am in the Church
- Advent Liturgies: Friday 8th December, the Grade Two and Monday 11th December is our Grade 4, our final Advent Liturgy
- Change Over Day for Students is Monday 11th December
- The last day of school for students is Friday the 15th December at 2:30pm.