Principal's Message
Dear parents, students and families,
What a busy community building week we have had this week. Last night I was privelaged to have dinner with our 2024 Foundation parents at the annual Foundation parent dinner. It was lovely to meet with you all and share a meal. Thank you to our many current families who made our new families feel welcome and part of the St Anne's Community. Thank you to Mrs Winduss and Miss Eagling for sharing their time and talent to welcome next year's Foundation families.
Last Sunday the staff joined families at Mass to celebrate the conferring of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation on 14 of our Year 6 children. Mrs Winduss planned a beautiful Mass. Bishop Tony's homily which likened the Sacrament of Confirmation to an APP for the gifts of the Holy Spirit was enlightening and recontextualised the Sacrament for our children. We ask the Saints chosen by our children to pray for them. Saint Sebastian, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dymphna, Saint Catherine of Bologna, Saint Bernadette, Saint Nicholas, Saint Catherine of Sienna, Saint Claire, Saint Cecilia and Saint Andrew, Pray for us.
The leadership team met on Monday to work on the Annual Action Plan for 2024. This plan guides the school in the areas of improvement outlined by the recent review. Our School Improvement Plan for 2024- 2027 outlines 3 Priorities, Data knowledge , Numeracy learning and Student voice. The Annual action plan allows for the school to break down the bigger priorities into smaller goals to work towards. It was a very successful day of planning for the future.
Please make sure that you have been checking SEESAW for the market day updates. The P&F are in full swing working hard for this very important day in our community calendar. Please pray for good weather in your prayers!
The staff have really noticed a positive change in the way we are wearing our uniform. Thankyou to those parents who have made sure that the children are dressed in correct uniform. This helps us to create community and belonging.
A reminder that dogs are not allowed on the school grounds. If you bring your dog to school please make sure to tie him/her up outside the gate.
Next week we continue with individual testing for children's end of year results and we look forward to Drew Lane returning to school to record the new school song with the children. We will launch the song at the Christmas Concert and can't wait to share it with you.
We have added the annual Lapathon to the calendar this week . It will take place on Wednesday 27th November. This Lapathon is our way to do some social service for our community. The finances we raise on this day are donated to our local chapter of Vinnies and helps with the delivering of food and gifts at Christmas for those in need in our community. What a wonderful lesson for our children to learn.
Rod sends his best wishes from Dubrovnik to all the families and says he is enjoying his time away.
God bless
Sally Thomas
Acting 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