PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Term 4 - Week 5

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The year is evaporating before our very eyes; we are down to only 28 days of school for our Year Six children and 29 days for Prep-Year Five students. We have much to look forward to in this time though, with a dynamic few weeks coming up. This morning we waved off our Year 4 children on camp, as they headed to Summit for two nights. School camps are amongst our fondest memories of primary school and we know the children will have a wonderful time. School camps are of course about the activities the children complete, but they also offer so much more. We know some children (and parents) will be nervous as the children head away for a couple of days, but the personal and social capability developed as part of camp is invaluable. The children will have to make their beds, assist at meal times, participate in team-building activities; all without the help of mum, dad or older siblings. There are of course times when camp challenges the children, but the staff are present to support and guide them through the days away. At St Agnes’, we are proud of our camp offering, starting at Year 3 with Zoo Snooze, Summit Camp for our Year 4s and Canberra Camp alternating with Arrabri for our Year 5/6 students. I would like to thank Tracey Law, Georgia Pafumi and Kristina Eterovic for giving up their personal time to go away with the children on camp. We look forward to updates of their adventures. The excitement on their faces was obvious this morning.

Our Year Three children are very much looking forward to Zoo Snooze on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th November. More information has been communicated with Year Three parents regarding this camp, via Operoo.

St Agnes’ Visual Art Show 2025 - Bloom!

The most significant event in our school calendar for the next few weeks is of course, the second St Agnes’ Visual Art Show. The Art Show is a showcase of our student's work across the year in Visual Arts and is an opportunity for the students who are particularly talented in this area, to shine. The Art Show is being held on Wednesday 27th November on school grounds, from 6.00-8pm. The theme of "Bloom!" is an extension of the Geography unit our students explored during Inquiry in Term Three. All members of our school community are invited (parents, grandparents and extended family members). It is expected that all students are present, as it is a whole school event. The art will be on display in the Year One-Year Six classrooms, set up as a self-guided tour. We ask that children take the tour with their parents to identify their work and celebrate the work of others. There will be ‘Peoples Choice’ awards given to those artists who produce high-quality pieces, voted on by the attendees and announced at assembly the following week. Food and a drink on arrival will be served to parents and children, as part of the ticket price. Parents have the option to purchase their child’s artwork prior to the show, as part of the ticket purchase process, which will help to cover the increased costs absorbed in creating the art this year. All students will have at least three pieces of work on show during the night. To provide atmosphere and also a platform for the musically talented, those students who learn a musical instrument will also be performing during the evening. The children will be ‘spotted’ around the classrooms to play their instruments. There will also be a performance from the school choir to conclude the evening. Further details will be provided in the next newsletter regarding logistics on the night. Please see the link below to purchase tickets for your family. Ticket sales will close on Friday 22nd November to allow for catering.

Our Art Teacher Mrs Nicci Murdoch is looking for some parent help to mount and label some of the children’s artwork. If you are available to help on Monday 11th November or Tuesday 12th November, please get in touch with Nicci (nmurdoch@sahighett.catholic.edu.au). All assistance, big and small, is appreciated.

Congratulations to Juliet from Year 1 and Mia Inwood from Year 5 for winning the design competition for the Art Show graphics. These very vibrant illustrations are below.

Grandparents Day - Thursday 28th November

To coincide with our Visual Arts Show, we also have our third annual Grandparents Day. This event is a celebration of the special people in the lives of our students who help them to learn about the world and how to live in it. There are so many magical moments when children spend time with grandparents or the older generation of adults in their lives. Grandparents tell stories about what life was like ‘in their day’ and include valuable life lessons around how to treat others, behave in certain situations and what it means to be part of a family. We have scheduled Grandparents Day the day after our Visual Art Show so the Grandparents and special friends can also spend time with the children celebrating their art work. The morning will commence with a liturgy in the church and be followed by morning tea in the classrooms, where the children can give their grandparents and special friends a tour of the school. The Book Fair will also be open if the grandparents would like to share in some literature with the children.

Walkathon - Friday 15th November

The children are very much looking forward to the Walkathon after it was postponed due to bad weather early in the term. The annual St Agnes’ Walkathon is one of the great events on the school calendar. With a focus on being active and healthy, the community spirit of our school is always on show at this event. All students will walk down to Peterson Street Reserve (top oval) and will commence running/walking laps at 9.30am. The children will be moving for about an hour. They will complete laps of the oval and are asked to seek sponsorship for the event. Prizes will be awarded for the most laps and most fundraising completed. Parents are welcome to join in the walk/run and assist with lap marking. As previously communicated, we are getting close to the required amount for resurfacing the asphalt area and all funds raised will go towards this. We are aiming to have this completed early in the Summer holidays. Please help your children to spread the word far and wide. The link to the P&F page should make this super-easy.

St Agnes’ Trash and Treasure - Cancelled

Unfortunately, due a very small number of stall bookings the 2024 Trash and Treasure event has been cancelled. I would like to thank Amy Anderson and Georgia Sotiroski for their efforts. I’m sure it will be back bigger and better in 2025.

Year 5 & 6 Mass

This Friday, our Year 5 and 6 students will head over to the church to join weekday mass-goers for morning mass. All parents and family members are invited to join the children.

Year Six Graduation Meeting - Thursday 14th November

All Year Six parents are invited to the final graduation meeting next Thursday 14th November at 8am, in the upstairs meeting room at school. We are grateful to all Year Six parents who are able to assist with this event, because it simply could not be possible without your support and input. Thank you in advance to the current Year Five families who are helping with serving of food and drink on the night.

2025 Prep Information Night

Next week we have our final 2025 Prep Orientation session. This will be followed by an information night for all 2025 Prep Parents at school on Tuesday 19th November. This session commences at 7.30pm and is all about what to expect in the first few weeks of Prep. It gives a great overview as to the specifics around the operation of our school. All parents are encouraged to attend to connect with new parents.

School Sports Victoria Athletics Championships - Callan Duddy

Congratulations to Callan Duddy on his efforts at the State Athletics Championships. He finished second in his 80m hurdles heat and made the final. In the 200m heat, Callan finished 4th and 10th overall.Both outstanding efforts from Callan.

School Fees

Term Four School Fees were due on Friday 25th October. Fees are payable via EFT, cash or credit card. Please contact Shannon (sshine@sahighett.catholic.edu.au) in the office to organise payment. If your fees are yet to be settled for the 2024 school year, please do so promtly to avoid late payment charges.

Assembly

Assemblies are in the Hall on Wednesday afternoons. Parents are welcome to attend. At assembly, there will be presentations from classes, student awards, birthday acknowledgements and special announcements from student leaders.

Wednesday 6th Nov - Year 3

Wednesday 13th Nov - Year 4

Wednesday 20th Nov - Prep

Wednesday 27th Nov - Advent & Christmas Appeal - Mini Vinnies

Wednesday 4th Dec - Advent - Year 2

Wednesday 11th Dec - Year 6 Final Assembly

Have a great week.

Kind regards,

Lachie.