Dear parents, students and families,

I know the Colour Run seems like a long time ago but I would like to congratulate all those responsible for fundraising, running the event or through simply participating. It was a great event which truly showed off our wonderful community spirit. We raised a total of $7567 which was an extraordinary amount and has gone straight towards funding resources for our new explicit phonics approach we are introducing in the juniors. I enjoyed squirting the kids with the coloured powder but not nearly as much as they enjoyed seeing me get slimed green I reckon!!

Our Opening School Mass was a beautiful occasion and I thank the many families that joined us. Our weekly class Masses and Liturgies are underway and congratulations to the 3/4 students and staff on their Liturgy last Thursday in the senior buildings' shared space. Last Tuesday and Wednesday we celebrated Shrove Tuesday and my thanks to the parents involved in making and serving the pancakes. I know that 3 parents spent 5 hours cooking the pancakes and I am sure you are all grateful for their time and effort in particular. Last Wednesday we commemorated Ash Wednesday to commence our Lenten journey.

Some of our students recently elected to compete in the District Swimming Trials at the Pines Pool. I was thrilled to hear that 3 students did so well they have progressed through to the next level of competition. Congratulations Ruby, Owen and Patrick G.

Last week our Year 5/6 students went to Bayview Adventure Camp in Grantville. I visited Friday and was very impressed by the camps facilities and presentation. I was assured that the food was good to. We have booked ahead for two years time in 2028. My thanks to the staff who attended and Luke Richardson for shuffling around their own home lives to provide this opportunity for our students.

Our first School Tour for 2027 enrolments was held on Monday 23rd February with 17 new families in attendance. The prospective school parents were very impressed with our school facilities, programs and most particularly our students. We really do have an excellent place of learning for your children. If someone you know is intending on choosing St Anne's for Foundation 2027 can you please ask them to email or phone the office if they have not already done so.

You will hopefully have received log in instructions vis Seesaw for our yearly Teacher- Parent interviews which will be occurring on Wednesday 4th March and Friday 5th March between 3.40pm and 6pm. These are for students from Years 1-6 and are an opportunity to share some more information about your child and for the teacher to let you know how they have initially settled.

Instructions:-

To book on please go online to www.schoolinterviews.com.au

Click on Make a Booking and then enter the event code sa9y2

After this find your child/children’s teacher/s and select your time.

Looking ahead over the next two weeks the School Advisory Committee will meet for the first time this year at 6.30pm on Wednesday 4th March. I would like to thank outgoing members Samantha O'Connor, Ben Cadd and Andrew Woff for their years of services to our community. I would like to welcome newcomers Matt Snell, Jananie Clough and Fraser Keogh who will give of their time to help grow our school through providing advice to myself. They will join continuing members Pip Cafiso, Kirsten Haywood, Anjuli Plozza, Georgie Mowbray and Luke Richardson.

Friday 6th March we will be holding our annual House Cross Country between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Parents and families are of course welcome to attend. Monday 9th March is Labour Day so that is a public holiday. Wednesday 11th March our Parish is holding the First Eucharist Preparation evening in the Church.

God Bless and have a great fortnight.

Rod Shaw

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 a reason 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.

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

Colour Fun Run