Principal's Report

Dear Members of the St. Cecilia’s School Community,

We are on the brink of an exhilarating event that promises to fill our school community with joy, pride and creative spirit. Our eagerly anticipated annual concert is just around the corner, scheduled for Wednesday, September 13th, and we couldn't be more thrilled to share this moment with you.

A Celebration of Talent and Togetherness: Our school's concert is more than just a performance; it's a celebration of the incredible talents and hard work of our students. From the tender voices of our youngest performers to the accomplished melodies of our older performers, each participant has poured their heart and soul into their presentations. This concert is a reminder of the remarkable growth and progress our students make throughout the year, and we are excited to witness their accomplishments on stage.

Creating Lasting Memories: Concerts are a unique opportunity for our students to showcase their creativity, confidence, and teamwork. As parents, your presence in the audience is an invaluable source of encouragement. Your support not only boosts your child's confidence but also creates lasting memories for both of you. There's something magical about watching your child light up the stage, and we can't wait to share this experience with you.

Fostering a Sense of Community: Our school community thrives on togetherness, and the concert is a prime example of this unity. It's a time when parents, teachers, and students come together to celebrate the power of music and artistic expression. The concert provides a platform to bridge gaps and strengthen connections, fostering a sense of belonging that resonates long after the whole school finale!

Mark Your Calendars: Wednesday, September 13th: Please mark your calendars and ensure that Wednesday, September 13th, is a date to remember. The concert will take place in the performing arts auditorium at Camberwell Grammar, beginning promptly at 7:00 PM. We encourage you to arrive a bit earlier (from 6:15pm) to drop of your children with staff and enjoy some pre-concert mingling, drinks and snacks with fellow parents.

As we eagerly anticipate the magic of the upcoming concert, let us remember the joy it brings to our community. Your presence is invaluable, and your applause is the best reward for our talented performers. Let's come together and make this evening one to cherish.

Thank you for your unwavering support. We look forward to celebrating the power of music and the boundless potential of our students with you on September 13th!

Bar at School Concert

Fancy a pre concert drink?  The Parent’s Association will be running a small bar before the school concert. Wine, bubbles, water and snacks will be available from 6pm (credit card facilities available). Join us for a Night at the Movies and a pre concert refreshment to support the school.

Ticket Sales

Ticket Sales are still live.

We have opened the bookings again so that you can purchase any remaining tickets for grandparents or extended family if required.

You can access tickets by clicking on this link 

https://www.trybooking.com/CKWON     

Father's Day Breakfast - tomorrow!

We are very excited that our annual Father's Breakfast is just around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited!

Date: Friday, 1st September

Time: 7:30 am onwards

Location: School Hall

Cost: $12 per family

The Father's Breakfast is a cherished tradition where fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or any special father figures are invited to join their children for a delightful morning of bonding, laughter, and scrumptious food. It's an opportunity for us to celebrate the vital role that fathers play in the lives of our students and to strengthen the connections within our school family.

Our dedicated team has been working diligently to ensure that this event is both enjoyable and safe for everyone involved. We have put in place necessary health and safety measures to ensure a comfortable gathering for all attendees.

Gluten-free bread items will be available, and we are pleased to offer non-dairy milk options as well, catering to various dietary preferences.

Mystery Bottle Donations for the School Fair!

Don't forget, to make it successful again, we need each St Cecilia’s family to donate a bottle (or two).

Just bring it along to the Father’s Day breakfast tomorrow (Friday) or drop it off at the office one day in the next two weeks.

All donations welcome (white, red, rose or bubbles) – with a value of around $15 or more.

We look forward to sharing this memorable morning with you and your loved ones. Let's create lasting memories together as we celebrate the wonderful fathers and father figures in our lives. Thank you for your continued support, and we can't wait to see you at the Father's Breakfast!

This week is Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week.

I wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work that our Learning Support Staff perform at our school.

It is with great pleasure that I extend our sincerest thanks to Antonella Gray, Rob Mustey, Donna Evans, Bella Lasscock, Voula, Allison Tucci, Irene Poulton , Caterina Cerrina, and Teresa Galgani– our dedicated and invaluable Learning Support Staff.

Your commitment to our students' growth, your unwavering dedication to their success, and the positive impact you have on their lives truly deserve to be celebrated.

The role you play in our school community goes far beyond providing support in the classrooms; you create an atmosphere of inclusion, understanding, and warmth that enables every student to thrive. Your patience, empathy, and expertise have a lasting influence on the educational journey of each student you assist. You embody the spirit of collaboration, working seamlessly with teachers, parents, and fellow staff members to ensure that our students receive the holistic support they need.

During this special week, we want to ensure that you feel the appreciation and recognition you so richly deserve. Please know that we are committed to acknowledging your outstanding contributions. We are so proud to have you as essential members of our team.

Your work doesn't just support learning; it nurtures dreams, builds confidence, and fosters a love for knowledge that will accompany our students throughout their lives. 

And… you’re fun!

Once again, thank you for your tireless efforts, your boundless enthusiasm, and your unwavering commitment. May this week serve as a reminder of the positive influence you have on all of us. You truly make a difference, and for that, we are deeply grateful.

Today (Thursday) we enjoyed a brief assembly to acknowledge our team of LSO's with the children, presented them with some certificates of gratitude and enjoyed a yummy  morning tea with our wonderful team!

And this was on behalf of every single one of us!

How Good Was Book Week!

Sporting News

Congratulations to Jake in year 5 who ran 5th in the National Cross Country Championships in Canberra earlier this week! What an AMAZING result! We are so proud of you for representing Victoria and St. Cecilia's. 

Child Safety

As I indicated in our last two newsletters, over the next few months I would like to share some important information with our school community that explains and unpacks what Child Safety looks like at St. Cecilia's. 

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards (CSS) to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse.

Commencing last month, I will simply share one of the standards each fortnight with a clear definition and examples of how this is enacted within our school. 

This fortnight I have included Child Safety 3: Child and student empowerment –

 Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Social Media @ St Cecilia's

Another way of keeping up with what is happening at St Cecilia's is by following us on Instagram (@stceciliasgleniris). We often post photos of what learning has been happening in our classrooms, photos of events such as camp and reminders of what is coming up in our school and community. Thank you to two of our staff members (Fiona Walsh and Bella Lasscock) who have taken over coordinating our social pages. They are doing an outstanding job! Check it out!

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s School