Dear Parents,

Welcome to the first newsletter of a new school year. 2024 promises to be another great one at St Finbar's, a year of growth, learning and making memories together. I look forward to continuing to develop strong and positive relationships with the members of our school and parish community.

Once again Kaboom sports visited us yesterday, which is always a fun and energetic way to start the year. It's also a great opportunity for the Year 6 students to get their first taste of leadership and groups of children to work together in cross-age groups.

Thank you to the many families that attended last night's Parent Information Evening. For those that couldn't make it I have included the main points that were covered in my information session further down in this newsletter. Classroom teachers will make their own presentations available to you.

We have many new students who have joined us in Years 1 to 5. We are so pleased that you and your families are now a part of the St Finbar's community.

Year 1 - Ana S

Year 2 - John S, Michael P, Bevia S

Year 4 - Layla W, Antonia T

Year 5 - Sienna G, Bill L

Three new staff members have also joined us this year. We welcome Carlie Cochrane who is teaching 1C this year, and two new LSOs have joined our team, Claudia Favorito and Tess Campigli.

Our Year 6 students will be presented with their leadership badges and jumpers tomorrow morning at assembly. This is always a special occasion for our new student leaders and the Year 6 parents are invited to attend.

Open Morning

We are holding an open morning next Friday 9th February from 9:30am to 10:30am (straight after assembly). This is a chance for you to spend some time in your child's new classroom, and have an informal chat with the teachers and other parents. Open Morning replaces the Meet the Teacher meetings that have traditionally been held at this time.

Parent Handbook

The parent handbook has been updated for 2024, with a fresh new look. The new Prep families have received a hard copy version but here is a copy for your own perusal. You will also find a copy on the school website.

Changes to Medication Policy

There have been some recent changes made to the MACS Medication Policy. All medication administered at school requires a Medical Authority Form to be completed by a registered medical practitioner. This form may be accessed through the form library on Operoo and can be completed on your phone by a doctor/pharmacist on the spot.

No medication (including painkillers such as paracetamol) can be administered without this form. This new policy also includes camps. A copy of the full policy is attached below.

Traffic Around School

With St Finbar's being situated where it is, morning drop-off and afternoon dismissals can be challenging at times. Naturally our goal is to move the children in and out of school as safely as possible. For this reason we have some systems in place that we ask that you abide by:

There is no parking on the school side of Wallen St, please remain in your car as you drop off and pick up your children to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Avoid overtaking on Wallen St or in the Drive-Through
Please don’t use the laneway at the end of Wallen St as this impacts local residents and is a safety hazard for students who walk along this laneway
Avoid walking through the drive in/out area, use the front doors or Wallen St Gate.
When using Drive-Through, please drive up to the first witches hat so that we can fit three cars along the grassy steps.
Remember that there is Left hand turn only onto Centre Road during the morning and afternoon peak times.

Reminder about Payment Options

If you haven't already done so, please return the Payment Option Form to Libby Thomas at lthomas@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au There is a copy attached below, and it was also emailed to you back in November.

2024 Staffing

Prep B Mrs Fiona Byrne Prep P Mrs Louise Pickering

1C Miss Carlie Cochrane 1J Mrs Jemima Christie

2F Miss Caroline Farrelly 2Z Miss Laura Zeeng

3G Miss Annalisa Gourley 3K Miss Nonie Kay

4A Miss Bianca Antonio 4M Mr Callum Mills

5B Miss Shannon Bourke 5H Miss Sigrid Happell

6H Mrs Jo Howell 6T Mr Peter Tyndall

Parish Priest: Fr. Ian Ranson

Acting Principal: Ms Michelle Hill

Deputy Principal/Learning Diversity: Mrs Peggy McDonald

Deputy Principal/REL: Mr Steele Anderson

Administration Manager (M/Tu/Th/F): Mrs Libby Thomas

Administration Assistant (M/Tu/W/Th): Mrs Amanda Johnson

Leaders:

Teaching & Learning: Mr Callum Mills

Literacy Leader: Miss Nonie Kay

Maths Leader: Mrs Jo Fraser

eLearning Leader: Mrs Amanda Norton (on leave)

Wellbeing Leader (Curriculum) Miss Laura Zeeng

Sustainability/

Indigenous Perspectives/

Community Leader: Mrs Lisa Poulter

Graduate Teachers/

Inductions Leader: Miss Sigrid Happell

Specialists Teachers

PE (Prep - Yr 4): Mrs Jenny Allen

PE (Yr 5 & 6) & Sports: Mrs Tania Thompson

Performing Arts: Mrs Susan Williams

LOTE (Italian): Mrs Lena Sirianni

Visual Arts: Mrs Lisa Poulter

Reading Recovery: Mrs Dianne Ward

Intervention: Mrs Jo Fraser

Other Staff

Library Admin: Mrs Narelle Connell

Learning Support Officers: Mrs Sally Hill Mrs Sue Humble

Mrs Anthea Conroy

Mrs Sonia Blakey

Mrs Liesl Willcocks

Mrs Ania Von Oxenberg

Mrs Narelle Connell

Mrs Catherine Davies-Gray

Ms Ann Barber

Miss Alessia Colletti

Miss Emma Cristiano

Miss Tess Campigli

Miss Claudia Favorito

Occupational Therapist: Miss Andrea La Fontaine

Groundsman: Mr Dino Tornese

Thank you and God bless,

Michelle Hill,

Acting Principal