Principal’s Report

Welcome back to school for 2025!

We are pleased to welcome our students back, eager to engage in learning and reconnect with their classmates and friends. We extend a warm welcome to our Foundation (Prep) students joining the St Kilian's School community, along with many new students in other grade levels. Additionally, we are happy to introduce our new staff members, Miggy Podosky (Deputy Principal) and Rachael Caldwell (4CM), to our school community. I would like to commend our dedicated staff for the thoughtful preparation of their classrooms; they look exceptional.

To ensure smooth communication and a supportive school environment, we kindly ask for your cooperation with the following expectations:

Checking Communications First – If you have a question, please review previous communications before reaching out.
Drop-off & Pick-up – Follow the designated areas (front of office & hall).
Classroom Matters – Classroom issues should be addressed with the teacher first. Please share any ongoing concerns as early as possible.
Supporting School Rules – We appreciate your help in reinforcing school expectations.
Collecting Children Early – Parents must wait at the office; please do not go directly to classrooms.
Limiting Pop-ins – Kindly schedule meetings instead of informal drop-ins at classroom doors.
Respectful Communication – We value respectful and constructive conversations.
Appointments – Meetings with teachers or leadership must be scheduled in advance.
Encouraging Independence – Support your child in carrying and unpacking their own bag.
Team Approach – We work together to create an inclusive and child-centred environment.
Confidentiality – Respecting the privacy of all students and families is essential.
Email Responses – Emails will be responded to within a reasonable timeframe during office hours (typically 24-48 hours).

Baby News

Congratulations to Mrs Kyrah Wiegard, Matthew, Harry and Elkie on the safe arrival of Lainey last Friday. Welcome to the St Kilian’s family Lainey.

In other baby news we are excited to announce that Ms Alyssa Cole and Ms Hayley Smith are pregnant, both due at the end of term 2. In the coming weeks we will advertise these positions.

Supervision of Students

The school grounds will open at 8:30 AM, and classes will commence at 9:00 AM. Music will play at 8:57 AM to signal the community to head to their classrooms. Students will be supervised in the yard starting at 8:30 AM. Please be aware that there will be no supervision prior to this time, and the gates will remain closed until then. If you require an earlier drop-off for your child(ren), the YMCA offers before-school care starting at 7:00 AM daily. Classrooms will be accessible at 8:50 AM, except in the event of inclement weather. Our first break will be from 11:05 AM to 11:35 AM, with the second break occurring from 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM. Dismissal will take place at 3:15 PM.

Family Contact Details

Please inform us if there have been any changes to your address, phone number, email, or personal situation. It is essential that we maintain accurate records.

Should any updates be necessary, kindly email the office at your earliest convenience. (office@skbendigo.catholic.edu.au)

Parenting Orders

Could you please confirm whether we have the most current information?

If you possess any new or updated Court Parenting Orders, we kindly request that you provide a copy to the School Office. (office@skbendigo.catholic.edu.au)

Medical Information

It is that time of year when all necessary documentation must be completed and submitted to the school. I kindly request that priority be given to parents who need to return medical action forms, anaphylaxis management forms, and asthma action plans at their earliest convenience. This will help us ensure a safe environment for our students. Thank you for your cooperation.

Administration Hours

Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.

Lara Knight & Vicki Whiting will be happy to help with all enquiries.

Learning Conversations - Meet and Greet Sessions

On February 11th, 12th, and 19th, parents and caregivers, along with their children, will have the opportunity to meet with the classroom teacher. During each 20-minute meeting, parents and caregivers are encouraged to share information that may not be already known to the teacher.

As these meetings occur early in the academic year, please note that the teacher will not have access to updated assessment data at this time.

To schedule an appointment with your child's teacher, please use the Parent Access Module (PAM). If you are unable to attend, kindly email your child's classroom teacher to discuss alternative arrangements. Booking options will be available on PAM.

Communication

How we communicate with families at St Kilian’s School

Weekly class teacher email
Weekly School newsletter - Wednesdays
Parent Access Module (PAM) - Daily messages are available to families, excursion forms, student medical profiles, student reports
Social media- the official school Facebook and Instagram pages are used to celebrate student learning and activities with families.

How to communicate with us:

Email your child’s teacher
Call or email the school office

Arrival, Departure and Child Safety

As parents and caregivers, it is our responsibility to minimise risks and ensure the safety of children during drop-off and pick-up times. We recognize that students are greatly influenced by observing the safe behaviours demonstrated by their older peers and adults regarding road safety.

Drop Off and Pick Up

We kindly ask that you ensure your children arrive at school no earlier than 8:30 am and are picked up between 3:15 pm and 3:30 pm. If this schedule poses challenges, we would like to highlight the YMCA's exceptional Before and After School Care Program, which offers supervision, meals, and engaging activities for the children. Further information can be found on the school website, or you may collect a form from the school office.

Hours of the program are below:

Before school care program: 7 am - 9 am

After school care program: 3:15 pm - 6 pm

Camps

Camps for 2025 have been booked with the first camp with our grade 6 students booked for Tuesday 11th March - Friday 14th March. Information and permission notes will be sent home via PAM to families in the coming weeks.

• Grade 4 Camp (Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill): 15th May – 16th May

• Grade 5 Camp (Campaspe Downs, Kyneton): 15th September – 17th September

• Grade 6 Camp (Canberra): 11th March – 14th \March

Lunch orders

Lunch orders will commence Friday 14th February. Families place orders for their children from the menu each Thursday for Friday lunch via QKR.

God Bless

Kimberley McSweeney

Principal

YMCA OSHC