Deputy Principal

Welcome Back

It has been wonderful to see our students return to school over the past week, along with parents and other family members. Being greeted with smiles and excitement is a great way to start off the new academic year. 

Our students have certainly grown taller over the break and have continued to practise our School Wide Expectations of: Respect, Responsibility, Courtesy and Co-operation by the way they acted and spoke upon their return to school. This holds them in good stead for a fabulous and positive year ahead.

Friendship Benches

You may have noticed some changes to our yard upon return to school. We have decommissioned some of our playground equipment and tidied up the playing space as well as installed three 'Friendship Benches' around the school.

The three Friendship Benches - green, red and blue represent our school House Colours (Green-Lisieux, Red-Mackillop & Blue-Mercy) and also contain our School Logo and three distinct quotes. One from our School Saint - St Therese of Lisiuex, Mahatma Gandhi and Elbert Hubbard.  Please take the time to have a look at these benches. Two are located in the main playground area whilst another is near the Senior and Middle Classrooms facing the oval.

Our 2024 House Leaders were instrumental in researching and designing these bespoke benches that will be promoted by our 2025 House Leaders when they are appointed. The idea behind the benches will be filtered to our students and school community promoting the importance of friendship and our School Wide Expectations.

Volunteers Wanted

Each year, Volunteer Induction Workshops are offered to families so that they may be able to volunteer in classrooms, attend excursions and assist during other school events. This is an important step in ensuring all our volunteers meet legislative and diocesan expectations. We are always on the look out for any volunteers!

If you would like to become a volunteer at our great school, please attend one of the following workshops:

• Friday 7th Feb at 9:00am

• Monday 10th Feb at 2:30pm

• Monday 17th Feb at 9:00am & 2:30pm

• Thurs 27th Feb at 2:30pm

Please go to the school adminstration office to sign in upon arrival.

You need to retain a current Working with Children Check Card to be eligible to complete the Volunteer Induction Workshop. If you don't have a WWCC Card, please apply online. A receipt is acceptable until your official card arrives for you to attend a workshop.

If you completed a Volunteer Workshop in 2024, you are not required to attend another workshop until 2026. The expectation is that you attend a workshop every two years.

I look forward to seeing lots of parents, carers and extended family members over the next few weeks.

Senior Camp

The Year 5/6 Camp is scheduled to take place on 26th-28th March 2025 at Candlebark Farm in Healesville. This is a wonderful opportunity for all our senior students to grow in their confidence and build upon their team work and leadership skills. 

It is an expectation that all students attend this camp. Letters have been sent via PAM explaining in greater detail, the objective of the camp as well as other important information. Please ensure the documentation shared is completed by the due date so that camp information can be finalised in a timely manner.

If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with your child's teacher or myself.

Working in partnership.

Michelle Hinds

Deputy Principal

mhinds@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au

5996 7525