From the Principal
Please take a moment to browse the side pages for updates and news, including Prep Camp Day, Sporting news, Snapshots of Learning, and much more!
Be sure to browse through all the pages of this final newsletter for the Term!
Dear Parents and Carers,
Term 2 is coming to a close after a long but fruitful eleven weeks of learning, both inside and outside the classroom. Our students have had numerous opportunities to engage and develop themselves through classroom learning, the Sacramental programs, our specialist programs, excursions, camps, and community celebrations.
Thank you to our school families for the way you continue to support activities in our school community through the Parent Association, classroom and excursion helpers, inter-school sports activities, the School Advisory Council and St Simon's parish life.
Thank you to the dedicated teachers and support staff of our school, who come to work each day ready to support, nurture and teach our students so that they can continue to grow as sacred children of God.
Semester One School Reporting
Semester One School Reports are available now via the Nforma Parent Portal. Please refer to our recent communication for instructions on connecting with the Portal to view and download your child's report. Please note that all past student reports are available for download on the parent portal. This is helpful to know if you need copies of reports for secondary school applications.
Work Experience - Year 10 students
In the last two weeks of the Term, we have welcomed five students from neighbouring secondary schools as they complete the Year 10 Work Experience program. Some of the students are St. Simon's Alumni, which is always a delight to see how they continue to grow and learn after leaving our school.
The work experience students will be supporting different year levels across this time.
Staffing announcements
Ronald, guitar and keyboard instrumental teacher of Paul Howard Music, who has worked with St Simon's Children for the past twelve years, is retiring at the end of the Term.
On behalf of the St Simon's School community, we thank Ron for his skills and talents in teaching children how to play a musical instrument, and we wish him well in the next chapter of his life.
Emily Roleff will be commencing family leave at the end of Term Two as she is expecting the birth of her first child in the coming weeks. We wish Emily and her spouse, Tom, all the very best as they welcome their first child. In Term Three, Ms Claudia Dabb has been appointed classroom teacher of Year 2 Green for the remainder of the year. Mr Patrick Doherty will also be teaching 2 Green whilst Claudia is on leave for part of Term Three.
Ms Brittany Marasco will be taking leave in the first part of Term Three, and so Mr Michael Fitzsimmons will be stepping into the classroom Monday to Thursday in 5/6 Orange with Laura Nackashian teaching the class on Fridays.
The STEM specialist class will be taught by some of our regular casual relief and part-time teaching staff.
Think U Know? - Online Safety Parent Night - not to be missed.
SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY 13th AUGUST 7pm
Please mark this date in your calendars as an important opportunity that all families are encouraged to come along to. Click here for more details.
Recess and Lunchtimes "Loom bands" Term 3 Pause
In Term Two, some students have been bringing loom bands to school as a way to play with friends outside during recess and lunchtime. This has been an excellent opportunity for students to bond and work together as they create various creations using loop bands with different weaving techniques. With the increased interest in loom bands has come a rise in the amount of loom band litter around the school grounds. As we come to the end of Term Two, we will be introducing a "pause" on the use of the loom band activities during outside play at recess and lunch in a bid to minimise the amount of loom band litter in the yard. This will commence from the beginning of Term Three.
We will still have time and space for students to access Loom Band activities; however, these will be available through the Lunchtime Clubs program, which is held indoors.
We seek support from parents and families as we make adjustments to playtime activities upon returning to school in Term Three.
School Fees
Monthly statements for school fees were released this week. We thank the many families who have kept up to date with their financial obligations regarding school fees.
Families experiencing difficulty paying school fees should contact the office to make an appointment with the principal to discuss the matter.
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - Cancer Council Fundraiser
Thank you to our school community for supporting Australia's Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser for the Cancer Council. Between the gold coin donation for wearing a touch of yellow for the students and the staff morning tea, we have raised over $600 and are climbing for the Cancer Council's continued work in cancer research for treatment and prevention.
Term 3 Preview
We look forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week, Grandparents Day, World Oceans Day and Sacrament of Confirmation (Y6) as community in the first few weeks of Term Three
St Simon’s Staff and Contact Details
A complete staff list including roles and positions for 2025 is available through the newsletter each week by going to Staff Contacts and the General Information section
with Facebook and Instagram channels to see some of the latest activities within our St Simon’s community.