We're only five days into the new term, and we've already managed to fit a working bee, Years 3-6 Cross Country, Reconciliation Family Faith night and the first round of Winter Sport into our week. It's definitely shaping up to be another action-packed term.

Farewell to Father Ian

After ten years at St Finbar's, and 50 years as a priest, Father Ian Ranson will be retiring on the 17th June. Father Ian will celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Ordination on Sunday 31st May. There will be Mass at 10am, followed by a celebration in the Hall. Please mark this date on your calendar if you are interested in attending, and we will provide further details as they come through from the parish.

We will also celebrate Father Ian's milestone jubilee at a school assembly.

Farewell to Ania

We farewell one of our wonderful LSOs this week. After seven years with us, Ania is moving on from St Finbar's and back into her professional career in automotive design. Ania has worked with so many children during her time at St Finbar's, and they have benefited from her dedication and care. Good luck Ania!

Colour Run Photos

I shared some photos at the end of last term, but these ones were too good not to include in this week's newsletter. A huge thank you to Paul Zarogiannis, who took these photos of our Colour Run.

Winter Uniform

We've been blessed this week with beautiful weather, but it is nearly time to transition to our Winter uniform. Please ensure that your children are ready to go in their full Winter Uniform by Monday 4th May.

Working Bee

The playground was a hive of activity on Sunday afternoon as a large group of parents came together to make improvements to our school playground. Some of the tasks that we achieved included:

Weeding garden beds in the Mary Clare and Thomas Sherry playgrounds
planting new plants along Wallen St
painting the
repairing the wooden bollards near the drive-thru
varnishing deck areas
Re-painting the wooden planter boxes
moving 8 metres of mulch to garden beds around the school
replacing the soccer nets on four soccer goals

A huge thank you to all of the parents who came along on Sunday, and an extra big thanks to our P & F Presidents Jane Wendland and Amy Adams (along with Nick and James) for initiating and coordinating the Working Bee.

Child Safe Standard 4

Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

I have written in previous newsletters about Child Safe Standards 1, 2 and 3. Child Safe Standard 4 focuses on building strong partnerships between schools, families, and the wider community to keep children safe. Schools are expected to communicate openly and regularly with parents and carers about child safety policies, procedures, and expectations.

At St Finbar's, some of the things we do to ensure that we are compliant with Child Safe Standard 4 include:

Biannual parent-teacher interviews (with students in Years 3 to 6 included in the Term 3 interview).
Policies are published on the school website, and are easily accessible
Families involves with discusssions about their children's Individual Learning Plans

Cyber Safety Parent Evening

St Finbar's has been invited to participate in a Cyber Safety Pilot Program, and the students will soon begin their Cyber Safety lessons during class time. Parents are invited to attend a dedicated parent information session on Monday, 25th May 2026 from 7:00pm – 8:00pm.

Take care and God bless,

Michelle Hill

Principal

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