Principal's Report 

Principal’s Report

Welcome back to school for 2024!

We are delighted to see our students return, ready to learn and catch up with classmates and friends.  We excitedly welcomed our Foundation (Grade Prep) students to the St Kilian's School community, as well as numerous students across other grades.  

We also welcomed new staff members Leah Pollock, Ashlee Polinelli and Alyssa Cole to our school community.  A special welcome back is also extended to Melinda Gibson who has returned from leave. 

I congratulate our wonderful staff on how they have set up the learning in their rooms - the classrooms look wonderful.

Supervision of Students

The school grounds will open at 8:30 am and classes begin at 9.00 am (music begins at 8:57 am to alert our community to move to their classrooms).  Students are supervised in the yard from 8:30 am.  Classrooms will open at 8:50 am (unless inclement weather).  Our first break will occur from 11:00 am-11:40 am and the second break is from 1:50 pm-2:30 pm with dismissal at 3:30 pm.  

Toilet Block

We are excitedly anticipating a purpose-built toilet block for our school students. Unfortunately it was not ready for the start of term.  Students are currently using the hall toilets until they arrive.  

Swimming Trials

Swimming trials are on Monday 12th of February for those students in Grades 3 to 6 who wish to participate.  This year the students are required to swim 50 metres for the trials, with no 25 metre events being held.  Please ensure your child can swim the full 50 metres, unassisted, before signing the permission note to participate as these are not swimming lessons.

Lunch orders

Lunch orders will commence Friday 9th February. Families place orders for their children from the menu. Orders are to be completed no later than 8am Thursday via QKR, ready for Friday lunch.

School Advisory Council Meeting

The School Advisory Council plays an integral part of the governance of the school and there is an opportunity for parents to be part of this group.  The first meeting of the School Advisory will be held on the 7th of February, beginning at 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, in the school library. We welcome new members as part of this meeting and farewell former members of the School Advisory Council.  If you are interested in participating please contact via kmcsweeney@skbendigo.catholic.edu.au 

Marong Cup

The Marong Cup occurring on Saturday 17 February, is a great opportunity for the parents and students of the school to engage in a fun social event. Our school is responsible for hosting the Lawn BBQ and requires volunteers to make this a success.  

3 Way Conversations - Meet and Greet Sessions

On 13th, 20th and 21st February, parents/caregivers, (along with their child) will have the opportunity to meet their classroom teacher. During each 20 minute meeting, parents/caregivers, along with the child, will provide information to the teacher that they may not already know.

As the meeting is early in the year, it is important to know that the teacher will not have any up-to-date assessment data at this point in time.

Please make an appointment with your child’s teacher via PAM.  If you are unable to attend, please email your child’s classroom teacher so alternative arrangements can be made.  Bookings on PAM will be available from today.

Medical Information

It is that time of the year again when all documentation needs to be completed and returned to school.  Could I ask that all priority be placed on parents who need to return medical action forms and anaphylaxis management forms and asthma action plans to the school as soon as possible to ensure we can provide a safe environment for the students.

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 carers, it’s our responsibility to reduce the risk and make sure the children are safe during drop off and pick up times. We know our students learn more about road safety from watching their older peers and adults model the safest behaviours. 

Drop Off and Pick Up

Parents, please ensure that your children do not arrive at school before 8:30 am and that you pick them up between 3:30 pm and 3:45 pm. If this is difficult the YMCA provides a wonderful ‘Before and After School Care Program’ where the children are supervised, fed and provided with fun activities. Information can be obtained from the school website or a form can be picked up from the office. 

Hours of the program are below:

Before school care program: 7 am - 9 am 

After school care program: 3:30 pm - 6 pm 

Camps

Camps for 2024 have been booked with the first camp with our Grade 6 students booked for Tuesday 12th March - Friday 15th March. Information and permission notes will be sent home via PAM to families in the coming weeks. 

• Grade 4 Camp (Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill): 9 May - 10 May

• Grade 5 Camp (Campaspe Downs, Kyneton): 18 September - 20 September

• Grade 6 Camp (Canberra): 12 March - 15 March

Opening Mass

Save the date.  The St Kilian's Primary School Opening Mass will be held on Tuesday 27th February at 6 pm in the St Kilian’s Church.  Details to follow.

Upcoming events

Week 2

• 6th February: Safer Internet Day

Week 3

• 12th February: Swimming Trials
• 13th February: Shrove Tuesday (Project Compassion Launch)
• 13th February: 3 Way Conversations- Meet and Greet Sessions
• 14th February: Ash Wednesday (Mass 9am)
• 17th February: Marong Cup

2024 St Kilian's School Staffing

Principal: Kimberley McSweeney

Deputy Principal:  Sharee Whiteacre

(Leader of Learning & Teaching and Pastoral Wellbeing) 

Catholic Identity Leader & Learning Diversity Leader: Carolyn Maher

And last but not least, our wonderful administration staff, Vicki Whiting and Lara Knight.

God Bless 

Kimberley McSweeney  

Principal