Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to Term Four. This year is going by so quickly and cannot believe that the final term is already upon us! I hope that the holidays were very relaxing and that everyone spent quality time with family and friends.  

The students have returned energised and ready for another great term of learning and fun at St Carlo’s. There was great excitement as the children enjoyed playing together and reconnecting with friends while they played on the playground.  It has been a pleasure seeing enormous  joy on the children's faces as they interact with one another and become very creative as they play on all the different areas. The children have demonstrated that they are ready for a productive Term 4 by embracing the school  expectations, showing respect to one another,  playing safely and being responsible. 

Over the school holidays, many of our garden beds around the school and playgrounds have been redesigned, including the planting of new lush and hardy plants. We kindly ask that toddlers are supervised and kept out of the gardens during pick up after school, to allow for growth and establishment.

We have another busy term ahead with many events planned. Over the next couple of weeks, Open Classroom sessions will commence. We enjoy welcoming our parents to experience a snapshot of some of the learning our children are currently involved in. Be prepared to join in some fun!

Today our Year 5 students have headed off to Lake Dewar Discovery camp for three amazing days of adventure, personal, social and emotional growth as they participate in group survival and cooperative, team bonding problem solving activities. We wish the children and staff all the best for a very successful camp experience!

For all other school activities, please keep an eye on Audiri and Google Calendar, which lists our terms events. The school sends all communication via Audiri. Parents are also encouraged to follow St Carlo's on social media. 

Learning Term 4

Curriculum Overviews will be sent out this week for each year level, to inform you on our main focus for learning in Term 4. This gives parents a snapshot on the topics the children will be covering for all areas of the curriculum. Please keep updated via any Seesaw posts or activities the students bring home, so that you can discuss their favourite learning experiences throughout the term.

School Uniform

Melbourne’s weather has been typical - all over the place! Please decide each day which uniform your child wears based on our unpredictable weather - we don’t want our students to be too hot or cold! Remember it is summer uniform or winter, not a combination of both. It is expected that students will be in full summer uniform from Monday October 26th (week four).  Please remember that runners can only be worn on sport days. Black school shoes (not black runners) must be worn at all other times. 

Students are required to wear their school hats in Term 4 while at school and are strongly encouraged to wear them when walking to and from school. Students without a school hat will be required to sit in a shaded area during breaks. With the UV index much higher this term, parents are encouraged to ensure that their child also wears sunscreen. Sunscreen is also available in the classrooms. 

Overall, thank you to the parents for the standard of the uniform that has been worn this week. It has been amazing seeing all the children in the correct uniform.

New Parish Assistant Priest

We are blessed to share some joyful news. The new parish assistant priest is Father Jean-Sebastien Gery. He will be arriving on Thursday 15th October. We looking forward to welcoming him to our wonderful St Carlo's community.

Students Walking Home After School

Overall, our students walk home safely and responsibly after school and parents keep the children close by at all times. Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that some students have been disrespectful and damaging property along the homes on Haddington Crescent. Neighbours have reported that children are jumping and drawing on fences, and breaking trees. This is not acceptable. We kindly ask for your support in reminding your children about respect for other people's property, and how to walk home sensibly. 

Congratulations to Our Girls Basketball Team! 

Congratulations to our girls basketball team on their outstanding success in the Woodlands Division Basketball Finals on Friday!  We are incredibly proud of our girls and their dedication, teamwork and determination. Well done, girls!

Head Lice Reminder

We have had a small number of head lice (nits) cases reported, so we ask families to please check their child’s hair regularly, particularly around the nape of the neck and behind the ears.  Head lice are very common among school-aged children and are not a sign of poor hygiene. If you do find head lice or eggs, please begin appropriate treatment promptly and check other family members as well.

Thank you for your support in regularly checking your child’s hair and helping us minimise the spread of head lice within our school community.

School Fees

Most families have now paid their fees in full - thank you.  Final invoices were emailed last week to those few remaining families who have not finalised their school fees. It is very important that all school fees are paid in full and on time to enable the school to meet its financial obligations. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you would like to discuss your account or wish to set up a direct debit payment plan. It is not the preferred approach of the school but unfortunately, just a few families who continue to ignore requests for payment of overdue school fees, have had their accounts handed over to our fees collection agency. 

Term Four School Closure Day and Public Holiday

We have one planned school closure day:

• Melbourne Cup Eve - Monday November 2

We have one public holiday this term: 

• Melbourne Cup Day - Tuesday November 3

   

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of all the staff, for all the support that we receive from parents and families. It is truly a privilege to be part of this wonderful and amazing school community.

May the blessings of St Carlo continue to guide our wonderful Parish and School Community.

I hope you have a fantastic week!

Nella Fimiani.