From the Principal

Dear Families

Our children have settled into their classes and learning and it is a pleasure to see them all engaged and completing their work.

Every year we develop a School Improvement Plan which allows us to set goals for all curriculum areas. We have three major priorities which are as follows;

Priority 1: Religious Dimension Goal: 

To strengthen our school’s identity as a place where Catholic faith is integrated with everyday life

Priority 2: Effective Teaching Goal: 

To embed our knowledge of highly effective teaching practises so that we can ensure continuous growth for all.

Priority 3: School Community Goal: 

To continue seeking diverse and authentic partnerships that enhance learning outcomes for all.

Our overall focus is to ensure we are differentiating our teaching and learning strategies to meet the individual needs of our children. Listed below, is our Term One focus for our curriculum areas. Although it is not specifically stated, each goal will focus on how we can meet the individual needs of our children; spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.  

Religious Education 

Our focus is Lent and how we are called to action to build a better future for all. We are also looking at the importance of Prayer. Each level will focus on a formal prayer and its significance in our lives today. 

Literacy  

Our focus is on Spelling - this is also the focus of our Professional Learning day for Staff (School Closure Day) on Thursday 24th March

Numeracy 

Our focus is on further developing our children’s understanding of number and  place value. Our Prep children will be focusing on early number skills by participating in a program designed by Melbourne Archdiocese Schools - (MACS).

Inquiry Learning 

Our focus is to create engaging learning experiences for the children to collaborate and have rich discussions with one another. Each level has an excursion or incursion booked to enhance their experience.

Discovery 

Our focus is on establishing routines and expectations. We are also encouraging the children to collaborate, think creatively and problem solve.

Genius Time 

Our focus will be encouraging our children to choose a topic of their choice so they are engaged to follow the processes necessary to assist them to complete the project. 

Student Wellbeing 

Revising our Behaviour Management Map to ensure our children are clear about our expectations. We will implement our strategies to welcome our children in their classes each day so they are settled to begin their learning for the day.

Community 

Ensuring our parents are kept up to date with our curriculum initiatives - expect a video sent to you each week with a teaching and learning strategy as a focus each week.

Throughout the year we will be offering parent sessions, either at school or online, to keep you updated about our strategies or learning initiatives. 

Please feel free to contact our leaders if you have any questions or concerns. 

Our leaders are;

Teaching and Learning - Stephen Arthurson

Religious Education - Simon Maltese

Literacy - Prep - Year 2 - Leanne Bonello  Year 3-6 - Fiona Brugaletta

Numeracy Prep - Year 2 - Leona Dean Year 3 - 6 - Jane Barlow

Inquiry, Discovery, Genius Time, ICT, Bianca Cutajar

Learning Diversity - Sue Sexton

Wellbeing - Prep - Year 2 Kristie Browning Year 3-6 - Monique McIntyre

Community - Ashley Marshall

Parents Teachers and Friends Association

Our Parents, Teachers and Friends Association plays an important role at St Anne’s. It is a voluntary group of parents and staff  who plan various activities or events to support our school to enhance a sense of community as well as improving the resources our children need to enhance their learning. 

In previous years the PTFA has organised Mothers and Fathers Day stalls, School Disco, fundraisers, such as cookie dough or the colour run, as well as a night out for parents with a Trivia night. 

Members of the PTFA do not organise every event as it is shared amongst the committee. 

It is a great way to contribute to St Anne’s as well as an opportunity to meet other parents at our school.

We are holding our first meeting on Thursday February 17 straight after school. We would love to see you come along to learn more about our PTFA.

Our School Library

To ensure our children are developing a love of reading, our library is extremely well stocked with fabulous books.  We have books to suit all our children’s interests. Our Library will be open  on a Tuesday at lunchtime as well as after school on Tuesday and Wednesday until 4.00pm. During these times our children can return and borrow new books to take home to read. 

Car Park

We are very lucky to have the car parking spaces that we do at St Anne’s. It is especially busy at pick up time and I ask that parents are patient and alert to ensure the safety of our children.

I ask that parents ONLY PARK IN THE DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES. If you do not park in these specified areas you are compromising the safety of our children. Therefore please do not park in front of the rubbish bins or in between the parking bays. I ask for your cooperation in this very important safety issue. 

School Uniform

Wearing our correct school uniform allows our children to feel as though they are part of our community. It gives all of us a sense of pride. Therefore I ask that our children are in their full school uniform at all times. Black shoes are to be worn except when the children are wearing their sports uniform. Black shoes need to be ‘all black’. Hats need to be worn during term one and four. Nail polish is not acceptable. A mix of our uniform and sports uniform is also not acceptable. I also ask that you check your child’s uniform to make sure they are clearly named so they can be returned if left out in the yard. 

COVID - 19 

Thank you to our parents who are assisting our children to administer their Rapid Antigen Test twice a week. Also, thank you for keeping us updated if your children tests positive or is a close contact.

If a child tests positive we will inform the level, letting you know which class the child is in. We will not be naming any child.  

You should have received your second packet of RATs on Monday. I will keep you updated once regulations change. 

Positive Behaviour For Learning - PBL

We continue to focus on being respectful. We are encouraging our children to greet each other as well as asking how they are or wish them a good day. 

It is important that we encourage our children to be respectful as it is an essential component of having successful relationships. It builds a sense of trust and safety. 

At home you can support us by encouraging your children to use their manners - asking how your day is going, saying please and thank you. You can also encourage them to say hello to family members or friends, asking them how they are going. 

If we work together then we will have very respectful children at St Anne’s!

God Bless,

Ms Noelene Hussey