School Values: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Inclusion, Empathy

Dear Parents

Welcome to Term 2!

It is hard to be believe that we have only been at school for two weeks!

I know that we have heard the saying a million times "unprecedented times" but schooling is very different at the moment. I thank you for your patience and understanding in the setting up of the new platform of Distance Learning. The staff have worked diligently with great effort and team work in ensuring that the delivery of the children's Learning Plans were manageable for home. Your initial feedback was enacted upon as quickly as possible and the email trails hopefully addressed the issues that you made obvious to our staff. The initial work for the students was to allow them to become familiar with the new mode of working especially in our Junior classes where work is delivered hands on. Next week the Learning Plans will be more interactive so I ask that you please stay tuned. As you may appreciate the students' learning is very different than if they were in a classroom.

I believe that a few WhatsApp groups are now relieved that things have been sorted out. There were issues with technology that had to be addressed and sorted out so that no child was at a disadvantage. The school has issued around 50 laptops to children to support the families' needs of which we have to do with no government support. We believe that the school and families are now all ready to take on Stage 2 of Distance Learning. Please note that the Learning Plan will be sent out on Sunday by 4.00pm.

I have seen a great deal of work that has been submitted by the students and they must be so proud of the way they have embraced this mode. Thank you for the support that you have given to them at home whilst many of you are still endeavoring to carry out your own work commitments.

ANZAC DAY

The ANZAC Day Prayer Celebration will be shared with families via CareMonkey so that your family have the opportunity to gather together in commemoration of the Service personnel both past and present.

I encourage you to view and take part in the PowerPoint and give thanks for our service men and women.

STAFF NEWS

Mrs Marina Russo, Prep Teacher, will be working on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Prep with Mrs Marie Georgiadis working Thursdays and Fridays. Mrs Russo will continue with her English Leadership role each Thursday.

Mrs Emma Clausen will return from Maternity Leave next week and will work one day a week to deliver the Peaceful Kids Program. More information will be sent out in the next newsletter.

SCHOOL FEES

The second instalment of school fees is due to be paid by 15th May 2020. Families who are in a position to do so are kindly asked to make payment via EFT. Please contact the school office if you need details of the amount due.

Families impacted financially by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic please be assured that we want to assist you in every way possible to continue your child’s education at our school. No parent or guardian who wishes their child to receive a Catholic education will be denied the opportunity to do so because of financial circumstances.

If you have concerns about your financial situation, please contact me so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements to enable your child’s ongoing education at our school.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2021

Please continue to promote our school with your local neighbours and friends and let them know that enrolments are now open for students who start school next year.

If you have a child that is due to start school next year a friendly reminder that applications should now be submitted. The enrolment form may be downloaded from the school's website.

INSTAGRAM

An account has been set up to promote and share the great work that happens in our school. At the moment, children’s images will not be used, and posts will be of children’s work, images around the school and some staff inclusions. More work will take place and as always if your child’s image is to be uploaded in the future your permission will be asked for. Please follow us on santglen

BABY NEWS

Congratulations to Srutha, Avinash, Vivaan and family on the announcement of the birth of baby Virat. We welcome Virat to our St Anthony's family and hope this time in isolation keeps him and his family safe.

Congratulations also to Ms Linzi Canavan who became an aunt for the first time on Wednesday. We understand both mother and baby are doing very well. Congratulations to Scott and Alanna on the birth of baby Kenna.

In honor of the Victorian Police Force

Dear God

We pray that your loving comfort and strength be ever present in the homes of the families of the police officers, and their colleagues, who were so tragically killed this week.

May their families, friends and colleagues who have given their time and lives in the line of duty be inspired by their example of dedication. May they share love and comfort each other and so lighten the burden of their loss.

Lord hear our prayer.

Sincerely yours

Margaret Carlei

Principal

St Anthony's Instagram

We have instagram!