Leadership & Management

Week 3 Term 4

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last Friday afternoon, we received the sad news that Maryanne Polidano, wife to Craig, and mother to Clea Year 5 and Siearra Year 7, died peacefully after a long illness. Maryanne was a friendly member of the school community and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

The Year 5/6 teachers gently relayed the sad news to the children in Year 5/6. We prayed for Maryanne and her family and each teacher with the children will pray for the Polidano family in their daily prayer times.

As a community, we will engage in a Whole School Prayer in memory of Maryanne this Friday 28 October at 9 am instead of assembly. We will postpone Student of the Week and other awards until Friday, November 4.

We are asking all children to bring a single flower from their garden for this celebration of Maryanne's life.  All families are most welcome.

As you can imagine the Polidano family are feeling the enormity of death and need some time to grieve and be with each other. We will support them in any way we can when they feel ready to receive it. 

It would not be unusual for your child to ask you questions about serious illness or perhaps dying. We encourage you to listen to your child if they need to express their thoughts or feelings. A little prayer at home together for Maryanne and her family may be of comfort to your child.

If you have any concerns or require assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at school. We ask that you keep Maryanne and her family and friends in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord

May perpetual light shine upon her 

May she rest in peace – Amen.

Year 5/6 Parents and Child Human Development Evening

This week the Year 5/6 parents and carers are invited to attend a parent and child evening about human development this coming Wednesday 26th October.  This online evening will be facilitated by Open Doors, an ecumenical Christian organisation.

At our Parent, Only evening back in Term Three on Wednesday 7th, Allison from Open Doors stated; ‘It has been said that the media, who loves your children the least, tells them the most about sex, while you who love your children the most, often tell them the least. 

As a Catholic learning community, we are committed to supporting parents in this important area of learning and providing learning through our Religious Education Program and our Inquiry unit on Health and well-being. Our inquiry promotes the dignity and worth of each person made in the image of God. 

Providing the parent and child evening this week is one way that our learning community supports parents and guardians in their role as primary educators in human sexuality education. While our Religious Education and inquiry learning opportunities will cover aspects of health, well-being and human growth, parents are invited to take up the opportunity to dialogue about this important aspect of life with their children.  We look forward to seeing each family represented this Wednesday evening online. 

Summary - School Advisory Board Meeting 

On 11th October, our Strategic Advisory Council met for our 5th meeting of the year. A key part of the Council’s agenda is to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters we gather on and at this meeting, Mrs Watson shared some beautiful artefacts from the book titled  “OUR MOB OUR GOD’S STORY”  a book that features the work of 66 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian artists from communities, towns, and cities across Australia. These artists share their faith in 115 paintings inspired by Bible verses and stories, many well-loved, others not so well known, from creation to the crucifixion.  

The Council has a standing item to reflect on and celebrate recent events within the school community, with the following discussed at the meeting:

• NAPLAN results for our Year 3 and 5 students
• Sporting achievements
• DESIGN STEM SPRINT @ SCIENCEWORKS
• Thanking Ms Pirrotta for her leadership whilst Mrs Watson was on leave
• Prep transitions including recent sessions for our 2023 Prep students and the growing interest and attendance at Story Time with Mrs Wenkowski.

The Council had the opportunity to hear from our after-school care provider, Theircare. This included reflecting on the many aspects of the service that students have enjoyed including cooking classes and the recent addition of TC TITANS on a Thursday.  Partnering opportunities were also explored with Theircare keen to be involved at our Christmas Carols evening on December 15th and other events in 2023.

The Council also discussed how we can streamline and improve our school uniforms. Further information will be provided to all families at the end of 2022 once adjustments have been finalised. A transition plan will be put in place so that families are still able to get maximum use out of the current uniform.

Our final Strategic Advisory Council meeting will be held on 6th December and provide an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate what has been a very busy and highly rewarding year for students and our broader community.

Circus- Thank You 

What a magnificent evening we had last Thursday night. It was great to see the smiling faces and the magnificent efforts of all the students. This performance was a culmination of a series of lessons in Terms 3 and 4. To be able to perform for such a huge audience is an amazing achievement by all our students and we are very proud of them.  Thank you to Circus Crew for all the teaching over the term, the teachers for the extra practice this week and all the wonderful parents and carers who attended and encouraged all the students this special evening. 

As mentioned on the evening, the Circus was filmed by “Village Green Studios” on the evening. As soon as the downloadable link is available I will inform you how you can purchase this. 

PUPIL FREE DAYS

THEIRCARE will offer full day care on Monday, October 31st, Monday, November 28 and Tuesday, December 20th if families require the service. 

ITALIAN DAY - December 7th

Signora Rosa will forward information regarding Italian Day. This is a day to celebrate the language that we offer at St Fidelis, learn a little more about Italian culture and have fun dressing up in clothes that depict Italy 

SPORTS DAY: December 12th

Mr Jennings will still be absent for our yearly Sports Day however, we have decided that we will go ahead with the event. It will take place on December 12th between 11:30 am -1:30 pm at school. More information to follow. 

WORLD TEACHERS DAY - Friday October 28th

Our teachers at St Fidelis (with support from parents and carers), are extremely committed to ensuring all students achieve their personal best in education and life.  On Friday 28 October, take a moment to send your child’s teacher a thank you message or ask your child to write them a note of thanks.  A simple act of gratitude goes a long way. Australian Teachers day falls this Friday, October 28th.  On Friday, our Whole School Prayer focuses on “Jesus as our Teacher” and we pray for all the teachers in our school and around the world. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Caterina Iermano (past student) who attends Mercy College who has been elected as our O’Hea House Captain for next year.

School Fees OVERDUE 

Thank you to the families who have finalised their fees since last week. There are a high number of Year 6 families who have outstanding fees. Can these families ensure that all fees are settled as soon as possible. 

Please note once you have made a payment can you email Ann Russo 

annr@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au  with the amount you have deposited.

NOT RETURNING IN 2023?

Have your circumstances changed? Are you not returning to St. Fidelis in 2023?  Please contact the office before the end of this week  to discuss your intentions. I have a waiting list of other families for different year levels. I can offer your child’s position to other families. 

Have a lovely week,

Manuela