S.A.T.  

School Advisory Team

Welcome back to St Anthony’s families for 2021, let’s hope we all get to catch up in person soon!

 

The SAT met via Zoom on Tuesday 9 February. We welcomed Fr Leenus to our meeting. He spoke of the warm welcome he received at the first school Mass and from the staff and children. He noted that Parish Mass times have changed, and that Confirmation was planned for 8 October 2021. 

 

The other main areas of discussion were:

 

School activities and COVID

Margaret and Peta explained that family attendance at school events and activities on school grounds would commence when COVID safe arrangements could be put in place in line with government requirements.  For example, events in the Padua would need to consider the 2 square meter rule – once children are counted it limits the number of additional people.  SAT members requested that guidance be given on events as soon as possible as parents want to be involved in school activities and they can see this happening in other schools.

 

Enrolments 2022 and beyond – we need your help!

As you would be aware there is only a small group of Foundation children in 2021 and we want to ensure the ongoing vibrancy and viability of the school for years to come. SAT discussed further actions being taken by the school to promote and encourage enrolments for 2022 and beyond. Every family in the school is a potential enrolment ambassador and we ask you talk to friends and neighbors about our school.

 

The school has done a lot to increase visibility with additional signage, advertisement boards and a website refresh. There are also Facebook (St Anthony’s Primary School Glen Huntly) and Instagram (@santglen) pages that have amazing content posted daily.  If we are to increase our school presence and attract potential enrolments, we need all families to help by following, commenting and sharing content on both platforms.  We also ask families to consider a Google or Facebook “review” of the school – these reviews will promote our school in online searches. They are easy to do and need only be short (and positive please).

 

Promotional material has been ordered and will be dropped at key locations such as Kinders/ childcare and shops. 

A letterbox drop of surrounding areas will also be undertaken in the coming weeks and if families can help please contact the school office.

 

If anyone in our school community has promotional ideas or works somewhere that would put a poster in the window or postcards on the reception or is involved with a sporting or other club that might let us put an ad in their newsletter, please contact the office.

 

Additional Resourcing and new programs 

Margaret and Peta both spoke of all the professional development being undertaken by staff in order to support the Initialit, Writing Revolution and Early Numeracy Project programs being implemented at different levels of the school.  Lauren Maidment hosted a literacy session online for parents of Prep- Grade 2 students that touched on the Initialit program and her presentation will be made available to those who could not make it. 

 

The Federal Government allocated a given amount of money to all schools in support of students requiring additional assistance as part of the COVID 19 Tudor Program. 

 

Feedback is always welcome on any of the areas discussed by SAT.  We have a vacancy on the SAT. If anyone is interested please be in touch.

 

SAT Team: Margaret Carlei, Peta Overbury, Dan Clohesy, Joy D’Souza, Jerri Zhao, Rosaline Natale, Scott Sinclair/ Troy Fryar (PFA)

 

Looking forward to a face to face school event!  

Karen Massier 

Chairperson or 0429 234 872, 

or sat@santglen.catholic.edu.au