High Expectations, Inclusivity, Students with a Voice, Excellence for All!

Dear Families

THANK YOU

I wish to express my gratitude to the staff who quickly made take home packs for every child for the recent lock down. During the weekend they updated the Class Newsletter so that all was ready for a Monday morning start. I also give a Golden Star to the parents who quickly took themselves back to Distance Learning with ease.

LENT

This Wednesday was Ash Wednesday which marked the beginning of the Season of Lent and our journey towards the preparation for Easter.

In his message for Lent 2021, Pope Francis calls on the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”

Pope Francis focuses on the three theological virtues in his Lenten message for 2021, inviting the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”

Grounding his reflection on the Paschal Mystery, the Pope says, “This Lenten journey… is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Jesus.”

For members of a Catholic community, this symbolic beginning of our Lenten journey is most significant. This period marks the lead up to when Jesus makes his ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross on Good Friday. Jesus spends the forty days in the lead up reflecting on his life and the sacrifice he is about to make.

SCHOOL PROMOTIONS

Aa part of our promotion of the school we will be hosting tours for prospective parents wanting to enrol their child in primary school. This is an opportune time to showcase the teaching and learning that takes place in our school. Promotional material is being placed in kindergartens and daycare centers in our local area with information about the tours.

I ask for your support and help to speak to family members, friends, neighbours or even any people at work who you know will have a school aged child for 2022. We would also like to ask that you support our school by sharing any posts on our Facebook or Instagram accounts. This will also help promote our school amongst the wider community.

We can also take enrolments from the Ormond and Caulfield Parishes as a result of the closing down of their respective school in the last two years.

I would appreciate it if you would please pass the word around that tours will be available on the following dates, or they can simply book an alternative time by calling the School Office 95636780. These dates are on our school website.

Wednesday 24 February 9.30am -11.00am

Tuesday 2 March 9.30am -11.00am

Tuesday 9 March 9.30am -11.00am

Our Year 6 Leaders will proudly conduct the tours and show the families around the school, describing the wonderful learning that takes place in classrooms.

COVIDSafe Restrictions Update

The new Operational Guidelines for Catholic Schools were distributed on Wednesday and I would like to point out the following:

Parents may enter school grounds but if unable to maintain 1.5 mts distance must wear a face mask
The office can be assessed by sanitising and wearing a mask prior to entering. Please ring the doorbell provided on the table outside the front door
Classrooms cannot be entered by parents at this stage
The area of the Padua Pavilion does not allow for parents to attend any school based event because of the density limit

As soon as any changes are made you will be notified immediately.

SWIMMING

Our school participated in the Holt District Swimming Carnival today and I am so happy to say a wonderful day was had by all. We managed to brave the hot conditions and came 6th in the overall tally out of 10 Schools. Congratulations to all our swimmers who represented our school with pride and your efforts are very much appreciated. Because of COVID restrictions spectators were not allowed to attend. However, each school was required to provide a marshal and we thank Ali Clohesy who volunteered to help out today.

Congratulations to our 7th place winners!!!!

CURRICULUM DAYS 2021

As part of staff's professional learning Curriculum Days are set throughout the year so that focused learning can be undertaken with all staff present. These days reflect the Annual Action Plan for the year. This also enables teachers to fulfil their required hours of professional learning to maintain their yearly registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Please note the following dates where the school will be closed:

Friday 5 March 2021 (OHSC Available on site)
Monday 19 April 2021 (OHSC Available on site)
Monday 12 July 2021 (OHSC Available on site)
Monday 23 August 2021 (OHSC Available on site)
Monday 1 November 2021
Monday 29 November 2021 (OHSC Available on site)

STAFF COMMUNICATION

A reminder that all communication with staff is to be made by either email or calls to the school office. Please do not call or sms a mobile number unless requested by the staff member. If you wish to speak to a staff member you can email them and they will endeavor to call you back when they are not teaching.

SICK CHILDREN

It is the school's standard procedure to send home any child that presents to school being sick. If your child is sick in the morning please do not send them to school.

Yours sincerely

Margaret Carlei

Principal

"The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father." Pope Francis 2021.

Out of Hours School Care

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