Principal's Message
Dear Parents, students and the wider community,
As we slowly return to more normal times it is wonderful to see our parents and grandparents again in the yard socialising at pick up and drop off. It is such an integral part of creating the connected community , and I feel is an example of the spirit in action, that really sets St Anne's apart from other schools. I am already doing 2023 school tours and I always let families know that it is often remarked that although St Anne's is a city school it certainly has a country feel to it. Parents are welcome to attend assemblies who are double vaccinated and they will be required to present their vaccination certificate but from Saturday 19th February will not need to sign in digitally throughout the school. Parents are also invited to attend our class liturgies that are held outside presently before we resume our weekly class masses in our church.
A reminder that we have our Foundation 2023 Open Mornings on February 28th and March 28th coming up and these will be at 9.15am. However, if you have friends or neighbours that may be interested in their child joining our school in 2023 please let them know to contact our office. There is nothing that works better for promoting what a great school St Anne's is than a word of mouth recommendation from current families!
Many families have booked their first term Parent - Teacher meetings for Year 1-6 will be on Thursday 24th February between 3.40-8.00pm. Please note there are NO Foundation meetings on these evenings as these are occurring already every Wednesday. Due to the COVID situation we will do these on-line. To book your time slot please go on to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and use our code p8vjm. You will then be able to go to the availability tab on the left hand side to select a time on that afternoon or evening for your child/children. The aim of these particular meetings are for you to help your teacher better understand your child's strengths and interests and identify areas you think they may need to focus on this year. A code for you to access these actual meetings will be sent to you closer to the date from your child's class teacher. Bookings for these on-line interviews will close at 4pm Tuesday 22nd February.
A weekly reminder that in regards to a COVID positive test at home please inform the school as to whether any student absence is due to having the virus or your child is isolating as a close contact.
Other key events to look forward to over the next few weeks include, Shrove Tuesday 1st March when our wonderful P & F will be cooking pancakes so you and your child can have one after school as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday liturgies within our classes on the 2nd March as we commence our liturgical season of Lent, our Year 5/6 Portsea Camp between Monday 7th- Wednesday 9th March and our school closure days on Thursday 10th March (Curriculum Development) and Friday 11th March ( Catholic Identity). I have spoken to Moira from Happy Kids who will open up day programs in the hall on both of these child-free school closure days. I thank you for making alternate arrangements to enable our staff to continue their professional development.
May God bless you all,
Rod Shaw
Principal
School Attendance and Unexplained Absence
Please ensure you contact the school before 9:30am if your child is going to be absent or late by leaving a message on 9786 4736 and press #1.
If you are running late (after 9:00 am ) please attend the office to sign your child into school.
As per our policy this will be our morning routine for absences:
Parents will be contacted as soon as practicable on the morning a student is absent via a phone call or text message.
If parent does not reply or is unreachable the emergency contacts will be contacted by the school.
If there is still no response, and the school feels that the child is in danger, the police will be contacted.
Ongoing unexplained absences or lack of cooperation regarding student attendance will result in a formal conference being organized. Unresolved attendance issues will be referred to D.H.H.S.
This is a legal requirement.