From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

As we return to school to embark on the excitement of Term Two, I hope that you and your family were able to take some time to rest and relax during the school holiday or Easter period.

The Term ahead

This year, Term two is a nine-week Term full of exciting and important educational experiences and community events for the St Simon’s Community.

We have already started the Term with a very passionate cohort of year four students attending school camp ay Camp Wyuna, Queenscliff. We look forward to finding out more about their adventures through the newsletter over the coming weeks.

This Term the school has two closure days that will allow staff to focus on specific professional learning related to our new school improvement plan. Throughout this Term, I will be sharing with you different aspects of the plan to give some insight into what the school will be focusing on this year within the school improvement cycle.

School Closure Day Monday 23rd May - Focus: Positive Behaviour for Learning

School Closure Day Monday 6th June - Focus: Catholic Identity: Exploration of Prayer for a school environment.

Please note these dates in your calendars or schedules.

Beyond Edu Care will be operating a care program for both closure days. Contact Shayan directly to book or look for further information in the forthcoming newsletters.

Changes to COVID Restrictions

Earlier this week I wrote to school families communicating changes to COVID restrictions as a result of recent announcements by the State Government during the school holiday period.

Please click to view a copy of the letter.

The school will continue to communicate to families when we have an identified positive case of COVID report to the school office.

Extension of the rapid antigen testing program for schools

The Victorian Government has announced that it is extending the rapid antigen test (RAT) screening program for the first four weeks of Term 2.

The screening recommendations will remain the same next term for students and staff:

primary and secondary schools – recommended to test at home twice a week
special schools – recommended to test five days a week due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children.

Labelled testing kits for students for Term 2 Weeks 3 and 4 will be sent home week beginning 2nd May. Please keep an eye out for the testing kit in your child's school bag. A Skoolbag notification will be sent to inform parents to check their child's school for the testing kit.

Return of regular celebration of Mass and liturgy with Year levels and individual classes

This Term we are delighted to be able to steadily return to our pre-COVID practice of students attending Mass at St Simon’s Church. This Friday, our Year 5 students will be leading the whole school in an Alleluia Day Liturgy in the Church commencing at 2:30pm. Parents are very welcome to attend. Please see "R.E. News Alleluia Day" section the newsletter for more details.

Throughout the term, please keep your eye open for communications from your child\ren’s teachers for opportunities to attend mass or liturgy with your child.

2023 Prep Enrolment and School Tours

This Term we continue to welcome prospective families for 2023 prep enrolment through regular school tours throughout the months of April, May and June. Please encourage family and friends with pre-school aged children in your networks to visit the school website for more information and to book a tour.

Calling all existing families of St Simon’s: If you have a child starting Prep in 2023 please contact the school office immediately to arrange an enrolment pack. Enrolment packs can be collected from the school office or sent home with a St Simon's student. Please email office@ssrowville.catholic.edu.au to make this arrangement.

Save the date: Farewell Mass from the School Community for Fr Kevin

On 31st January Fr Kevin Dillon officially retired as parish priest of St Simon's Parish. At the time, the school year had not officially started making it difficult to honour Fr Kevin for his years of service and commitment to the St Simon's Community.

Under the current the "COVID-normal" arrangements, the school is delighted to be able to invite parents and students to a special whole mass to honour and thank Fr Kevin for his strong pastoral and faith leadership since 2017 of our faith community. This mass will take place on Thursday 26th May at 11:30am and will be followed by a presentation from the school students to Fr Kevin.

All from the St Simon's community are welcome to attend.

God bless

Tom Wursthorn

Principal