PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term Three. I hope this newsletter finds you well rested after a relaxing school holiday period with your family. From the conversations I’ve had with many of the students and parents, we have some families who have travelled and others who stayed local to re-energise, ready for the send half of the year. It’s incredible to think that our Preps are half way through the first year already and our Year Six students are in their final six months of primary school. There is much to look forward to in Term Three, most notably the school production of Madagascar the Musical Jr. The production takes place in the evenings of Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th September. As it is a whole school event, it is expected that all students are present at both performances so we can make the show the best it can be! Please mark these dates firmly in your calendar and be on the lookout for ticket sales!

The past two days have been very settled and the students are to be commended for the way they have quickly re-adjusted back into the routine of school. With cold and dark mornings at the moment, it is challenging to get moving in the AM, but it is so vitally important that the children are at school on time. When children are punctual, they are able to set themselves up for the day by getting learning materials ready and connecting with friends and teachers. They are ready to start the day when the bell goes. Conversely, if they are late, it creates stress and anxiety as they enter the classroom once learning is underway.

This newsletter contains information about all of the key events for the school this term and should be read in conjunction with Class Newsletters from teachers, which are due to come out at the end of next week. The Class Newsletters contain information specifically related to the teaching and learning in your child’s class this term. As a school, we continue to strive to maintain high levels of communication between school and home, ensuring a strong partnership for the benefit of your child. As always, if ever you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher.

St Agnes’ P&F Presents the Great Gatsby Casino Night

You are invited to join us for the highly anticipated 2023 P&F parent event, to be held on Friday 11th August. Many thanks to our hardworking P&F for their efforts to bring together this incredible social and fundraising occasion for our community. Our school has long been known for a strong social side and community spirit. It is one of the many things that makes this school so special and research indicates that strong a parent-school connection has a profound impact on student wellbeing and also learning. I encourage all families to get a babysitter or grandparent organised so you get get along to enjoy what promises to be a fun-filled evening. The event will commence at 7.30pm in the school hall, with ‘tables’ open from 7.45pm. Tickets include finger food, casino games, play money and live music! There will be trained croupiers, drinks are available at bar prices and all are invited to dress in the theme of event! There will be silent auctions with some wonderful items on offer from The Icing Artist, Recovery Lab, FS8 Highett, Verve Portraits and Appliance Fix. We thank them for their donations and also Leigh Fletcher from Buxton Hampton East for sponsoring the event. More information is available on the P&F Page of this newsletter - Get your tickets now!

State Cross Country Championships

Best wishes to Callan Duddy who is representing St Agnes’ at the School Sports Victoria State Cross Country Championships in Yarra Glen tomorrow. Callan has been very successful in all events to date and we wish him well for tomorrow. Go Cal!

Julie Grace Departs St Agnes’

During the holidays, our Art teacher Julie Grace contacted me to inform me that she is no longer able to work and support her family in the way she needs to. Julie has worked at St Agnes’ since 2010 and has had a long career in Catholic Education in Melbourne, having a profound impact on an enormous number of students across her time both here and at other schools. At St Agnes', Julie has been a classroom teacher, specialist Reading Recovery teacher, Literacy Leader and most recently, our Art teacher. Julie’s granddaughter is quite unwell and it is important for her to support her family at this time. On behalf of all at St Agnes’, I would like to thank Julie for her contribution to our school community over 13 years. We are currently working on an employment solution for Art for the remainder of this year and I will communicate this once finalised. 

Long Service Leave

I will be taking Long Service Leave from Monday 31st July to Friday 4th August (inclusive). My family is heading to the slopes of Mt Buller for the week. Louisa Di Pietro will be Acting Principal in my absence.

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Our Year 4 students are currently preparing to receive the blessed Eucharist for the first time. The preparation occurs at school, but we also encourage families to make a consistent effort to get along to Saturday evening mass in the lead up. This will assist the children in understanding the significance of the sacrament, the ongoing commitment it represents and also the place of the Eucharist within the celebration of mass. A link has been sent for families to book in the date which their child will be receiving the sacrament (or blessing).

• Family Faith Night - Wednesday 19th July at 7pm - All Year 4 children are welcome and those receiving the sacrament are expected to attend with at least one parent please.
• Reflection Day - Thursday 17th August - The children will participate in activities related to the sacrament and are invited to wear casual clothes on this day.
• Parish Sacrament Mass 1 - Saturday 19th August at 6pm
• Parish Sacrament Mass 2 - Saturday 26th August at 6pm

For those families who are yet to book, please use click below and enter the code bdt9y.

Pre-Prep Playgroup - Recommences on Monday 24th July

After an outstanding first term, our Pre-Prep Playgroup continues in Term Three for all kinder-aged children. It will be led by our Playgroup Leader, Jess Cox, and there will be a mix of play and structured activities during these sessions. We will be connecting the children with our Prep classroom and also the current Year 4 group, who will be allocated to being our Prep buddies in 2024. All current and prospective families who have kinder-aged children are welcome to join. It is a great opportunity for the children to connect, but also for the parents. The sessions run from 9am to 10am on the specified dates and are lots of fun! It is free and all we ask is that parents stay for the duration. Tea and coffee are provided for adults.

Please see below the dates for Playgroup and a link for registration.

• Monday 24 July
• Wednesday 2 August
• Monday 7 August
• Wednesday 16 August
• Monday 21 August
• Wednesday 30 August

Register here: 

Tuckshop Commencement

Tuckshop will commence this Friday 14th July. Orders can be placed by clicking on button below using the code : lunch2023

Term Three School Fees

Term Three School Fees Statements have been sent and fees are now payable via EFT, cash or credit card. Please contact Shannon (sshine@sahighett.catholic.edu.au) in the office to organise payment.

Important Dates for Term Four

• Year 4 Summit Camp is from Wednesday 1st-Friday 3rd November.
• Year 3 Zoo Snooze - an overnight stay at Melbourne Zoo - is on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th November!
• We will be having a whole school Grandparents Day on Thursday 23rd November. There will be a Liturgy in the morning, classrooms will open and we will finish with morning tea (9am-11am).
• Term Four concludes on Thursday 14th December for Year Six and on Friday 15th December for all Prep-Year 5 students.

Assembly

Assemblies are in the Hall on Wednesday afternoons. Parents are welcome to attend. At assembly, there will be presentations from classes, student awards, birthday acknowledgements and special announcements from student leaders.

Wed 12th July - No class presentation

Wed 19th July - Year 5 & 6

Wed 26th July - Year 4

Wed 2nd Aug - Prep (100 Days)

Wed 9th Aug - Year 2

Wed 16th Aug - Year 3

Wed 23rd Aug - Year 1

Wed 30th Aug - Year 6 Leadership

Wed 6th Sept - No Assembly (post-production)

Wed 13th Sept - No class presentation

We are looking forward a fun-filled and jam-packed Term Three!

Kind regards,

Lachie.