Dear Families,

As you are aware we had some children in our school who have tested positive with COVID - 19. When we are informed of a positive case we will call you as soon as possible to ensure that you get your child tested and isolate. We will let you know the dates your children will be required to isolate and have their second test before they can return to school. There is an Operoo form in the Form Library, where you can upload your second negative test results. On Monday we took delivery of air filters, they are now in every classroom.

I would like to remind you that if your child is not feeling well please do not send them to school. The last thing I would want to happen to any of us is that we have to be in isolation for Christmas or our summer holidays.

Yesterday afternoon I attended a meeting with Melbourne Archdiocese of Melbourne Schools (MACS) where we were informed that the Victorian Government is implementing a rapid antigen program for children who are identified as close contacts of a confirmed COVID 19 case from school.

This program will help our students safely return to school as quickly as possible. If you find yourself in this situation further information will be forwarded to you.

I do ask that you keep our children and families who are in isolation in your thoughts and prayers.

We held our first orientation sessions last week and it was so good to see our new children enter our grounds with such confidence as they had fun playing on our Adventure Playground. We have scheduled two other sessions for our new 2022 Preps.

At this time of the year it is always very sad to farewell some of our Staff.

We wish Michelle Buckley and her husband David all the best for the upcoming birth of her daughter, she will be a little sister to her brother Marcus, Michelle will begin her family leave on 30th November and Kelly Loft will replace her for the remainder of the year.

Sam Smith, our Prep teacher, is having her first child early next year. Although Sam is returning she will not be teaching a class in 2022.

Yvette Lupa is leaving us after 11 years at St Anne’s. She is making a country change and moving to Echuca. Yvette has loved working at St Anne’s and she will be missed by the children she has taught. Yvette has strived to develop positive relationships with her children and she has encouraged and supported them to do their best at all times. We wish her all the best at her new school, St Joseph’s, Rochester.

Shandar Stormland is leaving us after 6 years to be an inaugural teacher at Holy Cross, a new school in Mickleham. Shandar has made many positive contributions to our school, including working with our Student Representative Council and our choir during her time at St Anne's. The children in the classes she has taught have had a great amount of respect for her and she has been a wonderful team member. We wish her all the best for her future in her new school.

Hayley Milner is leaving us after 2 years to teach at St Brigid’s, Gisborne. Hayley has worked in Year 5 and has enjoyed making positive connections with the children in her class. She has contributed to our school, especially with her dance club and she has been a supportive team member. We wish Hayley all the best in her new school.

Frances Jamieson is leaving us as she has moved house. Frances has taught our senior classes and in the past 2 years she has taught library skills to our children. Her passion for literature has been on display with the wonderful books she has purchased and her endeavour to show our children what a magical experience it can be to read a book. We thank Frances for her contribution to our school and wish her all the best in her new home.

Shelley Bortolini who is coming to us from St Albans East Primary School is an experienced teacher who comes to us with a passion to make a difference to the children she teaches.

Justin Cluer comes to us from St Catherine’s, West Melton. Justin is looking forward to working with our children and staff and making many positive contributions to our school.

Rylee Connell has had experience working at St Brigid’s in Gisborne. She is looking forward to moving into her classroom and meeting her children so she can ensure they continue to develop academically and socially.

Marina Spiteri will be teaching Performing Arts to our Junior children. Marina is presently working at Keilor Primary School. She can’t wait to work with our children and assist them to develop a love of the Arts

Penny O'Donnell is coming to us from Ascot Vale Primary School to teach Performing Arts to our Year 3-6 children on Thursday and Fridays. We are excited to reintroduce this program to our older children and Penny is looking forward to further developing performing skills with our children.

I am sure you will wish our staff who are leaving all the best and welcome our new staff in 2022.

Specialist Programs - 2022

We have rearranged some of our specialist programs in 2022 to ensure our children are receiving a well balanced curriculum

Specialist Programs will be;

Prep - Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts and Oral Language

Year 1 & 2 - Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts and Digital and Design Technologies

Year 3 - 6 - Physical Education, Visual Arts, Japanese, Performing Arts and Digital and Design Technologies

Positive Behaviour for Learning

We continue to focus on our expectations at St Anne’s. Our focus for the remainder of the year will be RESPECT. If our children are being respectful they are considering the feelings of themselves and others through their actions and words.

Our focus in our classrooms will be using our manners at all times.

Year 1Blue were the class with the most Respect Cards last week so we congratulated them and they were awarded with an icy pole.

At home you can support us by encouraging your children to use manners, say thank you, please and call you by your name. Unfortunately, we cannot assume our children will automatically show respect. It is something we need to teach them.

School Fees

School Fees have recently been sent to you. If you are experiencing any difficulties please contact Nicole Asciak, our Bursar. I have been asked about your excursion levies. Any money that has not been used will be reimbursed. This will differ for each level as some classes were able to participate in some excursions or incursions before we were locked down.

Car Park

A reminder to parents about the necessity to be safe when using our car parks. Be aware of the speed you are travelling when entering or exiting both car parks. If using the Church carpark please park your car and walk with your children when arriving or leaving. We have only ONE drop off area in the morning. Please use this. If you drop your children off in other areas of the car park it is jeopardizing the safety of the children walking into school. I ask for your cooperation and consideration of our children and their safety.

School Advisory Council

Expressions of Interest

St Anne’s is looking for parents to join our School Advisory Council. We have several members of our Council whose tenure will be completed at the end of 2021. The role of the Council to support the Principal, Parish Priest and leadership team of the school.

While no particular expertise is required, the school seeks a range of diverse skill sets to best advise the principal, united by a desire to provide the best possible education for our students.

A balanced membership with parent voice on the School Advisory Council is well placed to advise the principal about important matters particularly related to the school’s mission and the students’ success.

The needs of the council will be given priority in terms of ensuring a balance of gender, cultural diversity and skill sets.

Therefore we are calling on you to express your interest in being part of the School Advisory Council. If you wish to be part of this exciting and important group of parents in our school, we would welcome your application in writing to Ms Noelene Hussey by November 24.

Congratulations to the Lever family on the birth of baby Summer, a little sister for Harley and Jett.

Congratulations to Audrey R who came second place in the Rotary Spelling Bee!

Well Done!!!

November
Tuesday 23rd November 5pm & 6:30pm	Sacrament of First Eucharist
Friday 26th November	Proposed Sports Day Prep - Yr 6
December
Friday 3rd December	School Closure Day - Professional Learning
Monday 6th December - Tuesday 7th December	Year 5 Camp
Wednesday 15th December	Last Day of Term 4

Important Dates