Principals' Message
From our Principals - Alison & Lisa
The core business of our school is teaching and learning. This is paramount in ensuring our students are achieving an optimum level of competency in literacy and numeracy as well as other Key Learning Areas. Parents are the primary carers and educators of your children. We as a school are here to support you but we ask that this support be reciprocal. Please support us by:
1) Having your child here at school on time. We need your child here all day every school week day!
2) Valuing education. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela)
3) Talking to your child about the role they play in the classroom as a learner - ensuring they are not distracting the learning of others or preventing their teacher from doing their job well.
4) Communicating. If you have concerns, please contact your class teacher. Similarly, if your class teacher has concerns about your child, we will contact you. Please make time to meet with teachers.
5) Being involved in your child's learning. Read our newsletters (especially the section Focus on Learning), ask questions and where possible, come along to the workshops or information sessions planned throughout the year e.g. Kindergarten Parent Workshop on the 17th March.
KINDERGARTEN 2021
Believe it or not the enrolment period for Kindergarten 2021 is now open! This enrolment process requires a good deal of organisation throughout Term 2 with processing paperwork, conducting interviews etc. If you have a child, or know of anyone wishing to enrol their child at St Edward's School in Kindergarten in 2021, please contact our lovely office staff at the Infants Campus on 6765 8569 or email setadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au for an enrolment form.
THE STANDARD YOU WALK PAST IS THE STANDARD YOU ACCEPT
One of the rewarding elements of being a teacher is witnessing students taking initiative and having a voice in support of the values and standards you want promoted in your school setting. Congratulations to Evelyn, Jade and Laila for putting into action our motto..."The standard you walk past is the standard you accept" by creating posters to display in support of this mantra. This is student leadership in action. Thank you girls!
Evelyn Kendall, Jade Morgan and Laila Radburn
STAFF CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Miss Denikah Rutley being accredited Proficiency status as a teacher.
TEMPORARY LEADERSHIP CHANGE (Week 9 - Week 11)
Mrs Lisa McSweeney will be taking leave from 21st March through to the end of the term. For this period of time, Mr Greg O'Toole will step up into the Co Principal role with Mrs Alison Hatton and Mrs Sally Clarke will become Acting Assistant Principal, as well as carrying out her normal Religious Education Coordinator role. We thank Greg and Sally for taking on these added responsibilities and we wish Lisa well and look forward to welcoming her back in Term 2.
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is held in May each year for Year 3 and Year 5 students. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals and can be used to improve student achievement. Please take the time to read the linked information brochure for parents and carers.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
Last Tuesday evening the St Edward's School Advisory Council met for the first time for 2020. Mrs Cathy Ible, Parent Engagement Officer for the Catholic Schools Office, addressed the Council regarding the role of the Council and thanked our current members for their service. If you are someone interested in becoming a member of the St Edward's School Advisory Council, please let us know by emailing setadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au
COMPASS PARENT PORTAL LAUNCH
Please mark in your diary Thursday 19th March, 6.30 - 7.30pm in the Year 6 Classrooms, where we will be inviting parents and carers to come along and become informed on how to access the Parent Portal of Compass. The Parent Portal is where you will be able to access your child's Academic Reports, Approve past absences for your child, Enter upcoming absences for your child and much more.
We appreciate that some parents may already be using the Compass Parent Portal if you have a child at McCarthy Catholic College, however we would appreciate if you wait for the correct processes to be put in place before attempting to use it with our St Edward's site.
KINDERGARTEN PARENT WORKSHOP
Need some hints on how to help your child with learning to read at home? Please come to our Kinder Parent Workshop on Tuesday 17th March. More details in the General News section of this newsletter.
CANTEEN
Please note that children are not to bring foods to be "warmed up" in a microwave or oven here at school. This is a safety issue, as well as an imposition on the ladies in the Canteen who are trying to organise lunch orders for both campuses. Thank you for your support.
PUPIL FREE DAYS
Our Staff Development Days (Pupil Free Days) have been confirmed and are outlined in the 'Upcoming Dates' of our newsletter.
CORONAVIRUS CURRENT ADVICE
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Alison Hatton & Lisa McSweeney