Principal's Message
Dear parents, students and the wider community,
Last week the Marine Ambassador's travelled to St Augustine's School with Mr Sullivan to work with other schools to create a presentation all about the ocean. They worked very hard and created a interactive and interesting presentation with some support from our group leader. The Grade 1/2 children from St Augustine's came to listen to the presentation. Our Marine Ambassadors were brilliant! They spoke clearly, were very brave and even got to dress a child up as a crab. They will share their presentation with our school next term. Look on the Community page for some photos.
Tours have continued for Foundation 2023 and currently, including expected siblings, we have 32 enrolments for 2023 so this is very exciting. Thank you for your support of our school to the wider community. It is very pleasing to know so far 16 of the enrolments are new to our St Anne's School Community and we look forward to them all joining us. With a maximum of 40 enrolments this is incredibly positive for the start of April! It also means our school student numbers will continue to expand.
For those who were school community members during the junior school rebuild and refurbishment program we now commence the next stage of the modernisation of our learning areas. The architects are currently working on upgrading our existing Master Plan we developed during Stage 1 and an initial concept design has been shared. Staff will look at the functionality of this and the School Advisory Council will have a chance to provide some feedback as well so we get the best learning spaces for our future. Central to Stage 2 will be the re-roofing of the Library area and the expansion of the senior end of the school to have six classrooms instead of four.
On Tuesday night some of our Year 3/4 students received their Sacrament of First Reconciliation. They were reminded that this particular Sacrament is one of those you can receive as many times as you wish. They prepared for this and were respectful when discussing with Fr Martin and Fr Ajin who supported Fr Martin. Thank you to parents for supporting your children with this, staff for their attendance and Fr Martin for his efforts.
I notice that a number of families walk to school with their dog. I understand that this can be special time for your family. Very occasionally, I have seen dogs behave inappropriately in our yard which could create a safety issue. As such, should you continue to bring your dog to school, please ensure that the adult holds the leash for the entire time the dog is on site as well as ensuring that if the dog goes to the toilet that any deposits are removed and put in the bin. Many thanks for your support with this. Just also to let you know that those who were here last year might have got to know my dog Kadu who was briefly our school dog. Sadly he passed away a little unexpectedly on Monday which is always a shock. He was not quite 10. Mrs Winduss will commence companion dog training for her young border collie pup so he can take over where Bridie and Kadu left off- loving the kids and eating the crumbs!
As our season of Lent comes to a close and we begin Easter Week with Palm Sunday our students have completed their learning about the Stations of the Cross. This movie was shared with families which we hope you enjoyed watching. I thought it was quite a creative way of helping the students to reflect upon, and learn more about, Jesus' death and Resurrection.
Next term begins with Alleluia Day on Tuesday 26 April. The school break concludes on Anzac Day this year, Monday 25 April. As part of Alleluia Day Miss O'Donnell has organised for a dance incursion on the day. Just to let you know that our students will also be doing a dance program for 5 weeks in Term 3 so that is something to look forward to. In other Arts new, next term we have employed Mr Silvio Stefan on a Thursday to teach 3 music classes. He is a concert violinist and been an instrumental music teacher for many years. As such he will be teaching the Year 3/4 violin in Term 2 and the Year 5/ 6 violin in Term 3. The school will hire violins and students will be able to take them home between their weekly lessons to practise. We hope the students enjoy this opportunity!
In the first week of Term 2 we have school photos on the Wednesday 27April so ensure that the students are in Winter Uniform and then we have a bit of fun on the Friday with the House Cross Country.
Have a safe and happy break and a blessed Easter.
Rod Shaw
Principal
School Attendance and Unexplained Absence
Please contact the school if your child is going to be absent by leaving a message on 9786 4736 and press 1. Please give details of your child’s name and class with a reason for their absence such as: unwell, appointment, holiday or family reasons. Alternatively an email can be sent to office@saseaford.catholic.edu.au with cc to the child’s teacher.
If you are running late, (after 9:00 am) please attend the office to sign your child into school and collect a late pass.
If you are picking up your child early you will need to collect them and sign them out from the office.
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 text message.
If parent does not contact the school after receiving the text message, the school will contact the parent by phone. If the parent 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.
Democratic Principles
The six (6) principles of Australian democracy include:
(a) elected government; and
(b) the rule of law; and
(c) equal rights for all before the law; and
(d) freedom of religion; and
(e) freedom of speech and association; and
(f) the values of openness and tolerance