The Principal's Desk

Dear parents, families and friends,

This is the 2nd last newsletter for the year. With only two weeks to go there is still so much to do. We have begun the season of Advent and also the season of Summer. Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a time of preparation, waiting and reflecting. In all the business and craziness of gift buying, parties, dinners and catch ups, it can be easy to forget that Christmas is about giving and thinking of others. It's great to give gifts, but it is even better to give of ourselves by spending time with others or doing things to help others. With all the business that the end of the school year brings, I have found myself thanking God that we are busy and that we have completed a full year of school. The threat or the presence of Covid will still be with us for some time yet.

Last week I attended the Year 3/4 camp. This week I attended the Year 6 Big Day Out. Next week I will be attending the Year 5/6 camp. I really enjoy being able to attend and participate in these activities with the students, watching them grow and develop and most importantly, have fun!!

Election Day Fundraising BBQ

The Election Day Fundraising BBQ was a huge success. A $1600 profit was raised. This will go towards purchases for the students next year. This result could not have been possible without the help of so many volunteers and all the hard work of the parent committee. A very big thank you to all who helped out on the day:

I take this opportunity to thank all parents who have volunteered their time to help with the various fundraising and social events this year. A big thank you to the members of the Parent Committee; Sally (President), Karen (Secretary), Neroli (Treasurer), Bec, Tess, Laura, Rosa, Kate and Vanessa who have planned and organised the events this year.

Classes for 2023

The students will be informed who their teacher will be next year in a letter included with the reports. Much work has gone into creating balanced classes for next year. The Class Solver program has greatly assisted us in ensuring that friendships, parent requests and the needs of each student have been accommodated as much as possible and within reason. The Class lists cannot be altered from this point forward.

MACSSIS REPORTS

In August the school community was invited to complete the annual survey from MACS. Below are the results from the 3 surveys. We have used this data to help inform our 4 year School Improvement Plan and our Annual Action Plan, which will be published shortly. The results are good, showing growth from last year to this year for both the family and student surveys.

Segway ninebot electric scooter for sale.

Two years old and in excellent condition. 

Price $600.

If you are interested contact Peter (Mr Kean) at school via email pkean@sayarraville.catholic.edu.au or through the office.

HELP NEEDED!!

I need help removing 12 large interactive whiteboards from classrooms around the school. This needs to be done in order for the new flat panel TV screens to be installed over the holidays. I will be removing the whiteboards on Saturday 10th December between 8am and 1pm. A bin has been hired to put the whiteboards in.

We are on Instagram:

@staugustines_yarraville

One Of Our Parents Is  An Author

Catherine, the mother of Jayden in Yr 1/2 has written a book. There will be a copy or two in the school library available to borrow from next year. You can also purchase the book from the following link:

www.xlibris.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/842597-home

Start of 2023

I will be absent for most of Term 1 next year. You may have seen me limping and hobbling about. I have severe arthritis in my right hip (no cartilage left at all!!) I will be undergoing a full hip replacement during January, and even though the surgery is quite straightforward, the recovery time is about 8 weeks. Mrs Dina Mazzeo will be Acting Principal during my absence and the Leadership Team; Mrs Michele Witchell, Miss Natalina Paglianiti, Miss Natalie Librizzi and Mrs Loretta Le Boeuf sharing the role of Acting Deputy Principal. Much planning and preparation has already happened and by the close of the year everything will be in place and ready for a smooth and normal start to the new school year.

Please ensure you read each page of the newsletter. You never know what little gems you may discover!!

Kind regards,

Matthew Stead

Principal