From the Principal
Welcome to Term 2
It has been wonderful seeing all the smiling faces and hearing about all the holiday adventures! The weather is noticeably cooler and we have had a successful start to the term so far. It is great that things are slowly getting back to normal and we are welcoming parents back onsite.
In the last week we have had student excursions to the Melbourne Museum (Yr 3 & 4), Werribee Mansion (Yr 2), and in the coming weeks to the Immigration Museum (Yr 6), Jewish Museum (Yr 5). Altona Homestead and Community visits (Preps) and Year 1 are in the planning stage for a similar experience later this term. These events are important for the Wellbeing and Learning of our students and take considerable planning by our teachers.
ANZAC DAY
Our student leaders and some Staff represented the school at the Altona ANZAC Day Dawn service.
On Monday we gathered together to remember and honour those who fought to protect our beautiful land, it is important for us to stop and pray for peace – peace in our world, peace among people in our own country, peace in our families, and peace in our own hearts. We know that war brings sadness, grief and death. We also continue to pray for those in our world who are affected by war at this time.
As the sun rises and as it sets
We remember them.
When we enjoy our life and our freedom
We remember them.
When we witness courage and strength
We remember them.
When we feel protected and supported
We remember them.
When we celebrate our friendships and share our burdens
We remember them.
When we strive for peace and justice
We remember them.
When we give thanks for our friends
We remember them.
When we pray God’s blessing on all who have given their life in service and in love
We remember them.
Queen of Peace Renovations
We have engaged a landscape designer and company to construct a new natural based playground. It will be exciting for the students to watch this space develop. The new nature-based outdoor area will be constructed where the current cricket nets are.
Included in the design are:
- A raised Mega sandpit with Flintstones round large pebbles, washed sand and path access into the pit
- Dry creek bed with pebbles
- A pirate ship within dry creek bed
- Paths to get around with crushed sandstone
- Some raised mounds for the children to walk over, along with mudstone rock seating.
- A play area, with monkey bars, a climbing unit, posts to climb and a tunnel built into the mound
Image: *This is not the actual sand pit that will be built, but an example of work the landscaper has done previously
Toilet Renovations
We also hope to begin a complete refurbishment of our student bathroom /toilet area by the end of this term.
Image: *This is not the actual toilet design we are using, but an example of work the builder has done previously
After School
Car park drop off has been excellent this year, however pick up after school has not been as smooth. Ensuring the safety of your children is our priority.
You must park outside the school grounds or in the carpark and pick up your child either from the classroom, or ask your child to meet you at a designated spot. It is not safe for children to be walking in the car park without a parent.
It would heavily reduce traffic if families used the skate park car park and then walked, rode or rolled the short distance to our playground. We worked with the council late last year to construct the new footpath into the school. The gate near the senior playground is open before and after school.
The Blue Zone outside the school on Everingham Road is a drop off zone only, you are not permitted to be more than 3 metres from your car and stopped no longer than 2 minutes. The local council are actively policing this area and a number of parents have been booked in the last weeks.
Please do not pick up children in front of the office from your car, or park in a disabled car spot. Always use the yellow crossings in the car park.
2021 School Closure Days
Listed below are our school closure days for 2021. These are student free days. Staff use these days to further develop their learning and keep informed with current practice and procedures.
- Thursday & Friday 6 & 7 May (Term 2 Wk 3)- Project Thrive ( Wellbeing )
- Monday 16th August ( Term 3 Wk 6) - Catholic Identity
- Monday 1st November (Term 4 Wk 5) Report Writing Day -
- Friday 26th November (Term 4 Wk 8 )- Planning 2022
Please note: These dates may be subject to change that may be out of our control.
Warm regards
Darren Gibbons
Principal
