Dear Families

Our children are very settled in their classes, meeting new friends and getting to know their class routines. Our Prep children have been amazing, as they are so settled and coping with the longer hours. Our specialist programs have begun and it is such a pleasure to see our children happy and engaged in their learning.

Next week, we celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Lent is a time of repentance, or turning back to God so we can prepare for Easter. Lots of customs and practices are associated with this time of the year. For Christians: receiving the ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday, fasting and eating simpler foods, extra time given to prayer, extra focus on generosity and giving to others (Project Compassion). In the Church, flowers and decorations are put aside and the altar cloths are changed to purple. Perhaps during Lent we can have a focus on being hopeful, that we can prepare ourselves for the Resurrection of Jesus, but hope for a peaceful and just world.

On Ash Wednesday, our children in Year 3-6 will be attending mass at 9.30 and our Prep - Year 2 children will be participating in a liturgy at 2.30pm.

Every year we develop a School Improvement Plan which allows us to set goals for all curriculum areas. This is the final year of this cycle as we are participating in a Review with Melbourne Archdiocese Schools (MACS) and a new School Improvement Plan will be implemented over the next four years.

This year we continue to focus on our three major priorities which are as follows;

Priority 1: Religious Dimension Goal: To strengthen our school’s identity as a place where Catholic faith is integrated with everyday life

Priority 2: Effective Teaching Goal: To embed our knowledge of highly effective teaching practices so that we can ensure continuous growth for all.

Priority 3: School Community Goal: To continue seeking diverse and authentic partnerships that enhance learning outcomes for all.

Our overall focus is to continue differentiating our teaching and learning strategies to meet the individual needs of our children. Listed below, is our Term One focus for our curriculum areas. Although it is not specifically stated, each goal will focus on how we can meet the individual needs of our children; spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.

Religious Education - our focus is Lent and how we are called to action to build a better future for all. We are also looking at the importance of Prayer. Each level will focus on a formal prayer and its significance in our lives today.

Literacy - our focus is on developing positive reading behaviours such as responding to text in a meaningful way. Our teachers are encouraging our children to monitor their thinking. We are also looking at further developing our children’s skills to write independently.

Numeracy - our focus is on further developing our children’s understanding of number and place value. Our Year One children will be focusing on early number skills by participating in a program designed by Melbourne Archdiocese Schools - (MACS).

Inquiry Learning - our focus is to create engaging learning experiences for the children to collaborate and have rich discussions with one another. Each level has an excursion or incursion booked to enhance their experience.

Discovery - our focus is on establishing routines and expectations. We are also encouraging the children to collaborate, think creatively and problem solve. Our school values will be a focus when teachers discuss their expectations of Discovery.

Genius Time - our focus will be encouraging our children to choose a topic of their choice so they are engaged to follow the processes necessary to assist them to complete the project. They will be encouraged to explore and discuss their passions with their classmates and teachers.

Student Wellbeing - revising our Behaviour Management Map to ensure our children are clear about our expectations. We will implement our strategies to welcome our children in their classes each day with a focus on them using their toolbox or strategies to manage their emotions.

Community - ensuring our parents are kept up to date with our curriculum initiatives and develop close working relationships with all our parents .

Throughout the year we will be offering parent sessions, either at school or online, to keep you updated about our strategies or learning initiatives. Please feel free to contact our leaders if you have any questions or concerns. Our leaders are;

Teaching and Learning - Prep - Year 2 - Leona Dean Year 3-6 Stephen Arthurson

Religious Education - Cath Woodhouse

Literacy - Prep - Year 2 - Bianca Cutajar Year 3 - 6 - Fiona Brugaletta

Numeracy Prep - Year 2 - Alexis Seddon Year 3 - 6 - Eamon Light

ICT - Caitlin Browning - Hull

Wellbeing - Kristie Browning Prep - Year 2 - Jade Salpietro Year 3 - 6 - Sue Sexton

Community - Michelle Buckley

Our New Agreement - EBA

Over the past year negotiations have been taking place between MACS and our union, IEU, to negotiate our new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA). One of the outcomes is that teachers will be eligible to receive time in lieu if directed to participate in activities outside of school hours. The implications of this is that staff may not be present at our outside of hours events such as our upcoming school picnic. We will endeavour to continue to hold our school community events as we have in the past but there may be some adjustments needed to put in place.

Teacher workloads have been a major component of the new EBA. We have been able to cover this without reducing school hours as some schools have had to do which I am very grateful for.

At the moment I am attending meetings to clarify our responsibility to uphold the new EBA so I will keep you informed when further information is available. I thank you in advance for your understanding.

Parents Teachers and Friends Association

Our Parents, Teachers and Friends Association plays an important role at St Anne’s. It is a voluntary group of parents and staff who plan various activities or events to support our school to enhance a sense of community as well as improving the resources our children need to enhance their learning.

In previous years the PTFA has organised mothers and fathers day stalls, school disco, fundraisers such as cookie dough or the colour run, as well as a night out for parents with a trivia night.

Members of the PTFA do not organise every event as it is shared amongst the committee.

It is a great way to contribute to St Anne’s as well as an opportunity to meet other parents at our school.

Our first meeting will be happening shortly, look out on Operoo for a date. We would love to see you come along to learn more about our PTFA.

Our School Library

To ensure our children are developing a love of reading our library is extremely well stocked with fabulous books. We have books to suit all our children’s interests. Our Library will be open on a Tuesday at lunchtime as well as after school on Tuesday and Wednesday until 4.00pm. During these times our children can return and borrow new books to take home to read.

Car Park

We are very lucky to have the car parking spaces that we do at St Anne’s. It is especially busy at pick up time and I ask that parents are patient and alert to ensure the safety of our children.

I ask that parents ONLY PARK IN THE DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES. If you do not park in these specified areas you are compromising the safety of our children. Therefore please do not park in front of the rubbish bins or in between the parking bays. I ask for your cooperation in this very important safety issue.

School Uniform

Wearing our correct school uniform allows our children to feel as though they are part of our community. It gives all of us a sense of pride. Therefore I ask that our children are in their full school uniform at all times. Black shoes are to be worn except when the children are wearing their sports uniform. Black shoes need to be ‘all black’. Hats need to be worn during term one and four. Nail polish is not acceptable. A mix of our uniform and sports uniform is also not acceptable. I also ask that you check your child’s uniform to make sure they are clearly named so they can be returned if left out in the yard.

Collecting Children Early

We know there are times when our children need to be collected early for appointments. During class time this is easy as the administration staff can call your child’s teacher and they can be sent to the office. During our recess breaks this is more difficult as once they are outside playing our children do not always hear their names being called over the PA. To avoid this, either collect your child before the breaks or call the office and have your child wait in the playground near the office.

Positive Behaviour For Learning - PBL

Our focus to start the year is to be respectful. We are encouraging our children to greet each other as well as asking how they are or wish them a good day.

It is important that we encourage our children to be respectful as it is an essential component of having successful relationships. It builds a sense of trust and safety.

At home you can support us by encouraging your children to use their manners - asking how your day is going, saying please and thank you. You can also encourage them to say hello to family members or friends, asking them how they are going.

If we work together then we will have very respectful children at St Anne’s!

Introducing our School Captains

Hello everyone! My name is Lillyanna and I am one of St. Annes’ school captains for 2023.

I’m one of three kids in our family. I LOVE dancing but I’ve suffered some knee injuries that have paused this passion of mine, and that’s why you might see me wearing knee braces. Now I’m focusing on guitar and I’m enjoying it very much.

Why I will be a good school captain is because I’m always willing to give up my time to help others when they are in need. I always make sure that I am being a responsible and respectful student and friend so the younger students that look up to us Year 6 students will be responsible and respectful like us.

My name is Milla and I am very excited to be a school captain this year. As a leader I want all the students at St Anne's to follow the school values. Outside of school I am a Dancer and I also do callisthenics. My hopes for 2023 is that we all strive to put 100% into everything we do, and to challenge ourselves hope for myself that I am a good school captain and that the juniors look up to me.

Hello, My name is Jaxon from 6 White. I am one of St Anne's School Captains.

Year 6 has been amazing to me and so far I'm loving it!

My hopes for St Anne's are to make St Anne's a more positive and fun place to learn.

Another thing I hope for at St Anne's is that everyone can have fun on the yard and can show all the School Values! An example of showing the school values is being respectful on the yard by being aware of the other kids on the yard!

Hello, my name is Luca and I am one of the school captain's for 2023.

My goal is to work alongside my trustworthy companions.

So this year, as school captain, I will do my part in keeping the school a happy environment.

My hope is that we, the school captain's and student leaders of the school, can make the school a safe and enjoyable place. I want kids to have fun at St Anne's.

With great power comes great responsibility- Peter Parker.

My name is Liam and I am one of your school captains.

I am 11 years old. I love sports, and my favourites are footy, cricket and basketball. I support the Western Bulldogs AFL team. I enjoy reading, and two of my favourite book series are Harry Potter and Nevermoor. I also play video games, like Roblox, Minecraft and Rocket League.

I am striving to be a responsible and kind leader. I want to be a self aware and honest leader. I will show you courage and empathy.

I hope I can live up to the highest standards and prove to you that I am a great leader.

God Bless

Wellbeing News