Leadership & Management

Week 10  Term 4

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today we welcomed our Foundation 2022 students for their first onsite transition session. They have already participated in three online sessions and it will be fantastic we welcome them officially to our community. The parents of these students participated in an online information session last Thursday night.  The Foundation students were welcomed at the Hawthorn Street gate by their teachers and Year 5 Buddies for 2022. 

Year 3 Reconciliation – Saturday 4 December

Our Year 3 students had the opportunity to celebrate their First Reconciliation on Saturday after having postponed this celebration due to COVID -19. This special Sacrament is a time for students to reflect on their lived experiences of broken relationships and actions and restore relationships with others and with God. Special thank you to Graham, Katarina, and Mark and the families for preparing the children for this special day. The children received their certificates at our whole school assembly this morning.                  

First Eucharist - Congratulations 

Last Friday night Alana and Clea from Year 4 celebrated their First Eucharist.  This is a very special event for the girls and their families. Alana and Clea were presented with their First Eucharist certificate at this morning's assembly.

Year 6 Confirmation and Graduation - Saturday 11 4:00pm 

This is a very special week as our Year 6 students prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and their Graduation from Primary School. This is a very special milestone in the lives of the children and their families. Best wishes and congratulations to them all and I wish them all the best for the next chapter in their lives.

Sad News, Michael Bourke – Past St Fidelis Principal

I am writing to inform you that a former Principal of St Fidelis, Mr Michael Bourke, passed away peacefully earlier last week after a long battle with ill health. Michael was 64 years old. Michael was the Principal at St Fidelis from 1995 until 2009 and then moved to St Raphael's in Preston. Michael Bourke was instrumental in overseeing the construction of the connection of the Junior Learning Area with Library Area. Hence the passageway outside my office name after him BOURKE STREET in his honour.

As a parent of children who attended St Fidelis during Michael’s time as Principal at St Fidelis I always found him to be kind, compassionate and understanding. Michael was also a Principal at St Joseph’s West Brunswick and St Joseph’s Pirron Yallock. 

Michael is survived by his wife Pippa, son Daniel, daughter Zoe and grandson Fergus. Thoughts and prayers are extended to his family at this sad time. A private funeral will be held this week in his parish of St Brigid’s Greythorn. Rest In Peace Mr Michael Bourke. 

Building Update

Last week we received handover for the inside of the building. The builders and architects have done a wonderful job with transforming old with the new. Teachers have begun moving some of their resources into the new Learning Areas. We are required to wait for the instant turf to be laid outside for this project to be totally completed. (Not long now). On the last week of school, teachers will take their class for a tour of the new building. The student will be shown their new learning area for 2022.

Farewell and End of Term Assembly 

On Wednesday 15 December at 12:15pm, we will hold our last Whole School Prayer and Assembly for the year. This is an opportunity to pray for the year that was and the year to come. It is also a time to say goodbye to some of our staff and thank them for their time at St Fidelis.  The teachers leaving St Fidelis were listed in last week’s newsletter. 

Parents and Friends AGM - December 13 at 7:00pm (School Hall)

The Parents and Friends' Committee extend an invitation to all families who would like to come and hear about the wonderful work the committee do for the school at its AGM meeting. 

At this meeting, we will begin with:

• Guest Speaker:
• Dr Frank Muscara from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute discussing COVID impact/resilience-building in primary aged children.

Followed by the AGM

• Summary of P&F financials.
• Highlight of P&F 2021 events.
• Formal nominations of 2022 PFA members, and
•  P&F planned events and activities for 2022.

If you are planning on coming to the AGM, please kindly R.S.V.P. to Josie by emailing parentsandfriends.stfidelis@gmail.com or message to 0421076580. Thank you.

STAFFING & DATES for 2022

In next week's newsletter, staffing for 2022 and term start and finish dates will be published.  Other event dates will be published on the school website during the school holidays. I will notify you when this has happened for your planning.

FEEES ARE OVERDUE 

There are a number of families who have their last child leaving at the end of 2021 who have NOT finalized their school fees. Can you please finalise all payments this week (unless prior arrangement have been made with Manuela) 

Thank you to all the families who have paid their fees in full. Our school does relies on school fees for many recurrent costs so prompt payment is appreciated.

These are the ways you can pay your fees: 

• Credit card over the phone or in person
• Direct Debit using bank details below
• By Cash coming into the school using COVID Safe Protocols

Please call the office and Ann will arrange credit card payment over the phone or alternatively if you prefer to pay by direct debit, please use the bank details below. If any families need to discuss alternative arrangements for the payment of fees, please contact me directly. The Bank details for your ease of payment: 

Have a lovely week 

Manuela

Teacher vs Student Volleyball Game 

This was great. The atmosphere was fantastic. Even though I was benched by my own teammates I still enjoyed it! Thanks Sally for a great initiative for increasing School Spirit. I think Clare Manthos was named MVP. Congratulations Clare!!