Welcome

Week 11, Term 2, 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

Term 2 2020, will certainly be a memorable one. I want to thank parents, teachers and students for all the hard work, dedication, flexibility and understanding during this very unusual time in our lives. 

The children have been amazing upon their return. While the children cannot be in the playground in the morning playing with their friends before school it has given the teachers a new way to prepare the children for the day. The children enter the classroom, unpack their own bags, drink bottles, recess lunch, books etc, all those self-management skills required in life. The children find a book to read, a quiet game to play or sit with their friends for a chat and catch up before the day begins. With this unexpected change in routine, we have discovered that the children are calmer and more responsive to the beginning to the days learning task. 

At this stage, we will continue with the 9:00am start time and the staggered finish time unless advised differently by Catholic Education Melbourne. If things alter, I will let you know via Skoolbag communication over the holidays. Thank you for everyone's cooperation this term and beyond. 

We may remember back in May this year the Bishops approved the entrustment of our country to Mary Help of Christians. The motion read  “That the Australian Bishops entrust Australia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary under  the title Our Lady Help of Christians, seeking her intercession for the safety of all our people especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic”  We know that Australia has certainly suffered because of the pandemic but not as grievously as some other countries. Let us continue to pray to Our Lady help Of Christians for protection of our beautiful country.

Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia

Almighty God, deepen in our heartsour love of Mary Help of Christians.

Through her prayers and under her protection,may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Bless especially the men and womenof the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady of Help of Christians, pray for us!

Parent/ Teacher /Student Conversations

The dates for these conversations are as follows and are strictly 10 minutes.

Wednesday 24th June          4:00pm - 5:30pm

Thursday     25th June           11:30 - 6:00pm       Year 5/6 

Thursday     25th June           1:30pm - 6:00pm   Year F - 4

SCHOOL WILL FINISH AT 12:30 - 1:00PM on Thursday 25th. 

Staggered finish times as follows:

Students in RED (Daly)                dismissed at 12:30pm

Students in Blue (Mackillop)      dismissed at 12:40pm

Students in Green (Mannix)       dismissed at 12:50pm

Students in Gold (Lee)                 dismissed at 1:00pm 

If you are unable to pick your child at any of these times please email your child’s teacher and they can remain in their classroom until the last group are dismissed at 1:00PM. If you require afterschool care please make a booking via Camp Australia website. Afterschool care will begin at 12:30pm on this day.

END OF TERM FRIDAY 26TH JUNE

Students will be dismissed at the normal time of 3:00pm-3:30pm as per current procedures in Term 2. NO EARLY FINISH

Fun Friday - June 26th

Back by popular request. Fun Friday this week is “Wear Your House Colour Day”. Students can come to school with a piece of clothing that represents their house colour. A gold coin donation will be appreciated and will go to The St Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Farewell Mrs Caruana

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago we farewell Mrs Caruana (our Italian teacher) on Wednesday 24th June. Daniela has been a LOTE teacher for 6 years at St Fidelis. Daniela is moving to a new school as a generalist teacher.  I wish to thank Daniela for her dedication and passion for teaching the language of Italian to the children of St Fidelis. On behalf of all the community, I wish her all the best of luck in the next chapter of her professional career. She will be truly missed by everyone.

At this stage, I have advertised for an Italian Teacher to commence in Term 3.   I will keep you updated with this appointment. 

Catholic Education Optional Survey

Optional Remote Learning Surveys

Catholic Education Melbourne, in conjunction with schools, parents and Dr Simon Breakspear from Agile Schools, has developed a set of optional surveys for schools to capture the learnings achieved during the online remote home learning period. The staff, children and parent surveys are designed to be a quick and rapid capture of learnings while the experience is fresh, and is not designed to capture every aspect of schooling during the lockdown period.

These surveys complement learning captures that are already being undertaking by schools, and by the system more broadly, in order to support our learning as an organisation. 

Data is anonymous and will be fed back to each school within three weeks of the survey window completion.  If you could please complete the survey at your earliest convenience. I feel this will give us great insight into our recent online learning and teaching experience. 

Surveys will be open from 16 June - 26 June.

Parent Survey Link:  click here

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzakg7uzMyjK7Wx5N4pRcegz93z2P6nmvnR6ZAtDkusIJHUQ/viewform

Year 5/6 School Camp

In the Premier's statement last week, School Camps can re-open from 11:59pm on June 21. Therefore, we were fortunate to have been able to reschedule our School Camp to Sovereign Hill for November 23rd to November 25th.  More information to come later in Term 3. 

Sacraments

At this stage there is still no indication of when the sacraments will take place. All the priests in the Archdiocese of Melbourne are still in discussion with the Archbishop. As soon as I am advised, I will notify you. 

Key Enrolment Date for Year 5 Students 2020 starting Year 7 in 2022 in Catholic Secondary College. 

Dear parents, it is very important that you send applications to at least two Catholic Secondary Colleges to ensure that a place for all can be found. Applications close on 9th October 2020. 

School Fees Are Now Overdue

Thank you to the families who have paid their school fees for Term Two.  The office is open from 8:30 to 4:00pm each day if you would like to pay in person. Please enter via front door in Saunders Street and ring the doorbell. Our school does rely on school fees for many recurrent costs so payment is appreciated.

At this stage, we are still waiting advice as to what external programs we can offer the children for the remainder of the year. When we have a better understanding, we will look at school fee structures and making the necessary adjustments and possible refunds. 

We understand that these are difficult times for members of our school community and If any families need to discuss alternative arrangements for the payment of fees, please contact me directly and make a time to come and discuss possible options available.

If you prefer to pay by direct debit, please use the bank details below. Included are the Bank details for your ease of payment:

CDF (Catholic Development Fund)

BSB:                         083 347

ACCOUNT:            65 603 6380

REF:                         Child's name Fee Account Number

ACCOUNT TO:      St Fidelis Primary School

Please note once you have made a payment can you email Ann Russo 

annr@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au  with the amount you have deposited.

Have a lovely term break,

Manuela