PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

The rain event of last week and subsequent flooding across Maribyrnong, Rochester, Shepparton, Echuca, Bridgewater and now Kerang is having a significant impact on many across our state. Further heavy rainfalls forecast for later this week and over the weekend will place additional stress on waterways that are already full to the brim. As parents and educators, we have an important role to play in helping the students in our care to understand the impact of such events on other people. We must teach the children about the meaning of empathy and to ‘walk in the shoes’ of another. Many families across the state are currently displaced after having their homes inundated by flood waters, where the damage will be considerable and long-lasting. This week, many of our classes have watched child-friendly news articles on ABC’s Behind the News in order to help them develop an understanding of what is going on. Over the coming days, we will be meeting with the Year Six students to discuss possible ways to support the communities that have been adversely affected.

 

Grandparents day - Thursday 27th October

This year we are excited to extend a warm welcome to all grandparents and special people for a celebration of our grandparents connected to our school community. It will all be happening from 9am-10.30am on Thursday 27th October. We will start with a liturgy in the church, to be led by the children. Each of the year levels will contribute to the liturgy in some way, in a similar fashion to our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations. Following the liturgy grandparents and special guests will be invited into the classrooms where the children will host, share some of their school work and introduce them to their teachers. This will also be a time for a shared morning tea, either in the classroom or outside (weather permitting). Tea and coffee stations will be set up in each area of the school, so our grandies can enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit with their grandchildren. Should your child’s grandparents be unable to attend, that is not a problem. We will ensure all children are included on the day in hosting our special guests. The Book Fair will also be in the library and the children will be welcome to take their grandparents for a look at this also. Parents are of course welcome to attend all of the festivities for the morning too. We are looking forward to a great day!

 

2023 Prep Orientation

It’s hard to believe it is that time of year again, but last week we welcomed our 2022 Prep class for their first orientation session. The series of Prep Orientation sessions is one of the highlights of the year, as these children take their first steps into “Big School”. Moving from kinder to school is a significant transition for the children and families. There is no way of knowing how a child will respond when coming into school for the first time. The school site is much bigger and there are more children present than at community kindergartens and childcare centres. All Prep parents (new and old) are warmly invited to the 2023 Prep Information night, to be held at school on Tuesday 15th November. This evening is a wonderful opportunity to meet new families, key staff who will be working with the children and also hear about how you can best support your child through this transition. Amanda Baker will continue as our Prep teacher in 2023 and she is excited to partner with our Prep parents as the children start their schooling journey.

 

St Agnes’ School Walkathon - Friday 21st October

This coming Friday (weather permitting), all students will walk to Peterson Street Reserve (top oval) to participate in the Walkathon. The students will commence running/walking laps at 9.30am and will be moving for about an hour. The children will complete laps of the oval and are asked to seek sponsorship for the event. This event is about promoting healthy habits of exercise, but it is also one of the major fundraising events for the year, led by the P&F. Parents are welcome to join in the walk/run and assist with lapmarking. Sponsorship forms were sent home earlier this week and there is also a copy attached on our Parents and Friends page. As per the shared responsibility of our P&F, our Year 1 and Year 3 parent groups are responsible for this event. Thank you to the Class Reps and all helpers.

 

Book Fair-Next Week

The Book Fair commences in our school on Monday 24th October. There will be a selection of new and award winning books on display for purchase in the Library from Monday to Thursday next week. The children will be visiting the Book Fair on Monday morning to make a ‘Wish List’ of literature that interests them. The Library is currently upstairs above the hall and it will be open before and after school- see the exact days and times in Library news. Parents are welcome to head in with your child to explore the literature on offer to update your home libraries. Instilling a love of literature is an important part of our role as a school and as parents. Expect your child to be excited!

 

St Agnes’ Sports Carnival - Rescheduled - Friday 4th November

After a cancellation due to poor weather, we are pleased to confirm that the St Agnes’ Sports Carnival will go ahead on Friday 4th November. Again, it will be held at the Rowans Road Athletics Track, Moorabbin (Bricker Reserve). The children were very disappointed at the cancellation and we hope for a run of good weather. The children are to wear their sports uniform for the day and can wear a touch of their house colour with their uniform - hair ties, wrist bands, ribbons, coloured zinc etc. We will reissue the Operoo form for permission and also requests for parent help.

 

Extend Before and After School Care

As was communicated recently, Extend services have returned to normal. I thought it important to communicate that we have been given assurances that the service will continue to operate uninterrupted for the remainder of the year.

 

School Fees

I would like to remind families that Term 4 School Fees are due on 21st October. Statements were sent out on the 7th October. All accounts must be settled this month to avoid an additional $100.00 late payment fee.

 

Year 6 Graduation Meeting - Tuesday 25th October

A reminder that a follow up meeting will be held for all Year 6 parents to continue planning the Graduation Celebrations for the Year 6 children. The meeting will be held at school at 8am on Tuesday October 25th, in the Hall.

 

Melbourne Cup Long Weekend

A reminder that the school will be closed for the Melbourne Cup Long weekend, inclusive of Monday 31st October and Tuesday 1st November. We hope you enjoy this opportunity for some family time and to prepare for a busy end to the year ahead.

 

Art Show - Parent Help Needed!

The St Agnes’ School Art Show is happening on Thursday 24th November. A link to purchase tickets will be in the next newsletter, on Wednesday 2nd November. In the meantime, we have around 400 pieces of Artwork to prepare for presentation on the night. From this week onwards, our Art teacher Mrs Jen Brown is looking for some parent helpers on Thursday afternoons from 2pm onwards. If you are able to help Jen on a Thursday afternoon, please get in touch with her directly jbrown@sahighett.catholic.edu.au. No expertise is required, it will be efforts such as glueing, labelling and cataloguing the children’s art work. All assistance is appreciated and toddlers welcome.

 

Assembly

For the duration of the renovation project, Wednesday afternoon assemblies will be held in the church from 2.40pm. Parents are welcome to attend. We ask that you come through the school office on Peterson street and enter the church via the rear entrance. We will continue to have class presentations, awards, birthdays and special announcements each week.

 

 

Wednesday 19th Oct - Year 4

Wednesday 26th Oct - Year 1

Wednesday 2nd Nov - Choir

Wednesday 9th Nov - Year 3

Wednesday 16th Nov - Year 5

Wednesday 23rd Nov - Prep

Wednesday 30th Nov - Year 3-4 Camp Report

Wednesday 7th Dec - Year 6 Final Assembly

Wednesday 14th Dec - No assembly

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Kind regards,

Lachie.