From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week, our students continue to be involved in many learning experiences that seek to educate the whole child. Each week in the newsletter, you will find a snapshot of what is happening in our vibrant school community. Please take some time during your busy week to check in with what is happening.

This week:

Our Years Five and Six students attend Day 2 of the Winter Interschool Sports.
Some of our girls from Years Five and Six will be participating in an AFL Gala day.
Some of our Year One students are participating in Maths on the Move.
Prep and Year One students are exploring Science through an incursion on Friday.

This week the Family Week Heart Activity display has started to take shape in the school office corridor. Thank you to all the families who contributed tom this great family celebration within our community.

Fr Mark Reynolds' Farewell

This weekend (10\11 June), at each of the Masses, St Simon's Parish will be acknowledging and thanking Fr Mark Reynolds for his leadership and contribution to the Parish community of St Simon's. All school families are welcome to attend any of the mass times as part of the celebration.

Fr Mark is moving the parish St Clement of Rome in Bulleen. This location will place him closer to the CBD, which will allow Fr Mark to carry out his other responsibilities as the Episcopal Victor for Catholic Schools in more balanced way.

School Fees

School Fee statements are sent each month so families can track their financial obligations to the school. Statements for June were emailed to families last week. Any outstanding amounts from previous school years should be settled immediately.

Any family who is experiencing difficulty meeting their financial obligations should contact the school office to arrange a meeting with the principal.

This Thursday, our Year 6 Environmental Leaders are leading an initiative to fundraise and build awareness about the importance of taking care of waterways and oceans.

Click above for more information.

2023 Canteen - CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOUR HELP

A big thank you to the 14 families who have generously volunteered their time to help with the canteen.

We still need more help, so please consider what might be possible within your household. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other families within the school families.

Ordering lunch from the St Simon's Canteen on Friday has been something that students love to do.

Based on previous volunteer numbers, typically, you would be rostered once or twice a term on a Friday.

As Canteen Volunteer, you have a great opportunity to contribute to a school experience that the students love, as well as have a chance to meet other families and strengthen our community spirit. All volunteers must hold a valid Working With Children’s Check and have signed a Child Safety Code of Conduct.

Please note due to Occupational Health and Safety, pre-school aged siblings are not allowed to be onsite during canteen duty.

This is a great opportunity for other family members like grandparents to be involved in the life of our school.

As a canteen volunteer, you will assist with fulfilling lunch orders into paper bags that are then delivered to the classrooms.

There are typically two shifts 8:30am-11:30am and 11:00am -2:00pm (subject to change)

A big thank you to Jinny and Jason Robe, who have taken on the canteen coordinator role for this year.

For our canteen to operate, we need a base level number of volunteers. Once we have that base level number locked in, there will be further detail about when the Canteen will reopen.

We plan to have the canteen operational in Term 3 based on sufficient volunteer numbers.

If you have any questions about the canteen volunteering, please contact the School Office, office@ssrowville.catholic.edu.au 9755 4222

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING

I would also like to acknowledge I have received some feedback from parents about the frustration of the “stop-start” nature of the canteen. I am hearing that some parents would like a more regular canteen service offering.

The operational model of the St Simon’s School canteen has had a long-standing as a volunteer-operated activity however, I acknowledge that community norms of volunteering are somewhat different to what they have been in the past. The volunteer platforms under which our uniform and canteen operate are regularly spoken about through the School Advisory Council. I will continue to keep families up to date regarding any future changes in this space.

2024 Prep Enrolment - Reminder

As we approach the end of Term 2, now is the time for current families with a child starting prep in 2024 to ensure that they completed an enrollment application form. This year we have moved to a completely digital workflow for the enrolment process. Click here to begin.

Enrolment applications need to be completed by Friday 16th June

Finally, I hope the upcoming long weekend provides some extra time for rest and relaxation for you and your family.

Tom Wursthorn

Principal