General News
Dhulu (Message Stick)
Yaama!
Yidaki (Didgeridoo) Lessons (Years 5-6 boys)
On Wednesday, our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander boys from Years 5 & 6 were able to visit Joblink Plus to start their Yidaki (Didgeridoo) Lessons. Unfortunately, Uncle Mark is overseas at the moment so our lessons were supported by Rob Brown and Scotty Hughes. Our deadly boys started carving and shaving their own Didgeridoos that they will use in their lessons this year.
We are so excited to see our boys grow during this cultural journey.
Word of the Week
At St Edward's we are always working towards our community being better tomorrow than they are today so we have started a new initiative "Word of the Week". The students will be exposed to a new word each Monday at Assembly and then challenged to use the word in context in the classroom. Each time a student uses our "Word of the Week" in the classroom they will be awarded a point and the student with the most points at the end of the term will receive a book to further expand their vocabulary.
We will publish our Word of the Week on Facebook and in the newsletter. Please support your child to use this word at home. Week 4 - LOGOPHILE
K-6 Parent Information Evening - Tuesday 21st February, 6.00pm Primary Campus Hall
Please join us for our K - 6 Parent & Carer Information Evening next Tuesday 21st February at 6.00pm. It is an ideal opportunity to meet your child's teacher and other members of staff and develop a comprehensive understanding of ways to support your child's learning this year. We hope to see you there.
COVID Safe Measures
This year, schools will continue to follow guidance issued by NSW Health to support the safety and wellbeing of our school communities.
Staff and students with COVID-19 symptoms
If a student or staff member is unwell and has any symptoms they should always test for COVID-19 and not attend school until they are symptom free.
Positive COVID-19 cases
If a student or staff member receives a positive result on with a RAT or PCR test they should:
- Record the positive result through the Services NSW website or app
- Notify the school of the positive results as soon as possible
Compass
This year our main form of communication will be via Compass. It is essential that all families are logged into Compass so that they can perform tasks such as: consent to events, receive fee statements, view their child's reports and mark their child absent. If you are unsure how to access Compass, or are having difficulties, please contact our friendly office staff who will be able to assist you.
Change of Details
We ask parents to please use the Compass portal to change phone numbers or email addresses. For changes to residential address or student medical details, please contact either school office via phone or email, thank you.
NRMA Bus Safety Program – Kinder Students only
On Tuesday 28th February, all Kindergarten students will be participating in our annual NRMA Bus Safety Program from 9.00am-11.00am. There will be an information and discussion session conducted by representatives of the NRMA, Police and Tamworth Bus Lines, followed by a short bus ride. This event requires parental consent electronically via the Compass Parent Portal. Thank you to those Kinder families who have already given permission. If you are experiencing any issues, please contact the Infants Office.
Medical Action Plans
Medical Action Plans have been sent home to all families who have children with Asthma, Seizures, Diabetes and Anaphylaxis. Parents are asked to update these forms annually, including a signature from your family doctor. Please return these signed Action Plans to school as soon as possible, thank you.
Parents of students who have been diagnosed with any of the above medical conditions since enrolling are asked to advise either school office ASAP so a Medical Action Plan can be processed and sent home.
Canteen Helpers Required
The School Canteen is an extremely vital facility which is unable to run effectively without the valued assistance of our wonderful helpers. The Canteen is currently seeking helpers to assist on the following days:
PRIMARY - Friday's only from 9.30am to 1.30pm
INFANTS - every school day from 1.15pm - 1.50pm
If you can spare some time, please email Mrs Nikki Bridge, Canteen Supervisor, your availability:
Please note: volunteer helpers must have a current Working with Children Check which is available through the RMS.
Qkr! School Payment App
All School Canteen orders must be placed via the Qkr! App. If you do not have this FREE App, please refer to the instructions shown below to install. If you have any questions, please contact either school office.
Also, don't forget to update your child's profile/class on Qkr! for 2023 so your child's Canteen order reaches them in the correct class.
Second Hand Clothing Pool
Our second hand clothing pool is open from 8.30am to 3.30pm each school weekday at both the Primary and Infants Campus. Most second hand items are $5.00 each. Please see the office staff for further details.
Please note that both the Primary and Infants clothing pool are in short supply of good quality sports shorts, sports polos and girls summer tunics. If your child/ren have outgrown any of their uniforms, we would welcome any donations from parents, thank you.
Come and be a part of our wonderful St Ed's P & F Team!....
St Ed's P & F Fundraiser - Sunday 26th February
Are you ready for the first St Ed's P & F fundraiser of the year??
Come along to 'A Day Trackside' at the Tamworth Jockey Club, in conjunction with the Country Championships Race Day, on Sunday 26th February. See flyer below for full details or for further information please email the P & F team at: stedspf@gmail.com
Gather your friends, family and children for a wonderful, fun afternoon out at the races with FREE entry for children!! To purchase your tickets, please click the link below:
St Ed's Playgroup
We wish to advise parents and carers that our St Ed's Playgroup will recommence in Term 3 & 4 as part of our Kindergarten 2024 Transition Program. More information to follow closer to the date.
Attendance
Children are required to attend school from 8.45am to 3.00pm. It is essential that children are always present at school, except in the case of sickness.
Whenever a child is absent, parents are required to explain this absence through the Compass App. An SMS message is sent to parents on the morning of the absence if no notification of absence has been received before 10.00am. It is a legal requirement that you log in to Compass to explain all absences within 7 days of your child being away from school, however it is so much easier if you attend to this on the day as soon as you receive the reminder.
You will NOT be able to complete this task after the 7 days has passed which means they will be recorded as Absent Unexplained.
If you are having trouble accessing all of the Compass features, there should be a drop down menu on your home page which looks like 3 horizontal lines. Open this menu and choose 'open in browser'. This will help you access the school portal features.
St Edward’s School Tamworth - 2023 Schedule of Fees & Levies
School fees PER TERM (Terms 1, 2 & 3 only) for 2023 are:
· 1 child $482.00
· 2 children $867.60 (20% discount child 2)
· 3 or more children $1108.60 (50% discount child 3)
School fees ANNUAL for 2023 are:
· 1 child $1446.00
· 2 children $2602.80 (20% discount child 2)
· 3 or more children $3325.80 (50% discount child 3)
2023 Sport & School Activity Levy per child is:
Primary Students $70.00 per student
Infants Students $50.00 per student
St Edward’s Sport & School Activity Levy (SASA Levy) covers the cost of sport activities and extracurricular activities that students participate in and is in addition to School Fees.
New Finance System and School Fees
We have recently transitioned to a new finance system. This means that school fees can now be paid via BPay, CompassPay, Cash and Eftpos and soon our school's bank account will not be available to direct credit.
Term 1 school fees will be issued via email by our Catholic Schools Office, Armidale in the week beginning 13th February with your new BPay details. Regular payments can be set up directly from your bank account via BPay.
All canteen purchases will continue to use QKR.
2024 Kindergarten Enrolments - ENROL NOW
Applications for Kindergarten 2024 are NOW OPEN. Please contact the Infants Campus for an enrolment pack. Enrolment Forms will not be processed until all supporting documents are received: Birth Certificate; Immunisation Certificate; Baptismal Certificate (only required if your child is baptised Catholic) and proof of student’s residential address. Please spread the word if you know of anyone with a child wishing to start at St Edward's School in Kindergarten in 2024. Applications close Thursday 6th April 2023.
Esteem Kids
Before school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00am to 8:30am, Monday through Friday during term and breakfast is provided.
After school care is available in the Infants Hall for Infants students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday. PLEASE NOTE this year that after school care is now operating from the Primary Art Room for primary students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday. Afternoon tea is provided.
Families are encouraged to make enquiries or express interest by contacting William Wong on 0410 841 628 or email: info@esteemkidsgroup.com.au or visit the website at www.esteemkidsgroup.com.au
ABSENCES - Please remember to contact (telephone or text) Esteem Kids St Edward's directly if your child is going to be absent on 0481 373 883. Thank you.
Parent Workshops.....
Don't forget to like us on Facebook and tell your family and friends about our page too!
St Edward's Primary Tamworth
