From the Principal
Parent Information Night
A 2023 Parent Information Night was held on Wednesday 8 February for parents of junior students at 6:30 pm and for parents of senior students at 7:30 pm. Both sessions were well attended and it was great to see parents face to face after having to do this session online in the past few years.
Parents who attended were able to meet the staff. We were able to share important information with you regarding your child's learning this year. As your child gets older, their needs change and the information shared is about the emphasis for your child this year and also about areas of change or focus in our curriculum priorities. It is vital to be there to understand the focus for 2023 and it establishes the essential partnership that gives your child the best opportunities for the year. Congratulations to parents who made the time to attend this information night. If you were unable to attend, please do find a time to establish this important link with your child's teacher in opportunities provided this term.
Parents are encouraged to link with the teacher via Seesaw this year to gain a more personal insight about your child this year. The teachers are inviting you into their Seesaw groups. Many might have already done this. Please also keep up with school communication via this newsletter, the school app or via Operoo.
- Parents of Prep students are invited to the 2023 Prep Meet and Greet next Wednesday 15 February.
- Junior Reading Night for all Year Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 parents date TBA.
- Parent Teacher Interviews Wednesday 5 April.
Update medical Information
Parents are reminded to review and update their child's medical information on Operoo. If your child has a medical condition e.g asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes etc we need an updated medical management plan added to Operoo. If your child is on any medication we require a Medication Authority Form (see link) which is also available from the school website. Please ensure medication is current for the 2023 school year and has not passed the expiry date. All parents are to sign and confirm their child's profile even if there have been no changes made to medication, address or phone numbers.
Updated Operoo needed for Camp or Excursions
Please note that without a 2023 date on medical consent on Operoo, a student will NOT be permitted to attend Camp next week or 2023 excursions.
This is essential for Year 5 and 6 students who attend Camp Portsea next week. However ALL students must have an updated 2023 signed medical consent form. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated.
The following steps will allow you to add or edit medical conditions in Operoo.
Adding Medical Conditions
1. Log in through the Operoo App or a web browser, and click on the name or photo of the Profile.
2. Select MEDICAL CONDITIONS from the FULL VIEW drop-down list.
OR scroll down until you see the Medical Conditions section and click the Edit button.
3. Read and check if all the information shared is correct. If changes are required please edit. e.g. Tick Yes on the right side of the specific Medical Condition if it has changed. Click Save and Continue.
Or if edits are required, scroll down to the Safety Alerts section and then click the Edit button.
3. Click the blue Edit button of an existing medical condition. Upload 2023 Medical Management Plan for a medical condition.
4. Fill out the form as necessary and click Update. If you click Update but missed to fill out a required section, that section will be highlighted in red. Required sections are presented by an asterisk (*). Check and update Emergency contacts.
5. Final step for all parents.
You will be taken to the Consent section. You will need to re-consent, confirm that the profile has been changed and that the medical information contained within is up-to-date.
We ask all parents to re-consent so that a 2023 date appears that confirms to us that the medical record is current and has been reviewed.
Check that the profile has a 2023 date stamp.
Year 3's thought it was Christmas!!
Our Year 3's were super excited to receive their very own personal Chromebook this week. Their devices have had Google educational apps added and are ready for use. They are protected with Go Guardian to ensure children are on task and alerts are received for any inappropriate searches both at school and at home. However active supervision is essential at home and we encourage that all devices be used in a common area and not in bedrooms. The Chromebooks are taken home for continuation of learning and brought back to school fully charged for the day's learning. They are placed in a special protective case. Children have taken great care of their device and value the privilege of having their own device to use when required and to continue learning as required at school and at home.
The school has paid for the case, licences and the Go Guardian installation. Parents have paid the discounted education price that we were able to buy the device for in 2023.
In 2024, the 1:1 program will be fully established and all students in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 will have their own personal device. When children commence in Year 3 from 2024 they will need their own device. From 2024, there will only be the option to pay for the device before the student receives it in Term 1, Week 2. An information session for current Year 2 parents will be held online in Term 2, 2023.
Eligibility for 2023 Concessional Fees
Parents with Health Care Cards that are eligible for the The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program. The card must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for whom the concession is to be applied.
The expiry date of the card must be after 1 January of the year for which the concession is to be applied. If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year. If a family becomes eligible during the course of the school year, then a pro‐rata concession will be granted.
Important notes
- The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian/carer responsible for the school fees who holds the eligible card.
- A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.
- Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.
- All families receiving or requesting a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered.
- Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a Direct Debit Request (DDR) service agreement or Centrepay deduction arrangement. Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.
- Should an application be considered ineligible, the applicant will be notified that the application has been declined.
An Operoo eform will be sent to all parents. Please indicate if you have or do not have an eligible health Care Card. If you qualify as you posses a valid Health Care Card, you need to complete the attached forms and email or bring them to the office by 1st March so that your application can be processed.
All parents are required to complete the fee agreement sent home this week. Parents who are paying fees by installments are encouraged to set up a direct debit payment for 2023.
Payment for fees is essential and a matter of justice.
If you are experiencing genuine financial hardship, you are encouraged to arrange to meet with the Principal.
Multipurpose Hall Update
The hall is taking shape and the final stages of finishing the internal areas are well underway. Last week the entrance from our school corridor was created and plaster work has been steadily progressing. The work on the storm water connection has required amendments and hopefully the works on Paterson Drive will take place shortly. This work on the road will now occur between 9:30 to 2:30 each day. There will be a detour on Paterson Drive when this work commences but it should not impact school drop off or pick up.
At the latest site meeting today, the expected completion of the building is now set for the 28th April 2022 in week 1 Term 2. We are now very eager to move in so we can commence preparing for our our school production which we have planned for late Term 3 ( Juniors) and early Term 4 (seniors).
We are also in consultation with a landscape gardener to look at ways we can use the new garden areas and play areas created between LS2 and the hall. This project might be an excellent focus for P&F fundraising for 2023. We are excited by the development and initial plans for this space.
CHANGE TO SCHOOL DAY IN 2023
In 2023, we will finish school at 3:15pm.
Please note that
- Playground supervision before school is from 8:30 to 8:45am.
- Playground supervision after school is from 3:15pm to 3:30pm.
Children may play on the blue playground and the basketball courts before and after school. All other play areas are closed including the rainbow playground.
- Kharisma Kids will continue to operate until the school supervision starts and from the end of the school day.
- Kharisma Kids will be offering a short stay concessional rate. Most parents are entitled to Childcare subsidy of up to 45% of the price.
Please email me at principal@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Turkey and Syria
It is only appropriate to conclude by reflecting on the devastating earthquake tragedy that continues to unfold across Turkey and Syria. We pray for the victims and their families. May they find comfort in the love and support being expressed from all the nations of the world.
Have a great weekend. Happy Valentine's Day!
Regards
Christine White
Principal