From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Therese's Primary School,

How quickly time flies! I can't believe we are at the end of Term 2. I wish to thank everyone for your support and cooperation as we have had to endure another lockdown this term. Each time a lockdown is imposed on the school it causes a great deal of stress for the School as well as for families. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful school community that supported us during the latest lockdown, especially when we are required to change procedures such as drop off and pick up! I know it is stressful for parents and I appreciate everyone for being patient and for understanding. The changes are always made for the health and safety of everyone and are required by us by our governing body.

I hope that you all have a terrific two weeks with your families over the holiday break.  

Term 3 starts on July 13

Term 3 for all students begins on Tuesday, July 13 as we have a School Closure Day booked for staff professional learning on Monday, July 12. I have also rescheduled the School Closure Day that was meant to be held on June 15. It will now take place on August 20. Please put this date in your calendar. 

Student-Led Conferences

On July 27 and 28 we will be holding student-led conferences (parent/teacher interviews). 

On July 27 classes will stop at 1:30pm and teachers will prepare to begin interviews at 2:00pm and work through until 7:30pm. To assist us in facilitating the interviews on Tuesday July 27 we ask that if possible students are collected early from school at 1:30pm. This will provide an opportunity for the teachers to have lunch and move into interviews at 2pm. For those families who are unable to collect their children early on this day supervision is provided at school in the Hall.

On July 28 interviews will begin at 4:00pm and conclude at 6:00pm. 

Each interview will go for 10 minutes. 

The purpose of these interviews is for students to share their learning goals with their parents and for the teacher to provide information to the parents regarding the student's academic and behavioral progress.

It is anticipated that these interviews will be held face to face. If the restrictions change again due to COVID outbreaks we will move to remote interviews. For now, though let's hope and pray that we can do these face to face.

In the first week of Term 3, parents will be provided with instructions on how to make a booking for a parent/teacher interview.

COVID updates

Now that restrictions have eased across Victoria, parents are now invited back onto the school grounds for drop-off and pick-up purposes. Parents can use any of the gates. Please note that students are not able to exit the school via Mitchell Court or Merinda Park without a parent/carer who has walked in to collect them. Staff will not allow students to exit from these gates unassisted for obvious safety reasons. 

If you need to enter a building, please use the QR Codes that are in each classroom or at the entrances of the school. If you do not have a device that allows for QR code scanning, please visit the office and complete the visitor register. Any parent/carer who is visiting for longer than 15minutes will need to complete an Entry Declaration Form that is located at the office. Please note that the office is now located at the School Hall!

Cranbourne Line Upgrade

As part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade works, Endeavour Drive will be closed in both directions, between Gregory and Kennedy Courts, from 6:00am, Friday 9 June to 10:00pm, Saturday 7 August 2021. Please find a map of the closure location below.

Getting to school on time

Please ensure that your child is on time for school each day. The school day begins at 8:55am. Roll is taken between 8:55am and 9:00am. The gates open at 8:30am each morning.

Students who are walking into class after 9:00 am are missing important teaching instruction. Over time, this can impact the learning success of each student. The morning block of learning is the most important as this is when students are most ready to learn. Students who are walking into class after 9:00am will be marked as late on the roll and this is reflected on their school reports.

I know it can be challenging getting back into a routine after learning from home, however, this is most important for positive educational outcomes!

Uniform

We are now into Winter and all students need to be wearing their winter uniform. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct uniform. PSW has reopened now for any family who needs to purchase a new uniform. Many children have grown a lot over the last 12 months and may need a new pair of pants for example. I have noticed many students with pants that are way too small now! Also, please remember that navy socks need to be worn. Please do not allow your child to wear socks with logos on them.

 If you require financial help with the uniform please give me a call at the office on 59967525 and I may be able to help with any second-hand uniform.

School Advisory Committee Annual General Meeting

On Tuesday, August 3 we will be holding the Annual General Meeting for the School Advisory Committee. If you would like to join the committee, please email me via principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible.

Please consider! It is a great way to be involved in the life of the school.

NCCD

The National Consistent Collection of Data is used for schools to report any student who may have additional learning or behavioural needs that require learning adjustments to be made to support them in accessing the curriculum. The following is an information sheet for parents. It is available in other languages. Please contact me on principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or would like this to be sent to you in a particular language.

Stay safe over the holidays and see you in Term 3.

Michelle Bruitzman