Principal's Message

Dear Families,

I am writing to you today to express my concern about the safety of our students as they travel to and from school on Wallen Street, Centre Road and Nepean Highway. As you are aware, these streets can become quite busy during peak traffic hours, and it is imperative that we take steps to ensure the safety of all individuals on the road.

In particular, I would like to address the issue of car safety. I have noticed that some drivers are not always respectful of the rules of the road, and this can lead to dangerous situations for our students. I urge all parents to be mindful of their driving habits when traveling on Wallen Street, Centre Road and Nepean Highway. Please be sure to obey all posted speed limits and traffic signs, and always yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Additionally, it is important that we all show respect to one another on the road. We are all members of this community, and we should treat each other with kindness and consideration.

I understand that many of you may be in a rush to drop off or pick up your children from school, but I implore you to take a few extra moments to ensure that you are driving safely and with respect for others. By doing so, we can all work together to make Wallen Street, Centre Road and Nepean Highway a safer place for our students and our community.

Please refer to the School Safety message in this newsletter for additional specific information.

School Assembly

Our weekly whole school assemblies will resume this week in the school hall on Friday morning starting at 8:50am. This is a great way for us to celebrate our many achievements and share upcoming events and ideas for our community. Christian our 'Coffee and Hot Chocolate Van' man is back in operation before school on Friday's so why not come down and socialise with other parents before enjoying our assembly?

School Google Calendar

Please use the following Google Calendar link HERE to stay up to date with all school events. You'll never miss another school event again!

School Leadership and Staffing Updates

I would like to inform the school community that Ms. Kim Davis will be stepping down as Junior Literacy leader effective immediately for personal reasons. Miss Nonie Kay our Senior Literacy Leader, will manage the Junior Literacy program for the remainder of the year. Ms. Michelle Hill who provided classroom release to Ms. Davis will support Miss Kay as well. Our 3 year staff leadership cycle concludes at the end of this year, during October of this year I will be beginning the process of appointing staff for the next 3 year cycle of Leadership positions.

School Winter Uniforms

From Monday 8th May, ALL student must be in FULL WINTER UNIFORM. The weather has finally turned cold for the winter months and it is time for us to dress accordingly. School beanies and scarves may be worn before school, during lunch and snack time and after school.

Sex Education and Protective Behaviours

Please see below information regarding Sex Education lessons with Cath McCallig for Term 2. Cath is an ex-parent of St. Finbar's and an excellent educator in the area of Protective Behaviours and Sex Education.

The two Sex Education sessions will be held online on the evening of Tuesday 30th May - booking details are via the TryBooking link which will open on May 1st. Link HERE.

Session 1 - 6pm - 7pm - Families, Bodies and Babies is generally suitable for Year 3-6 Students.

Session 2 - 7:15pm - 8:15pm - Puberty, Growing and Changing is generally suitable for Year 5-6 Students.

Tickets: $20 per family for ONE session or $25 per family for BOTH sessions.

Please tick either Session 1 OR Session 2 OR both on the ticketing page. Book HERE.

The Protective Behaviours sessions will be held during class time - one hour for each class on the dates between Monday 22nd May - Thursday 1st June.

The sessions will include discussion around body awareness, private and public body areas, personal space as well as ways of keeping ourselves safe. A more detailed overview is attached below. All students in Prep to Year 6 will participate in this program in their class groupings.

Year 4 Bike Ed training

Year 4 Bike Ed Training began this week and I was very impressed with the riding skills of the group. It is going to be a fun few weeks for myself and the Year 4 Staff and Students as we learn many new skills in the area of road safety and bike riding.

Interschool Sports

Congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 Students who began their interschool Sports competitions last week. All matches were played in great spirits and excellent sportsmanship form our students. Tomorrow we will be competing in the Dendy District Cross Country Championships. Good luck to all competitors as they represent St. Finbar's School!

Annual Walkathon Fundraiser

Please find attached a short movie of the annual colour run fundraiser by Paul Zarogiannis.

Graduations

I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Miss Bianca Antonio, Ms Michelle Hill, and Mr Steele Anderson on their impressive academic achievements. Miss Antonio for completing a Bachelor of Education and Ms. Hill, and Mr. Anderson for achieving their Masters of Business Administration. Completing a Bachelor's or Master's degree is a significant accomplishment that requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance.

Congratulations once again!

Upcoming Events

Thursday 11th May - Mother's Day Stall (in the Year 4 Classrooms)

Friday 12th May - Mother's Day Breakfast and Lunch

Sunday 14th May - Mother's Day

God Bless,

Pat Berlingeri

Principal

Team Kids - OSHC