General News

Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) - Kindergarten Students only

Between May and July this year, St Edward's will be taking part in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). This is a nationwide census/survey of early childhood development held once every three years. The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative run by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and includes all children in their first year of full-time school.

The AEDC provides vital information to communities about how children are developing in the crucial early years. AEDC data is relied upon by schools, early childhood organisations, researchers and government to inform planning and improve services and supports for children and families.

The AEDC Instrument is completed by teachers about children in their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is voluntary and is not a school test. The information collected gives a picture of how children are developing before they start school in five key areas or domains. It shows what is being done well, and what can be improved. This is why it is important for all children in their first year of full-time school to be included in the AEDC. 

Many thanks in advance for your support in this important initiative.

Summer to Winter School Uniform

All students must be in their full winter uniform after the June long weekend on Tuesday 15th June .

Students may choose to wear their summer or winter uniform (depending on the weather) before this date. However, students must wear either full summer OR full winter, not a mixture of both.

Clothing Pool

Both the Primary & Infants Clothing Pool is currently over flowing with good quality second hand uniform items at affordable prices. We encourage parents to please phone ahead of time and the helpful office staff will check and see if the items you require are available.  

Labelling of Uniform Items

As the weather is cooling down, we are seeing many jumpers and jackets in the Lost Property baskets.  These baskets are cleared regularly and clearly labelled items are returned to their rightful owners.  It is impossible to return items where the label is difficult to read or not labelled at all.  Your assistance in labelling ALL uniform items and food containers is much appreciated.    

Kinder 2022 Enrolments

Word about St Edward's learning program and increasing academic results has reverberated across our community. Demand for places in Kindergarten for the 2022 academic years has skyrocketed with over 75% of places filled. If you know of any family living within our Parish boundary looking for a place at St Edward's for next year, please advise them to phone the Infants Campus on 6765 8569 and obtain an enrolment package.

Thank you to the many existing St Ed's families who have already submitted an enrolment application for your child. We are in the process of interviewing NEW families and all existing families will be contacted by our office staff over the coming weeks to make an appointment time.  

COMPASS

Over the Easter Holidays Compass has had a new look.  The following has changed for all users.

• A new login page

• A new header across all modules

• A new look homepage

Please note that none of these changes will impact the functionality that you have within Compass. They are updates to the design to make your use of Compass easier.

For an optimum view of Compass when using the app, utilise the 'open in browser' option. When you open the Compass app, 3 bars appear in the top left-hand corner. Click on the bars and choose 'open in browser' from the drop-down list and you will then be able to view your dashboard as you would on a computer device.

If you would like to receive instant app push notifications from the school, you have to have notifications for Compass School Manager turned 'on' in your settings on your smartphone (see below). 

Please do not hesitate to contact the office staff if you have any questions.  

STUDENT ABSENCES

Please notify the school if your child is absent.  This can be done using the 'Add Attendance Note' function in the Compass Parent Portal. Due to government legislation, notification of your child's absence must be received no later than 7 days after your child's last day of absence.   If you know your child/ren will be away on future dates, for example if you are going to be away on a family holiday, absences can be input in advance of the holiday.

Please note that if you are collecting your child early from school for an appointment you must sign your child out using the Compass kiosk in the office. Please do not use the Parent Portal to try and record that your child will be leaving early as this inadvertently  marks them as them as being absent all day. 

Lost & Found 

Stroller left behind at School Cross Country last Friday 30th April. Please see the Primary Office to claim.

A wallet was also left at the School Disco in the Primary Hall on Wednesday 31st March. Please see the ladies in the Primary Office if you think it may be yours.  

2021 Medical Action Plans

All parents who have children with a medical condition such as Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Seizures & Epilepsy or Diabetes were sent a Medical Action Plan from the school.  It is very important that these Action Plans are signed by the Parent/Carer and your GP and returned to school as soon as possible.  In most cases an appointment will need to be made with your GP to have the Plan completed. If you have misplaced your child's Action Plan, please contact Sue Kellett at the Infants Campus on 6765 8569 or by email (skellett@arm.catholic.edu.au) and another Action Plan will be sent home.  Special thanks to the families who have already returned their child's Plan.

McCarthy Catholic College Enrolments

The enrolment applications have now closed. Please contact McCarthy College ASAP if you have not filled in an application and wish to do so. 

Bus Safety

Motorists 

•  School zones are now back in force. Reduced speed limits and additional demerit      points apply.

 • You must also slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash. 

• Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off                children. 

• You must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing          lights. 

• You can help keep children safe by: 

– Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones 

– Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing 

– Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus      routes – Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic. 

• For more information visit: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/be-bus-aware/bus-flashing lights.html

Parents 

• Parents have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads. 

• Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the  road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop. Remind your  children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road.