Leadership & Management

Week 5 Term 4

Dear Parents and Carers, 

In the Roman Catholic tradition, the feast of All Saints is celebrated on 1st of November followed by the feast of All Souls on the following day. The celebrations of All Saints and All Souls recalls those who now share in the gift of eternal life - those who now see God face to face. 

Saints are those formally recognised by the Catholic Church as living life faithful to the gospel. The Feast of All Souls remembers all the departed recognising their gift of new life. Within the Catholic tradition, life after death is changed but not ended. 

During the month of November, we recall those who have died and our Whole school Prayer next week will focus on our loved ones that have past coinciding with Remembrance Day on November 11th. 

Welcome Back to Everyone

It has been a while, but today we welcomed back all the children onsite. It certainly felt like a school today, listening to all the chatter and laughter of children once again in our learning areas and outside. 

The plan for the rest of the year is to ensure the children:

• Reacquaint with each other, their teachers and school routines
• All going to plan, to spend a few weeks in the new Junior Learning Area by the end of November
• Engage in some end of year whole school assessments
• Participate in some end of year whole school events (To be advised in next week’s newsletter)
• Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Confirmation for the students

A number of safety protocols are in place to ensure the wellbeing of individuals, our school community and the wider community. Your adherence to these safety protocols at this time is appreciated and required. 

Being Sun Smart - Hats

A reminder that all children need to wear their school hat when outside. Please ensure your child has their hat in their bags with their name clearly labelled on it. Many parents include sunscreen in their children’s bags, please ensure your child knows how to apply sunscreen for themselves. 

Full Summer Uniform - Foundation to Year 5 

All children are required in their full summer uniform as of Monday, November 8.

Year 6 School Uniform:

• Parents do not need to buy new uniforms if your child has outgrown their Summer Uniform
• Year 6 students can wear their sports uniform.
• Clothing yourchild wears needs to beas close to school uniform colours and items as possible
• No branded clothing
• Black shoes must be worn (can be runners)

School Closure November 30 – Cancelled

Our School calendar indicates we have a School Closure Day for Inquiry Planning with Kath Murdoch on Tuesday November 30. We have cancelled this day as a School Closure Day and school will open and operate as normal. 

LEAVING ST FIDELIS AT THE END OF 2021

If your child is leaving (other than Year 6) please provide this in writing. Staffing and budgeting are reliant on firm enrolments and late changes to student’s numbers can effect this planning. Thank you for your consideration on this matter. 

Planning for 2022 is well underway. As I am sure you can appreciate, student placement in classes for the following year is something we take seriously and take time to consider. The “Class Creator” program assists us to sort students into classes based on:

• Academic, emotional and social needs
• Reasonable gender balance  across classes
• Reasonable  academic balance across classes
• Relationships of students both working and friendship
• Special placements needs

The teachers also ask their students to list five friends that they learn well with, not necessarily their best friends. We consider students voice when planning class lists.

The staff as professional educators make decisions in light of what is best for the child and for the school. If you believe, you need to communicate any information that could impact on your child’s placement please email mwatson@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au for consideration no later than Friday November 5th.  Information should be based on individual needs and not requests for teachers. Please note a request is not a guarantee, it will inform the process. Emails received after this day will not be considered. 

Have a lovely week - we certainly will with all the students back onsite.

Manuela