From the Principal

 

High Expectations, Inclusivity, Students with a Voice, Excellence for All!

CHILD SAFETY UPDATE

In light of the recent media coverage on child safety standards in schools,  I would like to reassure all our families that our school's best interest is ensuring that your children are safe and that as a staff and community, we are compliant with the Child Safe Standards. Our Child Safety Team works vigilantly to ensure that everyone who has contact with any of our children meet the necessary stringent requirements. As part of our school’s ongoing Child Safety Compliance with the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards all staff have completed the yearly Victorian State Government Education and Training Mandatory Reporting Module.  This is also why we require any person who is on our school premises to have a Working with Children Check e.g. contractors, volunteers, Speech Pathologists etc.

SCHOOL PROMOTIONS

Over the next few weeks the school will be hosting tours for prospective parents wanting to enrol their child in primary school.  Promotional material is being placed in kindergartens and daycare centers informing of the tours, however, if you have a friend, neighbour or even an acquaintance who you know will have a school aged child for 2021 please pass the word around that tours will be available on the following dates, or they can simply go to the website and book a time.

                             Tuesday 25 February 9.30am -11.00am

                             Wednesday 4 March 9.30am -11.00am

                             Wednesday 18 March 9.30am -11.00am

                             Wednesday 18 March 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Arrangement can be made for an alternative time by calling the School Office 95636780.

Our Year 6 Leaders will proudly conduct the tours and show the families around the school, describing the wonderful learning that takes place in classrooms.

SCHOOL ADVISORY TEAM (SAT) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Last Tuesday the AGM was held and as a result representatives of the parent community were appointed to the SAT to act on the behalf of the parents. The 2020 team consists of the following core members: 

Fr Gregory Pritchard (Parish Priest), Margaret Carlei (Principal), Peta Overbury (Deputy Principal).  this year are joined by Karen Massier, who accepted responsibility as Chairperson: Chris Bogaoan who will act as Secretary; and Joy D'souza and Nikki Hogan, as members in their second year.  We also welcome Daniel Clohesy and Katie Wyatt, who were nominated and voted into the Team along with  Troy Fryar and Scott Sinclair who represent the PFA as Co-Presidents.

The Team will meet each term to discuss and make recommendations on important issues which arise in the school.  These are then taken on board so that the Principal can make the final decision. The most important factor of each meeting is always that the students are at the heart of the discussions.  

 STAFF NEWS

Congratulations to Mrs Toni Dent (Year 3 & 4) on successfully being awarded the Master of Religious Education through Australian Catholic University. As our school’s Education in Faith Leader Mrs Dent will be able to use her studies to enhance our culture and practice of our school especially in Catholic Social Teachings.

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

Catholic Parish Schools have historically been organisations within a parish community where the Parish Priest has had the responsibility of actions and affairs of each school.  The harmony of working together has always been important especially in the managing of performance and accountability to rules and regulations pertinent to each school and governing State and Federal authorities.   Each parish has had its own entity and have been independent of each other.

On 1st January 2021, new governance arrangements are planned to be in place for parish primary schools and diocesan colleges in the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, so that they will have the one governing authority under the same governing rules and regulations. An Incorporated Board will be responsible for all employment, policies and government requirements, whilst the  Parish Priest will have the responsibility of supporting schools so that they can focus on proclaiming the Word of God and the mission of the Church.

A number of factors have led to the need for a change in governance arrangements. These include recommendations that have been made from The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse established in 2013 and government legislative compliances and regulations.  At the same time the new arrangements aim to preserve and strengthen the Catholicity of our schools in the future.

The governance reforms will enable schools to continue delivering an outstanding faith and values-based education, without being burdened by the increasingly complex legislative and regulatory requirements. Proposed governance reforms will also preserve the critical pastoral role of the parish priest in the school community.

There has been consultation with the Union and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) to ensure this transition will be smooth.

All parties concerned will continue to focus on being faithful to God’s mission, with the school as an educational expression of that mission within the parish.

Each school will have the same hierarchical model with staffing and the Principal will be responsible for maintaining a safe learning environment for students, staff and families whilst living in a faith filled community.

More information will be shared with you over the coming months as they become available.

School Fees

Families are reminded that payment of the first instalment of school fees 2020 is due by 6th March 2020. Thank you to the families who have already paid.

Parking

A reminder to families that parking across the school gates or driveways is prohibited.  Please also note that parking at the Tennis Courts, no matter how long or short the stay, is prohibited.  Only paying members of the Tennis Courts are authorised to park their vehicles in that car park if they are using the tennis courts.  The lane which forms the entrance to the tennis courts is out of bounds.  No one should be utilising this lane for any reason other than attending tennis lessons or accompanying their children to tennis lessons.  Please also be vigilant when crossing the road at the lights; the crossings get very busy, especially at and around 3.30pm when there are many distractions.

SWIMMING 

Our school participated in the Holt District Swimming Carnival today and I am so happy to say a wonderful day was had by all.  We managed to brave the wind and come 6th in the overall tally out of 10 Schools.  Congratulations to all our swimmers, we were so proud you represented our school with pride and your efforts are very much appreciated.  As always, we thank the parents for their continued support and attendance on the day.

Yours Faithfully

Margaret Carlei

Principal