GENERAL NEWS
PRESENTATION NIGHT
What a night! Thank you. We appreciate how hot it was in the TRECC last night however this is the only night we get everyone together as a complete school community and the atmosphere was wonderful. Thank you to our parents for supporting this great night.
KINDERGARTEN 2020
Our Kindergarten classes are now full for 2020. If you have a child starting Kindergarten in 2020, please mark your diary with these upcoming dates. Any queries, please contact our office staff.
Kindergarten Best Start Interviews - Thursday, 30 January to Wednesday, 5 February 2020
Kindergarten 2020 students start 2020 school year (full school days) - Thursday, 6 February 2020
NEARLY THE END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR OUR YEAR 6 STUDENTS
It is such a busy and exciting final term for our senior students in Year 6 as they complete their primary schooling. In many ways these students have 'outgrown' the Primary routine and are looking forward to the new challenges and routines provided by the High School setting.
However, it is important not to look too far ahead and forget to cherish what is happening in the present. With only weeks left, we encourage our Year 6 students to continue to work hard in class, respect the teachers and their peers who have travelled the Primary journey with them and to enjoy, for what may be the last time, the friendship and opportunities that have made their Year 6 experience so memorable.
YEAR 6 YEAR BOOK
Please note that the Year 6 Year Book is currently being compiled. We have photographs including students other than Year 6 children (eg. buddies) throughout the Year Book and we need to make all aware that if you do not wish to have your child's photograph appear in the Year Book then you must notify the school as soon as possible.
STUDENT ABSENCE
Please notify the school if your child is absent. 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.
You can do this in the following three ways ....
1. Telephone our office staff (office hours 8am to 4pm).
2. Email our office staff (admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au).
3. Use the school website home page to send through a student absentee.
Many parents are surprised by their child's absence details when receiving the end of Semester reports. Please do not panic. Notifying the school can be easily forgotten, especially when caring for an ill member of the family. If you are in doubt as to whether you have notified the school, please contact our office staff and they are more than welcome to print you a list of your child's absences and rectify.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
All parents need to be aware our supervision of students does not begin until 8.15am each day. We are becoming increasingly concerned that children are being dropped off and left on their own, unsupervised by parents before this time - often up to half an hour earlier. This is not a safe or acceptable practice. Currently students are expected to come in and sit in the Holy Family Courtyard unsupervised and wait. We cannot be responsible for any accident or potentially harmful incidents occurring. Please organise alternative care for your child if your child requires supervision before 8.15am.
SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSPORT SCHEME (SSTS)
For information visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts
Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019.
Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 no longer need to re-apply if they:
· are continuing at the same school
· are residing at the same address
· have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.
Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.