Principal's Message
Dear Parents, students and the wider community,
Well, I didn't think I would be writing this today with no students at school. It is a disappointing time for us all but if it avoids it being a tragic time for many then I am sure we will all cope. Our prayers are certainly with those in our community whose health or finances are impacted by this 'circuit breaker' lockdown.
In this week's newsletter I would like to warmly welcome our 14 new families to Foundation for 2022 who have already enrolled. We currently have 25 enrolments for 2022. I trust these families receive as warm a welcome as I did nearly 7 years ago and find as much joy as I do coming to our school each day.
This week we had the chance to celebrate Pentecost on Monday which is the birthday of our Church. As part of this the students had the opportunity to view a Bicentenary Mass of 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia streamed from the Sydney Cathedral. They also had a lot of fun with a variety of activities at school. The Archbishop leading the Mass quoted the Pope and said "Education is an Act of Hope". I actually reflected on this message last school holidays when I walked through the Botanic Gardens in Daylesford and Ballarat. These gardens had some simply magnificent trees from around the world. The people who planted these towering trees around 150 years ago never got to see the results of the labour. But they knew that what they did would most likely make their community a better place. I think that is what we do as teachers and parents. The spirit works through us to educate, support, grow and guide our little people to help them to be the best adults they can be.
Yesterday we had a School Promotional Video finally filmed after it being held off for about 12 months due to COVID and then our wonderful building project. We will look forward to loading it on our website as soon as it is available.
There are a number of very important occasions that have had to be rescheduled due to the current lockdown. The Sacrament of Reconciliation that was due to happen today for many of our students, the P & F Disco last night, the District Cross Country next Tuesday and our Year 3-6 Swimming programme planned for next week. Dates will be provided for these to occur as soon as possible.
Next week will be one of remote learning for our students. It has been a very measured move into this as unfortunately we have all now had practice. Nonetheless I would like to thank the staff who have worked incredibly hard since we were advised mid-morning yesterday that schools would close. Thank you also to the families who have been so supportive around waiting to pick up learning packs, picking up devices, organising on-site care for those eligible etc. It may have been measured but it has not been easy. Like our parents I know the staff would much prefer to have the children at school with them. Hopefully next Friday morning I will be able to welcome everyone back on-site.
Wishing everyone a positive weekend.
God Bless
Rod Shaw
Principal
School Attendance and Unexplained Absence
Please ensure you contact the school before 9:30am if your child is going to be absent or late by leaving a message on 9786 4736 and press #1.
If you are running late (after 9:00 am ) please attend the office to sign your child into school.
As per our policy this will be our morning routine for absences:
Parents will be contacted as soon as practicable on the morning a student is absent via a phone call or text message.
If parent does not reply or is unreachable the emergency contacts will be contacted by the school.
If there is still no response, and the school feels that the child is in danger, the police will be contacted.
Ongoing unexplained absences or lack of cooperation regarding student attendance will result in a formal conference being organized. Unresolved attendance issues will be referred to D.H.H.S.
This is a legal requirement.