Important Announcements 

Staffing update

In a year of constant change it is inevitable that there will be changes to staff structures. Darren Perry has also announced his new appointment as Deputy Principal and Learning and Teaching Leader at St Jude's Langwarrin. Darren has been a focused, calm and high quality leader and teacher at Fatima for over 10 years, he has supported many families along their journey so capably and is ready for new opportunities in a new community. I would like to thank Darren for co-leading with me this year and enabling a smooth transition for me into my new role at Fatima. I personally wish Darren the best of success and now must commence the task of filling the role of DP and Learning and Teaching Leader at Fatima as we embark on an exciting new journey with a brand new leadership team. Congratulations Darren. We will miss you!

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Angela Kostopoulos who will be leaving the role of Performing Arts Teacher for the remainder of 2021. Ange has brought energy, creativity, music and fun to our school and provided a beautiful opportunity for our students to experience performance and song, movement and theatre. We wish Ange well. For the remainder of the school year, STEM lessons with Rania Ibrahim will take the place of Performing Arts in the specialist rotations every Tuesday and Wednesday.

We welcome Louise Davidge to the role of – Leader of Learning Inclusion, Engagement and Wellbeing in 2022. Louise will be our new Diversity and Hub leader and member of our core leadership team. Louise currently works for Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) where she has been working in the role of Learning Consultant (NCCD) and Learning Consultant (Diversity). We are very fortunate to be able to bring Louise's wealth of experience and expertise in diverse needs to Fatima. As a learning consultant, leader and teacher, Louise's vision for education is  to provide an inclusive learning environment which enables every young person to be successful, engaged and purposeful.  Louise currently works with multiple schools and teaching teams advising and supporting learning inclusion and success planning. Louise has worked closely with our own Diversity team.  We welcome Louise in 2022.

We also welcome Mrs Liz Atkinson to the role of STEM teacher and coach in 2022. Liz currently works with Cultivating Communities who provide our food garden and outdoor growing program every Friday so we already know Liz very well. Liz has a Bachelor of environmental science and first class honours in ecology as well as studies in extending mathematical understanding. She has also been working as a teacher in 2021 in the tutor program supporting and extending learners in mathematics. We think that Liz will enable our STEM program to grow and develop and inspire our learners through indoors and outdoors STEM sessions in 2022.

Staffing arrangements for our school are still being organised and it is the time of year for movement and change. We are still eagerly awaiting news of tutor funding again for 2022 which will enable us to maintain and build upon the successful enrichment and intervention programs introduced in 2021 and enabling many new programs that have been introduced recently in the Science of Reading. It is an exciting time of change and I am confident that new team members will bring with them new ideas and new energy that will only build upon the strong leadership teams that have built the great structures and foundations at Fatima over the years.

Email Protocols

As we head into a very busy time with staff putting in many extra hours with reporting and planning of multiple events to ensure our end of year is successful and joyful, please be mindful of sending emails after hours. I realise that for many (including me) the evening time is the quiet time to do this. Can I encourage you to use the schedule send function on your email to send the next morning please? It makes every difference if staff do not have to check emails after 5pm. Staff wellbeing is a priority at the moment. We welcome your communication during daytime hours.

A Very Happy Fatima Christmas Film

We are excitedly planning our covid safe Christmas movie at the moment. Filming begins next week so that we can do all of the wonderful things that we want to. 

All students will need to bring the following items to school to remain at school. They will need access to these items over the coming weeks. Please send labelled and in a plastic bag:

1. a red, white, silver or gold tshirt (red and black Christmas t shirt is fine. NO GREEN DUE TO GREEN SCREEN!
2. A Christmas hat/Santa hat or Christmas headband

Concessional Fee Policy 2022

Please note that in 2022 there are changes to the concessional fee structures to allow for support for families who wish their children to have an education in a Catholic school. You will find an updated OLOF MACS Concessional Fee Policy below which contains a link to the application for to apply for a concessional fee rate. If you have any questions about your eligibility please call Leanne or Sue in the office.

OLOF MACS School fees and charges Policy

OLOF MACS Concessional Fee Policy (including application form).

1. Eligibility for Concessional School Fees 

1.1 The following families are strongly encouraged to apply for concessional school fees: 

● Any family of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage. 

● Any family holding an Health Care Card and eligible for CSEF. 

● Any family experiencing severe financial hardship. 

● Any family holding a DVA Gold Card. 

● Any family identified as refugees and holding an ImmiCard. 

● Home School Students (HSS) who attend a MACS primary school on a part time basis, who meet any of the criteria detailed above. 

Concessional School Fees for Eligible Students 

3.1 Students of eligible families are entitled to concessional school fees. 

3.2 The school fee for eligible students is: 

● 1 child – $15 per child per week, direct debit ($780 per annum or $195 per term) 

● 2 children – $23 for the family per week, direct debit ($1,196 per annum, or $299 per term) 

● 3 + children – $30 for the family per week, direct debit ($1,560 per annum, or 

● $390 per term) 

3.3 The above fees cover both tuition fees and levies. 

All Fatima families and future Fatima families need to know that I am here to listen and support any financial concerns and these are understood on an individual basis. 

Every Day Counts

Please remember that the roll is marked daily and attendance is a requirement. Remote learning has concluded. Coming to school everyday to learn is an absolute necessity. Our students cannot learn effectively if they have a significant number of days off, or even if they are regular late comers.  Make sure you get behind Every Day Counts!!

Each day of school missed makes a difference, with the effect on learning accumulating over time. From an early age, if children are taught that they need to 'show up' for school and make a commitment, this positive mentality aids academic and career success and brings benefits in adulthood.