From the Principal's Desk
Year 5/6 New Inter-school Sports Uniforms
Our new inter-school sports uniforms arrived yesterday to much excitement! Our Year 5 and 6 children have spent time selecting and manipulating the various 'stock' designs to be created in our school colours to be worn for years to come.
We have purchased new uniforms for soccer, football and basketball in multiple sizes for the children to wear during inter-school sports matches so at least we will look the part!
Anxiety in Children Workshop
Please find below a flyer for the Anxiety in Children Workshop on Wednesday 27th November from 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm at Footscray Primary School, presented by Chris Daicos.
We have had inquiries from a number of families who are looking for opportunities such as these so this might be worthwhile.
Chris has an enormous amount of experience and knowledge and provides practical strategies delivered with a sense of humour.
It is expected that this workshop may fill very quickly so if you are interested I suggest you register early.
Food Assistance
Can I ask that we all respond to our final call out for food and living essentials for refugees and people seeking asylum as detailed on the RE & Social Justice page of our Newsletter.
We have participated in this most worthy fundraiser for our neighbors for the past few years and the response has always been amazing! Please dig deep.
Transition Program
Our Transition program continues next week with one session scheduled for our Year 4 children and two sessions scheduled for our Year Prep-3 children where they can experience 'life' in their 2020 setting and get to know the children with whom they will be working.
We hope that these opportunities assist in relieving any anxiety and foster the development of new relationships.
Our Year Prep 2020 children will be having their third and final session where they will meet their teacher for next year along with their Year 5/6 Buddy. Such an exciting time for all.
Our Year Prep teachers for next year will also be commencing their Kinder visits to observe our next intake of children in their daily setting
Staffing News
Talking about staffing for next year, I understand that many of you are aware of the new arrangements of our Year Prep structure for next year (news on the grapevine travels fast) so I thought I'd update you all on what we know so far.
Our Prep teachers next year will be Miss Lauren Borg along with Mrs Nives Childs and Mrs Victoria La Fauci (welcome back Vic!) Nives and Victoria will be sharing a class as Nives has also been appointed as our Learning Diversity Leader for 2020, a position that has been held by Mrs Isabella Sabatino.
We have also appointed our new Learning and Teaching Leader for 2020 and beyond (another position currently held by Isabella) so we welcome Deborah Courtney to our staff who is currently leading Learning and Teaching projects at Catholic Education Office Melbourne. With the enormity of both positions with the implementation of NCCD we have had to replace one person with two. Just goes to show the amount of work Isabella has undertaken in recent years.
I can also confirm that Miss Georgia Widdop and Miss Chloe Pincho will be leaving us at the end of the year. We thank them for their valuable contribution to our school and their commitment to the children in their care. We wish them well as they embark on new journeys next year.
So that's where we are the moment. I trust you can appreciate the complexity of getting staffing 'right' and we hope that a complete staffing schedule for 2020 will be available before the year's end.
Swimming Program
Our Year Prep - 4 Swimming Program draws to a close at the end of this week so congratulations to all children who completed the eight day program.
Our school timetable returns to normal next week.
Scholastic Book Club
Just a reminder that Term 4 book club orders are due back this Friday 15/11/2019. This is the last book club for the year.
It’s a great opportunity to get your orders in for Christmas. If your orders are for presents, just let Debbie know at the office. We can hold the books for you to pick up at reception rather than them going to your child’s classroom.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
Orders must be made through the online portal.
Fees and Levies
Thank you to all families who have finalised Fee and Levy payments for 2019. A reminder that all accounts (unless otherwise arranged with me) are due now. Payments can be made at the school office or by EFT via:
BSB: 083 347
Account Number: 488033614
Please reference family name or ID number with your payment.
Have a wonderful week
God Bless
Anthony Hyde