The Principal's Desk

Dear parents, families and friends,

Welcome back to Term 2 2021.

I hope that you all had a happy Easter, enjoying time with family and friends. I hope that all our Easter raffle winners enjoyed their chocolate eggs. I took advantage of some well needed rest, watching Netflix, NBA TV and Binge. We went out for a family dinner during the holidays to Cafe Terroni. Thank you to Joe and the staff for looking after us so well as they do with all their patrons. We had a beautiful three course meal, causing me to loosen my belt a notch or two.

Choir & Guitar Ensemble

This week the choir and guitar ensemble commenced for this year. The goal is for the choir and ensemble to provide music at some future masses and events this year. A reminder that any child from can join the choir. They must be prepared to sing in front of others, to follow instructions and to give up a lunchtime every few weeks for rehearsal. Depending on numbers we may need to have two choirs. The guitar ensemble is open to any child who is learning to play the guitar either through Chasing Sound or any other music school or tutor can join the guitar ensemble (BYO guitar).

Mother's Day

We have two big events coming up next week to celebrate Mother's Day. The Mother's Day Stall is on Thursday. There are many top quality gifts for the students to purchase.

The Mother's Day Breakfast is on Friday morning, 7.30am to 8.30am. You need to book in prior to the event for catering and Covid safe restrictions.

A call for Dad volunteers to help with the Mother’s Day breakfast.  We will have things organised to a large extent but if we could have at least 10 volunteers to help serve breakfast, sell raffle tickets and carry out general duties etc, that would be a huge help.

Only responses required are those who can. If you can just let the school know via email please - admin@sayarraville.catholic.edu.au.

Covid Restrictions

Parents entering the school site and remaining outdoords do not need to wear a mask, but still need to sanitise their hands and maintain social distancing. Any parents entering classrooms or the administration building are encouraged to wear a mask, practise hand sanitising and maintain social distancing. Any parent/carer remaining longer than 15 minutes must sign in at admin. Face masks still need to be carried at all times for when social distance cannot be maintained.

Any students who are unwell (sore throat, cough, runny nose etc) must be kept home. If symptoms persist or you are unsure, seek medical advice.

Naplan

The 11th, 12th and 13th May will be when the NAPLAN tests will happen this Year. All students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 take part in these tests nationally each year. Individually these tests provide information as to where a student is generally in their learning. At a year level it provides information about the strengths and areas of need of groups of students. At a school level it provides information about the strengths and areas of need for the school. We will use this data along with the data collected from pre and post testing throughout the year to continually improve the curriculum, ensuring that the needs of the students are be met.

May The 4th Be With You - Star Wars Day

On Tuesday the students may dress as their favourite Star Wars character or wear their Star Wars fan gear. Any students not doing this are to wear their normal school uniform.

Working Bee

A working Bee is scheduled for Saturday the 29th May. There are a number of jobs that need to be done around the school:

• Relocating the sandbox
• Putting mulch (soft fall) around the senior adventure playground
• removing the old concrete planters
• Clearing out junk and reorganising the sports equipment storage room
• Mounting St. Augustine's sign on Admin building Gable
• Painting blue wall
• Polishing St. Augustine's Brass sign

We will ask that volunteers bring their own tools and allocate themselves to the task or tasks above that best suit their skills. A sausage sizzle and drinks will be provided on the day. A message will be sent out next week requesting volunteers.

Working With Children Checks

A reminder to all family members to ensure Working With Children Cards are up to date. If it has expired or you haven't held one previously, then this is the time to get one. These are needed for any parent/carer/family member volunteering to help at school with such things as excursions and the Classroom Helper Program.

Prep 2022

A reminder for all existing families that if you have a child due to commence prep in 2022 to complete an enrolment form and return it to administration as soon as possible.

Have a good couple of weeks everyone.

Happy Mother's Day to all mums for next Sunday!

Quotes of the Week:

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”  Yoda

“Your focus determines your reality.” Qui-Gon Jinn

“Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.” Yoda

Kind regards,

Matthew Stead

Principal