From the Principal's Desk

Our Preps Are Here!

Last Thursday our Year Prep children commenced school life and it was so wonderful to see a sea of smiling faces as children entered their learning area and seamlessly joined in with the activities available. The paparazzi were out in full force capturing memories that we hope will remain fondly.

This week, our Preps have met and worked with their buddies, attended Assembly, participated in Art, PE, Italian and Library classes and are quickly picking up our rules and routines. Congratulations to all!

Beginning of the School Year Mass

We will celebrate our Beginning of the School Year Mass this Friday, 10th February commencing at 9:15 am. All families are welcome.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones have become an important and invaluable part of our modern lifestyle and as such, we seem to have more and more children bringing mobile phones to school each year. We understand that there are times when possession of a mobile phone can provide a sense of safety and security while traveling to and from school, so we need to put in procedures and processes to maintain a safe learning environment.

In general, students should not bring valuable items to school – as they can be easily lost or stolen, which is often distressing for a child. However, if a mobile phone is required for the reasons of safety for traveling to and from school children are expected to hand in the phone to the School Office upon arrival to school for safekeeping until the end of the school day.  Please note that this also includes wearable devices that possess text/call/video/mobile data/capabilities regardless of whether 'school mode' is enabled.

As most of the devices that are coming to school are from our Year 5/6 students, we will be purchasing a 'phones safe' to be installed in their learning area to store the devices during the day.

For your convenience, our full policy can be accessed below.

School Closure Day

Please be advised that our first School Closure Day: Staff Professional Development Day is scheduled for Monday 20th February. Children do not attend on this day. 

Lunch Orders

Our Lunch Orders service (through Roberts Street Milkbar) has commenced running every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As per tradition,  orders are to be written on  a paper bag with (preferably) correct money sealed inside. 

Children will place these into their class lunch order basket on arrival to school.

An order form/price list can be accessed below-

or via the school website: https://www.cckingsville.catholic.edu.au/news-events/forms/

Sharing of Food

It is important to remind all children and families that at no time should children be sharing food with other children during eating times. We have a number of children with food allergies so, for the safety of all, we ask all families to reiterate the importance, with their children, of not sharing food with others.

Throughout the year, children may bring lolly bags to school to share with their classmates to celebrate their birthdays; however, we ask that these be distributed by the class teacher at home time and are only eaten with the permission of parents. Please do not bring cakes to school.

Toys and Valuables

A reminder to all families that toys and valuables should not be brought to school as we can't ensure the same level of supervision in the home would apply at school.

Exceptions occur if the item is needed to assist with 'show and tell' in which case it would be best to discuss with the class teacher.

Absences

Please note that it is a requirement that parents notify the school (preferably in writing) of all instances when their child may be absent for all or part of a day. This can be easily done via our school app. Alternatively, you can contact the school office by phone to report an absence. Please notify us of absences prior to 9:30 am

School App

A reminder to everyone to download our school app!

As well as Absentee Notifications, Communications, Calendar, and general updates, are all available via the app so it's definitely a 'must-have'.

Simply visit Google Play or the App Store and search for our school name.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)

A reminder that families who hold a valid Health Care Card for the 2023 year are able to receive a government rebate through the Camp, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) which is currently set at $125 per primary-aged child. 

Applications for the CSEF can be collected from the school office or accessed below. We encourage families to submit these to the school office by the end of March. 

God bless

Anthony Hyde

(Principal)