From the Principal

10 Days to GO!!

On Monday 16th November 2020 our first ever Digital Art Show will go live, showing off all the fabulous art the students have been creating over the year.

Our brilliant SFS students have produced some amazing art pieces despite the pandemic and remote learning and all the obstacles that 2020 has provided!! The show must go on and with the support of staff,  the brilliant coordination of Louise our Art specialist teacher and Tammy our Digital Technology specialist teacher we can bring to you here in Melbourne or even to relatives overseas our very first SFS Digital Art Show. 

To view the Art Show a link will be posted on Monday 16th November on Operoo, the school’s website and on our the St Francis de Sales Facebook page.

The Art Show is a celebration of our children, our school vision and our values. It is a testament to our resilience, enthusiasm and drive to persevere and shine. Our staff and students display their creativity and passion. We are certainly a faith community animated by love, inspiring excellence and empowering learners. I know that browsing through the art pieces will add a smile to your day and fill you with pride and happiness at what our young students have achieved. 2020 certainly tested our metal, but we turned it into a STAR!

The SFS Digital Art Show is one of many special treasures, a pot of GOLD and the end of the rainbow in our 2020 school year!! So in a week where Victoria has celebrated 6 donuts at the time of writing this article, get ready, get comfy in a favourite place with your favourite snacks, favourite drinks to celebrate our SFS children and enjoy our Digital Art Show. The countdown has begun.........

Planning for 2021 Home Groups

We are also starting to work on our plans for 2021. In the next few weeks, our teachers will be asking children to nominate their three friends to help us determine the grouping of students for our 2021 junior and senior Home Groups. We endeavour to place students with at least one friend in their learning space. The task of organising groups, as you can imagine, is complex and teachers take into account a number of factors. If there is anything you have not raised with the school and believe we are not aware of as we decide your child’s group, please put it in writing to me via email or letter by Friday 13 November 2020. It is, of course, not possible to consider requests for specific teachers. 

If you know your child will not be returning it is important that you put this in writing and email the office your intentions before the next Friday 13 November. This is important so that when groups are organised we do not include your child’s name so as not to affect other children who have requested them in their learning space.  We continue to receive requests for places for 2021 and do not want to deny a child a place if we have a vacancy. Your support is greatly appreciated to help us in our planning and preparation for 2021.

Update - Monitoring COVID-19 close contacts

To minimise further community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has introduced a new system for the identification, notification and monitoring of close contacts. In line with this, schools will now be advised if a student at their school has been identified by DHHS as a close contact of a person with coronavirus and should not be at school.

Close contacts are notified directly by DHHS regarding requirements for quarantine and testing. The student should not attend school until they are advised by DHHS that their quarantine has concluded. Parents will need to provide the school with a DHHS clearance letter as proof their quarantine has ended, and they can return to school.

Schools will be asked to confirm that the student identified as a close contact is not attending school during this time. If the student is attending school, they will be sent home. The entire school is not required to close.

We will provide support to the close contact student and their family during the quarantine period to facilitate continued engagement in learning and address wellbeing needs.

This weekend like you we will listen closely to the Premiers instructions regarding the lifting of some of the restrictions in Melbourne. We will keep you informed as to how this information will impact what we can do and the  events for the remainder of the 2020 school year.

Kiss and Drop Zone

There is no supervision before 8.30am, no child or parent should be walking, riding or driving into the school grounds before this time.

• If you are dropping your child at the drop off point in the carpark you can do this after 8:30 am each day. Please ensure you keep moving, it is a kiss and drop Zone!
• If you are picking up your child via the drive through you can do this from 3:20pm daily.  Please do not get out of your car or stop in the queue and cause cars to bank back behind you.
• Staggered pick up at the Home Group doors if you are walking or riding a bike will remain in place at this time.

I thank parents for their cooperation

School Photos

Our school photos for 2020 will go ahead on Tuesday 17th November. Order forms have gone home today.  Please check your child's school bag. 

Children will all need to be in their summer uniform on this day.  Long hair will need to be tied back and black shiny shoes will need to be worn on photo day.