Dear Members of the St. Cecilia’s School Community,

Commitment to Child Safety

What are our school community’s values and beliefs about children?
What implications does our Catholic tradition have for child safety in our school community?
What is our vision for a child safe school?
Where and how do we listen to students and ask them questions about their feelings of safety?
How can we ensure we’ve created an environment in which students feel comfortable discussing their safety with us?
In what ways are the school’s child safety and wellbeing policy and child safety code of conduct integrated into the everyday actions and procedures of the school?
Where are the opportunities for open and ongoing dialogue among staff about child safety?
How might we communicate and reinforce our commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children in our community?
Where are the opportunities for open and ongoing dialogue with families about child safety?

These are all incredibly important questions. As Catholic educators, we have a moral, mission-driven and legal responsibility to uphold and actively promote the wellbeing and safety of every student entrusted in our care.

Our commitment to the protection of students is enabled in our nurturing, respectful and safe community where the uniqueness and sacred dignity of every young person is celebrated and they are able to flourish in their learning and development.

Over the next few months I would like to share some important information with our school community that explains and unpacks what Child Safety looks like at St. Cecilia's.

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards (CSS) to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse.

From 1 July 2022, 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards replaced the previous seven Child Safe Standards (and principles) which had been in place since 2016.

Commencing in this newsletter, I will simply share one of the standards each fortnight with a clear definition and examples of how this is enacted within our school.

Being a child safe organisation is an ongoing process of continual review and refinement which is significantly dependent upon strong leadership and culture, policies and procedures, staff education and training, and the active participation of children, young people and their families.

I urge you to take a look in each edition of our newsletter moving foward, for one of the 11 Child Safety Standards with an explanation. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you for your continued support and strong commitment to the care, safety and wellbeing of all students at our school.

Learning Walks for Parents

During school tours with prospective parents, I am often reminded how infrequently our current parents have the opportunity to witness the teaching and learning that occurs in a typical school day. In order to provide a chance for this to occur, we would like to offer a Learning Walks for Parents opportunity. We have trialled this initiative some time ago, but would to recommence this term for any interested parent or guardian.

When: Monday 21st August

What is a Learning Walk for Parents?

It is an invitation to parents to come to the school for a set period of time to be led by the Principal on a facilitated and structured learning walk of the school/ classrooms during the school day. Not to look at the decor - but to learn more about the learning that is happening. The focus of the structured walk is children and their learning as opposed to teachers and the teaching. Each learning walk can have a topic or theme. The purpose is more about giving parents an opportunity to witness what the “real” learning looks like.

These are also not about a parent sitting in and observing their child... but to learn more about a topic or the school through observing learning in action. Following the Learning Walk, the group would sit down to a more “in depth community conversation” about what they’ve observed.

If you would be inteterested in joining me on Monday 21st at 9:30am, please email me mmckenna@scgleniris.catholic.edu.au

The tour would take approx. 1 hour.

I can host approx 6 parents at a time.

Late arrivals

I wanted to take a moment to address an issue we have been experiencing at our school lately – an increasing number of late arrivals. Punctuality is a fundamental aspect of a student's education, and I cannot stress enough how crucial it is for students to arrive at school on time. Being punctual sets the tone for the day, allowing students to start their learning with a positive mindset and giving them ample time to settle in and prepare for the day ahead. Additionally, arriving on time helps students develop essential time-management skills, which will be beneficial throughout their lives. As we continue to work together to provide the best possible learning environment for our students, I kindly request your support in ensuring your child's timely arrival to school. Together, we can reinforce the value of punctuality and foster a sense of responsibility in our students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Concert Preparations

We are thrilled to announce that the St. Cecilia's Whole School Concert is coming on

WEDNESDAY 13th SEPTEMBER

Preparations have commenced. All of our classes have begun rehearsals for the big occassion. More information will follow shortly regarding tickets, parking, costumes, starting times etc.

This year we will be holding our school concert at Camberwell Grammar School at 55 Mont Albert Rd, Canterbury.

Students Unattended

We would like to emphasise the importance of not leaving siblings unattended during afterschool netball training or choir practice. As we value the safety and well-being of all our students, it is crucial that any siblings accompanying their brothers or sisters to these activities remain under the direct supervision of a responsible parent or guardian. Our coaches and school staff are fully dedicated to ensuring the best possible experience for the students enrolled in these programs. However, it is not within their responsibilities to care for other children who are not actively participating in the activities.

Leaving students to wander the school grounds unsupervised poses potential risks and concerns for their safety. We kindly request that parents take this matter seriously and make appropriate arrangements to avoid any unfortunate incidents. Let's work together to create a safe and nurturing environment for all our students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Council Reminder - Parking

Boorondara Council has requested our support in raising awareness among our school community about traffic issues during the peak school drop-off and pick-up periods. As you know, school zones become extremely crowded with vehicles during these busy times, which can threaten student safety if parking restrictions are not heeded.

Please read and share these important reminders that the council have provided.

Helping to make school drop-off and pick-up safer for everyone

Respect the road rules and parking signs

Illegal parking in a school zone is not only inconsiderate to other motorists, it threatens the safety of students. If our parking officers witness a motorist breaking any of the following traffic rules, they will issue them with a fine.

Double-parking restricts the view of other drivers, obstructs traffic flow, and means children have to get out of the car onto the road. It also blocks the passage of any emergency vehicles that might need to pass.
School crossings are there to ensure children cross the road safely. Parking within 20 metres before or 10 metres after a designated school crossing is illegal.
The designated Kiss and Ride areas outside schools are No Parking, with a maximum two-minute standing time. This gives parents enough time to kiss and drop off/collect their kids before moving on to allow the next car to follow suit.
School zone speed limits are clearly signposted and must be adhered to.

Respect the school crossing supervisors’ instructions

School Crossing Supervisors play a vitally important role to ensure the safety of children and our wider community at our school crossings. They are carefully selected for these roles for their diligence toward safety and their passion for working with the community and with families.

One blast of the supervisor’s whistle means stop immediately.
Two blasts of a whistle mean it is safe to cross.
Students should not stand too close to the road while waiting to be instructed to cross by the supervisor.
Students should keep together and walk quickly and directly to the opposite footpath staying between white lines.

Walk or ride to school with your child

Walking or riding to school with your child is a healthy and enjoyable way to avoid the inevitable traffic snarls at drop-off or pick-up time.

Parent's Association - Helpers Wanted for Father's Day Breakfast

One of the many exciting events coming up this term is the Father's Day Breakfast. The Parent's Association is looking for volunteers. You can contact jmcgrath1976@yahoo.com or christopher.knott@dwfoxtucker.com.au if you are interested.

BYOD 2024 Information Session - Wednesday August 9th

At the end of last year we introduced a BYOD (Bring your own device) program for this

year's Year 3 students in conjuction with our supplier LWT. The program has been a great success and we will continue to roll out the program over the following years. This year we will run on online information session for all current Year 2 parents on Wednesday August 9 at 6:00pm. However we would also like to extend an invitation to all parents who are intersted in finding out about the program. The program is being rolled out for Year 3 students, but students in year 5 or 6 also have the option of taking it up. Precise details of the sessions will be sent home next week.

Fair Preparations

The school fair is still a number of months away, however perparations are well under way. Much more information will be shared in the coming weeks and months. If however you would be interested and willing to assist with sourcing and organising sponsorhsip for the fair, the team is looking for some creative and enthusiatic people to add to this team. If you would like to learn more contact: kylieanne77@hotmail.com

Social Media @ St Cecilia's

Another way of keeping up with what is happening at St Cecilia's is by following us on Instagram (@stceciliasgleniris). We often post photos of what learning has been happening in our classrooms, photos of events such as camp and reminders of what is coming up in our school and community. Thank you to two of our staff members (Fiona Walsh and Bella Lasscock) who have taken over coordinating our social pages. They are doing an outstanding job! Check it out!

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s School

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