Principals Report
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students and Friends,
On November 2 and during the whole month of November, the Catholic Church prays especially for those who have died. If children would like to, they will be asked to prayerfully share the name/s or bring along a photo of relatives or friends who have passed away and for whom they would like to offer a prayer.
You may like to pray together as a family to commemorate all the departed:
Merciful Father,
On this day, we are called to remember all people we loved who have died,
particularly those who have passed from this life in the past year.
Thank you for our memories of them and for the blessed times we shared.
We pray for their joyful reunion with you, their loving creator.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a Memorial Day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. On Thursday, November 11, we commemorated this event and remembered all those who have died in wars with a special service of prayer, reflection and silence. The service of prayer took place in the children's classrooms.
Christmas Concert Night
All families, relatives and friends are invited to our outside Christmas Concert, set for Thursday, November 18, starting at 6 pm till approximately 8 pm. Currently, the classes are practising concert items, which will be performed on a simple stage near the cricket pitch, so family and friends can sit (COVID-19 safe) outside on deck chairs to watch the students perform. If we have inclement weather, the backup plan for the concert will be in the school gym. Mishes Kitchen – Vietnamese Food and Mr Super Soft Ice-creams will be available for purchase on the night. A pre-order form for Mishes delicious food will be sent home this week. Please return if you would like to reduce your waiting time on the night. Bring your own drinks and food for your family. Each class will also have a Christmas gift stall with items for families, friends and guests to purchase outside their classrooms. Monies raised will go towards the St Vincent DePaul Christmas appeal.
Student Well-being
Supporting our children's mental health is becoming a more important consideration for parents in this modern-day and age. We know that when we make children feel connected to and welcome in our family or school, we support their positive adjustment, self-identification, and sense of trust in others and themselves.
When we support our children to achieve reasonable levels of academic success and help them develop their talents and interests, we are helping them feel competent and more able to deal with any stress they may have or experience as they grow up. Helping them be socially competent, having friends and staying connected to them can enhance mental wellness. As adults, we also need to promote healthy participation in activities.
However, there are some activities that we need to discourage from too much engagement- particularly a child's use of technology, the internet and too much screen time. Supervised use of technology from a very young age is vital if parents are the leading influence in their child's development. It seems that many children of all ages are watching things on Netflix or Youtube that are highly inappropriate for their age group and often are accessing technology in their bedrooms, out of sight of parents. As convenient as this may be for some 'quiet time', checking in with your child about what they are accessing is just as important as making sure they cross the road safely or wear a helmet when riding their bike. Recently, we have had reported incidences of our senior students communicating after school hours using inappropriate language and unkindness on Snapchat and similar communication apps. More disturbingly, we have heard a small number of very young students commenting about 'Squid Game', a Netflix show rated MA+.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/blog/squid-game-shows-need-check-what-your-child-watching
For more information about using technology and ways to have a healthy engagement with it, click on this link. https://raisingchildren.net.au/.
This website also offers a wealth of information on other topics for families.
School Survey
This week the link for our annual survey has been sent to families. The information collated through the survey will inform our strategic direction for 2022. Please click on the link posted on Seesaw or below to complete the survey.
Enrolments 2022
Our 2022 enrolments are filling fast. Would you please let extended family and friends know to contact the administration office to make an appointment to speak to the Principal if they intend on enrolling their child in any year level in 2022?
COVID 19 Updates
1. Parents and visitors on site
Parents, volunteers and visitors are welcome in schools providing COVID safe measures are in place and followed.
All parents and visitors are required to COVID-Safe check-in when entering buildings and practise physical distancing from other adults.
It is recommended that parents and other visiting adults wear masks when entering school buildings.
Masks are not required outdoors if adults can physically distance.
2. End of year events
- recommended density and physical distancing requirements are to be met by all attending adults
- all attendees COVID-Safe check-in
- appropriate hygiene provisions (e.g. sanitiser stations) will be in place
- attendees are advised that they must not attend if unwell, even mildly.
Please remember that health advice and pandemic conditions can change at any time, and it's important to check our Seesaw notifications of any sudden changes.
'Never see a need without doing something about it.' Blessed Mary Mackillop.
Ros Oates
Principal