Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish Primary School Eagle Vale
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Emerald Drive
Eagle Vale NSW 2558
Subscribe: https://mievdow.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: info@mievdow.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 4626 7880

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Each week I try hard to communicate a positive message in the newsletter.

Unfortunately, this week’s newsletter is written with a heavy heart. On Monday I spoke to all primary students about the increasing frequency of incidents of disrespect within our school environment and the heavy toll these are having on school finances. Many of the incidents have happened in the school toilet blocks and include graffiti, toilet bowls filled with so much toilet paper they cannot be flushed, wads of toilet paper thrown on the toilet ceilings, lunches being thrown into the toilet bowl. I have included photos to help illustrate these examples. We have had several visits from the plumber to fix issues and each visit costs approximately $125. Our newly painted Library stairs have been deliberately scratched and will require retouching.

During what has already been an extremely difficult year, we have maintained our focus as a school community on supporting and providing the best possible resources and opportunities for the most important people in our school our students. Today new games are being painted on our concrete playgrounds to support activity during breaktimes. These additions have been generously funded by the P&F and will cost approximately $14,000. As I explained to the students I am worried about the level of disrespect we are beginning to see at Mary Immaculate. I am also concerned about the cost of repairs that could be better spent on resources for learning. Our very first rule at Mary Immaculate is about being respectful. This respect encompasses respect for self, for each other but also for our common home our school environment.

I would be very grateful if every parent could take some time to discuss this matter with their children. A discussion about caring for the property of others and of school may need some guidance so I have provided a possible outline as a suggestion. Please review with your child about what they can do if they lose their own property at school. During this discussion it may be helpful to also explore what it feels like when their property is lost or damaged. Consider asking them what they would expect to happen if another student damaged their property. On the other hand, an exploration about damaging property that is not theirs would provide an opening to consider the need to replace or compensate for the damage. These discussions could be extended to include how school property also needs to be treated with respect so it can be enjoyed by other students. Unfortunately, students who are found engaging in behaviour that damages school property will need to be held accountable and required to compensate the school in some way for the damage or necessary repairs.

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I thank you in advance for your support in this area and fervently hope we can work together to ensure these issues are resolved in our community. Let us work together to make Christ our Way and Life a daily reality in our School Community.

 

Tina Murray

Principal

PARENT WEBINAR

A survey of parents earlier in the year identified gaining a greater understanding of safe online usage as a key area of interest to parents. Information made available by the E-safety Commissioner identified the following areas as possible risks associated with children’s online usage. These risks have significantly increased as children engage in greater online access due to COVID restrictions. 

As a School Community we have found the greatest risks result from conflicts that originate outside of the school being brought into the school as a result of students engaging inappropriately via social media applications. Generally, issues occur via messaging and group chat apps. However, on other occasions, difficulties arise due to students accessing apps that are intended for users who are much older.

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To support parent knowledge in this area we have included a flyer advertising a free parent zoom webinar that will explore the impact of technology on mental health, gaming addictions and will provide strategies to manage screen time in the home.