Last Sunday’s Gospel

In the gospel of Luke we hear that Jesus spoke about the need to be prepared to give up everything to follow him. It is representative of other important times in our lives. When we strive to do something important we focus and leave other things behind. Sometimes it requires a house move, a change of job, selling something so we can afford something else. When we say yes to some things we must say no to other things. Sometimes it is even sleep! Think of having a newborn baby! So we must let go of what stops us being close to Jesus remembering the relationship with Him is the most important of all.

From the Principal and Assistant Principal…

Car Park Parking, Kiss and Ride and Child Safety Before School

We have noticed an increase in the number of families accessing the Church carpark of an afternoon. A condition of using this car park is that entry occurs prior to 2:15pm and exit must occur after 2:45pm. Entering and exiting the car park between 2:15- 2:45pm is a safety  concern with many pedestrians including students walking home needing to cross and interrupts that flow of traffic for Kiss and Ride. We are not allowing staff to enter or exit at this time either.

We have also noticed an increase in the number of students being dropped off prior to 8am. These students have been reported by neighbours as running up and down the footpath, playing handball and continually crossing over the crossing. We ask families to drop students off no earlier than 8am. Restrictions on teacher duties restrict our ability to provide supervision before 8am and there is also an equity issue with families paying for supervision through OOSH. Please book your children into OOSH if you need care for them prior to 8am. There are subsidies available and OOSH can advise you of these.

Attendance

As a Diocese,  we aim for every child’s attendance to be 95% or greater. Currently our student attendance rate is 92%. We need your support in ensuring that students only stay at home when they are unwell. Not attending school because of a birthday is not an acceptable reason for staying at home.

When students arrive late or have a significant number of days off they miss out on learning opportunities. Parents have a legal responsibility  to explaining absences.  Providing an explanation to the school for any absence within seven calendar days of the first day of the absence. The primary method by which a parent may provide an explanation is through Compass. Verbal explanations and emails are also accepted.

Assembly update

We would like to provide you with an update on some procedures that we will be implementing in light of the feedback that we have received from families. 

• Moving forward, we will no longer be cancelling assemblies. In the event of extreme weather conditions, we will instead invite the presenting grade, along with the students receiving awards, to the Hall. Families are still welcome to attend, but instead of the assembly being held on the basketball court, we will be in the Hall. Siblings of students receiving St Eugene awards will also be collected by an SSO so that they can watch their sibling receive their award in the Hall.
• We will also be emailing families of the students who are receiving their Gold, Silver and Bronze awards (along with Merit awards, as normal). This will mean that families will receive an email of any award that their child will be receiving. 
• The grade hosting the assembly has also been asked to look at the agenda for the assembly a week beforehand and along with the Principal (or Assistant Principal) a decision will be made to determine if the assembly needs to begin earlier to allow enough time for everything to be shared and celebrated. This will then be communicated via Compass if an earlier assembly is required. 

Summer Uniform Changeover

As mentioned last week, students can begin wearing their summer uniform. With the weather still being uncertain, students are able to wear their summer or winter uniform from now until the end of the term. Please do not mix and match the uniforms, e.g. Long pants with a short-sleeve shirt. As of Term 4, all students will return to school in their Summer uniform. 

Kinder Green Teacher Update

Ms Barber will be on leave for the remainder of Term 3. Ms Emily Nilsson will be teaching the class and had the opportunity of spending the day with them for a handover. Please feel free to pop in and say hello! 

Michelle Rolfe and Emilia Ahern

Principal  and  Assistant Principal