Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

This week is Child Protection Week and the theme is Putting Children First, something our school strives to do each and every day. 

Child Protection Week provides the opportunity to recognise and affirm each and every member of our school community who offers care and concern to our students. All members of staff make extraordinary efforts in the pastoral care and support of our students, their safety and wellbeing. 

In addition, we are truly blessed to have Sr Colleen Mills as an integral member of our community. As a Religious Sister of Charity, Sr Colleen continues her vocation to serve others within the Mary Immaculate Community in a very real way through her availability to all members of our community. This support may take many practical forms including being available and present and being a listening ear and wise counsel to parents, students and staff. 

The significant investment made by our Diocese in school counselling, which is provided in all schools through the services of CatholicCare, is a critical professional service for the students in our school. Rita Maher is our dedicated school counsellor who facilitates individual counselling as well as working with teachers to develop wellbeing initiatives within our school.

This work is never easy or simple. Nevertheless, the dedication and efforts of all the staff working together, putting children first, means that we are better able to assist with our students’ safety and wellbeing. 

Child Protection Week also provides the opportunity to recognise and affirm our students, and I am reminded that Pope Francis has spoken about how, dear children … with open, generous hearts can change the world. …

Let us not forget nor take for granted the positive behaviour of students treating each other with genuine respect and kindness.  It is inspiring to witness the extent to which our students watch out for each other and care about one another.  This is a tribute to how they have been nurtured in their life by their first educators, their parents and to the teaching and learning they experience within our school community and of course, to the qualities and character of the students themselves.

Whilst the promotion of child protection has been occurring nationally for the last three decades, this work continues to be an ever-present reality and demands our attention and energy. These needs are even greater today and COVID-19 has placed additional strain on our school community, just as it has on all communities across the globe. It is understandable that this year there is a special emphasis on online safety, and the impact of COVID-19 on student safety and wellbeing.

Accompanying this newsletter is a flyer produced by the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong that acknowledges and celebrates Child Protection Week and highlights resources available to parents that support the safety and wellbeing of children. During Child Protection Week let’s celebrate and encourage our continued efforts to work together to help every child to thrive by putting children first. 

Let Christ Be Our Way and Life

Tina Murray

Principal

CLASS FORMATION FOR 2021

The lengthy process of class formation for 2021 will commence in earnest when we return to school in Term 4.

This process involves the current class teachers preparing draft lists for next year’s classes. This process takes into consideration the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of each individual student. Decisions are made to establish balanced, equitable class groups with the potential to work well together. As the teachers know the students within the school environment exceptionally well, the best interests of each individual student is always considered during the discernment process.

Parents are invited annually to contribute to the process of class formation by informing us in writing of any special needs that may affect class placement. Written requests should be submitted before Week 4 Term 4 (November 2) either through a note / email to the class teacher or via an email to info@mievdow.catholic.edu.au marked – 2021 Class Formation.

It is important to note that whilst parental requests are considered, there is never a guarantee that these requests will be granted. If parents make a request, particularly about their child being placed within a friendship group, please be aware that there may be circumstances surrounding such requests that may prevent it from being granted. All requests are considered when classes are constructed and must be provided prior to classes being finalised. 

STUDENTS NOT RETURNING IN 2021

If parents are already aware that their child / ren will not be returning to Mary Immaculate in 2021, we request that this information be provided to Mrs Pizarro in the School Office as soon as possible. This information will assist us with accommodating both new applications and students who are currently on our waiting list. 

UNIFORM LABELLING

With the holidays fast approaching this period is a wonderful opportunity to renewal labels on all pieces of your child’s uniform. I completely understand parental frustration regarding lost and missing items.

Please ensure all uniform pieces are clearly labeled with your child’s name using permanent marker in a prominent place. Students should know where their name is marked for easy checking. Please encourage your child to place all items straight into their bag rather that leaving them on the playground or in the classroom.  

 

With the warmer weather now commencing students are able to choose to wear either Full Summer or Full Winter Uniform during the last 2 weeks of Term.

All students will return in Term 4 wearing their Full Summer Uniform.

ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS

In response to a discussion point raised at the last P&F General Meeting I wanted to bring attention to the button that appears on our school website. This link allows access to both the current and archived newsletters.

 

Congratulations to all those students who brought their Library bags this week, well done! Sadly no Gold Stars this week, better luck next week!  We need to remind ourselves to bring our Library bags on the same day we wear our Sports Uniform! Hopefully this week our memories will be better – we have a large number of new books covered and ready for borrowing! 

Book Week 2020: 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds!!' The Children’s Book Council transferred the celebration of Book Week this year from August to 17-23 October, Week 2 next Term. We will be having our Book Character Dress-Up Day on Thursday 22 October. Because of the Covid 19 restrictions, we will be unable to have our usual parade with parents and friends invited, but the students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. It is important that it is not just a dress-up day but an awareness of book characters, the books they come from, and a little bit about who the character is and why we like them.

Scholastic Book Club:  Orders for Book Club Online close today, 9 September.  There are some great books available at good prices. Thank you for your support. 

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."

Maya Angelou, Poet

Happy reading!

Mrs Sue Bryant

Teacher-Librarian

Stickybeaks Lunch Order Wallets (INSULATED) are available in the 2nd Hand Uniform Room every Monday OR in the Office.  They are $10.00 each.  

We will be transitioning into Summer Uniform in Week 9 and 10 of this Term.  For Weeks 9 and 10 students can wear either FULL Summer or FULL Winter Uniform according to the weather. 

All students are expected to be in Full Summer Uniform the first day back of Term 4 which will be Tuesday 13 October 2020.

PLEASE DO NOT WEAR A COMBINATION OF BOTH, BEFORE THIS TIME.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY - MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2020

CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL FOR TERM 4, TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 IN FULL SUMMER UNIFORM