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Dear Parents,
I can clearly remember a few years ago when my son Tom had one of his friends over to our house to play. I could hear them talking to each other whilst they were playing Lego in the next room. Out of the blue Tom’s friend started to talk about his new house and what his backyard was going to look like compared to ours (they were looking out the window). The topic of a new house interested Tom, he was obviously unaware that his friend was moving and asked him why he was getting a new house.
“My Mum and Dad are separating,” he replied.
“What do you mean?” asked Tom.
“They have told me that they won’t be living together anymore but they said that they will both still love me just the same. I still get to go to the same school and I am not moving far away. Dad said for our family to be as happy as it can be it is better if he and Mum do not live together. I will get to stay with both of them for the same amount of time. They said it is for adult reasons that they are not going to live together anymore and the reason has nothing to do with my sister or me.”
“Ok” said Tom, “Can you pass me a wheel for my car?”
I am often asked about how we should talk to our children during difficult times. I have found Tom’s friends family to be a perfect example. He was given the correct information, at his level of understanding and was obviously reassured that it was an adult problem and not his responsibility, or any of his fault. He was also aware that this change was a reality and was not living in a world of false hope. His matter of fact way of explaining it gave Tom more than enough information that he needed and the conversation quickly moved on. They were about eight years old at the time.
It is important when talking to children that we do not lie to them or make promises that we cannot keep. We also need to remain cognizant of that fact that these are adult problems and that children need to know what is appropriate at their level. Our own support during these difficult times should come from other adults, not children.
School Closure Day – This Friday 17 March
A reminder that this Friday is a School Closure Day as the staff are participating in de-escalation training with key people from the Catholic Education Office. I thank all families in advance for your cooperation.
Harmony Day – Monday 20 March
Next week we will be celebrating Harmony Week at school. As part of the celebrations on Monday 20 March the children are encouraged to wear their traditional clothing or a ‘splash’ of orange.
School Photos – Friday 24 March
School photos are on Friday 24 March. The children are to wear their full summer uniform. If your children have PE that day they wear their full summer uniform and bring their runners.
Easter Raffle
Raffle tickets will be distributed to families next week and on Friday 31 March the children can wear casual clothes if they bring an egg to donate to the Raffle. Our Easter Raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 5 April.There's a flyer attached to this newsletter.
Traffic Congestion
The reality of all schools is there is traffic congestion at the drop off and pick up times. In our case, being a large primary school situated on the same site as SFX, it increases the traffic. We ask that all families please be respectful of each other, allow enough time for drop off and pick up, and follow the signs. Predictable traffic is easier for us to manage and safer for our children.
School Advisory Board
We are looking for new members of our School Advisory Board. If you are interested, or know someone who is, can you please complete the Nomination Form attached with this newsletter and return to school by this Friday 17 March. Our next Board Meeting is Wednesday 24 March at 7.00pm.
2024 Enrolments
We are currently taking 2024 Enrolments. If you are an existing family please get your forms in asap to guarantee you a spot. If you know of anyone considering St Catherine’s for their child please ask them to contact the Office for a tour.
NAPLAN
The Government administered NAPLAN testing for Years 3 & 5 will be conducted this week. Thank you to our Curriculum Leaders, Victoria Donlan and Rebecca Cox, for their organisation. The tests will be in an online format. Please reinforce with your children that these tests are just another aspect of school and all we ask is that they do their best.
Hats
Please ensure that your child is bring their hat to school each day in Term One.
School Gate Opening Time 2023
As mentioned in the last newsletter to allow us to cater for the new EBA that Catholic teachers in the Diocese of Sale have entered into for 2023 we will be opening the school gates at 8.30am this year.
Children arriving before 8.30am must be enrolled in before school care.
Canteen
We are still coordinating the canteen for 2023. We will let parents know when it is back up and running.
Camp Dates for 2023
Grade 5 – 17 – 19 May Lady Northcote Camp Glenmore
Grade 4 – 1 – 2 May Phillip Island Adventure Resort
Bike Shed
Due to the refurbishment of the Northern Portables the bike shed has been relocated to in between the STEM and Japanese portables. It is temporary fencing at the moment whilst we are awaiting the installation of new fencing.
Playground
Planning for the new playground is underway. We will hope to have this installed as soon as possible this year. Thanks to the Parents and Friends for contributing money towards this exciting project.
COVID Advice
Please see the latest COVID advice regarding students who are unwell;
It is strongly recommended that students:
- Who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five (5) days;
- Should not attend school after five (5) days if still symptomatic;
- Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school until their symptoms resolve;
- Parents, guardians or carers advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result.
Kind Regards
Simon
Term Dates, School Closure Days and School events
Wednesday 15 March | Board Meeting 7pm |
Friday 17 March | School Closure Day – Staff De-escalation Training |
20 - 26 March | Harmony week (Harmony Day will be celebrated on Monday 20 and students are invited to wear traditional/national clothing) |
Friday 24 March | School Photos |
Friday 31 March | Casual clothes for easter Raffle |
Thursday 6 April | Easter Assembly / Easter Raffle 2.40pm. |
Thursday 6 April | End of Term 1 |
Monday 24 April | School Closure Day |
Tuesday 25 April | ANZAC Day |
Wednesday 26 April | School Closure Day - Learning Adjustment Day with Trinity, St Patricks and Mary Mackillop |
Thursday 27 April | Term 2 begins |
Monday 1-2 May | Grade 4 Camp |
Thursday 11 May | Mother's Day Stall |
Wednesday 17 May | Grade 5 Camp |
22 - 26 May | Catholic Education Week. |
Friday 26 May | National Sorry Day |
Friday 2 June | Playground Fundraising Day. Details TBC by SACE Leaders. |
Monday 12 June | Kings Birthday Holiday |
Thursday 22 June | End of term 2 |
Friday 23 June | School Closure Day – RE |
2 - 9 July |
NAIDOC Week |
Monday 10 July | Term 3 begins |
Thursday 31 August | Father’s Day Stall |
Thursday 7 September | Student Disco |
Thursday 14 September | End of Term 3 |
Friday 15 September | School Closure Day |
Monday 2 October | School Closure Day – Data Review |
Tuesday 3 October | Term 4 begins |
Monday 6 November | Cup Weekend School Closure |
Tuesday 7 November | Cup Day |
Friday 10 November | Grandparents Day |
Thursday 7 December | Christmas Carols |
Friday 15 December | Students Last Day - End of Term 4 |
Monday 18 December | School Closure Day 2024 Planning |
Tuesday 19 December | School Closure Day 2024 Planning |
SPECIALIST TERM 1 OVERVIEWS
Dihain N | Isabella P | Jai P |
Angelo P | Marcus G | Nithindu D |
Tyler K | Eamon F | Sahib H |
Koah P | Daniel M | Lavanya B |
Abel P | Ella G | Jasine B |
Ryan C | Davin D | Aaron S |
Senuthi T | Nicole T |