Dear Families,

As we creep closer to Christmas and the end of the school year I have my annual dilemma of mixed emotions.  On one hand I am dreading saying goodbye to our Year 6 cohort but balancing that out I am so excited about all the opportunities that 2025 present - especially welcoming in a new crew of Foundation students.  In our next newsletter we will be in a position to announce our staffing for 2025 as a lead into our St.Vincent's Transition Day.  By offering an earlier opportunity for everyone to know about next year we will help reduce anxieties around changes that a new school year brings.  

This week we have concluded the final element of our swimming programs and hope that the skills and confidence that has been developed over the past month ensures all our precious children are a little safer around water this summer.  We thank Mrs.Stevenson for coordinating the program as well as all the staff for their flexibility across the swimming weeks.  Thanks must also go to the parents who were busy doing laundry each night to get the swimming kits ready for the next day.

Planning for 2025 is moving along at speed behind the scenes.  Beyond organising obvious things like classes and staffing, constructing the teaching and learning programs while adding to the 2025 school calendar is certainly keeping us busy.  The teachers have begun to collaboratively develop strong plans for the academic aspect of the school but also spend considerable amounts of time considering the well being of our students.  We will be in a position to further strengthen our efforts in this area and we look forward to announcing some exciting news in this space.  

Exciting changes are coming to our school in 2025! We’re thrilled to announce the construction of a brand-new playground, designed to provide our students with an even better space for play and creativity. The project is set to be completed very early next year, promising an environment that fosters both fun and physical exercise.

In addition, we’re introducing a new system for Our Patch bookings, making it easier for families to manage and book activities. This system will be streamlined for convenience, ensuring a smoother process for everyone involved.  We have also been advised that we will be rolling out an updated CDFPay platform, which will make school payments faster and more secure. 

As we move towards the new school year, students will be settling into their new classes, ready to take on fresh challenges and opportunities. Along with this, we’re excited to welcome new staff members who bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm.

Change is always exciting, but it’s also important to stay resilient as we navigate these updates. Together, we’ll continue to grow, learn, and thrive as a community. Let’s make 2025 an amazing year!

But we still have some work to do in 2024 so please take note of the information and events listed across this edition of the newsletter.

* Thanks to the Icy-Pole Parent Volunteers.  Feel free to pack a spare 50c in your child's school bag in case we have a bonus day if we have a hot day.

* On Wednesday 27th November we are having a professional photographer coming for a photo-shoot for our 2024 Year 6's as well as photos of our 2025 Preps when they visit on that morning for Transition.

* Remember to order your Concert USB Recording on CDFPay

Wishing you a positive finish to the week as we enjoy some beautiful hot days.

Dave