Dear Families

After the past two short work weeks, it has been great to have a full week of school so that it feels like I am getting into bit of a rhythm.  Across the school it has been so pleasing to walk past classrooms filled with students busy at work.  I wonder if it is that these 'children of the pandemic' have got their mojo back?  This time last year I was busy getting my head around social isolation and quarantine rules, while now I am overwhelmed with trying to fit so many learning and fun events into our school calendar.

Successful schools are built around the people: staff, families but importantly the students.  At St.Vincent's I am so lucky to have such a diverse and generous community to work alongside, in particular our students.  I have been impressed with the number of students engaging with me across this past fortnight to discuss their ideas, attitudes and aspirations about improving our school.

Next week we have our first Parent & Friends Meeting on Wednesday evening at 6.45pm.  Please feel free to come along or reach out if you want to contribute across the year in some capacity but can't make the meeting.  As always, many hands do indeed make light work, so all the extra things that can happen in schools can really be driven through this parent group.

This Thursday and Friday I am attending some Gippsland Catholic Primary Principal network days so I leave the school in the capable hands of Mrs.Van Den Broek.  I offer my apologies to families as I will not at the Sacrament Meeting scheduled for Thursday night at 5pm at Sacred Heart.  Mrs.Van Den Broek alongside our new REL Mr.Greenslade will be there as well as some other staff.  We look forward to a COVID free year of Sacraments and engaging with the Year 3 students and families participating in the Reconciliation program during Term 1.

This newsletter is loaded with new and old information, while the content on PAM and the school website continues to grow.  Having the free Smartphone App (the security PIN is 6358) and having notifications enables ensures you have immediate access to important school information.  If you are reading this newsletter you probably have these subscriptions under control but please reach out to other families you know that might not be in the loop.  Feel free to call by and ask for assistance from myself or the Office staff.

On Monday we conducted our first Assembly as well as the first virtual Morning Meeting.  The morning meeting is a quick on-line presentation beamed live into classrooms designed to build community and to assist with communication.  Once we establish a more polished product I hope we can record the broadcast and share it on-line with families.  Our Afternoon Assembly (Monday 2.20pm) is open for families to attend and we also have a few tweaks planned to make this weekly event more informative and an opportunity to reinforce our shared school Positive Behaviours - Respect, Responsible, Resilient and Safe.  Congratulations to all students who were recognised at this week's assembly and a shout-out to our new student leaders in their new assembly roles.

Around the school we have a few minor gardening tasks that the students have been working on, but I really do need to some adults to get a few things done.  If you are available to help out please drop by to volunteer.

Two key events across this week have been Safer Internet Day and our first visit to the church for Mass. I strongly encourage parents to make themselves aware of the information shared around cyber-safety.  This is such a tricky area and is well and truly now an issue for primary aged children across the globe.  

Wishing everyone a great finish to the week, enjoy the sunshine.

Dave

Week 2

We look forward to celebrating these special faith milestones with your children as well as connecting with your family.

To begin the sacramental journey children must be baptised in the Catholic Church.  If you would like further information please feel free to reach out to Mr.Cooper or Mr.Greenslade (REL)

INFORMATION NIGHT FOR PARENTS FOR ALL SACRAMENTS

Thursday 9th Feb 2023

Sacred Heart Church 5pm

2023 Dates

YEAR 3 - Reconciliation Thursday 30th March 5pm

YEAR 6 - Confirmation Thursday 15th June 6pm

YEAR 4 - Eucharist Sunday 15th October 10.30am

2024 school fee statements will be sent out via email shortly.

 Fees can be paid by direct debit, online bank transfer or by EFTPOS at the office.

SCHOOL FEE CONCESSION

If you are currently the holder of a pension or health care card, you may be eligible for a fee concession on your school fees for 2024. Please enquire at the office if this applies to you. Please do this ASAP so you don’t miss out.

Our first Book Club has been distributed this week - the old Scholastic classic flyer has had a makeover and is no longer a glossy sheet but a newspaper.

Please take a look and try to find something to add to your family's book collection.  Not only are you promoting good reading habits in your home but you are also supporting the school by generating credits for school resources.

www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP

The progress that has happened so far in 2023 has been very easy to notice as the Part B section takes shape.  Internally we have a few trades on-site with electrical, IT and plumbers working hard in preparation for the plaster to be hung.

With the addition of the new doors and windows, the new entrance to the School Office is now visible from Rowell Street - We can't wait for the earthworks to happen so we can tidy up those areas.  Other landscaping that has taken place includes the garden edging that is around the library and junior sandpit.  We would love to hear from parents and families available to volunteer a few hours to spread the bark and help with some garden bed preparation.  We also need someone to complete the new garden bed around the MacKillop House entrance ...... we have the sleepers we just need someone who is a bit handy!

We are on track to occupy the building towards the end of the term so that we are operational at the start of Term 2.