Newsletter 2nd February 2022
Welcome Back
Help Us Enter the New Year
God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honour rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
In this new year, may the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.
- Vinita Hampton Wright
Painting by Tradara Briscoe - Welcome to Country
Principal News
Welcome to all of our families for 2022. It is perhaps not quite the start we planned but it is great to be back and we are blessed that everyone is with us, fit and well.
A very special welcome to the Singline family at St. Mary’s. Evie is in the Senior Room and Kamden is in the Junior Room. Amelia and Rodney along with older sister Miley complete the family. Although not a new family, we do have a new student – Adelaide (Addy) has finally become a real school girl and she couldn’t be happier.
At St. Brendan’s the Kocovski family has joined our school community. Mum and Dad – Kim and Paul, have 3 children. Preston has started in Foundation this year. She has a brother -Kingston and sister… Emmerson that have already been into school and have started to become familiar with the children and staff.
We are excited that you are all part of our schools and look forward to collaborating together to provide the best school experience possible for your children.
At St. Mary’s we also have 2 new staff. Louise Haintz is in the Junior Room for 4 days a week and Claire Hay is in the Office Monday to Wednesday. We look forward to partnering and working with them as part of our staff team.
This newsletter will be reasonably short as I have already communicated a lot of information to you and the teachers will all be sending out their own letters and timetables to families.
Just a few things.
Each family that requested RATs (Rapid Antigen Tests) have now received them. A reminder that the recommendation is for 2 tests a week for staff and children. These tests are voluntary. Another pack will be available in 2 weeks.
The first 4 weeks are a time to gauge what is happening and many guidelines are in place to make sure that our schools are safe as possible and remain open. At times things may be a bit different if staff are away but you will be fully informed of what is happening and how it may affect the children and families.
Because we have been advised to go cautiously for the first 4 weeks, Principals have been asked to consider the following when planning activities
- Is the activity essential to support the students?
- Can it be delivered/undertaken differently (online, written correspondence etc.)?
- Can it be postponed/rescheduled?
For this reason, we have decided to reschedule swimming which will now take place in Term 2 starting Monday the 2nd of May for 5 weeks. We have decided to hold over the beginning of the year Mass and hope to do something a bit later on in the term where we could combine a Liturgy and get together. We will let you know about this once a date is decided and we can do it safely.
Upcoming Dates
22nd February
School Advisory Council Combined with St Mary's
7.00 pm @ St Brendan's
23rd February
Parent Teacher Conversations
7th, 8th @ 9th March
Sovereign Hill Camp St Brendan's & St Mary's
Years 3,4,5 & 6
11th March
School Closure Day
Staff ReLate Program
14th March
Public Holiday Queens Birthday
7th April
Last day of Term 1 students
8th April
School Closure Day
Staff ReLate Program
Happy Birthday
Tara turned 10 on the 1st Feb
Medical details, Photography forms and IT student use forms
Please ensure that all of your child’s medical details are up to date on PAM.
All forms regarding school fees, the Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement the Photography/ Recording. Forms are all completed and handed into the office by Friday 4th February.
Staff News
If you notice that Callum has an extra spring in his step the next few weeks, it may be because he is a bit excited about getting married on the 19th of February. We wish Cal and Katie every happiness for the big day. I am sure that we will have photos to share after the big day.
Jess Satori may not have such a spring in her step the next few weeks as she is getting close to welcoming her second child. Jess will work for the next 4 weeks and then take leave for the remainder of the term as well as Term 3 to spend time with her new baby, Garry and Annie
Parent Teacher Conversations
We have scheduled PTC conversations for the 23rd of February and will let you know if these will be face to face or a phone conversation closer to the date. These are an important time to share information about how the children have settled into school, celebrating highlights and discussing any concerns that teachers, children or parents may have. The timetable for these will be released next week for you to book a time.
If you have any questions or concerns before this, please contact your child’s teacher as it is important to work out issues sooner rather than later.
Closure Days
We have a couple of closure date this Term. The first one is Friday the 11th of March. Staff will work with St. Augustine’s, Maryborough to begin the ReLATE journey with the Mary MacKillop Institute. We are very keen to get this started.
The last day of Term 1 is also marked as a closure day. Staff are doing a RE pd day with Jim Waight. The date for this day is Friday the 8th of April.
Start of Term
The start to the Term has been calm and smooth for staff and children. There is a great buzz in our schools and as mentioned in previous emails, we will do everything we can to keep this vibe going and keep everyone safe and schools open.
If things change, you will be informed as soon as possible.
I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to partnering with our school communities – staff, children and families to make it a great year for everyone.
Take care,
Inez
Gardening and Tidying Roster 2022
Prendergast Family | 31st Jan – 13th Feb |
Rafter Family | 14th Feb – 27th Feb |
Riordan Family | 28th Feb – 13th Mar |