Dear Parents

Welcome back! It was lovely to see all the smiling faces at our morning gathering on Monday, both children and teachers.  

With COVID restrictions now lifted we are once again able to welcome parents back into the school as helpers and for face-to-face meetings. This is a welcome relief for everyone. We must still observe COVID safe practices regarding access to hand sanitiser, keeping areas clean, avoiding overcrowded areas and, when a child is not well, they should NOT attend school. Parents are reminded that they must check in via the office to enter any areas of the school.  We still have a supply of rapid antigen tests available at the front office should you wish to check if your child is sick and/or has COVID symptoms.  This is particularly important if children are around elderly grandparents.  

Our current challenge is now the rain. The children were very disappointed to learn that Boorowa had to be cancelled due to the grounds being too wet.  Thank you to all the parents who had volunteered to assist and especially Mrs Justine Henshaw for all the preparation she has put into sporting events that have had to be cancelled. 

With a change in the seasons and the warmer days, we are receiving reports of snakes in the grassy areas outside the school grounds.  Please speak to your child if they walk home about the dangers of snakes and to please let you know if they do encounter a snake. 

A friendly reminder that payments for the Year 5 and Year 6 camp are now overdue. We must submit the final numbers on Monday so payment must be received. Payment can be made via Qkr! Any concerns regarding payment, please contact Carmel Maguire urgently.

We have also seen a big increase in the number of students presenting to first aid this week with hay fever symptoms.  Unfortunately, we are unable to give any medication to students unless you have provided it to us and you have completed and signed an authority for us to do so.  If possible, please try to give medication before school and if you would like to send some tablets/liquid or eye drops in to the office (which we can give during the school day if needed) please call in and sign an authority.

Staffing News

This week we welcomed the following staff:

• Miss Annabel McInnis will be teaching in 6 Onyx for the remainder of the year.
• Kate O'Keefe is returning from maternity leave for three days week.

Next term the following arrangments will be in place:

2 Lime	Change to the days Sophia and Kari will be working Miss Sophia Caputo - Monday to Wednesday  Mrs Kari Turnbull - Thursday & Friday
2 Jade	Mrs Penny Brown will be on LSL for the first 5 weeks Mrs Lauren Maher will be covering the class each day
6 Ebony	Mrs Kelly Boyton will be on LSL for the first two weeks of term Mrs Kate O'Keefe will be covering the class from Monday to Wednesday  Mrs Jodie Tanchevski will cover her regular days - Thursday and Friday

Staff Farewell

Next Tuesday we will be farewelling Christina Page. Christina held our Welfare/Chaplaincy position and was part of our Learning Diverse Team. I would like to thank Christina for her contribution to our school community to support children with anxiety and the Seasons for Growth Program. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours. 

Chess Sessions Term 4

Chess will continue in Term 4 with bookings opening in Week 3. The missed session in the last week of term will occur in Week 3 before the new sessions commence. 

Term 4 Change of Uniform

With spring in the air the children should now move into their summer uniform for Term 4.  Don't forget to label all uniform items and bring a hat!

Semester Two Reports

Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools informing them that general comments will not be required on the Semester 2, 2022 reports. This is in line with other educational jurisdictions and systems. Given teacher workloads at present, including staffing pressures across the profession, CECG’s position is to prioritise parent/teacher conferences occurring during Term 4.

These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges, and future areas of focus. A Semester Report will be sent home as in previous semesters providing A-E grading and attendance information. There will be an opportunity to meet with teachers toward the end of Term 4, prior to the release of the reports in Week 9.

Save the Date - Grounds Working Bee  - 23 October

We are planning a working bee for early Term 4 - proposed date 23 October (weather permitting).  We will be focussing on weeding and cutting/trimming back.  Please bring along any tools you may have to assist with this.  More information will be available on Monday - please keep an eye on Compass!

Future of Education Equity Fund - Helping with the cost of schooling and everyday needs

The ACT Government is committed to helping all children and young people participate in programs and activities that support their educational and well-being needs.

The Future of Education Equity Fund can provide financial support to eligible families, helping students access everyday essentials at school.

The Future of Education Equity Fund provides a one-off, annual payment to low-income families to help cover the costs of education expenses such as school uniforms, school excursions, sport equipment and activities and music lessons.

The Equity Fund has replaced the Secondary Bursary Scheme, expanding its support to families with students in years P–12. It supports low-income families with students enrolled in an ACT preschool (attached to a school) or school (as well as independent students), who meet the eligibility criteria.

More information can be found here.

Message of Thanks - Loving Memory for Ava O'Brien

Looking forward to seeing lots of you at the Trivia Night on Saturday.

God bless.

Carmel Maguire