Families Leaving
It is that time of year when we are required to submit our expected enrolment numbers for 2025 to Catholic Education. If you are aware your child will not be returning to MTS in 2025, please advise via email as soon as possible. We have a number of families on our waiting list from Year 1 to Year 6 eager to secure a place at MTS later in the year of for 2025.

Staffing
It is with mixed emotions that we share the news that Mrs Lauren Pye has resigned from their position as class teacher of 1 Topaz. Mrs Pye’s last day with the students will be Friday June 28 (Week 9 Term 2). Lauren has been an integral part of our school community and we know she has dedicated much of her time and energy to the growth and development of our students. We are truly grateful for her service and the positive impact she has had on our school community.

We are currently in the process of interviewing prospective teaching staff to fill Lauren’s position. As soon as we can finalise our Term 3 plans we will be advising families as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the current teacher shortage is being felt across all education systems in Canberra with new staff often having to give at least four weeks notice to their existing place of employment before taking up a new position.  

On Tuesday 2 July we welcome Mrs Kate Walczek as our new Office Administrator. Kate has returned to Canberra with her family following her husband’s recent posting to Darwin. Kate comes with a wide range of administration experiences including a school experience, so she is well aware of the demands of school life.

Kate is taking over Steph Reed’s position. Our wonderful Steph is heading to Florida with her family as her husband has been posted, with the intention of returning to their hometown of Perth following the US stint. We will miss Steph’s patience and thoughtfulness as she greeted all who called or visited the school. Steph’s last day at MTS will be Friday 5 July.

Kindergarten Interviews 
This week we have continued to interview our new families and our very excited 2025 Kinder children. The interviews will continue into Term 3 for our preschoolers who currently have siblings at MTS, you haven't been forgotten. Letters of Offer with the Parent Agreement will be emailed out on Friday. Parents must sign and return to formalised the acceptance of enrolment for 2025.  

Parent Interviews and Reports 
Thank you to all the parents who were able to accommodate the various teacher conference schedules this week. It has been a very busy and rewarding week for the teachers as they shared your child/rens progress.  Reports will be released via Compass on the Thursday in Week 10. Following a CE decision there will be no formal comments on the Mid Year reports, hence the importance of the parent teacher meetings for Semester One.

Rostrum News
Congratulations to Xavier Johnson, who has won his way through to the ACT Rostrum semi-finals, following the first round held at Good Shepherd School, Amaroo earlier this week. We look forward to seeing how Xavier goes in the next round.

ACT Cross Country
Well done to Lachlan Rodda, William Minns and Leo McCarroll, who represented MTS at the ACT Cross Country Carnival. All of these athletes performed exceptionally, with Lachlan finishing 2^nd and Leo 9^th place, making them two of the fastest  runners in the whole territory.

Council Meeting – All Parents Welcome
Next Tuesday 25 June we will hold our next Community Council Meeting commencing at 6.00pm in the school staffroom. All parents are most welcome to attend to contribute to the discussion regarding our school community.

Discussion topics include

• Hall Upgrade
• Social and Fundraising Events
• Class Contact Activities

School Fee Statements
The CE recently issued School Fee Statements so that parents would be aware of what may be owing on their fees. Please note as this is an automated process all families receive an update on their account, even if it has a zero balance. Thank you to all the families who have finalised their accounts. We still have a number of families who need to finalise their Term 2 account. Setting up a BPay arrangement is an effective way to pay off the fees via regular instalments.

Please remember that your payments help cover a range of school running costs including  

• all the stationery and supplies we purchase for your children.
• grade level excursion and incursions, excluding camps
• electricity, water, phone, cleaning contact and our grounds person
• general admin costs, staff professional courses, general curriculum subscriptions and resources
• school building resources such as air conditioning, playground equipment maintenance

CE is moving to become an Incorporation Organisation in 2025
Earlier this year, Archbishop Christopher announced changes to the governance arrangements for Catholic Education within the Archdiocese from 2025. This will result in a change to the proprietor of each Catholic School in the ACT but will not otherwise materially impact school operations. If you would like further information about this change, or you would like to provide feedback about the change in proprietor, please contact governance@cg.catholic.edu.au  by 19 July 2024.

Please find attached the original letter from the Archbishop, circulated in February 2024.

God Bless

Craig and Lina