Principal's Message Term 1 Week 9 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
Staffing News
Next Friday, we will say farewell Chris Sambolec, who has been looking after the school grounds for the last five months. We are very grateful to Chris for all he has done around the school grounds to make the school look neat and tidy. The oval is looking fabulous, thanks to Chris' handy work.
On Monday, we will welcome our new grounds person, Steve Hancroft, who has previous experience looking after school grounds and doing general maintenance work.
Term Awards - The Mother Teresa Way
Following a staff discussion regarding our end of term awards, the staff have requested that the purpose of the awards be accessible to more children across the school. We have elected to move away from the Academic and Effort awards to an award called 'The Mother Teresa Way'. The class teachers will nominate two awards per class from a possible range of reasons displayed across the term eg academic, effort, 5Cs, sporting commitment, commitment to learning in ..... etc. The teachers will provide a comment on the award that will be read out at an assembly.
Families will be notified via Compass at the commencement of the week when the awards will be presented. This term, the awards will be issued on Thursday at 1.00pm in the hall, due to Friday being a pupil fee day.
Easter Story - Jesus Day
Families are invited to share the Easter Story re-enacted by the children from Kinder to Year 6 on Wednesday
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9.10 | Palm Sunday | ELC & Kinder - Hall |
| 9.20 | Cleansing the Temple | Year 5 - Hall |
| 9.30 | Anointing One Another & Betrayal of Judas | Year 6 - Hall |
| 10.20 | Washing the Feet & Last Supper | Year 3 - Hall |
| 11.45 | The Garden & The Arrest | Year 2 - Hall |
| 1.00 | The Crucifixion | Year 4 - Hall |
| 2.15 | The Resurrection | Year 1 - Turf |
Swimming Ribbons
Congratulations to our swimming squad, who attended the regional carnival with Mrs Kate O'Keefe and Miss Carly Salmon. Ribbons will be present on Monday morning at our assembly gathering. Several children will now go on to compete at the ACT carnival for the North Canberra and Gunghalin area. Parents will be responsible for advising of their child's absence on Compass as they are in their parent's care.
We are pleased to announce that Mother Teresa is introducing the BPoint Enterprise Solution to manage direct debit arrangements for the payment of school fees. We are hoping to release the information next week so families can set up arrangements
What is BPoint and What Do You Need to Do?
BPoint is a secure Commonwealth Bank payment processing platform designed to facilitate online payments, while ensuring the highest security standards. This system safeguards your financial information using industry-leading security measures.
Our new direct debit platform will allow you to pay school fees using either a bank account or a credit card (excluding AMEX). Please note that payments made via credit card will incur a 0.5% surcharge.
Establishing Direct Debits.
Next week, families will receive an email outlining estimated weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayment options to ensure all fees are paid by the end of the year. These amounts will also include any outstanding 2024 balances.
What next?
You will receive an email that will provide a start date for direct debits and options for selecting your preferred payment frequency. Once a payment frequency is selected, you will be directed to enter your bank/credit card details. Once the information is entered, you will receive an email from no-reply@bpoint.com.au . The email will contain two links,
1. The first link requires confirmation of the direct debit arrangement. Please note that the link will expire within 7 days.
2. The second link provides a copy of the eDDRSA for your records.
While using the direct debit payment option is not compulsory, many families find it helpful in staying up to date with their financial obligations.
For any questions or further assistance, please contact the school.
Pickup Car Signs
A reminder to consider displaying your family name when you are using our drive-through arrangement. It would be a great help to teachers supervising the car line and directing children to their family car. Consider ordering a special sign for your family visor.
THE BENEFITS OF USING A PERSONALISED CAR IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
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A one time purchase designed to last from Kindy to Year 6
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Duty staff have a uniform position to locate each family name and have children ready to board
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Customised Vel-stretch fixings mean there is no damage to car upholstery and will fit every make of car
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Retain your privacy with the magnetic closure as you depart
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Names become uniformly visible from 30m
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CarIDs open below the passenger visor to aid visibility
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The slimline unit remains attached so it’s never missing or lost
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Two hands remain on the wheel while driving through a school zone
- Details can be easily updated with a customised insert
Visit the weblink below and order your car ID
http://https://www.signsafekids.com.au/online-store
Sample in our school office, should you want to see what the sign is like before you order. I recommend just using the family name as per my sample attached.
Have a lovely weekend
Carmel Maguire
Principal