Mother Teresa School Harrison eNewsletter

Principal's Message Term 2 Week 7 - 2022

Dear Parents

This week we have had lots of staff away due to sickness. This has placed a huge demand on the workload of staff as we struggle to employ relief staff to cover classes. I am sincerely grateful to all the staff for their efforts to continue to provide positive learning experiences to the children, we continue to work hard to avoid remote learning as we know how difficult it would be on families. Thank you to the parents for your understanding.

Over the last few weeks, I have enjoyed meeting many of our preschoolers for Kindergarten in 2023. The interviews will continue into Term 3 for our preschoolers who currently have siblings at school, you haven't been forgotten. Letters of Offer will be sent out in the last week of this term for 2023.

As part of the enrolment process, families are asked to sign a Parent Commitment Agreement. Over the next few weeks, I will publish the various sections of the Agreement as a reminder to all families of your commitment when enrolling at Mother Teresa School.

Below I have duplicated the clauses "Parent Conduct towards Teacher, Staff, Parents and Students" and "Wellbeing and Behaviour" from our Parent Commitment Agreement.

Parent Conduct towards Teachers, Staff and Students

I will abide by the CECG Parent Charter and conduct myself in a manner that is consistent with my obligations as a Parent in the School, and I will follow CEGC and School based policies that apply to me. I will familiarise myself with applicable policies through the CECG and School websites (ref. 15, 16, 17 & 23).
1. CECG and School based policies, and the Parent Charter, do not form part of the PCA are not enforceable as such.
I acknowledge that education of the Student is founded in a relationship of trust and collaboration between the Student, the Parent/s and the School. I will engage with the School in a collaborative manner and I will ensure that I do not make unreasonable demands of the School.
I will trust in the experience, expertise and professional judgement of teachers at the School, and I will actively support them in the provision of the Student's education. This support may include the implementation at home and at school of strategies suggested by the School that will assist in accommodating the needs of the Student.
I will not engage in any disrespectful, threatening or harassing or inappropriate behaviour directed towards students, other Parents or staff of the School, including through social media or other online platforms. I understand that engaging in this behaviour may result in my access to the School being restricted, or revoked.
I acknowledge that Parents are invited to participate in the total life of the School including class activities, parent/teacher nights, School/community liturgies and activities of the Parents and Friends Association and/or Board or Community Council. However, I understand that the School has the right to modify or restrict parental participation in School activities at the School's discretion.
I will raise concerns or issues I have about any matter involving the School in a respectful and considerate manner with staff of the School and in accordance with any process that may exist at the School.
In relation to any behaviour or actions that I take that are connected with the School, I will not engage in conduct that has the potential to bring the School or CECG into disrepute.

Wellbeing and Behaviour

I warrant that I have provided all relevant information to the School that may assist the School to understand and meet the Student's needs. I will provide any additional information to the School that I become aware of that may be relevant to the Student's physical, emotional or psychological needs as soon as I am able.
I give permission for the School to contact previous schools that the Student has attended and obtain access to the Student's academic records, behaviour and well-being records, and any other information that the School deems necessary to assist in developing an understanding of the Student's needs and behaviours.
I will actively support the implementation of behaviour management strategies designed to identify, manage and reduce any challenging behaviours of the Student. I understand that these strategies may be implemented by the School in relation to the Student in order to facilitate an environment that is conductive to optimal student learning, and to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff at the School.
I will ensure, as far as I am able, that the Student conducts themselves in a manner that does not cause physical or psychological harm to themselves or others.
I give permission for the School to search the Student's belongings where the School forms a reasonable belief that it is necessary to do so. The School may confiscate items which are not permitted to be at the School. I understand that if the School identifies any items that are inherently dangerous or illegal that the police may be called.
In the case of medical emergencies involving the Student where the School is unable to contact me, I give permission for the School to take whatever action the School deems appropriate to address the immediate health and safety of the Student. I agree to pay any and all costs associated with medical treatment for the Student in these circumstances.

Afternoon Pickup through the ELC drop off zone

After school, all parents collecting kindergarten to year 6 child/ren need to pick up from the carpark located on the basketball courts. Please DO NOT use the ELC pick up/drop off zone located at the front of the school. This is a dedicated area for the ELC students only.

Tell Them From Me Surveys

Parents, Teachers and Students in Years 4 - 6 are invited to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. Via a Compass message, you are invited to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey.

We value the role of parents and carers within our school community, and we would appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership, to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Mother Teresa School. The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device through URL link that was sent out via Compass.

Parent Surveys will be open for an additional week. Thank you to the 130 parents who have completed the form. I look forward to reading your feedback.

School Fees

A reminder that school fee reminders were sent out this week. Payment is now overdue. Please settle your semester one accounts as soon as possible. If you are experiencing difficulties please contact me on my email carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that our next Pupil Free day is Friday 24 June. Kidsbiz will be running on that day. Please contact them if you need to book in.

School Assemblies

Our weekly school assemblies are held every Friday afternoon from 2:30pm. If you need to collect your child early from school please try to do so before this time so as to avoid interrupting the whole class.

Farewell

We would like to wish Kirsten from KidsBiz farwell as she leaves MTS Before and After School Care.

Community Council

A reminder that our next Community Council meeting is on Tuesday 14 June at 6pm in the staff room. All welcome!

COVID Reminders

Families still need to advise the school should a child be at home with COVID via our specific email address, covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au then followed up with a Compass absentee notification through the Compass Parent Portal.

RAT kits are still available from the office should you require kits for regular testing, particularly if your child is a close contact.

God Bless

Carmel Maguire