Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a very eventful start to term 4 with the commencement of Stage 1 of our building project. The refurbishment of the 1926 Heritage Parish Hall has begun with the internal demolition happening over the coming days. The builders are planning to start the play space in the coming weeks and manage both builds at the same time.
I would like to acknowledge and thank all our wonderful parents and carers for the way you have adapted to the new arrangements for dropping off and collecting students. I have greatly appreciated how families have done this in a safe and orderly manner, using all the gate options available. The staff have been pleased with the way the pick-up zone is flowing as everyone has become familiar with its operation. We encourage you to keep moving to the end of the pick zone up when possible, with the start of the zone by the brick wall. The more cars that can fit safely in the collection zone, the greater number of students who can then be collected.
I would like to remind parents about some things to be aware of when collecting your child/ren at the end of the school day. If they are using the pick-up zone, please remain in your vehicle and the staff will assist with your child/ren, as exiting your vehicle can hold up the process and create some safety issues. Please do not park on the other side of Birkinshaw Ave across from the pick-up zone, before or after school as this is a no standing zone.
Thank you to the many families who are choosing to park their vehicle and then walk to collect their child/ren. You can access the bottom yard as this gate is opened at the end of the day for easier collection if you have parked further down Birkinshaw Ave.
I would like to remind and prepare families for the start of our second building project – the Multi Sports Space which will commence very soon. The final preparations are underway and I will inform the school community of the official starting date soon. I would like to add that this may impact some families when collecting students at the end of the day, however we will work closely with the builders to assist during this busy period between 3:00pm -3:15pm.
OSHC has now settled into its new temporary home in the MacKillop Unit, (Year 6 Classroom) using the pedestrian gate on Birkinshaw Ave for access. I would like to acknowledge and thank Melanie Heaney and the OSHC team for all their work in packing up the old OSHC and setting up the new space during the term break. I think you would all agree the space looks amazing, they have created an every welcoming and inviting room. I would also like to thank Mr Moulton and the Year 6 class for moving into the transportable in the bottom yard as well as Signora Grande for moving into the MacKillop Unit during this building phase.
We are all excited to see the final results from all our new play projects and look forward to 2022 when they will be completed and ready for our students to use for play.
Term 4 has seen the start of our Little STARS - a long transition program. Children starting Reception in 2022 are invited to visit the school each Friday morning this term to meet the teachers, build friendships and become very familiar with the school and classroom environment. This program is now in its third year and has proven a very successful way for children and their families to start their school journey in a positive way.
Can I remind all families to download the Skoolbag app for our school, as this will provide you with information on coming events and important dates. If you do not have our SkoolBag app, you can download from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. I would strongly encourage all families to access this app to assist with communicating between school and home. If you are experiencing any issues, please contact SkoolBag at: support@skoolbag.com.au or it might be helpful to reload the app.
This term we will see two major camps for our senior students. Our Year 4/5 students will be going on an adventure camp to Mylor and our Year 6 students will be attending a 4-day camp at Kangaroo Island. I know the students are looking forward to these outdoor experiences as they provide students with the opportunities to enhance their decision-making skills, promote personal responsibility, foster a positive growth mindset and build self confidence as they work as a team to experience many exciting activities and create many lasting memories with their friends.
Next week our Athletics Team will be competing in the Catholic Schools Carnival at Mile End Stadium. I would like to wish them well in their various athletic events and look forward to hearing all about the day.
Kind regards
Adrian Grbin
Social