Dear Parents and Carers

Next week is Wellbeing week for the children at school. Mr De Villiers has many activities planned to liven up our school week and teach children valuable skills for life. Lunch clubs, games and a mufti day are planned. The Mufti day is next Thursday 24th September. The children can wear summer play clothes, a hat and sports shoes. No gold coin is needed as this is not a fund raising day, just a fun raising one! Watch out for Mindful Monday, Terrific Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday and Thoughtful Thursday!  A reminder that Friday 25th September is a Staff Development Day.

In Sport class this week and next Mr De Villiers is running Athletic type events as the children missed their sports carnival this year. Children are scoring points for their house colours and the winners will be announced next week.

In their class studies our Year One students are trying to solve the school problem of what we can do now that the Spring Fair is cancelled this year. They have come up with a wonderful solution and decided to run their own mini version of the Spring Fair on a school day. They have called on their older friends in Year 6 to help set up their (low key) mini stalls and help them organise the fair. The teachers are advising them regarding their Covid safety plan to keep everyone safe. I think they might all appreciate some behind the scenes parent helpers. If you would like to be involved please email Mr Brierley and let him know you are available. If you have some ideas re very simple stalls and games please include that in your email. We will then set up a meeting early next term. nicholas.brierley@syd.catholic.edu.au

Our teachers are hoping to plan a Christmas theme across the school towards the end of Term 4. There have been some very creative ideas regarding decorations, themed work and showcasing (through film) the children’s talent. If any parent would like to be involved in helping behind the scenes please email Mrs Petersen. martina.petersen@syd.catholic.edu.au

Many thanks to our Sports Club and P and F who we met with over the last few weeks via Zoom. We have a number of volunteers who fill the roles of administering our Sports Club and we have a number conveners for each of our club sports. I am always amazed at the countless hours of unpaid work our volunteers do. It has been especially difficult over the last six months for our code representatives to work with the governing bodies as well as follow government guidelines. On behalf of the hundreds of children and parents who make use of our Sports Club, thank you. One of the saving graces for our children and many parents is that our sport teams have been able to train at school and play on weekends and that parents can connect with each other there.

Thank you to all those volunteers who are helping at training and games as coaches, scorers and managers, without you our club cannot function and our teams would be unable to play.

Our P and F met last night for our first Zoom meeting.  We are fortunate to have such a supportive and active P and F in our school whose main aim is to build community. One of  last night’s agenda items was to think of ways that we can help parents in our school connect with each other as part of our  community during these restrictive times.  The P and F would welcome your ideas. If you would like to add some suggestions please email Stephanie Bailey curransmr@yahoo.com.au or Chris Janes chris.janes@tech2u.com.au

We would love to have all children at school on time next term. At the moment there are many children who are missing the start of their school day because they are arriving after school has begun. Our official start of the day is 8.40am. The student gate is locked shortly after that time.  If children arrive after this time, they must enter through the office and are required to sign in as late at the Kiosk in the office.  These late starts are recorded on the child's attendance figures.  The school is required by law to follow up unexplained absences and habitual lateness. A Term 4 resolution could be for all children to be on time to school in order for them to have a relaxed and unhurried start to their day.

I will be on leave next week and return at the beginning of Term 4. In my absence Mr Brierley will be Acting Principal and Mrs Edwards will be supporting him.

Staff Development Days

Two of our Staff Development Days for 2020 will be held on the last day of Term 3 (Friday 25th September) and the first day of Term 4 (Monday 12th October). Vacation Care will be available during the holidays and on Monday 12th October at school.

Regards

Julie Caldwell

COMPASS: