Dear Parents,

At this time of the school year our teachers are taking time to reflect on the children and their learning. Reports about the children and their progress are being written and will be issued to parents on Monday 9 December. Class lists are being finalised with an orientation time to new classes for 2020 happening on Tuesday 10 December. It is all happening and at a great pace. It is therefore important to take time and to be still as well, which is the theme of Advent as indicated in this week’s prayer. The first candle on the Advent wreath is the candle of Hope.

I thank the parents who have been in leadership roles for the 2019 school year. Parents who are committed members of the School Education Board and the Parents and Friends Association are wonderful in giving of their expertise and time. Thanks especially to Michael Sheridan and Catherine Sampson. Michael Sheridan, as Chairperson of the School Education board for the last 3 years, has been instrumental in supporting political issues around Catholic school funding and has been strategic in ensuring the Board has had a clear direction and great consultation processes. Thank you, Michael, for your final report and for the years of support, leadership and advocacy you have provided for our board and the whole school community. Click here to read Michael’s wonderful, emotional report. Catherine has been Secretary of the Board for the last 5 years and her organisation, patience and giving of time has been greatly valued also. We welcome Chad Ellis and Ami Bonacci to the School Education Board next year and look forward to having their talents shared. Parents and Friends Association sees us farewelling Kate Every and Megan Light (Treasurer). Kate has been a driver of so many wonderful events including the Drive In and will be missed but her legacy will live on. Megan has been wonderful in the treasurer role and greatly appreciated for sharing this strength. On behalf of the school community I thank Michael, Catherine, Kate and Megan.

Our Culture: Warm feedback we receive is very affirming about the culture and positive climate of our learning community. I was recently asked how have we established such a positive culture. There are many elements to this. In short, we are a Catholic community with important catholic values we endeavour to uphold and live by. Our culture has developed over time. It stems from a clear, visible vision that we ensure we are faithful to. We value a culture of empathy, a strong focus on community and respectful relationships, a commitment to placing the student at the centre of all learning, a commitment to high expectations and collaboration and teamwork, a focus on a strengths based, positive behaviour approach and making a difference in our world.

CEMSIS Survey Results: 

The results data from the recent Catholic Education Melbourne School Improvement Surveys (CEMSIS ) have been received. The surveys  were distributed to all staff, all students Year 4-6 and all parents within our school community from 2-20 September. 84% of staff responded, 79 (22%) families responded and 95% of students in years 4, 5 and 6 responded. Our school uses the information gained from the survey results to set up an annual action plan and to produce a school implementation plan as well as to identify key focuses for school improvement.

In summary the comparison Level 1 data showed that responses from the parent and student cohorts were generally positive and inline with responses from other schools in the CEM region.  There were very positive results from the staff, comparatively stronger than results from other schools as indicated by the CEM average.

We will delve further into these results by interpreting the data at deeper levels including item level and group level, and use these survey results with other data, to help inform our annual action plan for next year which will be available and shared at the beginning of the year.

St Vincent de Paul casual clothes day appeal raised $769.80. Thank you to all. The Year 6 students will now take action and go shopping with great thought to make 23 wonderful hampers which will be distributed locally by St Vincent De Paul representatives.

Jen Bermingham Food Banks: 

School Concert 2019 

There are many activities happening for the children, including getting ready for the concert.

When: Tuesday 3 December

Arrive: 5.30pm for 5.45pm start 

Finish: approximately 7.30pm

Where: Ocean Grove Park Pavillion, 70 Presidents Ave

BYO Picnic rug, chairs, food and drinks. Please be mindful of rubbish, and take out what you bring in.

NO Alcohol is permitted within this vicinity

Note There are no toilets in the park.  Parents will be asked to escort their children to the toilets in the Coles carpark if needed during the evening.

Morning Tea

Please join us at 11am on Thursday 5 December  for a morning tea in the staffroom to say thank you for all the ways you have helped and supported our Learning Community in 2019. Star learning, swimming, excursions, working bees, book covering and many other ways. We greatly value your efforts and many aspects of learning would not be possible without your support. We hope to see you there!  

We look forward to celebrating tomorrow night with all our students and families. I am looking forward to seeing you all there.

Warm wishes for the fortnight ahead,

Kerryn