Dear Parents,

We are experiencing some beautiful weather at the moment. It is so good to see our students wearing hats regularly. They are in such good routines. Thank you for monitoring this routine with us.

Afternoon Pick Up

Some of our students walk home from school alone. Not many, but some do. The NSW Government recommends that children under the age of 10 do not walk home alone. I  have provided the link below for your reference. It has some sensible advice which parents may like to view.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/wellbeing/health-and-safety/safe-travel/when-can-i-let-my-child-travel-to-and-from-school-independently

As a school we collect all the students in their ‘Pick Up’ lines at 3:00pm. The Walkers go last as Selwyn St can be very busy at this time and we wait till it clears before they head off. A teacher stands at the gate to monitor them. Parents are asked to notify the school if there is a change in routine. A regular predictable routine every afternoon helps children transition from school to home calmly and safely.

Opening School Mass

This Thursday 17 February is our special Mass to celebrate new beginnings starting at 10am. We pray for a good year of great learning and good friendship. As we are a small school we are permitted to gather for this special occasion. Year 6 parents only are permitted to attend to see their children inducted as our Year 6 leaders for 2022. I will also announce which role our leaders will take on: Hospitality, Environment, Sport or Media.

Term 1 Class Letters

All class teachers have emailed and posted to Compass their letter outlining the term for the class. Included in each letter if their email address. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher in the first instance if you have any concerns or simply for an update on your child’s progress. This helps build the parent/teacher relationship.

Email addresses are:

Amy.buckmaster@cg.catholic.edu.au

Sarah.collins@cg.catholic.edu.au

Mercedes.brown@catholic.edu.au

Social Media

I ask that parents carefully monitor their child’s use of online accounts. Some students have several accounts for Tik Tok, Snapchat ect. Students are reporting to teachers that they have social media accounts already despite being under age and they are up very late at night online. This is a parent decision of course, but I ask parents to take care.  The combination of poor online behaviour and late nights become very obvious when they come to school. Poor understanding of online etiquette can be detrimental for many and students are not alert and ready for learning due to tiredness. If you have any concerns please contact me.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

When a new year begins many of us set ‘new year's resolutions’ with all good intentions of bettering ourselves for the year ahead. Whilst setting intentions for the new year I also like to write down things I hope for in the coming year.

During whole school prayer this week, students will be asked to write down something they hope for for the year of 2022, whether it be a hope for something in their school life or home life.

These messages of hope will become our ‘seeds of hope’ for the year ahead. We will plant these ‘seeds of hope’ so that they have the opportunity to branch out, blossom and grow into a fantastic 2022.

What seeds of hope would you like to plant for the year 2022?