Dear Parents,

I have been reading reports over the last few days. It is a wonderful opportunity to see students being recognised for their individual achievement this semester. All students have their own strengths and areas to work on. They also have their own personalities and behaviours. We guide all students to reach their goals and so report writing time is often a celebration for teachers too. Reports are the culmination of a semester of work. Comments were not included on Semester One reports due to COVID adjustments but teachers provided parents interviews with detailed information. We do not schedule parent teacher interviews at the end of the year, but teachers are available if parents would like an interview. Please phone the office or email your child’s teacher if you would like to a schedule time. Reports will be forwarded to parents this Friday 4 December.

We have started our swimming programme for 2020 and look forward to supporting all students to grow in confidence, skills and knowledge in water safety over the next two weeks. Many students are very keen already. We know they are attending swimming lessons after school or in the January holidays as well, because they tell us. It is great to see that learning to swim is a priority in so many families. It is a great skill to have. Our Batlow Pool is such a wonderful facility and  free entry makes it accessible for all. Our Swimming Carnival is already booked in for next year, Friday 5 February.

Next year all students, K-6,  will begin their school year on Monday 1 February. Teachers will be involved in several professional development days as scheduled by Catholic Education in the week prior to this so you will see us on site, busily preparing, ahead of the students’ first day. Please refer to other dates below to assist you in your planning over the coming two weeks.

Thank you also to parents for ensuring students have their hats, especially St Mary’s hats. We know they go astray easily so having hats labelled with your child’s name is so helpful! Hat wearing is a wonderful habit to cultivate in our young students to establish a lifelong routine and reduce skin cancer. Teachers on duty note that we can usually guarantee that every one of our students have a hat on every day and so do our teachers.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, and we lit the Candle of Hope, in remembrance of the Prophet Isaiah, who first foretold the birth of Christ. The candle is a symbol of God's love and forgiveness and represents the hope experienced by many anticipating the birth of Jesus.

We invite all families to share in gifting some items to contribute to a hamper for people and families in need this Christmas. Please send in non perishable items for our St Vincent de Paul hampers. Year 5 students will present them in our Thanksgiving/Graduation Mass next Thursday. Items such as tinned hams, plum puddings, chocolates, cereals, bags of lollies, pancake shakes, jams, shortbread and christmas decorations will be most welcomed.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK - WEEK 7

PRINCIPAL'S AWARD

2/3 participated in a virtual author visit from Jackie French today. We zoomed into the meeting with other schools in the Snowy Valleys area and listened to her reading one of her stories 'Diary of a Wombat'. She explained the story as to why she wrote this story and how much the wombats loved eating carrots! 

There was no radio news today.

Next Tueday all our Year Six students CATRIONA, JADE, ISABELLE & CALEB will announce our last radio news for the year at the special time of 10.30am.

A friendly reminder that school fees are due to be paid before the end of term unless paying by regular instalments.

THIS THURSDAY AT 7pm

Swimming is part of the PDHPE Curriculum. The students are taught water confidence, stroke correction and water survival skills. (And a lot of fun!!!!!)