T1 W2 Newsletter 2021

From The Principal

A special welcome is extended to you all as we embrace another year of learning.  A very warm welcome is also extended to all our new students and their families; 2021 promises to be a great year!

Already as I look over the events that lay ahead of us this term it seems quite full and busy.  Perhaps there will be no time left for dreaming!  But everyone must have a dream to follow. As adults we have dreams and hopes, children have dreams and hopes ….. as a school community
we must dream.  We still need the determination, commitment and courage to follow them and see them through to fruition - even if it means we have to sometimes stand-alone as we profess our dreams.

A poster I once saw read -

“Pursue your dream with courage;
prepare your heart with determination.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Phillippians 4:13)

It is Christ who gives me the strength and courage I need to follow my dreams to
help make them a reality.

I extend a warm welcome to all of you - new or old - and invite you to take an
active part in our school community through working together to provide for our
children the best possible Catholic Education.  I invite you to share your dreams
and hopes with us!

Mr John Ballinger-Oches
Principal

Principal's Messages

WELCOME TO ST ANNE'S  |  We sincerely welcome the following students and their parents to St Anne's Catholic Primary School.  For some of you, school life is brand new and for others, routine.  Please know that you are all extremely welcome and I pray that 2021 is a successful and happy year for you all.

Prep:  Max D-C, Lincoln, Reuben, Emma, Bryce, Jorja, Grace, Preston, Sophia, Louie, Mia, Charlotte, Max M, Molly, Amelia, Hadley and Piper

Year 3: Marcus and Damon

Year 4:  Georgia and Lahni

Year 6:  Kiara and Jaxon

STUDENT FREE DAY FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021  |  As most of your know every year our staff attend the Bishop's Inservice Day.  This day is set aside each year for teacher professional development in the area of Religion and Faith Development.  This year this day falls on Friday 12 February 2021.  Please ensure that you make other arrangements for yoru children on this day, as there will be NO teachers at St Anne's available to supervise students. 

SCHOOL CLOSURES  |  The cyclone season has begun and in the past we have been required to close the school due to a cyclone. Before a decision is made to close a school, there is consultation with State Education, Catholic Education Office and various emergency organisations. This is never taken lightly, however the safety of all of our school community is paramount. If the decision is made to close the school announcements will be made on the radio and if possible we will SMS parents with the details. Please ensure the office has a current mobile number so we can contact you. This has proven to be a very effective means of communication.

ABSENT FROM SCHOOL  |  If your child is unable to attend school for the day due to an illness or for some other reason, it is important that you please contact the office prior to the commencement of school.

SIGNING OF STUDENTS IN AND OUT  |  When students arrive late at school, any time after 8:35am, they are required to be signed in at the office by a parent/guardian.  Please do not just drop your child off at the drop off zone.  Similarly, if children are being picked up any time prior to 2:55pm they also need to be signed out by a parent/guardian.  These are Workplace Health and Safety requirements. Can I please remind you of the importance of establishing routines in classrooms and having children arriving late or leaving early is very disruptive. We do understand that occasionally students may have appointments to attend but if they can be kept to a minimum it would be appreciated.

SCHOOL HOURS  |  School commences at 8.35 am.  All students are expected to arrive prior to this first bell.  Students need to have a regular morning routine with a consistent, punctual attendance time to aid a calm and happy start to the school day.  This also assists effective learning and social skills.  Similarly, school concludes at 2.55pm and students need to have a regular, punctual routine for going home.  Thank you for your support of our student learning!

For legal reasons, we must clearly advise parents and families that St Anne’s grounds are only supervised by Staff from 8.20am to 2.55pm.

As well, the bus children will be supervised until their buses depart.

Any student arriving before 8.20am must sit outside the hall and wait in this space.  No balls, running or games of any description are permitted during this time. At 8.20am students are released to go immediatly to their classrooms. 

The same legal situation occurs after 2.55pm.  No students or families may use the adventure playgrounds, prep play equipment or undercover areas before or after school.

Thank-you for your cooperation with these important Legal and Safety issues. (Geyer v Downes Precedent)

COMMUNICATION  |  Effective communication is important for any organisation. During the year, there may be times when you need some information clarified.  From time to time your child might come home from school with a concern.  If you have any questions or concerns, please let your child’s teacher know.  Without parental support, the effectiveness of our discipline procedures would greatly be reduced. We must all work together to create a school environment that is safe, secure and attractive for the children in our care. Under no circumstance are parents ever to approach another child to discuss an event. This can be viewed as intimidation and escalates the situation.

SCHOOL UNIFORM  |  St Anne’s is a school we should be proud of.  This also applies to the wearing of the school uniform. The uniform is a complete package. Whilst there are a number of variations of it, the expectation is that when the uniform is worn it is worn correctly. Could all parents ensure that all articles of clothing, including hats, are clearly labelled as this helps reduce lost items. If for some reason it is necessary for a child to be out of school uniform, a note from parents is required. Please ensure children are wearing ALL Black jogger shoes to school. Any other colours on the shoes are NOT ACCEPTABLE, not even a small stripe of colour! Volley shoes and Mary-Jane style shoes are NOT ACCEPTABLE as they do not provide support for the children’s feet.  If you have any concerns please see me.

STUDENT PROTECTION CONTACTS  |  The safety and wellbeing of our students is of the highest importance at St Anne’s.  As with all Catholic schools in the diocese of Rockhampton, we have nominated School Student Protection Contacts who are staff members that students can raise concerns of abuse, harm or inappropriate behaviour by others.    At St Anne’s School, our School Student Protection Contacts are:

• John Ballinger-Oches (Mr Oches)
• Linda Holmes (Mrs H)
• Stuart Presley (Mr Presley)
• Dee Trannore (Mrs Dee)

HAIR STYLES  |  Hair accessories at St Anne's must be plain and minimalist and in the school colours.  Large decorative hair pieces are NOT acceptable.  Hair that is long enough to be tied back must be worn in this manner for health and safety reasons.  Haircuts must be neat and tidy in appearance and not falling into eyes or around the face.  Hair must not be dyed or coloured or worn in a style that is deemed to be inappropriate for primary school. The following styles are not considered appropriate for St Anne’s students: tracks, rat tails, mohawks, shorter than 2 gauge.

MEDICAL ACTION PLANS  |  As a part of our new year request for information, we are asking parents and carers to provide the school with any relevant and up-to-date information relating to any medical conditions that your child may suffer from.

It is important that the information given to the school is accurate, is provided on the advice of a GP/doctor/paediatrician (Eg Medical Action Plans), and is up-to-date. The accuracy of this information helps guide any professional development and risk management strategies for staff. It also assists the development of medical alert identification posters and school-based action plans. Such medical conditions could relate to asthma, anaphylaxis, allergies etc. If you have any questions relating to this please contact the school office.

STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  |  At various times throughout the year our students succeed at many extra-curricular activities, be it in the arts, sport or other groups.  We are more than happy to place this acknowledgement in our newsletter and recognise at our school assemblies.  Simply email the school with a brief overview of your child’s achievement or inform office staff and we will place it in an upcoming newsletter.

JUST ONE THING  |  At St Anne’s we ask all families to assist with ‘at least one thing’ throughout the school year to provide opportunities for the students at our school, and to help raise funds for the improvement/maintenance of facilities and resources to benefit our children and the entire school community.

We understand everyone has a busy schedule juggling work and family commitments; however, it would be greatly appreciated if every family would volunteer to assist with at least one event/function/task this year. Further information will be sent out early next week.

PARENTS ASSISTING AT SCHOOL  |  We have a large number of parents who assist in various ways at the school including reading in classrooms, tuckshop etc.  As part of our WHS obligations, each parent/helper is required to undergo a brief induction at the beginning of each year and to sign in and out of the school grounds at the office.  Each teacher will be going through the Volunteers’ Induction at the Parent Information Sessions which are yet to be scheduled. If you miss this induction a copy will be found in the visitor’s sign in register at the office. We ask that before you volunteer for the first time that you please spend 10 mins reading this document and sign our register please.  Thank you for your continued support and assistance. The students and staff truly do value and appreciate it.

USE OF TOILETS AT SCHOOL  |  Just a reminder, parents and younger non-school age siblings are asked to use the toilets either in the office or the disabled toilet in the hall when required. The other toilets are for STUDENT USE only.

Finance News

Fees Information Update Form  |   Parents/guardians please remember to complete and return the 2021 Fees Information Update Form if you have not already done so.  This is a compulsory form that all parents within the diocese are obliged to complete. Also it is required urgently as to ensure you receive the correct family discounts for your 2021 school fees. Thank you to any parents/guardians who have already completed their forms.

Any concession cards or Principal’s concession applications will also need to be submitted urgently to ensure discounts. 

Across The Curriculum

PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS  |  As in the past these will be scheduled shortly. As soon as a decision is made around delivery mode we will inform you as soon as possible.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES CODE OF PRACTICE  |  As a part of our beginning year procedures, students are reminded about their obligations for the safe use of school ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies). The use of ICTs within schools should be safe, responsible, legal, appropriate and for educational purposes and should follow the guidelines outlined in Diocesan Code of Practice. This ICT Code of Practice applies to the use of all school related ICT for educational purposes.

Over the coming days, class teachers will speak with the students about the code and what being a responsible user of ICT means. This week ICT code of practice booklets were handed out to each student. We ask that you read through these booklets with your child and ensure they understand their responsibilities when using devices at school and are aware of what they should do if something should go wrong. At the back of each booklet is a letter of agreement. These forms need to be returned to the classroom teacher no later than Thursday 11^th February please.

This week we held our first pop up market for the year. Our bananas and a variety of herbs have loved the rainy, humid weather and so we have an abandance of these at the moment! Coming up soon will be more bananas, mandarines and passionfruit, so keep an eye out on our Facebook page and on the notice board near the stop sign in our pick up zone for pop up market times!

The Good News

This Sunday's Gospel Reflection - Mark 1:29-39

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is told that everyone is looking for him. Why? Because he had healed their sick and cast out demons from their midst. He was the extraordinary wonderworker and the people wanted more. They wanted Jesus because of what he could do for them. As we do. But is that all?

Catherine of Siena said that we have only truly received a gift from God when we have given it away. The proper response to the gift of Jesus was shown by Peter’s mother-in-law. Having been served by Jesus in her healing, she served him and his disciples. She didn’t take a rest after her fever, or go out and tell the neighbours, or make a fuss about what had happened, or even about Jesus’ extraordinary powers. No, she took up the ordinary tasks that needed to be done. She had guests – she served them. How must Jesus have loved her! This was a woman who really understood his message, who had gotten the heart of his Gospel. It is so easy to expect faith to be revealed in exceptional circumstances, when it can be shown in simple actions, even as simple as serving a meal.

Prayer

Loving God, we all desire the healing that Jesus came to bring. Open our minds, hearts, lives to his healing touch and as we receive from him the gift of your Spirit may we give his life and love to those around us in need. We ask this in his name confident that your will hear us. Amen.

Upcoming Masses

All parents, families and parishioners are invited to join with us for our Masses in 2021. 

2021 Opening School Mass - Thursday 11th February - 9am - St Anne's Hall

Ash Wednesday Mass - Wednesday 17th February - 9am - St Anne's Hall

Dates for the Preparation and Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance

We are excited to commence our sacramental journey very soon for the Sacrament of Penance. Details for the upcoming sessions are outlined below: 

In term 2, we will commence preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. Once the Parish Sacramental Teams have met, we will advise families and candidates of the dates for the workshops and sacraments. 

Making Jesus Real - The Spirit of Jesus

Do you smile at people? Do you say thank you? Do you display kindess? Do you help people in need? 

By  offering a smile, saying thanks, doing kind deeds and helping our friends in the classroom or the playground, we are displaying the Spirit of Jesus. 

When you have the Spirit of Jesus, you feel happy and calm. You smile at everyone and you say thank you often. 

Have a great week!

Mr Stuart Presley

Assistant Principal - Religious Education

stuart_presley@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |  Emma F, Bryce G, Za'Layah M, Katelyn B, Amelia S, Mackintyre W, Bella R, Memphis-Belle D, Lucas B, Indee M, Lucy J, Zoe P, Georgia B, Lahni K, Seth P, Ben M, Tahliea H, Zach G, Rhylee K, Callum S.

Birds Of A Feather

General Information

Community News

Mackay School Hockey Association’s 2021 season of Junior Hockey is commencing soon! 

Game Times – Under 7’s & 9’s – Friday Afternoon & Under 11’s & 13’s – Saturday Mornings

Season commencing Friday 5^th March

Hockey is extremely affordable and fair play vouchers are accepted

Still not sure…. Attend our Come and Try day on Saturday 13^th of Feb from 9am to 11am

For more information please contact Steph via email westmackayhockey@hotmail.com or the association on mackayschoolhockey@mackayhockey.com.au