T4 W7 Newsletter 2023

From The Principal

At a recent meeting the following reflection was offered as food for thought – hope you enjoy it!

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married…

After we have a baby, then another.

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough…

And we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we are frustrated we have teenagers to deal with…

And certainly, will be happy when they pass that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when…

Our spouse gets his/her act together, when we get that nice car,

Go on that nice vacation or when we retire.

That truth is … there is no better time to be happy than right now.

If not now … when?

Our life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this and decide to be happy anyway.

It seems that life is always just about to begin… right around the corner…real life.

But there is always some obstacle in the way…

Something to be achieved first…

Some unfinished business…

Time still to be served…

A debt to be paid … then life would begin.

It is these obstacles that are our life.

This perspective should help us to see that there is no "way" to happiness.  It is always there - it "is" the way - it is an attitude.  So treasure every moment.  Treasure it more because you've shared it with someone who is made in the likeness of God.  Time waits for no one.  So stop waiting until you finish study… until you get that favourite job… lose weight… until you get married… until you have children… until your children leave home… until you get that new car or home… until Friday night or spring or summer… until your debt is paid off… until your song comes on.

To decide that there is no better time than right now to just be happy is simply a decision!  Happiness is the journey not the destination.

Work like you don't need the money!

Love like you've never been hurt… and dance like no one is watching.

How are you living out your life story at present?  Are you happy?  If you aren't, make a decision to be whilst at all times respecting the dignity of all those in your ‘village’.

Principal's Messages

Students Not Returning to St Anne's in 2024  |   If you have children at St Anne's in years Prep to Year 5 and know that your child will not be returning to St Anne's in 2024, can you please let myself or Kathy in the office know as soon as possible, so we can take this into account when planning classes and staffing for next year. 

Dear Parents of Prep Students,

CLASSES 2024

This term will see teachers commencing the process to begin arranging classes for the 2024 school year.  This process is very deliberate and very time consuming but also very important to creating balanced classes throughout the school.  I’d like to provide parents with some of the underlying principles that drive our decision making:

1. We always aim to create classes that are balanced in need.  We consider the academic, social, emotional and behavioural needs of the children when placing them in a class.  This is never straight forward and needs considerable thought and time.

1. We consider the gender balance within the group, the body of knowledge that we have gathered on each child and any parent input that may assist us.  While I always stipulate that parents are not able to request certain teachers and groups of friends, there is often information that, as a school, we are unaware of and would benefit from knowing.  Please be aware this information is to only assist us, not for you to take for granted that this course of action will most definitely follow.

1. As you can imagine it is not possible and not desirable either, for parents to get involved in the placement of their children into classes.  Such an approach would pose numerous problems, so please trust that we do the best we can.  Having said that, as per prevous message home via class DOJO, if you have significant information relevant to your child’s placement, please make this known, in writing, to only me by 15 November 2023.

Please place this information in a letter, then address the envelope to me along with the words:

“Mr John Ballinger-Oches

Private and Confidential”

Please do not email me this letter nor bring classroom teachers into the conversation.

1. We always endeavour to be just, fair and compassionate to the needs of each child.

I would also like to stress that our staff know their students very well and will do their very best throughout this process.  I urge parents to trust us in making informed decisions that we consider will be the best for each child.

Christmas Concert

Tuckshop

The St Anne's Tuckshop is open Thursday and Friday each week. Orders can be placed and paid for online via Flexischools or cash orders can be placed first thing in the morning in a brown paper bag with the student's name, class, first or second lunch and order clearly written on the outside. If you order Tuckshop for your child, please remember to still supply friut for fruit break for that day, as well as second lunch if you only order first lunch Tuckshop. 

If you can volunteer to help in the tuckshop please ring Debbie Nielsen on ph. 0417 128 428. 

COVID Requirements

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

We Value YOUR Feedback

I’d love curriculum based feedback please…. What would YOU like to learn or know more about?

For example…

• How to provide your child with prompts or questions when reading?
• Strategies teachers use during mathematics lessons?
  

Click on the link below to complete the google form. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

https://forms.gle/425GfQbCSCqmM25i6

Yours in learning,

Shona Gibson

Report Cards

Wow! What a busy time of year. Teaching staff are finalising end of semester report cards.

What is the process involved?

A body of evidence is created over the semester for key learning areas. This evidence may consist of a variety of tasks and processes including classwork, group work, independent tasks, project work, tests, contributions to class discussions and teacher observations. The body of evidence enables teachers to form an on-balance judgement of student performance and progress over time, across the semester. Teachers then report on student understanding using a five point scale.

Below is an example of the document found at the beginning or report cards

If you have any questions about this, please see your child's classroom teacher or email me: shona_gibson@rok.catholic.edu.au .

Parent Lounge

On Thursday of Week 9, report cards will be uploaded to Parent Lounge. To make this process as smooth as possible, we ask that families know their username and password for Parent Lounge. If you do not remember your Parent ID or password, please contact the office.

The Good News

From the Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Erika Milne

Vinnies Christmas Appeal 

The Vinnies Christmas Appeal serves to bring joy to families and individuals who may need a little extra support. The Christmas Season for most, is often a time of celebrating with family and friends, sharing in the joy of giving and receiving presents, laughing over family traditions and silly season moments. However, for 2.2 million Australians, including families and 750,000 children, living below the poverty line, it can be a time when meeting even their most basic needs, like having food on the table, a place to call home, or keeping the lights on is a real struggle.

Each class will gather donated items in a basket and present them to St. Vincent De Paul at our annual giving mass on Thursday 30th November 2023. To uphold the dignity of those receiving the hampers, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for another six months and are in date and in good condition.

Stellar Maris - Seafarers Shoe Boxes

It is that time of the year when Stellar Maris conducts their annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal. In past years students have assisted greatly in the appeal and we are hopeful that this can continue again this year. Year 4 and the Laudato Si' Club have kick-started this drive for us with 21 shoeboxes started.

We are calling for donations of small gifts (Eg: Small Address Book,  Toiletries -non aerosol, Fishing gear hooks, sinkers, fishing line reels, Playing Cards, Torch, Batteries, Souvenir biro/pens, Writing sets,  Socks and Handkerchiefs even samples of products or promotional items would be appreciated. These items will be placed in shoe boxes, wrapped and distributed to Seafarers. 

The life of a Seafarer can be a lonely one, especially at Christmas.  Thoughts of parents, wives, children, family and friends celebrating this most important time of year often cause the loneliness to be emphasised tenfold.  Whilst a small gift will not replace being with loved ones, it will show the Seafarers that we as a Catholic Community do care and that they are being thought of.

Finance News

Concession Card Discounts  |  If you have an existing concession card discount,  please be aware that discounts are not automatically applied to new enrolments.  Discounts are applied to each student upon individual application and there is a form that is required to be completed each time.

If you have an existing concession card registered at St Anne’s and have more than one student, please contact Sandra Adams to confirm that discounts have been applied to each student. 

Term 4 Fees  |  Term 4 fees are now overdue. If you have not paid your fees in full, and do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact our Finance Officer, Sandra Adams, to discuss options. 

Sports News

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |  Mackenzie F, Hunter C, Emmity S, Prep G, Cohen D, Ben T, Isabelle B, Asher H, Scarlett J, Chelsea B, Ben G, Erin Q, Sophia J, Mathew W, Rylan B, Sophia C, Peyton W, Mackintyre W, Allira H, Mason C, Corey F, Lilly Z, Eddie R, Year 6, Year 1, Jed P, Lillie P, Max M 

Year 4 Recycling

Waste Free Wednesday

General Information

St Anne's School Bags From Harlequin

Schoolzine App For Reading Newsletters

Community News