T1 W2 Newsletter 2023

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; 2023 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 in saying that I believe that everyone must have a dream to follow.  As adults we have dreams and hopes, so too do children ..... 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 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 all to share your dreams and hopes with us!

Principal's Messages

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 Education Queensland, 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 children 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 8.35am.  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, carers and families that St Anne’s grounds are only supervised by Staff from 8.20am to 2.55pm.  As well, the bus students 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 immediately to their classrooms.  The same legal situation occurs after 2.55pm.  No student or family may use the adventure playgrounds, prep play equipment or undercovered areas before or after school.  Thank you for your   cooperation with these important Legal and Safety issues.

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 all our procedures would greatly be reduced.  We must all work together to create a school environment that is safe, secure and attractive for the students 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.

VOLUNTEERS AT STA  |    We love our volunteers and cannot operate without you.  As part of our WHS obligations, each volunteer is required to read a brief Volunteer's Induction at the beginning of each year and to sign and acknowledge that they agree to abide by these procedures. It is also very important that on each and every occasion, volunteers sign in and out of the school grounds at the office whenever they are assisting around the school. The link to the Volunteer's Induction document will be sent home shortly.  Thank you for your continued support and assistance. The students and staff truly do value and appreciate it.

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 it 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.

USE OF TOILETS AT SCHOOL  |  Just a reminder, parents and younger non-school age siblings are asked to use the disabled toilets either near the hall or the office.  The other toilets are for STUDENT USE only and under student protection laws must not be used by adults at all.  Adults are also never to enter student toilets.

STA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER VACANCY  |  We have a vacancy for a parent position on the School Board for the 2023 school year. This position is for a maximum of three years and will involve committing to a monthly meeting. 

The role of the School Board is to:

- Develop, review and maintain policies,

- Support staff,

- Provide advice, at the invitation of the Principal, regarding staffing,

- Reflect on curriculum,

- Oversee prudent financial management and recommend the annual School Budget,

- Oversee prudent maintenance of school buildings and plan for future facilities.

If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the School Board, please contact the office or email the principal at sas@rok.catholic.edu.au. There will be a Board Preservice evening shortly for those interested.

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  2023  is  a  successful  and  happy  year  for you all.

Prep: Aylah, Jack, Bentley, Lui, Taytum, Hunter, Henry, Jaxson, Zoe, Julianna, Blake, Mackenzie, Ameliyah, Brayden, Rubie, Gracie, Bentley, Jasper, Ryan, Taj, Cullan, Aaliyah, Scout, Lachlan, Hamish, James, Xavier, Evelyn, Isla, Harper, Summer, Benson, Aliya, Chet, Joseph, Jaxson, Max, Emmity, Mia, Sonny, Amelia, Olivia, Phobe, Zachary

Year 2: Hannah, Felicity

Year 3: Toby

Year 6: Tahlia

STUDENT  FREE  DAY  FRIDAY  17th FEBRUARY 2023  |  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 17th February 2023.    Please  ensure  that  you  make  other arrangements for your children on this day, as there will  be  NO  teachers  at  St  Anne's  available  to supervise students.

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 correct and clearly labelled as this helps reduce lost items. If for some reason it is necessary for a student to be out of school uniform, a note from parents is required.  Please ensure students 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 also NOT ACCEPTABLE as they do not provide support for the children’s feet.  If you have any concerns, please see me.

SPORTS UNIFORM DAYS  |  The following  days  are  when  students  have  PE and can wear their sport uniforms.  Prep students wear their everyday Polo shirt on all days and don’t have a sports uniform to wear.   Year 6 can wear their Leadership Shirts on the Tuesday and Friday!  They do not have to wear a sport shirt but may choose to!

Tuesdays: Year 5 - sports uniform & Year 6 - sports uniform or Leadership Shirt  

Wednesdays: Years 1-4 - sports uniform

Fridays: Years 1-5  - sports uniform & Year 6 - sports uniform or Leadership Shirt

SCHOOLTV |  St Anne’s Catholic Primary School is very excited to introduce a new initiative to help support the wellbeing of our students. After all, happy and well supported students are better equipped to learn and succeed.

We know that it can be difficult and time consuming for parents to source credible information when it comes to ongoing wellbeing support strategies for their children.  To aid with this we have partnered with SchoolTV, an online resource designed to empower parents to better deal with the challenges for raising happy, well and resilient young people.

Because parenting doesn't come with instructions, the SchoolTV resource has now been implemented at our school to assist parents and caregivers in navigating the challenges of modern-day parenting.  This outstanding resource delivers credible information with practical strategies featuring video interviews with leading specialists, supported by a host of resources from key wellbeing organisations.  SchoolTV offers parents a fresh approach to the issues and pressures faced by children and young people in our communities throughout Australia.

Some topics featured include:

• Youth Anxiety
• Raising Girls
• School Refusal
• Positive Parenting
• Digital Reputation
• Managing Screen Time
• Cyberbullying

We encourage you to visit our SchoolTV site and view the content but more importantly use this resource if and when needed to support your child and family through particular needs as they may arise.  At a time when the wellbeing of our youth has never been more challenged, we are pleased to be able to offer this accessible, credible and empowering resource to our families.

View link here - https://sasrok.catholic.schooltv.me/category-latest...

Many thanks again to the support provided by Catholic Education Rockhampton Northern Region to get this up and running across all schools in the region.

Uniform Policy

Across The Curriculum

The Good News

Finance News

Fees Update Form Reminder  |  The returning of the Fees Update Form, that was emailed out and sent home in hard copy, is now overdue. Thank you to those who have returned it already. This form must be completed and returned each year, even if your details have not changed, as it is an audit requirement for the school. 

Sports News

P&F News

Tuckshop Volunteers

The St Anne's Tuckshop is closed until a new convenor is appointed. 

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |  Prep D, Prep G, Chelsea B, Deejay P, Preston H, Za'Layah M, Lucas N, Mathew W, Mackintrye W, Zane C, Montana W, Lucas B, Ayla G, Lahni K, Darci K, Achilles D, Nazarene B, Noah G, Xavier M

Birds Of A Feather

General Information

Schoolzine App For Reading Newsletters

Community News