Dear Families,

What a successful week one. It was such a delight walking through the school to see both students and staff enjoying getting to know each other as this year begins. I am impressed to see how well all students have settled back into school routines. I would like to thank you for your support in getting children back into a school routine and I know that the staff greatly appreciate your support in getting children to bed early and up and dressed in full school uniform ready for each day! I have also enjoyed seeing all families in and around the school grounds at the start and end of each day. It has been wonderful to meet so many families.

The Kindergarten students celebrated a huge milestone by starting their school educational journey last week and although the children may have been exhausted by the end of their first week, they definitely made the most of their first three days in the classroom. A friendly reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday 7^th February is our first Kindergarten rest day. Kindergarten students will stay at home unless they have a pre-arranged assessment appointment with their kindergarten teacher. Many thanks to our SCC for supporting our Kindergarten families on their first day of school and arranging a little coffee treat to help calm, what can be, quite an emotional day for parents.

Tonight, we will have our Meet & Greet. This will be a wonderful opportunity for parents and carers to meet their child/ren’s teacher and visit the classroom. The evening will commence at 5:00pm in the school hall where I am delighted to be able introduce the community to our amazing STA staff. This will be followed by a brief classroom visit and finishing the evening with a sausage sandwich. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the SCC for putting on the sausage sizzle.

Our School Community Council (SCC) plays an integral part of many events in and around the school. Our major fundraising event is the STA School Fete on Saturday, 23 March 2024. As you can imagine, there are many tasks to complete in order to hold a successful fete. It is also a wonderful opportunity for parents/carers to get involved with the school and meet other families. I encourage everyone, if you can, to attend the Fete Meeting this Thursday, 8^th February in the school library at 6:00pm. The SCC also meets in weeks 3 & 8 which again I encourage those who can to attend these meetings. Keep your eye on the upcoming events in our “What’s on” in each newsletter for dates of all SCC meetings.

This week will see our students from year 3 – 6 and our competitive swimmers from year 2 attend the swimming carnival. Students from Kindergarten, Year 1 & 2 will participate in a water fun day at school. We will pray for good weather.

ICT Forms will also be sent home this week. Please ensure you complete these forms and return them to your child/ren’s classroom teacher as soon as possible. It is important that we get these forms returned so students can access iPads and Chromebooks for testing as part of the broader curriculum.

Term Overviews will be available to families at the Meet & Greet this evening. This includes an overview of learning for Term 1 as well as upcoming important dates. A copy will also be  forwarded to families via the Compass Parent Portal towards the end of this week or early next week. If you have any questions regarding the contents of the Term Overview, please email your child’s classroom teacher.  

God bless

Tim Cleary
Principal

February Birthdays

Jack B, Seneca B, August S, Jed G, Nevaeh M, Jack P, Aditya P, Lilly H, Bradley L-B, Jessica R, Skylar W, Jaana C, Abbey T, Violet P, Evelyn F, Lu’isa T, Audrey K, Savanna H, Annabel L, Oliver T, Isaac H. Austin K

Please note that in the event of wet weather students can enter the Library and wait for their teacher. Parents and/or Carer will drop off as per usual and children will make their way to the Library. Teachers will be on duty in the Library from 8:30am. Please ensure that children are not dropped off prior to 8:30am. 

The Catholic Education Office of Canberra and Goulburn (CEOCG) policy on the Medical Welfare of Students is below:

Medical_Information_and_Consent_Form_2023.pdf.  This form must be completed by a parent/guardian for each student, if they have a medical condition, and returned to the school by the end of Week 3.

Depending on your child's medical condition, we may require you to complete additional forms which can be found below.

• Medical Form 1 - Request to Dispense Medication During School Hours
  This form is to be completed by Parents/Guardians for all medications to be administered during school hours, in addition to Medical Plans if applicable.
• Medical Form 2 - Deed of Indemnity
  This form is to be completed by Parents/Guardians for the administering/dispensing of Schedule 8 Drugs.

Some medical conditions require more complex Health Care Plans including those with asthma, Type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, anaphylaxis or other more complex health procedures.

• An individual health care plan must be developed, and approved by a qualified medical practitioner, for any student:
  • diagnosed with severe asthma, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy or anaphylaxis
  • diagnosed as being at risk of an emergency, or
  • who requires ongoing administration of health care procedures.
• Any medication that is provided to the school must have an expiry date of 2025, where possible.  We understand that some medications have a short expiry date.

Please note that schools do not dispense analgesic substances for pain relief without prior approval from the parent or guardian.  Aspirin, or medications containing Aspirin, can only be administered with written authorisation by the student's doctor. Schedule 8 drugs include Codeine, Concerta and Ritalin.

PHOTO DAY
ELC - Tuesday 20 February & Thursday 22 February
Primary School Wednesday 21 February

ELC photos will be taken on 20th & 22nd February with the Primary School on Wednesday 21 February. Photo packages are ordered with MSP via the Compass app. Families will receive a Compass notification next week order forms and additional information regarding sibling photos.  If you do experience any difficulties, please do not heistate to contact the front office.

Please note that it is expected that all students are dressed in full Winter Uniform for school photos regardless of whether or not it is their sports day

Students are introduced to new Ngunnawal vocabulary weekly. Special thanks to Miss Evans for continuing our learning of our Ngunnawal Country.