Dear Parents, Friends, Staff, and Students

 

Welcome Back to Term Two

It was a pleasure to welcome our students, and their parents and carers, back to school on Wednesday for the start of Term Two.  The students had plenty of stories about holiday adventures and fun.  Thank you to our parents for preparing the students to return to school with such positive attitudes and enthusiasm for all that the new term holds.

We commence the new term with a busy first week back.  The students have participated in the ANZAC Day Service and the Cross Country Carnival.  We have also had a Catholic School Advisory Council Meeting and a P&F Meeting.  Not bad for a three-day week!

Thank you to our staff who have been busy during the holidays preparing their Term Two programs of work and preparing their classes for the students to return to attractive and engaging classroom environments.

Best wishes to everyone in our community for a successful and productive term of learning at our wonderful school.

Anzac  Day

The Year 6 students lead us in a moving and reflective ANZAC Day Service this morning.  Sincerest thanks to Warrant Officer Class Two, Kenneth Townley, for joining us this morning and representing the Australian Armed Forces.  The students are always impressed to see parents coming along in uniform and it was a proud moment for Marcus and Joanne to lay a wreath with their Dad.

Anzac Day is such a moving occasion for all Australians.  It is not only a time to reflect and pray for those who have suffered and died in conflicts and war, but also a time to give thanks for the peace that we experience here in Australia.  It is especially important that we mark the occasion by praying for peace for the people of Ukraine and Sudan, who at this time are living with uncertainty, fear and displacement.

 

Gracious and loving God,
the cross of Christ is the sign
of your desire for justice and peace for all.

 Open our minds to your vision
as we remember all who suffered
through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement
in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Grant all servicepersons
who sacrificed health and life for the good of all,
the gift of your deep peace.

 May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought
become instruments of your peace
 in our homes, workplaces, and world.

 We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Cross Country Carnival

Thank you to Mrs Hewitt for preparing the students for the Cross Country Carnival this morning.  We had some excellent individual results, but, most of all, it was terrific to see the students encouraging each other and giving it their all to achieve as best they can.  We were blessed with perfect weather for a successful carnival.  Carnival results will be listed in next week’s newsletter.

Parent and Teacher Interviews

Parents who did not arrange a parent-teacher interview in Term One are strongly encouraged to make a suitable time with their child’s teacher/teachers over the coming weeks.

Parents are reminded that they are welcome to make an appointment to see their child’s class teacher at any time throughout the year.  Our teachers are always prepared to make a suitable time for a chat about how the students are going at school.  Parent and teacher combination is vital in ensuring the best possible outcome for the children’s education.

Finance Officer

I am pleased to inform our community that Ms Jennifer Cotton will commence as Finance Officer on 22nd May.  Jennifer is currently working in two roles.  She is a member of the Finance Team at St Peter’s Catholic School, Bedford, and Finance and Marketing Officer for Catholic School Parents WA.  Jennifer brings valuable skills and experience to fulfil this role for us.  Jennifer has a delayed start to this role so she can complete some projects she has been invested in as part of her current roles.

Sincerest thanks to Louell Renzullo and Flavia Lenzo for taking on the temporary roles as Finance Officer, and keeping everything going smoothly, as we have waited for Jennifer to commence in Week Five.

Family Camp Weekend

Best wishes to families attending the Family Camp this weekend.  We hope it is an enjoyable experience for all as you enjoy quality family time together with others from our school community.  Sincerest thanks to Esther Robinson, and her committee, for all their work in organising the inaugural Family Camp.

 

Winter Uniforms and Term Two Delayed Start Option – 15th May

Parents are reminded that these first few weeks are a transition to wearing the Winter Uniform. The phase-in period from Summer to Winter Uniform will be for the first three weeks of the term.  All students will be required to wear their full Winter Uniform from Monday 15th May.  Winter uniform supplies are available from the Uniform Centre.  The boys will need to transition to wearing long trousers and the girls to the winter skirt or trousers.

Parents are reminded that we have sleeve inserts available for the school jumpers for students who find the jumpers itchy.  Please see Lisa in the Uniform Centre for ordering the jumper sleeve inserts.

After-School Sports Term Two

MBA Sports is offering an after-school sports club, commencing on Monday 1st May.   The club will be for students from Year 1-6 and will be on Monday afternoons, 3.10-4.10 pm.  MBA will allocate coaches to the school to run the sports sessions.  Registration is required and numbers are limited.  Places are still available for parents to register using the following email link: bookings@mbasportscoaching.com

Parish Mega Plant Stall

St Francis of Assisi Parish in Maida Vale is holding a plant stall on Saturday 6th May 8.00 am – 2.00 pm in the Church car park.  All proceeds from the sale are going to the Parish Building Fund. Families are encouraged to support the plant sale, and the fundraising efforts of the parish, by donating plants and by coming along to purchase new plants for the garden, or as gifts.  It is good timing in the lead-up to Mother’s Day to purchase a special plant for Mum or Grandma.  Donations of plants can be left at the parish on Saturday morning prior to 8.00 am.

Mosaic Blessing and Launch

We are looking forward to unveiling the Artist in Residence Mosaic Project to our school community on Wednesday 3rd May at 9.00 am.  Parents and friends are invited to come along for the blessing and opening of the mosaic project.  It is a magnificent work of art and we are excited about sharing the work of our students, and artist-in-residence, Carolyn White, at the opening. Our sincerest thanks to the P&F for funding this special project.  Please come along and enjoy this special occasion.  Morning tea will be available for those who can join us after the ceremony.  The ceremony should conclude by 9.20 am.

 

Disputes and Complaints Procedures

An updated Disputes and Complaints Procedure document has been uploaded to the school website.  Our school supports the rights of parents/guardians and students to have their complaints taken seriously and responded to promptly and thoroughly.  Please take some time to read through the document.

Parents may access the document via the link: https://www.gibney.wa.edu.au/pdf/policies/policies_dispute.pdf

 

I look forward to welcoming parents and friends to the Mosaic Project Launch and Blessing on Wednesday 3rd May and to the Merit Award Assembly on Friday 5th May.

Best wishes for the weekend and I hope your football team has a win.

Warm regards

Therese