Dear Parents and Friends,
Week 6 is already nearly over, which is more than half way through the final term of the school year! Week 6 of every term is also ‘Wellbeing Week’ and that means that we try to make things less stressful and less busy for everyone. Students don’t have homework to complete, staff do not hold meetings and parents are given an opportunity to focus on quality family time. I hope that families have had a chance to enjoy a little bit of ‘down time’ together during this past week.
Staffing News
I will be on leave for the last 4 weeks of this term to have surgery on my foot and recover well (this time it is for the other foot). It is not a serious operation but requires a long time for healing. In my absence, Mr John O’Brien will be Acting Principal, Mrs Liz Higgins will be Acting Assistant Principal and Mrs Ann-Maree Hinds will take on the role of Acting Religious Education Coordinator. Mrs Julie Godfrey will remain in her current role as Coordinator. I know that the school will be in very good hands during my absence with the guidance and support of the Leadership Team. I am sad to be missing all the wonderful celebrations and events that mark the end of the school year but I look forward to seeing everyone again when school resumes on Monday 3rd February 2020.
Kindergarten Orientation Day
Yesterday, our new Kindergarten students for 2020 visited the school and spent the morning getting to know the environment, a few of the staff and some of the routines of ‘big school’. The children were very excited to see their new school and engage with the activities provided by the Kinder teachers. Parents spent the morning in a meeting focused on preparing their children for primary school. Thank you to our current Kindergarten parents for the delicious morning tea provided for all to enjoy. Thanks also to those who came along to welcome new families to the school.
Financial Outcome of the Catholic Schools Netball Carnival
Regrettably, the Catholic Schools Netball Carnival did not raise any funds this year. We did not lose funds but covered our costs. We have performed an analysis of the situation and the following outlines the reasons for this:
The initial and ongoing organisation of the 2019 CSNC was based on the template and handover from the previous conveners of the carnival in 2018. Decisions made in relation to expenditure were made on the assumption that numbers of schools and students participating would be similar to those of 2018.
The decision was made, at system level, to discontinue the Catholic Schools Netball and Soccer Carnivals from 2020. This decision, we believe, had an impact on the number of schools participating in 2019.
Two large schools chose not to enter any teams. Other schools entered less teams than the previous year. This meant a significant reduction in the amount of registration fees collected. Feedback from those schools was that there was less interest because the carnivals were to be discontinued. Schools also chose to support the Boorowa Carnival, which was held the week after the CSNC.
Other factors that affected the 2019 CSNC included an increase in hiring costs of essential infrastructure (e.g. toilets, BBQs, first aid, trucks, food, security, traffic management, PA equipment and specialised services). These items were all non-negotiable – no matter the number of teams involved, the same infrastructure requirements exist.
We were fortunate to have a dedicated team of committee members who worked tirelessly to organise a carnival that was executed with precision. The committee struggled to find volunteers to assist with the carnival and canvassing continued until the day before. This meant that we were able to offer only one food stall, compared to the year before where a variety of food options and money-making opportunities existed. This, combined with a significant reduction of players and families on the day, meant that we were unable to make a profit. This is, of course, very disappointing given all the hard work and time that was put into hosting the carnival.
Feedback from schools that took part in the carnival was excellent. We have received accolades for the way in which the carnival ran like a well-oiled machine. Attendees were very pleased, not only with the organisation of the event but also the stalls and the general happy atmosphere of the day. Thank you to everyone involved for making the carnival such a wonderful experience for all who attended.
Prayers Please
Please keep the Box family in your prayers. Jaime (Yr 4 London) has a dear aunty who is fighting hard to battle cancer and the family would appreciate your special prayers for her at this time.
Thought for the Week:
“All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten.”
Robert Fulghum
REPEAT NOTICES:
Classes for 2020
The process of allocating children to classes for 2020 has started. The allocations are based on the following considerations:
- Friendships
- Learning abilities
- Balance of gender
- Behavioural considerations
- Personalities
- Religion – so that a balance of Catholic and non-Catholic children is achieved especially in Sacramental years.
As part of the process of allocating children to classes, the children are given the opportunity to nominate 5 friends with whom they would like to share a class next year. They are guaranteed to have at least one of these friends with them. These nominations are based purely on friendship and not on any other factors and are the child’s decision to make. The ‘Friendship 5’ lists will be completed by the children at a suitable time, in class, in the next few weeks.
My firm belief is that teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, I invite parents to inform me of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development. I have allowed a total of 3 weeks’ time in which to notify me of your concerns, in writing. After the cut-off date of Friday 22ndNovember, it will not be possible to take further wishes into account.
Information needs to be provided each year as circumstances can change. I will do my best to accommodate your wishes but will not promise anything! Please be aware that requests for particular teachers will NOT be considered.
Students leaving Rosary at the end of the year
Please ensure that you have informed me, in writing, if your child will not be returning to Rosary in 2020. Obviously, this does not apply to students in Year 6. It is imperative, for planning purposes, that I have accurate information with regard to enrolment numbers. I also need to know the destination school as part of system accountability requirements. Thank you to those who have already provided this information.
2020 Start of School Date
The 2020 school year will begin on Monday 3rd February for all students, Kindergarten to Year 6. The school day will start at 9.00am for students in Years 1 to 6. Kindergarten students will start at 9.30am. The day will end at 3.00pm for students who catch a bus to rural destinations and at 3.10pm for all others. Kindergarten students will have a rest day at home for the first 3 Wednesdays of the term before starting full weeks at school in Week 4 (starting Monday 24th February).