Principal's Corner
Dear St John the Apostle families,
It was a cold but happy start to the day today as many of our students met teachers at the local shops for Walk Safely to School Day. Thank you to Mrs Neiberding, Ms Kennelly, Ms McIver and Mr Doepel for organising the event and for the staff and parents who walked with the students. Thank you also to Woolworths Charnwood who donated $150 of gift cards that we could use to purchase snacks for the children as they arrived safely to school.
You have probably heard of schools returning to remote or home learning in the coming weeks as they manage staff absences due to COVID and winter colds and flu. We have been fortunate in not experiencing the same level of absence so far and have been able to cover most through either relief, additional duties by staff or splitting classes. The health and safety of staff and students remains our priority through this time and we hope that we will continue to experience manageable amounts of disruption. Thank you to all parents who are vigilant in keeping their child home when they have any cold or flu like symptoms. Not only does it prevent the spread of sickness in the classroom it also prevents the potential spread of COVID.
Tell Them From Me
During the next few weeks, all students in Years 4 - 6 will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during regular school hours. The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Students who agree to complete the survey will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results.
The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses.
Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child in Years 4 - 6 will not take part if either you or your child do not wish to. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable answering any question, he/she will be encouraged to leave it blank and move on to the next one.
If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please contact your child's teacher.
Very soon, parents and teachers will also be invited to participate, and we look forward to hearing from everyone.
Enrolment Period
It's our enrolment period for 2023. During May we accept enrolment applications for Kindergarten the following year. If you have a younger sibling that will attend Kindergarten in 2023 please remember to complete and enrolment application by Friday 27 May. You can find a link to the enrolment application on our school website.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Matthew Garton
Catholic education election report card on major parties
Catholic education has released a federal election report card assessing the responses from the major political parties on education priorities.
The report card assesses the Coalition, Labor and Green’s responses to the priorities of:
- Genuine school choice through fair funding and ensuring affordable contributions from families
- Enabling faith-based education through religious protections
- Improving capital funding
- Support for delivering national priorities such as quality teaching, early childhood education, mental health and wellbeing programs and Closing the gap initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Islander students
National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins said the report card shows the Liberal National Coalition and Labor are on par in addressing Catholic education’s priorities, particularly on school choice.
“We are fortunate that both major parties continue to support genuine school choice in Australian education and are committed to families who choose a Catholic education for their children,” Ms Collins said.
Responses sought from key independent candidates are also being evaluated.
The full report card and major party responses is available via www.ncec.catholic.edu.au/federal-election-2022
Authorised by J Collins, National Catholic Education Commission, Level 3, 156 Gloucester Street, Sydney.
