Principal’s Message
Fete
A big thank you to everyone for the fete, my first as principal and it was great to see everyone having fun. A special thank you to all those people behind the scenes who helped to pull it all together and on the night no job was too big or small and everyone just got stuck in.
As we do with our teaching we are always looking at ways to improve, not because we are not good, but because we can always do better. If you have ideas on how we can improve the fete or something that you would like to see, we would love to hear from you.
Kindergarten 2019
Yesterday we welcomed the 2019 Kindergarten students to school for the first time in the Learning Centre without Mum and Dad and it was a positive experience for them. Whilst the children were busy, the Mums and Dads gathered in the hall to receive information on our school and the services we offer.
School Council 2019
I understand that traditionally the School Council holds it elections in December. I have some concerns around this. Only those parents who are paying school fees can be nominated and as such we eliminate our new Kindergarten families and any other families new to the school. I have proposed to the School Council Executive that we permanently move the election to February.
Remembrance Day 2019
On Sunday as a Nation we paused to reflect, celebrate and give thanks to women and men who have and continue to keep our great country safe. We were represented at the Remembrance Day Service at St Matthews where Mrs Allibon and our Year 6 Leaders laid a wreath. Later in the day Mr Unsworth and two more of our leaders formed a Guard of Honour for the Soldiers and Dignitaries at the service at the Pioneer Cemetery. On Monday we had a very moving service for the whole school.
Pickup and Drop off at School
We continue to be staggered by the actions of few parents with respect to pick up and drop off. This week we had a visit from the Albury City Road Council Safety Officer who observed the pick up. Some of the things she observed, included people Jaywalking across the road, in one case with two children and walking between two buses across 4 lanes of traffic. Another parent with 4 children under 7 walk across the road almost being hit by a car. Parents double parking and then calling children. I have said it before, you are the models that your children are seeing and for many it is a very poor model.
Please make sure that everyone who collects children uses the lights to cross, please make sure that Nans and Pops know this. I understand that in NSW you can be fined $71 for jaywalking and more if you are a repeat offender. If you can read between the lines, you will not be surprised to see this being heavily policed in the very near future.
Teachers for 2019
| Principals | Rob & second Principal to be announced next week |
| AP including Emu Intervention 1 hour per week 4 days per week and equivalent of two days in Year 5 spread over the week. | M Moore |
| REC (2 days a week spread over 4 days) /Reading Recovery (2 ½ days per week spread over 5 days) EMU Maths assistance (½ day a week). | J Fawcett |
| TMT | L Allibon |
| IDL | L Scammell |
| Co-ordinator(1 ½ days), included in this all sport, PPT Release (3 days) EMU Maths assistance (½ day a week) | T Brooks |
| Emu Intervention Emu Intervention 1 hour per week 4 days per week and Reading Recovery (2 ½ days per week spread over 5 days) | A Musurra |
| Kinder | S McKenzie |
| F Davis | |
| S Hiberson | |
| Year 1 | |
| Full time until T3, Kylie James returns | C Whitfield |
| Tricia 0.4 /0.6 for Lucy. | P Harrison (2 days) & L Hyndman (3 days) |
| R Dempsey | |
| Year 2 | |
| Marg Brooks ( Fulltime) then 3 days from Term 3 onwards; C Rolls 2 days | M Brooks |
| T Perczyk | |
| Year 3 | F Cresser |
| M Dent | |
| B Seckhold | |
| Year 4 | S Duck |
| K Hilton (3 Days) & K Wheatley (2 days) | |
| M Goss | |
| Year 5 | M Wild |
| P Shanahan | |
| Year 6 | *J Bice |
| J Good | |
| T Hill | |
| PPT | |
| – Music | M Brown |
| -PD Health | F Robertson |
| -PE | T. Brooks |
*Jess Bice is new to our school and has most recently worked at St Joseph’s Leeton.
Positive Behaviours
Thanks to all the parents and students who responded to the survey. We are still analysing the data and we will provide more information in upcoming newsletters. What our early data is showing us, is that we do need to keep it front of mind for the whole school, including staff, parents and students. A major focus for the school was the introduction of this program in the classrooms and almost thinking of the playground and the next project to be worked.
A couple of the larger schools in the Diocese have also adopted the programme and have introduced Positive Behaviours by saying this is the behaviour we expect across the whole school regardless of where you are. They are reporting significant reduction in poor choices in the playground. We will be adopting this model from 2019 onwards.
We will also be providing you with more information via the newsletters and social media platforms.
Sr Mary Crowe, former staff member, REC and acting principal of our school died last week. Sr Mary was a valued member of our St. Pat’s Community. Our deepest sympathy to her family & friends.
Changes to Class Newsletters
Class newsletters will be from 2019 only available via electronic means. This will result in significant time saving for staff, reduction in photocopying and paper costs for the school.
School Fees
Fees have been sent home. These are now due and please make every effort to finalise these by the end of the year. Contact the office if you have any concerns.
2019 Students
At this time of year families become aware of transfers and moving. If this applies to your family could you please let the office know as soon as possible.
Last Issue of Book Club 2018
The last issue of Book Club for this year will go home later this week and will be due back to school by the Thursday 22nd November.
Regards
Rob