Road Safety Alert To Parents / Grandparents / Carers

Wollongong City Council would like to remind all drivers of an important road safety message: -

Under the NSW Road Rules you must not stop or park your vehicle: -

• On or across a driveway, unless the driver is stopping to pick up or drop off passengers

(Road Rule 2014 Reg 198 (2))

• Within 10 metres of an intersection (Road Rule 2014 Reg170 (3))
• Within 3 metres of double dividing lines (Road Rule 2014 Reg 208 (1) & (6))
• Block the flow of traffic or become a danger to other road users (Road Rule 2014 Reg 198 (1))
• On footpaths and nature strips, unless a sign says you can (Road Rule 2014 Reg 197 (1))

Refer to NSW Road User Handbook: - Road User Handbook (nsw.gov.au)

The NSW Parking offences for each of the abovementioned, can result in fines of and/or exceeding

$362 plus 2 demerit points for each offence (as of August 2023) in a school zone. Please park your vehicle safely and in accordance with the NSW Road Rules.

Traffic rules and parking restrictions are there to improve safety around schools. We all have a

responsibility to keep each other safe and as a driver, abide by the road rules including parking

Safely.

Kinder 2024 Playgroup Sessions

Kinder 2024 optional playgroup sessions continued today and will be in place for the next two weeks.

• Session One: 15 - 10.45am
• Session Two: 12pm - 1.30pm

Both Kinder teachers will be present at all the playgroup sessions which provides a great forum for getting to know the children in a relaxed and playful way.

Classes 2024

With a few changes occurring with staffing in 2024, it is a great opportunity to move teachers around. With the Covid years of the recent past, there have been minimal changes across grades as far as teachers are concerned. Next year, very few teachers will remain on the same grade as they are this year. This is a very healthy change for any school community as teachers embrace a new age group, new content and new surroundings. While there is a draft staffing outline, there are still a few potential changes that may impact the final ‘starting line-up’. Therefore this won’t be published until closer to the end of the year.

As usual at this time of the year, parents are invited to communicate with me if they have any concerns regarding their child’s learning in 2024. This is not an opportunity to pick and choose your child’s teacher but a time where you can let me know about your child’s learning style, friendship issues, etc. Ultimately there are many variables which impact class placement and we can only split students into one of two classes. While I will take onboard parental concerns, I cannot guarantee all requests will be met. Communication from parents must be received by this Friday, 3 November.

Hair Cuts

St Therese has always maintained a policy on acceptable haircuts which is published from time to time. With a few issues arising out of Covid, there were some exceptions made, particularly for boys which have then been adopted / copied by others. There have also been some cultural considerations to be made. The result is that now we have visitors / potential enrolments where certain hair styles are inviting comment as it steps away from our uniform and general appearance. I don’t like putting students on the spot however, I also know that some parents prefer the school to step in to speak with the children on such matters. If you would like me to talk to your child about their haircut and the school policy, please let me know.

Free NBN Broadband Opportunities for Families

The Federal Government is offering a number of families the opportunity of receiving free NBN Broadband for the next 12 months. To to eligible to apply, a family must:

• Have a child living at home enrolled in an Australian school
• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network
• Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service
• Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days.

If you feel that your family meet this criteria, please contact the school office for further details.

Toilet Issues - Primary Boys

From time to time in schools we are required to talk to children about the correct use of the toilets. Younger students often need reminders about playing in the toilets or climbing on toilet seats. Keeping the toilets clean and hygienic is regularly discussed. Currently we are having an issue in the new Primary boys toilets. Ken, our groundsman, is being confronted with toilets where boys have urinated in the handbasin and on the toilet paper roll. This has been an ongoing issue over the past two weeks. I believe it to involve a small group of boys who, since they can’t be seen, probably think it’s funny however it is causing quite a few issues and distress for Ken. I have spoken to the boys today and would appreciate parents following it up at home and then letting the school know if certain children are identified as engaging in this behaviour.

Thank You - World Teachers' Day

Parish Dinner

Fr Duane invites all parishioners to attend the next Parish Dinner:

• Friday, 17 November,
• 6pm
• Figgy Bowlo.

Please make your booking by contacting Mary O’Rourke

Ph 42273663 or maryo42@optusnet.com.au