School Vision Statement (Part 2)

“Immersed in faith, pursuing excellence in learning

and the positive wellbeing of all”

This statement has been sent home in various newsletters, is visible in the office foyer and referred to at various meetings with staff and parents. The three key words we take from this are: faith, learning and wellbeing. This year, we are continuing with our agenda to improve the way teachers use assessment and collaboration to improve student success in meeting syllabus outcomes. Mrs Kristy South will work closely with Mrs Dimitra Vezinias in improving teacher awareness and capability in supporting student learning. Learning Intentions, Success Criteria, Goal setting, Bump It Up walls, displays that teach, peer collaboration, etc are all strategies that students will become more familiar with as the year progresses.

Kinder Enrolments 2026

Throughout Term 1, we will be accepting Kindergarten enrolment applications for 2026. Application is made via the Enrol Now link on the school website. We will be conducting two Open Day sessions for parents to come along to view the school and to ask questions.

OPEN DAY Sessions:

• Thursday, 13 March 4pm to 5.00pm
• Friday, 14 March 9.30am to 10.30am
• Saturday, 15 March 9.30am to 10.30am

2025 School Photos 

School photos will be on in Week 10, TERM 1, Monday, 31 MARCH 2025.

This year, we will be starting with a whole school photo being taken at 8.50am via the use of a drone camera. If students arrive late, they will miss the opportunity to be included in this photo.

All children are to come to school in correct FULL SUMMER uniform (NOT SPORTS UNIFORM).  Hair decorations are not permitted and ribbons/scrunchies are to be in toning with the uniform i.e. browns and yellows.
 
‘The School Photographer’ will be the photographer again this year.  We have a total DIGITAL ORDERING SYSTEM.  (See attached flyer and below for instructions)

ALL photos will still be sent to the school as per previous years. 

 All photo orders are to be paid and ordered via the attached QR code using CODE:
 

• clicking onto “I’m a Parent” “Order 2025 Photos”.
• You will then be directed to the secure online ordering portal entering the code noted above.

 
When you log onto the website using the QR code or address, it will advise how to order the Sibling photo as well and any other merchandise available if you choose.

If you have any questions please contact the School Office ASAP on 42291818. 

Church Car Park Update

Fr Duane has accepted a quote from Illawarra Line Marking to formalise parking in the church car park. At this stage, no date has been set for this work to be carried out but I will let parents know as soon as possible. Once marked out, there will be about 45 parking bays with a formalised route for driving around. This may create some confusion / changes early on but will prove far more effective in the long run.

Walking through the car park: Parents are reminded to have children walk beside them through the car park at all times. It cannot be used as a play / chasings area due to the volume of traffic and visibility issues.

Traffic Issues

Kiss & Drop Zones: There are two zones located before and after the supervised crossing on Powell St. Ideally, children should have their backpacks in the car with them so that they can exit the car on the footpath by themselves. For smaller children, parents are permitted to walk around to help children but this should also happen on the footpath side of the car. Drivers are not permitted to park the car in this zone to walk children into school.

Kiss & Collect: Teachers are available to assist children into cars but do not help with seatbelts. To keep traffic moving, parents are asked to drive up & pull over at the presbytery car park if they need to assist children with seatbelts.

Please ensure Surname signs are displayed clearly while coming through ‘Kiss & Collect’. This assists in not only having children out near the gate at the right time but also to the correct teacher on duty. If you need additional laminated signs, please email or call the office.

Minor Head Injuries

Further updates in Compass now allow for minor injuries to the head of a student be relayed to parents via SMS. These injuries are assessed as usual in the office and if deemed ‘minor’, an SMS will be sent. As usual, if deemed more significant, a parent will be contacted via a phone call. This process will free up a lot of time for office staff having to look up phone numbers and individually call parents. By minor injuries, we are looking at a soft ball bouncing on their head or lightly bumping a head on another child’s shoulder. If there is a significant bump on concrete or other hard surface, or head clash with another student, parents will always be contacted via phone.

2025 Annual Improvement Plan (AIP)

Each year every primary school in the Diocese of Wollongong sets an Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) goal.  The following provides details about our AIP goal for 2025.

Upcoming Teacher Professional Learning Development 

Throughout the year teachers have access to a variety of quality professional development opportunities. Casual teachers are employed to cover classes with the teacher ensuring the teaching program and routines are followed.