Dear Parents and Carers,

On Monday, we had a very successful Swimming Carnival at Queanbeyan Pool. I thank Sharee Thomas and the Swimming Carnival Team for running such a successful day. Congratulations to all our swimmers who participated on the day. Ribbons for our 50m events will be given out at Monday morning assembly next week. I would also like to thank the large number of parent volunteers and senior students from St Mary MacKillop College who were instrumental in successfully running our carnival. Without the support of these volunteers, our carnivals could not take place.

Semester Reporting

Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CE has advised schools that general comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2024 reports but to prioritise Parent/Teacher Conferences for every family in Term 2. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, strengths, challenges, and future areas of focus. A Semester Report will still be sent home as in previous Semesters, providing A-E grading and attendance information.

CE has advised schools that Semester 2, 2024 reports will have a general comment for all children. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading and attendance information will remain as normal.

We would encourage all parents/guardians to engage regularly with their child/ren’s learning, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress. Our formal reporting Schedule is included below:

 Term 1 

• Personalised Plan Meetings
• Opportunity to provide information about your child to class teachers via Microsoft Form.
• Interim report sent Via Compass.
• Optional Parent-teacher meetings as required.

Term 2

• Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Semester Reports (A-E) with no general comments

Term 3

• Learning Exhibitions

Term 4

• Semester Reports (A-E) with general comments
• Availability of Parent/Teacher Conferences as requested

School Fees

Family Fee Statements went out on Thursday. Catholic Education who now process fees centrally made the decision to keep school fee billing on a per term basis, rather than billing fees annually. Discounts for siblings (including those in Systemic Secondary Schools) have already been applied.

You can still make payments in instalments at a frequency that works for your family, nothing that our preferred payment method is BPAY. Your BPAY information is on the bottom of your latest fee statement. Please be aware this information has changed since October of last year, and ensure you are using the new BPAY information.

Shortly you will receive an email requesting confirmation of your intention to contribute to the voluntary building fund. The email will be sent from donotreply-accounts@cg.catholic.edu..au. Included in this email is a link to an online building fund form that is required to be completed by all.

If you require an application for a school fee concession, assistance with calculating your instalments or have any other questions regarding school fees, please contact Julie.rummukainen@cg.catholic.edu.au

Principals’ Retreat

Next Tuesday PM – Friday, I will be attending the Principals’ Conference and Retreat with the Director of Catholic Education, Ross Fox, as well as other senior leaders within Catholic Education. The three days are invaluable for the discussion and sharing of system initiatives including what the impending incorporation means for our system, strategic planning, as well as the time spent on faith development with a retreat facilitated by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP.  In my absence, Annie McArthur will do a wonderful job leading the school.

Blessings and Best Wishes

Sean Rutledge

Principal