Dear Parents,

All the staff are excited to be welcoming the students from Kindergarten to Year 2 and Year 6 back next week and then the other grade levels as well the following week! Whilst it will be wonderful to have everyone back on site, we have made a few changes to processes in order to make the school as safe as possible for everyone.  

Please read through all the information that has been distributed over the last 2 weeks. Drop-off and pick-up will look very different from next week. Please make sure you familiarise yourself with the new routines.

A final reminder about completing the relevant surveys for schooling for Week 4 - Monday 25 to Friday 29 October.

If your child is in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 or Year 6 and is staying at home please complete this survey:

• https://forms.gle/JQvnLCcEY9ewqNa96

If your child is in Year 3, Year 4 or Year 5 and requires supervision at school, please complete this survey:

• https://forms.gle/CGpNCYxdiPmsHUsN7

WORLD TEACHERS DAY

Next Friday is World Teacher’s Day. It is a great day that recognises all the hard work that teachers do in nurturing your young children. I am so very blessed to be able to lead such a dedicated group of teachers, assistants and administrative staff who work harder than any other staff that I have known. This was clearly evidenced during our remote learning period this year.  

The extra work that our staff takes on is above and beyond, with our teachers giving up lunch breaks, weekends, evenings with their family and holiday time to ensure that the children in our school receive every possible opportunity to succeed at school and enjoy the learning environment that we are so fortunate to have. 

I am sure you will join me in thanking such a dedicated team. Feel free to drop your child’s teacher an email expressing your ‘vote of thanks’. 

We will be celebrating as a staff with a lunch next week. It will be a wonderful celebration, especially as we will have most of the children back at school. 

STAFFING

Here are some updates to our staff for 2022.

Mrs Marie Taylor, a highly valued Classroom Support Assistant, has decided it is time to retire. Marie has worked at our school since 1999. She has assisted in supporting the learning of our wonderful students for the last 23 years. She will be dearly missed but we hope to see her back next year in a relief capacity.

Mrs Michelle Marshall has made the decision to take 12 months leave. Michelle will be taking time out to be with her family next year.

Miss Holly Haling will be taking 12 months leave as she makes the courageous decision to relocate to Queensland. Holly has been fortunate to secure a teaching position at a primary school in Toowong.

Mr Steve Joyce will be returning to his role as Assistant Principal at St Josephs at Cooma. We have been very blessed to have Steve work with us over the last 12 months.

Both Mrs Sarah Lehmensich and Mrs Katie Brook will be returning next year in a part-time capacity, after having the year off on maternity leave. We look forward to welcoming them back to the classroom. 

I will keep you informed as we fill our vacant positions. 

SCHOOL CANTEEN

As you are aware, our school canteen will be open from Week 5 with a limited menu. Kathy will be allowed one volunteer to work with her each day. Please know that if you volunteer, you will be required to wear a mask and check in each day.

If you are available, please contact Kathy directly to let her know what days you are able to come and help in the canteen: kathleen.crosbie@cg.catholic.edu.au

KINDER ORIENTATION

I can now confirm that Kindergarten Orientation will be able to take place this year. With restrictions still in place, we will have to reassess how we will present this day. If you have a child attending kindergarten next year, we will be in touch shortly with the details.

CLASS ALLOCATIONS FOR 2022

During this term, we will be finalising our staffing arrangements for 2022. Below is a copy of the ‘Class Allocation Policy’ (available on our website) which aims to ensure there is a fair and just process in allocating students to classes for the upcoming school year. My firm belief is that teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, I invite parents to inform me of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development. Please note all requests need to be in writing and need to be addressed to me. No request made to classroom teachers will be considered.  

Could you please have a read and be aware of the following policy? As there are usually two or three streams of classes each year at St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Calwell, there are different combinations of children in classes. When forming the class lists the following factors are taken into consideration: gender, special needs, work habits, cognitive ability, friendships, behaviour, health considerations, religion (to assist in achieving balance between classes, especially in Sacramental years) and common names.

Ideally we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics.

Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns will be considered. At St Francis of Assisi, the staff and parents will follow these principles and guidelines when considering placement of students each year:

• Every care will be taken to ensure that each child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development;
• Parents who wish to discuss particular concerns regarding the placement of their children in particular classes should put the concern in writing and address it to the Principal by Friday of Week 4 (Friday 29 October);
• Parent concerns will be seriously considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parent’s requests;
• Where appropriate, advice will be sought from the Learning Support Teacher, School Counsellor, etc during this process;
• Taking into account all of the factors listed above, the current class teachers compile class lists during the last week of November and hand to the Principal for confirmation;
• Children will be informed of their class placement for the following school year in December (usually the last week of school) and the opportunity will be provided where possible for them to spend some time with their new class teacher;
• A class lists will be made available for parents during the last week of the year. No changes are made after this time; and
• Throughout this process the Principal, after appropriate consultation, reserves the right to make final professional decisions regarding the placement of children.

Please be aware that requests for particular teachers or for a particular gender of teacher will NOT be considered. Also, we do not accept friendship requests.

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal