The Year 5 camp at Waterslea concluded this afternoon. It was a very successful camp led by the Year 5 staff, Mr Douglas and Mr Holgate. Leadership and building positive relationships was a focus of the camp. The students participated positively and numerous additional staff assisted to make the camp a success. A gracious thank you is extended to all staff who stayed overnight and provided supervision and support for the students. I look forward to the Year 5 students sharing the experiences of camp through the next newsletter. 

Last Friday the students in Years 3-6 participated in the first school assembly for Term 4. It was good to see the number of students who received awards for a variety of reasons. At the assembly, one of the highlights featured public speaking presentations from students in Year 5 and Year 6. Remm McKenzie gave his winning speech from the Year 6 competition and also represented our school at the Diocesan competition on Wednesday this week. Stella Lane, Jazz Annan and Elise Campbell from Year 5 also presented great speeches as well. This Friday, students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will attend their fortnightly assembly, commencing at 2.10pm. All parents and carers are welcome to attend. 

On Friday 4 November 2022, we will celebrate the annual Grandparents Mass at 9.30am. Please put the word out and invite the grandparents to attend this special mass. We will also celebrate the Feast of St Michael at this mass. 

Please keep in your prayers the students who will receive the Sacrament of Eucharist (First Holy Communion) on Sunday 20 November 2022. Next Wednesday 2 November 2022, there will be a reflection meeting for these students and their parents in the school hall, from 6.00pm-7.00pm. 

The momentum is building for the School Fun Run - Colour Run which will occur on Thursday 10 November 2022. This is the first major fundraising event for almost three years. The event has the potential to fundraise much needed funds to put towards outdoor facilities. It replaces the old ‘WALKATHON’ as an opportunity to involve all students, families, extended family and friends. Please encourage your child to work their magic to secure sponsorship. It will be a fun day.

The Kindergarten 2023 Playgroups have commenced and have been very popular and successful so far. These playgroup sessions involve parents and kindergarten students. They occur on Fridays and Mondays for the first four weeks of term. Thank you to the staff who are assisting with the playgroups as well as the transition visits that a number of the new Kindergarten students will attend this term.

Finally, I ask all families who use the drop off zone in North Street, to follow the road rules. To remain within the law, parents and carers are encouraged to remain in the car with students leaving the car on the kerb side. This will ensure regular movement of cars and is the intention of the drop off zone. We also recommend all parents cross the road using the crossings. The police have been patrolling this area recently and will book drivers who do not follow the road rules. 

Mr Christopher Paton
Principal