Yulmburral
It’s terrific to have students back to school for a new semester. Let’s hope we have an uninterrupted learning journey for the remainder of 2020.
We welcome back Ms Usher from carer’s leave and welcome Mrs Katerina Kasunic as the Yr 4 teaching partner for Semester 2. Mrs Kasunic has extensive primary school teaching experience across the diocese and we look forward to the contributions Mrs Kasunic will make to Yr 4 and within our school community. We also welcome a number of new students to Saints. Tydon – Prep, Chad – Yr 2 and Fletcher – Yr 3. In living our Mercy value of “Hospitality”, on behalf of the Saint’s community, I welcome our new community members to our family.
Catholic Education Week occurs in Week 3. Due to Covid, the Grandparent’s Day unfortunately has had to be cancelled. In its place the P & F are hosting a FREE Movie Night on Thursday 29th July from 5:30 – 8pm. Parents are opening the Tuckshop between 5:30 – 6pm for snacks. The movie – The Lion King (2019) PG will commence promptly at 6pm. All children who attend must do so in the company of one or both parents. Adults will need to comply with social distancing protocols.
Whilst making reference to the P & F, a decision from School Leadership is to cancel the P & F Levy for the remainder of 2020. This levy was suspended in Term 2 and it will now not be reintroduced until the 2021 school year.
The Tuckshop has reopened and we have a new convenor. Due to time constraints and the small number of parent volunteers, the tuckshop will be open for lunch orders once a fortnight on a Wednesday. The menu is short and simple. The choices may not reflect dietary habits of all within our school community. What is offered is manageable for those who give their time generously. If anyone wishes to volunteer to enhance the choices within the tuckshop please send an email to staugtuckshop@gmail.com or secretary.mossman@cns.catholic.edu.au
Life Long Learner Awards commenced in Week 2 and will continue into Week 3. It was tremendous for students to still have an opportunity to be recognised for Semester One efforts. The ‘new norm’ required a scaled down event, however the number of parents attending, and the pizzas have made each awards assembly a positive experience for all in attendance.
A victim of the Covid pandemic has been the School Athletics Carnival. To provide students with a school sports event, a decision has been made to deliver the School Cross Country Carnival. This event usually occurs in Term 1, however it was postponed. The new date is Friday 14th August. Please refer to school Broadcasts / Parent Slips for further details.
Leah, our Library Officer, has advised there are still many library books that have not been returned. I thank everyone who has found school resources and returned them, however the number outstanding is still significant and this translates to a high cost for replacement of these books. May I encourage all families to continue to look and return all library items as soon as possible.
Parent -Teacher Interviews will occur over 2 days for each class during weeks 4 and 5. The 2 days offered will be at the availability of the classroom teacher and each classroom teacher will communicate the days for their class via Seesaw and PTO. Interview times are for 10 minutes and parents are asked to respect this time interval by being punctual and understanding this meeting is a touch base regarding progress in literacy, numeracy and general behaviour. If a longer interview is required please make an appointment with your classroom teacher. The PTO meetings are not compulsory to attend yet parents are encouraged to take advantage to touch base regarding their child’s progress. At times, a classroom may make a special request for a parent to attend a PTO meeting.
Enrolments for 2021 continue. Sibling placements are being finalised prior to confirming new enrolments. It is wonderful to see so many young children wandering around Mossman and Port Douglas in their, “I’m Going to Saints” T Shirt.
The ICAS competition is open for 2020. This highly academic competition is targeting elite performance students. Teachers will nominate identified students and invite parents to register their child/ren for these quizzes. The school will participate in three subject areas in 2020; Mathematics, English and Science.
The children are continuing to learn their Beatles’ songs. Ask them what song they have and join in with them at home or in the car. It’s lots of fun.
Have a great Term. Hope to see many familiar faces at the movie night.
Together for Saints
Paul Rayner
Principal