Dear Parents and Carers, 

Welcome to the 2022 school year! Monday morning was full of excitement and there was certainly a buzz in the air. It was wonderful see how excited the students were to reconnect with their friends! The staff have been here for nearly two weeks now, working hard to ensure every student has many great learning experiences. 

Welcome to our 76 new Kindergarten students, although there are several siblings in the class who have been patiently waiting for their time to come to ‘big school’ and to St Clare of Assisi. Welcome to the 22 other children who have joined us across the classes. Welcome also to the many new families that have become a part of the St Clare of Assisi community and story. We look forward to getting to know you and working with you over the coming years. 

Whether you are a student or parent, guardian or grandparent, a new family or returning one, I look forward to the contribution you will each make this year. I also offer you my full support and invite you to contact me should you wish to discuss any matter. 

Annual Improvement Plan 

You may be interested in our strategic priorities for 2022. Staff will continue to work hard in all areas; however, we will especially focus on three priorities this year: 

Our Vision is to Be the Light. 

Our Mission is to be leaders in faith, learning, community, and leadership, so that every person in our school is able to do the best they can to contribute to the growth and wellbeing of students. 

Key Improvement Goals 

1. That every student is a competent reader 
2. High Impact Teaching Practice is visible in every classroom 
3. Build a collegial and positive community culture 

Staff Are Learners Too… 

I would like to acknowledge the dedication of all staff during the last couple of weeks. There have been endless hours of planning programs, updating information, and preparing classrooms to ensure that your children have a smooth start to the 2022 school year. Staff have also been involved in professional learning, reflection, and dialogue, and we are looking forward to implementing some great new initiatives. 

2022 Staff 

Attached to the Newsletter is a full staff list for 2022. Welcome to Donna Gordon, Clare Vandenbroucke, and Karen Byrne who join our staff this year.  

Parent Information Night (Online) For all families 

All families are encouraged to join us online next Tuesday 8th February. Due to COVID 19 restrictions our format this year has changed to online via Microsoft Teams. 

5:30 – 5:45pm Classroom Information (session 1) 

5:45 – 6.00pm Classroom Information (session 2) 

During the session each classroom teacher will present an overview of their classroom and the significant events and happenings for 2022. To cater for parents with more than one child, teachers will repeat the session at 5.45pm (For families with more than two children it may not be possible, unless two parents split up, to attend a session for each class.) Please feel free to contact the teacher with any questions or concerns you may have.

We have a great year planned and look forward to working with you all helping our young students to be ‘flourish’. 

God bless. 

Rachel Smith 

Principal (Acting) 

Please take a moment to read.

• Starting time is 8.45am sharp. Students arriving late will need to be signed in at the Front Office.
• Supervision commences at 8.30am and no student should be at school before 8.30am. Students arriving before 8.30am are unsupervised. Please use before school care if necessary.
• A student’s hair should be cut off their face and, if longer than shoulder length, it must be tied back in an appropriate school coloured band. Hair should also be of natural colour and extreme haircuts are not permitted.
• No jewellery should be worn to school and only plain studs, small sleepers and watches are acceptable. No bracelets, bangles, sparkly earrings, nail polish, make up, etc are allowed.
• Correct School Uniform must be worn at all times. Students who continually wear incorrect uniform will receive a reminder note to be sent home to their parents.
• St Clare of Assisi has a NO HAT NO PLAY Policy. Students without a correct school hat will be asked to sit in the shade.
• Black ‘jogger’ or canvas type school shoes are not part of the school uniform. The only school shoes allowed at St Clare’s are the traditional or formal black leather school shoes.
• Students with Mobile Phones are asked to switch the phone off and leave it in their bags. If mobile phones are heard or sighted during school time they will be confiscated. The School takes no responsibility for lost or broken mobile phones.
• Students who are collected by their parents during the day for appointments must be signed out/in at the Front Office before and after the appointment.
• Parents visiting the school to assist are required to have a Working with Vulnerable People Card and are also asked to sign in at Front Office and receive a Visitors Badge.
• Please ensure the School always has up to date contact and emergency details for your children.
• Medical details must be updated and sent to the Front Office.
• St Clare of Assisi is a NUT FREE School. Please remember this when preparing recess and lunch, including peanut butter, Nutella, cakes with nuts, etc.
• Dogs are not allowed on school premises.
• Afternoon messages regarding changes to the afternoon routine must be received by the Front Office by 2.20pm or we cannot guarantee your child/ren will receive the message.
• Carpark - Please remember to be patient and considerate of others when driving in the car parks. School carparks are notoriously dangerous and ALL PARENTS are asked to be patient and alert. If you are in a hurry, collect your children early or wait until after 3.10pm when the carpark is less congested.
• TURN LEFT when exiting the school entrance as this keeps the traffic flowing.
• Absences from school – it is a legal requirement that all absences are explained. Please notify the school of your child’s absence by either :
  • Using the App
  • Calling the Front Office;
  • Emailing the Front Office at office.stclaresconder@cg.catholic.edu.au indicating your child’s name, class, reason for absence and date.
  • Sending a note to the classroom teacher indicating date and reason for absence.
• Canteen Ordering - Canteen ordering is only via the Qkr! App. Please see school website for instructions

Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards this week.

The school will need to contact parent’s urgently for a variety of reasons. Please make sure that your contact details are up to date. This can be done on our school communication app Compass.

STUDENT MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Parents are reminded that the School Office must be informed if your child has any medical condition that needs supervision whilst at school. A form for parents to complete is available from the Front Office or the school website www.sca.act.edu.au, which provides the opportunity to detail your child’s needs and treatment.

Students who require the use of Ventolin to manage their asthma are able to keep their puffer in their possession during the school day.

All medication brought to school must be in the original packaging with the pharmacy label, clearly stating the student’s name and dosage. A consent to dispense medication form completed and handed into the Front Office, no medication is to be stored in children's bags except their asthma puffers.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Front Office 6294 1860

sca@cg.catholic.edu.au

Book Club will close on Friday the 12th of February