Dear Families,

What a lovely turn out we had last week for our Mother’s Day breakfast and Mass. Thank you all for making the effort to be here. We really enjoyed seeing our mums, nans, aunties and special people in the Eco-Centre enjoying the pancakes and a cuppa with their children. Thank you to Emily Connell also for making the beautiful banana bread which was delicious and very generous of you!

We also had a number of children represent the school last week in District Cross Country. Congratulations to all of the children who were resilient in giving the long distance running their best effort. We are proud of all of you. Huge congratulations to Billy Breheny, Tom Breheny and Joanna Mathew who are all through to the next round.

Moving into the winter months, it is a timely reminder to revisit some of the protocols that we had in place during covid. Please remind children about sneezing and coughing into elbows, washing/sanitising hands and making sure we stop the spread of germs. Please keep sick children home from school. If they are coughing, have runny noses or need pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen) they probably need a day at home to rest.

It’s also a timely reminder to have a chat about attendance at school and punctuality. We have a number of children who are missing a lot of school or arriving at school habitually late. When children are away from school or late to school, they are missing out on key learning in the classroom and when this happens on a regular basis, their progress suffers. As well as this, they are missing out on time with friends and building relationships. It is very important that children attend school on time and every day unless they are sick. Ideally attendance should be above 90%.

A reminder that school photos are this Thursday. Children need to be at school in their normal school uniform NOT sports uniform – just for this week. A reminder that girls wear grey socks or tights – not white socks. Many thanks to all of our parents who have made sure their children are in the correct uniform. I’m very happy with how much we’ve improved in such a short time so thank you all.

Our “Backflips Against Bullying” show will be here next week on Monday. This looks like such a fun way for our children to learn about the topic of bullying. I have included a link to a video that demonstrates what the program is about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isazrvetPz8

Over the past few weeks, the issue of Domestic Violence against women has been highlighted in our media. This is a huge problem that we are facing in our country and in the Latrobe Valley in particular. In speaking on this topic, Pope Francis has said that “it is the responsibility of each of us to give a voice to our voiceless sisters."

“Let us not remain indifferent!” he says, “We must act now, at all levels, with determination, urgency, and courage.”

We pray as a Catholic community that women experiencing domestic violence are able to access the help that they need and that those who hold power in government give this issue serious consideration moving forward.

The number to call for reporting Domestic Violence is: 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732

Have a wonderful week ahead

Sally