Dear Parents,
Welcome back to School for the start of the new year for 2020. I trust you and your families enjoyed the break over Summer and are refreshed and ready to take on the new year and what it has to offer. Thank you to our CTK teachers who have been back at school over the last fortnight preparing for classes and to welcome our cohort.
By now you would be aware of the tragic events of Saturday evening in Oatlands that claimed the lives of four children and injured several others. We continue to pray for those children who have passed away: Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah, all former students of our Christ the King Community. Veronique Sakr, the cousin of the Abdallahs also passed away. We, as a community, mourn the loss of these young people and join with family and friends in praying for the repose of the souls of these beautiful children who were known to us all. Please keep Daniel and Leila Abdallah and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. The children and staff today gathered to pray the rosary in honour of the children and their families.
Condolences for the Abdallah Family will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral tonight, Friday the 7th and tomorrow, Saturday the 8th of February from 6pm-9pm for both evenings. The funeral of the faithful departed will be held next Monday the 10th of February at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral at 10.30am.
We welcome our new staff members Mrs Ally Trethowan, Miss Courtney Milone, Miss Hayley Anschau and Mrs Patrice Hanna. We would also like to give a warm welcome to our new students - Year 1 Ellie K and Peter P, Year 2 Serena C, Year 4 Eric K, Year 5 Toby L, Emilia P and Natalia K and Year 6 Aaron H, Daniel Z, Claudia H, Benjamin P and Paradis N. On Monday we welcomed our 2020 Kindergarten children to CTK. We trust these children will enjoy the next seven years of learning and development in our school community.
Our stage two refurbishments that took place over the holidays are drawing to completion. Year 3 have already moved into their newly renovated space enjoying the new furniture provided by CEDP (Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta).
Thank you to the parents who booked, transported and waited for their children whilst they attended the student MAI assessment testing. This one on one teacher / student assessment gave the staff an opportunity to welcome the children back in a casual setting and enabled a head start on their learning.
A reminder that we will close the school perimeter gates at 9.15am and they will remain closed until they are re-opened at 2.55pm each afternoon when the bell goes. This will ensure the children’s safety and we can monitor the movement around the school grounds. Please take note of these times if you are parking in Bowral Street or Burradoo Close in the mornings.
I look forward to seeing you at our Welcoming School Mass on Thursday, 13th Feb at 9.00am. At this time we will be able to welcome and commission our Student Leaders as well as to give thanks for all the members of our community and their continued commitment to this school.
As is tradition, we look forward to welcoming all the new families at our Kindergarten & New Families Welcoming Barbeque on Friday 28th February at 5.00pm. This is traditionally organized by our current Year 1 families (Kindergarten 2019). We hope you can join us.
Please be reminded that there are allocated parking spots adjacent to the church and library for disabled parking. These spaces are for vehicles that display a disabled pass or sticker only and not to be used for able-bodied parking. Many of our elderly parishioners who attend weekday morning Mass require these spots with close access to the church. Your co-operation in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Please note also that there is NO RIGHT HAND turn out of the school driveway onto Statham Ave between 2:45 - 3:15pm. You co-operation in both these matters are appreciated and expected to ensure the safety of all our school community members.
Please note in your diaries and calendars our next Staff Development / Pupil Free day on Friday 21st February. On this day our Staff will be involved in continuing our professional development around inquiry based learning. We will be joined by the staff from St Patrick's Primary School Parramatta, CEDP staff and Dr Michael McDowell from the U.S.A.
Please also take note of the Grade Parent Information evenings which will be held in Week 5 (see mark in your diary section). It is imperative that parents attend these information evenings as teachers will provide information regarding homework, classroom protocols and curriculum matters. Please put these dates in your calendar. Please note that Kindergarten will not be holding a Parent Information evening.
Join with us as we look forward to another exciting year, with quality teaching and learning taking place in our learning spaces working together as a community to provide our children with the best learning opportunities possible.
Have a safe and blessed week,
Tony Hughes
Principal