Dear Parents/Caregivers
Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’. This leads into Reconciliation Week. This year, the National Reconciliation Week (NRW) theme is Be Brave. Make Change. We are challenged to
· Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation
· Make Change for the benefit of all Australians, change starts in your daily life – where you live, work, play, and socialise.
Finally, with restrictions lifted, we were able to once again hold school assemblies and class Masses. Celebrating our faith with the parishioners during a class Mass is a very important part of our Catholic Identity and belonging to the Croydon Park Parish. School assemblies allow us to gather as a whole school community and share our learning. Assemblies are held fortnightly (in even weeks) on a Tuesday at 1:30pm. Each class has the opportunity to host an assembly, providing students with the opportunity for public speaking. Parents are now welcome to join us.
In the last newsletter, I wrote about the importance of students wearing the correct school uniform. Thank you to all the parents who took note and are following the uniform policy. There was a more detailed list with colour photos added onto skoolbag as a reference for parents. Children who are wearing incorrect items will be issued with a notice informing parents of the infringement.
Please remember that this Friday 10th June is a Pupil Free Day. Parents have been informed of this date through many avenues including skoolbag, SMS texts and posters around the school. The day will provide us with the opportunity to complete our learning in Restorative Practices. Restorative Practice is a whole school teaching and learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It puts the onus on individuals to be truly accountable for their behaviour and to repair any harm caused to others as a result of their actions. I will be providing more information to parents over the coming newsletter.
As we enter the winter months, it is important to keep your child at home if they are not well. By sending them to school, they are spreading their germs to other students and staff. Staff who are not well are also asked to remain at home. Staff illness has increased this term and we work hard to ensure as little disruption to the teaching and learning program as possible.
St Patrick’s will once again be offering students the opportunity to participate in the ICAS English and Maths Assessments. ICAS assessments are optional and have an additional cost to parents. These will be held in Term 3. More information to follow.
In all things love
Barbara Ahern & Anne Marie Platten
Leadership Team
