Dear parents and carers,

This week, we have settled into our new routines and have enjoyed a smooth start to the new year. It has been fantastic to see the children take on new roles and responsibilities in a positive fashion. Thank you children!

Thank you to those families who have already returned their Emergency Contact updates. Please be aware that we are required to collect this information on an annual basis – it helps us to ensure that we have your most up to date contact information.

Working with Children Checks - Please remember to forward a copy of your working with children check as soon as you have it available. All parents and community members who assist us at school are requested to obtain a WWCC. See below for additional information.

House Captains - Congratulations to the children who have been elected as house captains for 2020.

Augustine – Henry Clifton and Charlie Ryan

Dominic – Genevieve McLelland and Jacky Xia

Xavier – Hugh Knight and Banjo Metcalfe

Already, the captains have assisted with organising equipment for the swimming carnival, and have given input into how our lunchtime cricket games can flow smoothly.

I am certain that the house captains will do a terrific job in their new roles.

Swimming Carnival - Things to remember for today’s swimming carnival –

• be sun smart
• have fun and be a good sport

Do not bring or wear coloured zinc or coloured hair

We plan to begin the carnival as promptly as possible to ensure that we are able to complete all necessary events in good time.  Events will begin at 5:00pm. The pool’s regular canteen will be in operation tonight.

Please be at the pool at 4:50pm.

This year we are using the Meet Manager program and the Dolphin timing system, this is a continuation of the transition to electronic record keeping for carnivals. I would like to thank the Grenfell Swimming Club for their assistance and support which has enabled us to use this equipment tonight. Thank you in advance to everyone who has volunteered their time to ensure the smooth running of the events – your support and assistance is appreciated.

Please note the Western Region swimming carnival is set down for Monday Feb 17 in Harden.

Parent Information Evening — our Parent information evening is to be held on Wednesday February 19 beginning at 5:00pm. We are looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you, information about your child’s class in 2020.

School counsellor – our school counsellor will make her first visit for 2020 next week. Each year, the counselling service requires for parent referral forms to be updated. If your child accesses this service, please return an updated form by Monday. A copy of this form is attached. This year we have secured additional visits to enable this service to continue operating successfully. We will have our counsellor visiting 4 times per term. I encourage you to make use of the opportunity to access support for your children.

Hennessy BBQ – each year staff from Hennessy Catholic College in Young host a BBQ for our school community. This year’s BBQ will be held on Wednesday Feb 19 from 5:30pm.

Book Fair – this year, our book fair will be held from March 9-13. More information will be sent out closer to the event.

Swimming – the second block of our Swim Safe program will run next week. The information attached is for your reference. All children need to have their swimming gear at school on Monday.

Book Club – flyers were sent home yesterday, please finalise your orders by Friday February 14.

Japanese lessons – our Japanese program for Yr. 2/3/4 and Yr. 5/6 began on Tuesday. This year we will be using our electronic meeting system for lessons with Sensei Ken and Sensei Peta.

Emergency Contacts/Medical Updates- At the start of every year there are many things that we need to update here at school. An update form is attached to this newsletter. This is the general permission slip and the emergency contact information sheet. Please fill in this form and return it to school, so that we will be able to contact you easily if need be.

This also helps us to be aware of any allergies that your children may have. Please note that if your child is an asthma sufferer it is up to you to provide an asthma plan to us at school.

It is important to return this update sheet to school as soon as possible, as many children have allergies to different items, sometimes these are food-based allergies and sometimes children have other triggers that cause their allergic reactions.

Making this information available to school staff helps us to be aware of possible situations that may cause an allergic reaction. If your child needs to have medication at school, please send a note to the front office explaining times and dosages.

Asthma Plans – if your child suffers with Asthma, please ensure that you send an updated Asthma Plan to school. A copy of an asthma plan is attached and can be filled in in conjunction with your family doctor.

Uniform orders – an order form is attached for those in need of additional uniforms. Please return all orders to school by Friday February 7.

Volunteer Checks – we are endeavouring to ensure that our processes at school are in line with those across a range of areas.

As such, it is time to remind everyone to ensure that your volunteer checks are up to date. If you have not sent a copying of your most recent volunteer check to school, please update it through the following website:

http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check/apply/apply

There is no cost for volunteer checks.

If you already have a current volunteer WWCC as part of your involvement in children’s sports or other programs outside of school, we would appreciate if you would send a copy to school.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in completing these checks.

P & F News – Please note the Annual General Meeting is to be held on Tuesday February 18, 2020 at 7:00pm in our school library. All executive positions will be vacant.

Sincerely