Dear Parents and Carers,

Week 4 has seen us continuing to work on a range of activities in a settled manner.  Although having said that we’ve been busy with classroom learning and sporting activities.

Today is our last swimming day for this term.

Technology is part of our lives today, and it is important to use it for our benefit. It is a powerful tool that we can choose to use to communicate.  I encourage families to talk about the different apps that can be used to “talk” with others.  It is important to be aware of age limits for the use of apps and the types of messages that are sent, in terms of the language used and the meaning that can be conveyed. 

A number of the children are bringing mobile personal devices to school in addition to their chromebooks and ipads.   The equipment is not being used, we ask that these items be left at home for safe keeping, as they are not needed at school.

To those who are working to get a balance between good use of technology and choosing to be tech free for part of everyday – well done!

Finding the balance is not always easy, but fantastic when achieved!

Parent Information Evening — our Parent information evening is on tonight at 5:00pm. We are looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you, information about your child’s class in 2019.  I encourage you to come along and meet with your child’s teacher to learn some more about units under way for this term and plans for the class this year.  It is a great opportunity for you to touch base with your child’s teacher early in the school year.

Hennessy BBQ – the annual BBQ with staff from Hennessy College in Young will also be held tonight.

Interruptions during the day – we ask that all visitors to school come to the front office, especially if you are dropping off lunch or classroom equipment or a message.  What may seem something small to you, can result in quite a large distraction to the whole class, as unexpected or unfamiliar people arriving at the classroom door is of interest to all.  These visits interrupt the flow of an activity.

Please leave Messages/equipment at the front office, we will get these to your children in a timely manner.

Schoolzine App – as you are aware we are moving to the Schoolzine platform for distributing information.  Please be aware that we will not be renewing the Skoolbag app.  Please take the time to install the SZapp as information is being distributed via SZapp and our website.

Glitches have been repaired and the newsfeed and calendar sections of the app should now be working.  Instructions for downloading the app to your smartphone are attached to this newsletter.

Our school calendar is updated every week and can be accessed through our school website at:

www.stjosephsgrenfell.nsw.edu.au

Please let us know if you are not receiving the Schoolzine updates once you have installed the SZapp.

Swimming Congratulations to all who represented us at the Western Region swimming in Tumut last Friday.  A very busy and successful day was had by all.  Congratulations to Ruby, Genevieve, Hamish and Xanthe who have all gained selection for the Archdiocesan carnival to be held in Narooma on March 4.

Cricket - our sporting schools cricket program begins with Matthew Tabbernor from Cricket NSW.  The sessions were enjoyed by the children and will continue during our regular Thursday sports time for another three weeks.

Mufti Day – our first mufti day for this year is set down for tomorrow.  Mufti days are one way that we raise money to support those in need.

Please remember to wear closed in shoes (not your favourite high heels) and be Sun Smart.  All children will wear their school hat.

Book Fair – this year, our Book Fair will be held in March.  Further information will be coming home once the books arrive.

Library news – we are currently awaiting the arrival of a number of books that have been requested by the children, I hope to see these on the shelves in the coming days.

Interestingly, a book was returned this week that had been on loan for 1423 days…. With the comment of “… sorry, we love that one!”

Sincerely,   

Therese Clancy