Dear Parents and Carers,

Today is the final day of term 3 for students. What a busy but productive term we have had! The students and staff have worked hard on their core learning, as well as other important community events such as the Grenfell Show. They have definitely earned a well deserved rest!

Lunch Orders

You asked - we listened! One of the great suggestions made by a parent in the ‘Tell Them From Me Parent Survey’ was to add an additional day and supplier to our lunch order offerings. We are pleased to say, that from term 4, Kim Chi Bakery and Cafe will supply lunch orders to our students on Wednesdays!

This will be in addition to our current offering of Unwind Cafe on Tuesdays and Mick’s Bakery on Thursdays.

The usual process applies of bringing money in your child’s reusable lunch order bag the day before serving day. This may mean that you need to purchase an additional reusable bag if your child is to order on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Please see the new menu later in the newsletter.

Communication

As I expressed at the start of the term, the relationship between parents/carers and teachers is vital in ensuring success for our students at school. We recognise the importance of parents/carers as the first educators of their children - you know your child best! Communication is essential in keeping parents informed of what is happening at school and how that support can be continued at home. Regular communication is supported and encouraged by the school!

The first point of contact for parents with teachers is via email. If you have a message/information to communicate with teachers please send them an email. If you have more to discuss it is vital that you schedule an appointment time to meet with teachers. Before school, after school and when a teacher is on duty are not suitable times to ‘catch the teacher for a chat’. During these times, teachers are busy preparing resources for the day or supervising and monitoring students and are responsible for duty of care of children during these times. Talking to teachers detracts from the safety of students and also impacts on teacher preparation time. Therefore, an email to the teacher is preferable, communicating your message or question, or to arrange a suitable time to meet with the teacher.

Further, from the 26th August 2024, the Fair Work Commission introduced the ‘Right to Disconnect’ for most Australian employees, including teachers and school staff. In order to support this initiative and to support the life-work balance of our staff, teachers are encouraged to “disconnect” from work (school) outside the hours of 8am and 5pm. This means that staff are not expected to return calls or emails outside this time and parents are encouraged to ensure that any calls or emails they are sending take place within these hours please. 

You can find out more information about the ‘Right to Disconnect’ here: https://www.fwc.gov.au/issues-we-help/right-disconnect-disputes/what-right-disconnect

How to contact us:

Melissa Hotham - melissa.hotham@cg.catholic.edu.au

Loyola Best - loyola.best@cg.catholic.edu.au

Natalia Caruana - natalie.caruana@cg.catholic.edu.au

Lachlan Martens - lachlan.martens@cg.catholic.edu.au

Cindy Washbrook - cindy.washbrook@cg.catholic.edu.au

Danielle McFarlane - danielle.mcfarlane@cg.catholic.edu.au

Deb Green - deborah.green@cg.catholic.edu.au

Dione Ryan - dione.ryan@cg.catholic.edu.au

Kathy Harvey - kathryn.harvey@cg.catholic.edu.au

Term 4 Important Dates

Monday 14th October: Pupil free day (staff development)

Tuesday 15th October: Students return to school

Thursday 17th October: Open Evening & BBQ

Tuesday 22nd October: Community Council Meeting 5.30pm

Friday 25th October: Boorowa Footy & Netball Carnival (Years 2-6)

Monday 11th November: K/1 Canberra Excursion

Wednesday-Friday 20th-22nd November: Yrs 2-6 Berry Recreation Camp

Thursday 12th December: Presentation Evening

Sunday 15th December: Carols

Tuesday 17th December: Yr 6 Graduation Mass

Wednesday 18th December: Last day for students

I hope you enjoy a restful break and hopefully enjoy some sunshine and time together as a family.

Kind thoughts,

Melissa Hotham

Principal

International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on September 21. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. If we all do our part we can make a difference!

International Day of Peace Prayers

Merciful and loving God,

We come into your presence with open hearts as we unite for world justice and peace.

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS

We pray for peace and justice within our communities and around the world.

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS

We pray that youth across the globe will come together to positively enrich their lives, their communities and their countries.

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS

We pray for peace among all people of various cultural traditions.

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS

We pray for world political solutions that will bring peace and justice to all of God’s people, created in God’s image.

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS

We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival

Save the date! 25th October 2024

Next term in Week 2 our Year 2-6 students will be heading to Boorowa for the popular annual  Touch and Netball Carnival.  The carnival will see over 200 touch teams and over 100 netball teams all come together from across Canberra and the local NSW area to have a fun day playing sport and interacting with other students.

A few weeks ago, students from Years 2-6 started training for the carnival.  Students have selected one of the sports for training and we would love to see everyone participating and attend Boorowa for the carnival.

Information about the event has been sent to parents via Compass. Please provide consent asap.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Many thanks,

Cindy Washbrook