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Dear Parents and Carers
NAIDOC Theme 2020 Always Was. Always will Be
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
The official NAIDOC theme - Always was, Always will be. - contains a strong resonance to Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical “Laudato Sì, on Care for our Common Home.”
We remember Pope John Paul II’s address at Alice Springs in 1986 when he told (the aboriginal people): ‘You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.’
This discernment group has said, ‘The Uluru Statement from the Heart continues to echo these sentiments and a deep cry for healing. Humble listening will bring healing for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2020 National NAIDOC Week theme has been developed to shine a focus on the length of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander occupation of Australia. In our narratives Aboriginal people talk of continuous occupation of being here when time began, we are part of the Dreaming – past, present and future.
Anthropologists and archaeologists have dated our sites to being hundreds of thousands years old, in fact recording some of these sites as being the oldest on this planet.
Additionally, the NAIDOC theme seeks to get the community to explore and learn about and appreciate the wealth and breadth of Indigenous Nations, languages and knowledge of this continent. Exploring and learning about Indigenous understandings of the environment, plants, animals, greater astronomy and cosmology, waters, land use and protection, Indigenous sciences and maths.
We need to question ourselves and understand:
How does learning this knowledge expand current western teachings to have a greater understanding of the world around us as individuals, as a community of learners and activists in looking after our environments?
Staff Farewell
Sadly we say farewell to Louise Breedan at the end of this year who has taken up a position at St Patrick’s School for the new school year. We will have a more formal acknowledgement of Mrs Breedan at a later date and wish her well in her new venture.
After School Pick-up
Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding as we all work together to facilitate the pick up of 500 students. We remind parents to ensure they remember to social distance when they are waiting at the gates and be mindful of our neighbours when you are parking. For those coming through the carpark to utilise "kiss and drop" we ask that you do not arrive to early. The school students are not dismissed until 3.10pm and we need to allow for children to be picked up frm the ELC at 2.30pm.
The fees for the 2021 School year have now been set and approved by DOSCEL.
School Fee and Levy Structure 2021
School Fees: $2,080 per family per year ($520 per term)
Building Levy: $710 per family per year ($177.50 per term)
Education Levy: (per child per year)
Foundation $500 per child plus $75 Swimming Program
Year 1 $500 per child plus $75 Swimming Program
Year 2 $500 per child plus $75 Swimming Program
Year 3 $500 per child plus $160 Camp Fee (Philip Island 2 days)
Year 4 $500 per child plus $260 Camp Fee (Melbourne 2 days)
Year 5 $500 per child plus $360 Camp Fee (Grantville 3 days)
Year 6 $500 per child plus $670 Camp Fee (Canberra 5 days)
A discount of $50 applies if annual fee amount is paid in full before 28 February.
Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)
Families who have a Pension or Health Care Card can claim funds from the CSEF which will be credited off their school fee account. Please complete the CSEF application form and return to the school office.
All families who receive CSEF are eligible for a reduction in fees also. Please contact the school office.
Financial Difficulty
Any families experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to contact the school via finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au
There is a process for the application of special consideration due to fianancial hardship.
Every day counts at school – so please ensure your child attends each day provided they are well.
In the event of your child being absent, the school MUST be informed by 9:00am. This can be via email absent@stclaresofficer.cathlic.edu.au, through the Skoolbag app or on the phone 5940 6777. In the case of an unexplained absence, you will be contacted via SMS and then telephone.
While you may email the Learning Group Teacher we also ask that you ensure you also email absent@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au as this email is monitored by more than one staff member.
Please note that we are required by law to report unexplained or unreasonable absences to the relevant Government Authorities.
Monday 14 December |
Year 6 Graduation |
Wednesday 16 December |
Final School Day for Students |
Friday 18 December |
School Office Closes |
SCHOOL FEES - If your situation has changed meaning you now have a pension or health care card please let us know at the office or email finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au This can make a substantial difference to you school fees.
Families who have concerns about their financial situation are asked to contact the school via email finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au, so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements.
DIRECT DEBITS 2021 - For those families who havea direct debit set up, a letter will come home with the students later this week outlining the new direct debit amount for 2021. if you have any queries please contact the school on 5940 6777 or email finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au
VISITORS TO SCHOOL - For the safety of all, visitors to the school are being kept to a minimum and entrance to the office is only when essential. Please contact the office on 5940 6777 if you have any queries or require assistance.
EARLY PICK FROM SCHOOL - For those students who are being supervised at school, should they need to be collected early we ask that parents ring the school once they have arrived at school to collect the child. We will then arrange to bring the child out to you in the "kiss and drop zone". We ask you to also bare in mind that from 1.30pm to 2.10pm the students are outside. While we can call for them over the PA System, the students do not always hear it while they are playing.
Online Sessions For Parents, Carers and Grandparents - Parenting during COVID19
The Our Place Bridgewood Community Team have organised 2 online sessions for parents, carers and grandparents, to be delivered by Parentzone – Anglicare.
Join one or both sessions, it’s up to you. All welcome!
Dates: Tuesday 24th Nov at 10:30am and Friday 27th Nov 1pm
More details available via attached flyers.
Registrations are essential so that links to join the session can be provided.
Let the Community Team know you would like to attend by visiting: https://forms.gle/LQkq4X7YgUn92FNe7