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Dear Parents
ON TIME, EVERY DAY
During the current COVID-19 pandemic parents are rightfully urged to take a cautious approach and keep children and young people at home if they show symptoms of the virus.
It’s a balancing act if you’re a parent as one the most important things you can do to ensure your child has a bright future is to make sure he or she goes to school every day - and gets there on time. It sounds simple, but it’s true. The correlation between school attendance and children’s achievement levels is well established. The more time kids spend at school, the more likely they are to experience school success. Of course, most people know this intuitively, yet school absenteeism is a huge problem in Australian schools.
According to a report by the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority nearly 13 per cent of Australian students are missing at least one year of schooling by the time they reach year 10. In today’s highly competitive world, this rate of absenteeism is alarming, putting our kids at a distinct disadvantage.
Current research shows that mornings for most children are the most productive time of the day, with 10.00am the peak period for productivity. When children arrive late and take time to settle as they inevitably do, valuable learning time is lost.
It’s reassuring to know that you can maximise their chances of future success just by making sure they turn up to school every day. And, of course, regular school attendance also helps kids prepare for the workforce, where it will be expected that they turn up each day work-ready. The real world is unforgiving of those who stay away with no excuse.
As a parent:
- Commit to sending children to school every day
- Make sure children arrive at school and class on time
- Inform the school when they are away, sending medical certificates and other evidence of genuine absence
- Follow current COVID-19 health guidelines and recommendations
- Consider catching-up on missed work
- Make children who are away stay in their bedroom, which is where unwell children should be
SAVE THE DATE
On Monday 31 May at 7:00pm
Susan McLean, a world authority on Cyber Safety,
will be running a Parent Workshop on
Keeping Your Child Safe Online
We are in communication with Susan McLean around what this may look like based on the current COVID restrictions. We will provide you with an update as soon as we hva ethe information.
Year 3 - Why I Like St Clare's
Zayden
I like St Clare’s because it’s big and beautiful. St Clare’s is a special place because they have a lot of teachers that help those that need it. If you are in the playground or during class the teachers are there to help.
Chloe
I like St Clare’s because not many schools are this big and have this much room to play. St Clare’s is a special place because teachers are all around and they are always there to help you if you are sad or hurt or sick.
Charlotte
I like St Clare’s because the school is a big place of safety and kindness and we are all friends. St Clare’s is a special place because not many schools show kindness, optimism, respect and safety. We grow in faith and we will be very kind when we are older and we might teach other people.
Elyssa
I like St Clare’s because the set up is so beautiful, the teachers are kind and we have the best principal ever known! St Clare’s is a special place because we show R.O.C.K.S and do prayers every morning and afternoon!
Jax
I like St Clare’s because of the way we learn and what we learn. We have the best teachers and its good because it’s close to everyone. St Clare’s is a special place because they show R.O.C.K.S. We grow in our faith and learning journey and it’s so beautiful.
Zaviyar
I like St Clare’s because we show R.O.C.K.S as no other school does. St Clare’s is a special place because we don’t have bullies like other schools.
Summer
I like St Clare’s because it has an absolutely incredible principal named Miss Staindl! St Clare’s is a special place because it has wonderful groovy funny teachers.
Sienna
I like St Clare’s because everybody is kind and respectful and there are no bullies in this school. St Clare’s is a special place because all the teachers are kind and we are the only school with R.O.C.K.S.
Dear God,
Thank you for all the beautiful schools we have and the kind people. Amen
(forms are also available at the office)
Roles of the Executive Committee of the Parents & Friends Committee (P&F)
PRESIDENT
Role
The key task of the president is to ensure that the needs and wishes of the parent body are given a voice and that good relationships are established with the principal and teachers. The president is a guide for, and example to all parents.
- Provides Leadership. As a leader, be a role model by listening, showing interest, appreciation and confidence in members, identify opportunities for improvements;
- Acting as a spokesperson for the committee;
- Ensure meetings follow the agenda and run on time;
- Follow up on actions from the previous meeting;
- Ensuring adequate and efficient communication exists between the members of the committee and the school;
- Make sure as many opinions as possible are expressed;
- Ensure speakers are not interrupted;
- Develops a working relationship with the Secretary and other members of the executive;
- Liaise with committee members at P&F run events; and
- Encourage parents to participate.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Role
The key task of the vice-president is to
- Presiding as chair at meetings where the President is absent;
- Provides Leadership;
- Being familiar with the operation of the P&F;
- Becoming acquainted with the duties of President;
- Having a working understanding of meeting rules and procedures;
- Works with the President by sharing tasks to achieve the goals of the committee; and
- Undertaking tasks to reduce the burden of the President.
SECRETARY
Role
The Secretary is very important to the efficient operation of any organization. A secretary needs enthusiasm, initiative and an ability to work with the President. The Secretary’s main functions are:
- Drawing up, in consultation with the President, the meeting agendas;
- Notice of meeting to attendees;
- Communicate with the President on any urgent correspondence as soon as possible after listing;
- Keeping full and correct minutes of the P&F meetings;
- Acting upon decisions as directed by the meeting;
- List all incoming and outgoing correspondence;
- Attending to the correspondence of the committee;
- List attendees;
- Prepare and distribute minutes as soon as possible after the meeting;
- Looking after the committee documents;
- Meetings—assist the President in smooth running of meetings;
- Develop a working relationship with the President of the committee;
- Maintaining an up to date register of committee members;
TREASURER
Role
The Treasurer accounts for and reports on the finances of the P&F. The Treasurer needs to be a person of trust and responsibility. The Treasurer’s job is one of the most important roles in ensuring the smooth running of the P&F. Some key responsibilities of the Treasurer are:
- Responsibility for financial management of the P&F;
- Keep accurate accounts of receipts and expenditure;
- Supply a statement of finance to the meeting; and
- Prepare and annual statement.
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBER
Role
- Attend meetings as regularly as possible and be punctual.
- Be prepared for the meeting by reading minutes of previous meeting.
- Send apologies if unable to come to the next meeting.
- Be prepared to listen attentively when others are speaking.
- Be co-operative at all times, sharing interest in the issues at hand and doing your best to ensure that the meetings runs efficiently and do not move from the point.
- Responsibility for what has been agreed should be shared by all group members.
- Where possible, manage individual fundraising events throughout the year.
Issue 4 has been sent home with students
All orders are to be placed via LOOP - please do not send cash to school.
Orders close 14 June 2021 so that we receive delivery prior to the end of term.
Thursday 27 May |
Secondhand Uniform Shop Open 8.40am to 9.30am and 2.15pm to 3pm |
Friday 28 May |
Year 5 & 6 Basketball and Soccer Clinics School Assembly |
Saturday 29 May |
First Communion Mass at 6pm |
Sunday 30 May |
First Communion Mass at 10.30am and 2pm |
Monday 31 May |
Susan McLean - Cybersafety Parent Workshop |
Friday 11 June |
P & F Meeting AGM |
Monday 14 June |
NO SCHOOL - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday |
Friday 25 June |
Last day of Term 2 |
SCHOOL FEES
School fee statements have been emailed to families. Please note that term 2 fees are now due and payable. If you have a direct debit there is no need to do anything.
If you situation has changed and you now have a Pension or Health Care Card please contact the office as we can assist you with your fees.
Likewise if you are having difficulties with fees please contact finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au to arrange a time for a confidential discussion.
HOLIDAYS DURING TERM
Students enjoy more than 10 weeks holidays each year and therefore we do not encourage students to miss school unless there are extraordinary circumstances. We also acknowledge that there are occasions when family circumstances prevent attendance. These considerations must be taken into account when arranging holidays.
Please complete this form if your child is going to be absent for more than 3 school days. An absence of more than 3 days cannot be entered through PAM.
This form can also be located in the Parent Knowledge Bank on PAM
PAM - Parent Access Module
All parents MUST have access to PAM. This is the portal that we will be using for all communications between school and home. Information regarding excursions will be provided via PAM and parents grant permission for the children to participate in excursions via this portal also. Excusions will be commencing in Term 2, therefore it is VITAL that all parents activate their account if you have not already done so.
If you are having any issues please email admin@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au
Here is the link for the St Clare's Parent Access Portal (PAM)
You username is the email address that you have registered with the school. The first time you log in we ask that you use the forgotten password feature to set your own password.
ALL parents must access PAM to receive up to date information and grant necessary permissions. Students will miss out on events if permission is not granted.
MEDICAL INFORMATION - When you update your child's medical information in PAM - PLEASE ensure this is accurate. The school must have current up to date asthma, allergy, anaphylaxis or medical plans for those students identified with these conditions and any other medical conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy. This is to ensure we have relevant information to assist your child with the management of these medical conditions.
SKOOLBAG is no longer being used. To report student absence please use PAM, email absent@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au or call 5940 6777
Please ensure the school has your current contact details - this includes address, email, work numbers etc. To update details please email admin@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au or call 5940 6777. Through PAM parents are also able to update your child's medical details.
Have you ticked the kinder registrations task off your to-do list yet?
Families with children across Cardinia Shire are preparing for kindergarten in 2022 by submitting their registration applications and updating their placement preferences now.
Our online kindergarten portal makes it quick and easy to check and update your placement preferences, contact details and application information.
Final date for changes and new applications for first round offers is 5pm, Wednesday 30 June 2021.
For more, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/kindergarten