Last week, Julie Inglese and myself attended the School Improvement Learning Collective (SILC) to continue to build momentum and to work towards progressing our Annual Action Plan. Schools from around the eastern region meet each term to review, discuss and to plan effective and purposeful strategies to ensure the realisation of our annual goals.
FAITH & MISSION:
This weekend, we celebrate with many families whose children will be receiving Jesus for the first time in First Eucharist. It is such a beautiful time for our children and their families. Congratulations to Chiara, Brooklyn, Tilly, Vanessa, Olivia, Sarah, Mila, Mitchell, Clem, Jack, Tilly, Isobel, Madison, Oliver, and Ava. We are fortunate to have some candidates who have prepared with the parish: Gabriella, Jensen, Jiawei, Shayan, Rory and Miguel. May this first communion be the first of many where the children grow in love and joy with Jesus and feel his presence in their lives more acutely and personally.
Winter school uniform check in:
I have, and continue to be very flexible saying that children who prefer to wear shorts during winter can do so. However, if your child is feeling the cold and decides to wear non-uniform items like leggings, other non-school jumpers etc, please ensure they do not. Your child needs to wear school issued long pants for either sports or winter uniforms.
Please note:
Leggings are NOT a part of our school uniform and are not to be worn;
ONLY white socks with sports uniform and navy blue socks/tights with school uniform;
The jacket is to be worn outside only and NOT in place of a jumper in class;
School shoes are to be worn with the school uniform and runners with the sports uniform. Please do not allow your child to mix these up;
Any change to what your child is wearing on any school day requires a short email or verbal communication to the class teacher.
TEACHING & LEARNING:
It has been another fun week with Book Week holding our attention throughout. I hear the parade on Monday was fantastic and l want to thank all families for helping their child enter into the spirit of the week by ensuring their child dressed up. The photos l have seen reveal the many creative people we have in our community. The staff looked incredible. I wonder what destination you would book if you were to Book an Adventure.
We are getting super excited about our upcoming SCHOOL PRODUCTION, ‘ Bring back the Beat’. Tayla Buxton is doing an outstanding job, bringing everything together. Tickets will be going on sale soon and we ask that you consider the following:
The technical rehearsal will occur in the afternoon as a matinee session, starting at 1.00pm sharp at Doncaster Secondary College. We will charge $5 per person and think this would be a great option for toddlers or grandparents/carers who cannot make the evening. Premiere.
The Premiere session will be $18 per ticket. We have limited seats- approximately 290 in total which allows for just 3 tickets per family. If families could split bigger ticket purchases to 3 for the evening performance and additional tickets for the Matinee session, we would appreciate it. We ask that toddlers sit on an adults knee to allow others to purchase seats.
WELLBEING:
Last Friday, Gabrielle Carter and l attended an introductory session for Respectful Relationships. This is a very impressive program the Victorian Government has developed and revised over several years. It is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from Foundation to Year 12. It is all about embedding a culture of respect and equality across the entire school community. Whilst the program is mandated in all government schools, MACS schools are now adopting it to run alongside other rich programs such as the Positive Behaviours for Learning framework, the Resilience Project, Smiling Minds and the like. Staff will be working hard to learn about the program before implementing it in 2026 and l look forward to sharing the fundamental elements with you all. It will fit in beautifully with our PBL pillars- Be SAFE, Be RESPECTFUL and Be RESPONSIBLE.
Be RESPECTFUL:
Every so often it comes to my attention or the attention of a teacher that children can say things that, intentionally or unintentionally, can hurt and confuse other children. I am asking YOU to have a conversation with your child about being sensitive to what they observe and whether it is helpful or hurtful to comment on that. Do we need to comment on:
another person’s skin colour
another person’s cultural heritage
another person’s sporting ability
another person’s faith
another person’s uniqueness
another person who has different gifts and talents to yours, that you may not value
When comments are made, this can lead to exclusion, to a person feeling discounted and ultimately that connection to community can be severely impacted. When parents don’t have the conversation or children hear adults expressing their own intolerances to others, those children can demonstrate these attitudes and behaviours at school. I would hope that St Luke’s remains a community of compassionate people where inclusivity, safety, respect and kindness are key to our ways of being.
Be SAFE:
At assembly this week, the children were informed of the following. The oval in the top right corner has been closed and is an out of bounds area due to people climbing trees and lots of tree litter- sticks, branches and logs being thrown over the fence. Some neighbours, who show great patience with living next to the school, are very upset and have indicated they will call the police the next time this happens. If this was to occur, l will be ringing parents of those children involved to discuss the concern and what consequences need to occur. It would be great if parents could have a chat with their child/ren to reinforce the message that we can all co-exist very easily if we are respectful of each other’s property.
COMMUNITY:
We have the FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST coming up soon on Friday 5th September with a P&F Father’s Day Stall later in the day. Make sure you look out for the invite coming your way. Our Dads and their children will need to RSVP for catering purposes.
The P&F organised COLOUR RUN was launched on Monday and there is loads of fun to be had leading up to the event on Friday 17th October. Dani Fusca spoke to the children at our Monday assembly and a flyer went home earlier this week explaining how to register your participation. Students who have already registered this week received an icy pole today. Well done!
I count my blessings again that l have had such a special opportunity to travel to Cairns this week. I have listened to many inspiring people who have shared their own story. I have reconnected with old friends who make up my tapestry. This is a place where God’s creative touch is evident every way l turn. But what l feel most blessed about is returning home where my heart is…to family and my community at Blackburn South.
Have a lovely weekend.
Clare
