Term 4, Week 6 Newsletter
Principal's Message
Fun Run Wash-up
What a brilliant day with parents, extended families, teachers and students having a ball! Days like these showcase the wonderful school spirit at St Finbarr’s and that a sense of fun is always high on the agenda. Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who creatively constructed exciting challenges for the children to test their skills and courage. Thank you to our sponsors who's generosity helped make this event possible. To the teachers who joined in the spirit of the occasion and allowed themselves to be ‘slimed’ to the delights of the spectators at the end of the day. Finally, to the students who helped raise funds for new playground play equipment and supported the initiative with joy and enthusiasm.
We had:
- Over 60 parents helping on the day - set up/pack down, squirting, wetting, sliming and foaming our kids
- 7 canteen days with over 35 parents helping raising in excess of $6000
- The Halloween Disco with over 20 parents helping and raising over $1000
- The overall fundraising tally is still happening, however, we smashed it as a school community with our fundraising!
- We are very close to our fundraising goal and a final full report of the project will be published in our next newsletter.
Please enjoy this video of the fun run created by Mr Joe Keane, it really captures the spirit of the day.
Staff Development Day
Last Friday staff worked together to improve the learning, wellbeing and safety outcomes for all student by:
- A session led by Mrs Piccoli and Mr Bleakley highlighting effective teaching strategies.
- Unpacking the new 10 Child Safe Standards which are legislated by the Australian Government and
- Updating First Aid and CPR qualifications for all staff.
Parent Meeting- Next Wednesday @ 3.30 pm
All parents are invited to a meeting next Wednesday 22nd November at 3.30 pm in the staffroom. We will commence planning for 2024 and are seeking nominations for Class Parents and ideas and suggestions for social and fundraising activities. Please join us if you can or let us know if you are interested, however, you are unable to attend at this time.
After School Care
Thank you for the feedback from our recent survey regarding the need for After School Care at St Finbarr’s. We had 90 responses (excellent in regard to survey completion) with 72% answering Yes to seeking to use after School Care and 77% seeking Vacation Care. The written responses also provided valuable information as well as seeking more information. A flyer will be sent home with each family shortly which will provide more details. We have been told that the process for successfully completing all compliance requirements can be time consuming, however, we are keen to begin the process as soon as possible with a view to commence the service mid to late Term One 2024.
Music Parents
We are currently looking for enthusiastic musical parents who would like to join staff on stage singing or playing an instrument at the end of the year. The group will lead the students and community at the Christmas Carols Family Picnic on Wednesday December 6th.
Please contact the school if you would like to be involved and we will aim to find a suitable time to begin our practice. It should be loads of fun.
Thank you
A big thank you to Dvine Electrical for their support and great work with the new school bubblers.
Term 4 School Fees
Term 4 school fees were issued to families last week and are due for completion by the end of the month. Your invoices have been uploaded to your Compass APP. Please ensure any outstanding Term 3 school fees are finalised as soon as possible.
Statements are issued by email at the end of each month, please note that if the final balance on your statement is a negative number that means that you are in credit and there is nothing to pay on your account. Statements are automatically generated monthly and go to all account holders, even if nothing is owing.
If you require further clarification please contact Alison Mason in the front office.
Yours in Partnership,
Tim Bleakley
Principal
Mission
Remembrance Day
Last Saturday, November 11th, was Remembrance Day, which marked the end of World War 1 over 100 years ago. We remember all those who died in that war and all those who have died in wars and conflicts since then and we thank them in our hearts for all they have sacrificed.
On Monday morning, we held a prayer assembly in the hall, to acknowledge this very special day while recognising in places in our world today, there is still conflict, and praying that we value the freedoms we enjoy, committing ourselves to creating peace in our world.
Our students displayed reverence as eleven candles were set alight as we prayed for justice, peace, love , loyalty, compassion, mercy, hope, friendship, gererosity, freedom and sacrifice.
God of love, mercy and compassion,
through your Son Jesus, you show us how to be peacemakers.
We are grateful to those who have given their lives in times of war,
and we ask that you help us to live in harmony, peace and unity.
We make our prayer in Jesus’ name,
Amen
Save the Date
Our Infants Mass- Kindergarten, Year One & Year 2 will be celebrated next Friday the 24th of November. All St Finbarr's families and friends are warmly invited to join us at St Finbarr's Church, Byron Bay, 9:30am.
St Vincent's Christmas Card Competition
Yours In Partnership,
Mrs Sonya Piccoli
Assistant Principal Mission & Additional Needs
Wellbeing
Amy MacGregor
School Counsellor
Sports News
State Athletics
Congratulations to Milla P, Kaia L and Roley C on their achievements at the State Athletics Carnival in Sydney, you should all be very proud of your achievements. Thank you to the parents for travelling with your children and supporting them in their preparation for the event.
Lisa Clark
Sports Coordinator
