Dear parent and caregivers,

Let’s just say Week 6 was a short week yet it was certainly a busy one!

Last Friday, while most students enjoyed an extra-long weekend, staff completed their own online learning by participating in a number of TEAMS meetings and online e-learning modules. However, for our Kindergarten and Year 5/6 staff and students it was not the long weekend that I’m sure that they had planned as the Covid-19 pandemic impacted them. Thank you to everyone for your patience as we navigated our way through the first positive cases at school.

Once again, the rules have changed regarding Covid-19 protocols in school. Please click on the link below this message to access the latest information.

A reminder to all parents, if your child is unwell, please do not send them to school. As the peak of Covid positive cases has been predicted to hit next week, it is vital that we all work together and keep our whole school community safe and well.

Thank you to all our Year 3 to 6 students for adhering to the mask wearing mandate. While I appreciate the challenges that this may bring, I am very impressed by the way that students have taken on these new responsibilities. Well done to everyone!

I would like to wish Mrs Tanika Hewston all the best as she begins her Maternity Leave as of next week. We all cannot wait to meet the newest member of the Hewston Family!

Please continue to keep the people of Urkraine and the flood victims in your thoughts and prayers.

God bless and keep safe!

Rebecca Clarke

Principal

Unfortunately, the decision has been made to cancel swimming lessons for 2022. We have had notification from the Department of Education Interm and Vacation Swimming that there is a shortage of swim instructors with them having to isolate due to Covid-19. The question was asked whether we were interested in 1x 5 day week for Session 1 and 1 x 4 day week for Session 2 and feel at this time being so unpredictable that cancelling is the best option. Mel Dimond will adjust your payment arrangement to reflect the credit in your final fee payment.

If you are picking up your child early, please email the administration officer with enough notice so that arrangements can be made to have your child/children ready for collection on your arrival.

We have received feedback from local residents that some cars entering our school are not driving with consideration and slowing down near the local school zones.

There are many local pedestrians and students on foot and driving with two schools within this area that have very similar start and finish times. Whilst we appreciate that it can be hard navigating a busy time around school times and we may be rushing to work or appointments, we urge you to slow down and drive with consideration and follow the road rules. Drive safe! Thank you

As we grow together and build community, we are seeking to expand our Parent Class Rep network. This may be one or two parents per class who volunteer to be a Class Rep, with a focus on welcoming new families, arranging opportunities to families to connect and helping to keep parents informed. If you are interested, please let the P&F know by emailing the office on admin@stecps.wa.edu.au

Join in the fun of socks! Attached is the order forms for the P&F Sockable Fundraiser. The fundraiser commences today and concludes on the17th March. To order you simply scan the QR code on the attached order forms and pay online. Unfortunately, we cannot accept cash for this event.

Our school is taking part in the Colgate Community Garden Challenge, which will run between 24 February – 31 October. TerraCycle has partnered with Colgate and Chemist Warehouse to give seven lucky schools the chance to win a community garden kit, including upcycled garden beds, seating and more.

We will be collecting any used oral products such as toothpaste tubes and caps, manual plastic toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads, toothbrush plastic packaging and floss containers. Any brand of oral hygiene is accepted, and our aim is to prevent these items from going to landfill. A collection box will be in the front office.

You can also vote for our school by heading to any participating Chemist Warehouse store and scanning the Shelf Garden QR code to earn bonus votes. You can vote once a day!

Sacrament of Confirmation

Commitment Mass – Saturday, 2 April & Sunday, 3 April

Parent/Child Workshop 5:00pm Wednesday, 25 May

Retreat Day - Friday, 10 June

Sacrament of Confirmation – Saturday, 11 June & Sunday, 12 June

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Commitment Mass - Saturday, 18 June & Sunday, 19 June

Parent/Child Workshop - 5:00pm Wednesday, 10 August

Sacrament of Holy Communion - Saturday, 27 August & Sunday 28 August

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Commitment Mass - Saturday, 17 September & Sunday, 18 September

Parent/Child Workshop - 5:00pm Wednesday, 26 October

Sacrament of Reconciliation - 5:00pm Tuesday, 8 November & Wednesday, 9 November

Term 1 Monday, 31 January to Friday, 8 April

School Holidays: Saturday, 9 April – Monday, 25 April

Term 2 Tuesday, 26 April to Friday, 1 July

School Holidays: Saturday, 2 July – Sunday, 17 July

Term 3 Tuesday, 19 July to Friday, 23 September

School Holidays: Saturday, 24 September to Sunday, 9 October

Term 4 Tuesday, 11 October to Friday, 9 December

School Holidays: Saturday, 10 December – Sunday, 29 Jan 2023 (TBC)

**Please note there have been some date changes to the Student Free Days

Term 1 Friday, 4 March

Term 2 Tuesday, 7 June

Term 3 Monday, 18 July and Friday, 19 August

Term 4 Monday, 10 October