Newsletter Term 4, Week 4
SCHOOL CLOSURE - Monday 1st November
PUBLIC HOLIDAY - Tuesday 2nd November
Back to school for everyone - Wednesday 3rd November
Dear Parents,
Next week, on Wednesday 3rd November, we are all finally back to school! It will have been 17 weeks since we have all been onsite at the school learning together which has had both its ups and downs. I would like to congratulate all of the children on your persistence in continuing with remote flexible learning even during those times that you found it most difficult. Your resilience and stamina are to be commended.
I would also like to congratulate our parents for their continued support of not only their children but of our teachers and the school. The last 17 weeks along with the last 2 years have truly demonstrated what it means to be in partnership with one another in the education of our children.
Finally, I would like to congratulate and thank our staff. Once again they have had to ‘adapt and pivot’ their teaching programs to suit the needs of all of our children, taking feedback from the parents and the children on how best to do this at times. I continue to be in awe of their ability to innovate and provide engaging and exciting lessons to motivate our children in their learning during the most difficult of circumstances. I am sure you would all agree they do an amazing job!
Last week we said goodbye and good luck to Ms. Gleich who teaches specialist Science two days a week to all of our students. Ms. Gleich went on parental leave as she is expecting her second child in a matter of weeks. We wish Roisin, Brett and Archie (who is going to be a big brother) all the very best for the impending birth of Baby Pearce.
As we return to school, I would like to outline the procedures for families if you or your child have a positive case of COVID or are a Primary Close Contact (PCC). With all of the confusing and ever changing information that is being provided by the Department of Health, we thought we would put together a flow chart (please scroll further down) to outline for families the procedures that need to be followed to get your child to school as quickly as possible and to keep our community safe. Please have a look just in case you or your child are required to follow it.
Andrea Richards
Principal
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT DATES THIS TERM
Follow our socials for the latest learning posts from the classroom
Each week, students who embody our values, apply the school mindsets to learning, work hard to improve or persevere to deliver on learning objectives are awarded a class award. The students who earned an award in the past weeks are:
Term 4, Week 3
Term 4, Week 4
Australia Celebrates World Teacher’s Day 2021
Australia will celebrate and thank the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day on Friday 29 October 2021.
Our teachers (with support from our parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite the many major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of our children and students, their families, and communities.
As a staff, we are celebrating Teachers on Friday the 5th of November when all staff are back at school. If your child would like to thank their teachers for the role they have played in their lives this year, here is a link to 10 Easy Ways to Thank a Teacher
As part of their innovation unit, Prep had a ‘Gingerbread Man Day’ on Tuesday. They worked though the design process to make something to help the Gingerbread Man get across the river. The students worked in collaborative groups to design, plan, build and test their water crafts. To top off a great day, in the afternoon they got to eat some yummy gingerbread men.
St Margaret Mary Feast Day
Our children from Year Prep to Year 6 celebrated the Feast of St Margaret Mary. After reflecting on the events of her life Middle A created these symbols to represent their understanding of St Margaret Mary's life and mission. Year 5/6 reflected by responding in prayer or poems.
St Margaret Mary pray for us, like when you pray to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Keep the Sacred Heart close to the bad as well as the good. We believe in you, like Jesus believed that you could keep us safe during the tough times. Pray for people's wrongdoings and forgive them for the bad that they have done. Thank you for the past and thank you for the good, thank you for the future and thank you for the time we have now to spend with our family
By Ruby
St Margaret Mary,
The bringer of joy to the kids,
She is a soul who never fibs,
A holy place she lives,
Peace she gives,
She always forgives.
By Finbar
The Preps and Year 3/4 raising awareness and money for Catholic Mission Week by wearing crazy socks to school, donating money and playing plastic bag soccer.
The playground is just about finished!!! It is our hope that the kids will be happily playing on their new equipment by next Wednesday at the latest!!
What a way to celebrate everyone being back on deck!!!
The College was both sad and proud last week to farewell the Class of 2021. The endurance and perseverance of these students has been remarkable and we know that our future is in good hands with these young people. In their last two years, they have coped with a lockdown in each term of their entire VCE. Just finishing is a testament to their tenacity and GRIT. We applaud them and congratulate them and wish them good luck for their upcoming exams.
As we are farewelling one cohort, we are preparing to welcome another. This week we have conducted the Year 7, 2022 Virtual Information Night. This was an opportunity for students and parents to hear more about what starting secondary school will be like and how the College will work with them for a smooth transition.
Our next events are the Twilight Talk and Tour events in mid-November, event and registration details can be found under the Tours & Events tab on the right hand side of the homepage of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
Our latest editions of EC News are out, please use the links below to enjoy a snapshot of life at the College during Term 3 this year.
St Paul’s Campus – https://www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au/uploads/EC-News-Term-3-SPC-web.pdf
Notre Dame Campus – https://www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au/uploads/EC-News-Term-3-NDC-web.pdf
Email Reminder
If you have changed address, phone numbers, emails or any of your family details need updating, please send an email using the button below through to the office account so this can be changed on our system for you.
SMM Family Statements
We would like to thank every family who has paid off their 2021 Family Statement or started making payment and those who have contacted the office or Andrea Richards regarding an agreement for these payments.
This is a reminder that these accounts are now overdue.
In previous years we have been able to extend this date somewhat, but due to a change in our administration software, this year we are requesting all payments be finalised by the due date, unless an agreement has been made.
Our system is currently being cleansed to prepare for the change over and your help with the finalisation of your account will greatly assist us with the new system being as accurate as possible when we go live at the end of this term.
We welcome your feedback so if you have anything to contribute to the newsletter, questions about content or general feedback, please let us know.