Welcome to Week Four

Apart from the dramas of last week’s storm, the start back to school has been very smooth.  Everyone is engaged in their learning and have settled into school routine. Our Sacramental evening with Elio Capra on Thursday night was well received and we have entered into the Lenten season in preparation for Easter. The postponed Sacramental  session from Tuesday night, due to the storm and power outage, has been rescheduled and the relevant families will be informed this week. Over the next two weekends our Year three students will be presented at Saturday night or Sunday morning masses as the first step in the receiving of this Sacrament.

I look forward to seeing some of our parents at tonight’s P&F Annual General meeting. 7:00pm start in the school staff room with entry off the front car park. If anyone is interested in being part of the P&F leadership team please contact me, principal@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au, before the meeting. 

BIGNELL ROAD / CENTRE ROAD LIGHTS

Last Wednesday I met with our local member Nick Staikos and the minister for roads and safety Melissa Horne as they announced the starting date for the traffic lights that are to be installed at the intersection of Centre and Bignell Roads.

Work will commence in April and will continue until November. Bignell Road will have two lanes to exit on to Centre Road, a designated left and designated right turning lane with crossing lights across Bignell Road. There will be some traffic disruption and I will provide further details as we get closer to the start date. These lights will make this area so much safer and I am grateful to Nick Staikos for gaining the funding for this project.

STORM DAMAGE UPDATE

Following the storm last Tuesday our insurance company has quickly been into action. The area has been made safe with fencing and a covering tarp. The structural inspection has revealed no damage and there is no electrical damage.  Scaffolding has been installed in readiness for the tiles to be relaid. There has been a reduction in part of the play area which also impacts when the children line up but the students have quickly adapted to this change.

WELCOME NEW STAFF 

We welcome two new Learning Support staff who have commenced this week.

Gabby Collingwood - Gabby will commence today, Monday the 19th of February working full days Monday to Thursday in Year Two. Gabby comes to us with experience working at supporting a range of students having moved to Melbourne to continue to pursue her AFLW passion.

Paula Sullivan - Paula will commence Tuesday the 20th of February working 9:00 - 1:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Paula will be working in Foundation. Paula has worked as a  Learning Support Officer and a support worker and was recommended by a number of staff.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

A reminder that sibling photos will be taken on Friday, the 1st March and Class and Individual photos will be taken on Monday, 4th March. Students wear full summer uniform NOT sports uniform on these days.

UNIFORM UPDATE

Congratulations on the high number of students wearing the correct uniform right down to sock colour. It has been a great effort by everyone. There is currently a trend in the senior part of the school to wear white bows in hair. This is not within our school uniform. Bows etc in hair should be red or green.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

At the end of last year two members of our School Advisory Council (SAC) retired from their positions. Ed Terkelsen and Darren Bloomfield had served our community as members of our SAC and before that our school board for several three year terms with Darren having served as chair of the board and council. We are very grateful to both Ed and Darren for their service and thank them for the strong position they have left us in at this level of governance in our school.

UPDATE OF CONTACT DETAILS

I need all families to go into their Operoo account and ensure their contact details including emergency contacts are accurate and up to date. We are informed by Operoo of any changes you make in this space and we will then update all records at school. Please make this a priority this week.

SHROVE TUESDAY THANKYOU

On behalf of the many classes who had parent volunteers assist with the cooking of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, thank you. You certainly made it much easier for classroom teachers.

PRIVILEGE OF PRINCIPALSHIP

There are many moments as principal of St Peter’s where I am very proud of our students. Last Wednesday’s Ash Wednesday Mass was one of these occasions. Our Year Three to Year Six students participated fully in the prayers and were very peacefully reflective during the anointing with ashes and after communion. It was very impressive.

EXCESS FURNITURE - AND HELP REQUIRED

We currently have excess furniture, due to upgrading our classroom furniture. Rather than sending them to landfill, we are offering them free to the community. There are approximately 75 chairs, so you may know of a community group who may like them or individuals are more than welcome to come and pick up chairs or tables.

We would also like to have a clean out of the storage sheds. We are seeking volunteers to assist on Friday, 1st March at 9.ooam to assist Andrea Crough and Steph Hunt clean out some of the items in the school sheds.

If you are able to help out on the 1st of March or would like any of this furniture please email Steph Hunt shunt@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au  

Our next Walk/Ride To School Day will be on Friday, 8th March.

In the meantime keep Active by Walking, Riding or Scootering to school whenever you can!!

Don't forget to have your cards clipped whenever you walk, ride or scooter to school and return your completed cards to the office to receive a new one.

As is always the case with the return to school, the roads, parking and school crossings surrounding your school are very busy. 

Glen Eira Council has created a short, animated video for school parents and community.  It is a fabulous 2 and half minute video that explains parking signs, how the school crossing operates and aims to promote safety surrounding your schools.  It encourages students to walk or ride to school too, even if only from a few blocks away, to help ease traffic congestion, improve healthy activity and to help the environment.

Please click on the link below to view the video

https://vimeo.com/795049475/01d1dc8db4

We welcome any questions or feedback.

 Regards,