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Family Matters
Holy Family Primary School
29 April 2015
Issue 01
EDUCATING IN FAITH FOR TOMORROW’S POSSIBILITIES
DATES TO REMEMBER
Principal’s message
Mrs Anne-Marie Marek
Dear parents,
Welcome to Term 2 - to winter uniforms,
shorter days and colder weather. Over
the holidays the weather overall was
terrific. I hope the children had a chance
to recharge their batteries and are ready
for hard work this term. We have so
much happening: Mothers’ Day
breakfast, NAPLAN testing for Years 3 &
5, reading and maths testing for all other
students, excursions, Dance classes,
Masses, Enrolment period, Open Day,
CONFIRMATION ceremonies and
retreat day, Reporting, Three-way
conferences …. Our calendar is full!
I hope that you enjoyed the last two
weeks with the children. It’s nice to get
away or just be at home and not have to
be anywhere at a certain time. If you had
to work - I hope you were able to juggle
child-care, home and work, without any
hassles.
ENROLMENT PERIOD
Next week we begin the enrolment
period for the 2016 school year. The
Catholic Schools’ Enrolment period
commences on Monday 4 May and goes
till Friday 22 May. Our Open Day is
NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY 6 May
from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from
4pm to 6pm. Enrolment Packs will be
available from next Monday 4 May. If you
have a younger child who is
commencing school in 2016, or have
friends who are interested in enrolling in
Holy Family, please let them know.
Enrolment packs for pre-school will be
available from the ELCC office next
week…NOT from the School’s Front
Office. Pre-school information
evenings are: next week TUESDAY 6 @
6:30pm, WEDNESDAY 7 May at
6.30pm and then THURSDAY 14 May
at 6.30pm.
If you have a younger child who is
turning 4 before the end of April 2016, or
have friends who are interested in
enrolling in the ELCC, please let them
know. We expect demand for places to
be very high and urge you to register
your application ASAP. Whilst we a
increasing enrolments at the preschool
from 90 to possibly 130 children, we
cannot guarantee a place even for
siblings if criteria are not met. We
anticipate two full time classes and 4
classes of 5 day fortnights. Enrolments
must be received by the due date of
Friday May 22.
Event 1
ANZAC REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
FRIDAY 1 MAY@ 9.30 AM
Event 2
2016 ENROLMENT OPEN DAY
TOURS
Wednesday 6th May 9.30-12.30pm and
4-6pm
ELCC Information evenings:
Tues 5th, Wed 6th and Thurs 14th May
@ 6:30pm
Event 3
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Thursday 7 May
Family Portraits
Wednesday 6th May
Event 4
MOTHERS’ DAY BREAKFAST
FRIDAY 8th May
CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL
Many thanks to the parents who came
along to assist or cheer on their children
this morning. What a glorious morning
for the Cross Country Carnival. A huge
thank you to David Bugden and Cain
Holgate for organising this event. It was
a great idea to start and end the carnival
from our school oval.
STAFFING
We welcome Kylie Hynes to the Learning
Support team. We congratulate Emma
Wearn and her husband who await the
birth of their first baby in October.
ELCC ENROLMENT PERIOD
Brendan Mowlam will be taking leave
The ELCC will also begin its enrolment
from the end of this week for 6 weeks to
period for the 2016 year next week.
take care of his wife as she undergoes
See information later in the newsletter
surgery next week. We welcome Mrs Kate
Whitehead to the 3G classroom.
YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE
Last week it was with great sadness that I
and several staff members attended Kelli
Rushton’s funeral (mum of Brydie in 4G).
After 5 years, Kelli lost her battle with
Breast Cancer. Ben and their three children symbolically released doves and pink
balloons at the end of the ceremony. I ask
that you keep the family in your prayers as
they journey through this very difficult
time.
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Winter uniforms can be purchased from Savvy Tuggeranong,
Lowes at Tuggeranong or Personally Yours at Fyshwick or
online. (If you order on line with Personally Yours they will deliver your order) Please encourage your child to wear their
school uniform with pride. This means: shirts tucked in, buttons on sleeves done up, shiny shoes and the correct hat and
colours for hair accessories. Please ensure that hair is tied
back, if it is longer than shoulder length. Girls in Years 5 and 6
are able to wear their tunic without the bib. However, they need
to ensure that their shirts are tucked in. The clothing pool is
open on Friday afternoons at 2:30pm.
MOTHERS’ DAY BREAKFAST AND PRAYER ASSEMBLY
On Friday morning next week, a breakfast will be held for all
mums, grandmothers and families. The Breakfast is
being organised by the P&F, especially the Parent Network
and will begin at 7:45am in Presentation Hall. I thank Angela
Ryan for organising this mammoth event.
TESTING WEEKS
Weeks 3 and 4 (starting Monday 11 May and Monday 18 May)
are TESTING weeks at Holy Family. During these weeks all
students in Years 3 and 5 will sit the NAPLAN government
tests. Children in Kinder, Year 1, Year 2 and Years 4 and 6 will
be individually tested for Reading comprehension, and Maths.
Teachers and Learning Support Assistants will be released
from class to test their children. If your child will be away from
school during this time, could you please let your child’s teacher know ASAP.
DANCE PROGRAMME
All children Kinder to Year 6 will participate in a Dance lesson
each week on Tuesdays. Dance Fever, a Sydney based company, send two dance teachers (this year Antonio and Jacinta)
to Canberra for the day to work with each grade level. This will
be the fifth year they have worked at Holy Family. The programme commenced yesterday.
Out and About
“C” Day
2
PRINCIPAL’S PERFORMANCE SURVEY
Last weekend I sent out via Skoolbag App the link to the Survey Monkey site.
It is the policy of the Catholic Education Office to provide a
process for the review of all Principals’ performance towards
the end of each contract period. Mrs Anne-Marie Marek will
participate in this review process during May this year. A review panel has been appointed by the Moira Najdecki, CEO
Director comprising of Stacey Ozanne, Head of Human Resource Services and Bill Maiden, who recently retired as a
Principal after 23 years working across all sectors. Bill is also
currently a member of the non-government education Counsel.
Your assistance with the community consultation part of this
process would be appreciated by 1 May 2015.
GRADE INFORMATION LETTERS
Teachers will sending home the Term 2 Grade information
letter tomorrow. (most likely via email) Please look out for it as
it will have lots of information about what your child will be doing this term.
SKOOLBAG APP
If you haven’t already done so please download the Skoolbag
app onto your smart phone. This is a wonderful tool for communication from school. You are able to submit absent notes
through this app and you will be sent updates and reminders
for all school events.
PARENT SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS
Many thanks to the 90 parents who responded to the Parent
Satisfaction survey last term. The results can be found at the
end of the newsletter.
I pray for God’s blessing on you and your homes
Anne-Marie Marek
Principal
[email protected]
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
3
Assistant Principal News
SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
Thursday 7 May 2015
Family portraits Wednesday 6 May 2015
School Photographs will be taken on Thursday 7 May 2015. All students will have their photo taken for our school
records. Personalised envelopes to order photographs were distributed to all students today. An extra envelope
can be collected from the front office for non-residing parents.
We encourage envelopes to be returned on the day of the photos and the children will hand these directly to the
photographer when having their photographs taken. Please enclose the correct money as no change will be given
on the day, cheque or credit card receipt numbers for those who have paid online.
An opportunity to have a family portrait is also available on Wednesday 6 May. A separate note will come home
with the photo pack. Please read this carefully as payment must be made in a separate envelope and addressed
directly to Holy Family School. Please note these portraits are for children only.
On the day students must wear full winter uniforms, and black polished school shoes. Long hair must be tied back
as for a usual school day.
Working with you celebrating learning and life.
Religious Education News
Religious Education
On the second last day of Term 2 the Faith and Justice Stewardship
Team ran a very successful dress up day to raise awareness and funds for the Caritas Project Compassion campaign. The students enthusiastically dressed up in customs starting with the letter ‘C’. We saw lots of Cinderellas,
clowns, cats, cows, cowboys and cowgirls, cooks and chiefs. It was a colourful and fun day. Two competitions were
run on the day, firstly for the best dressed class which was won by 3 White, and secondly for the class who raised
the most money. This class was 3 Green. Congratulations Holy Family School and the Faith and Justice Team on
raising $1045.65. It is an overwhelming and generous donation which we will be able to send to Caritas Australia.
Thank you to parents and families for your support.
SEASON OF EASTER
We are presently in the Easter Season, better known as Eastertide, which begins on Easter Day and lasts 50 days,
ending on Pentecost. The Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on the fortieth day of Eastertide (a
Thursday), except in countries like Australia where it is not a Holy Day of Obligation. In such countries it is celebrated on the following Sunday. This solemnity directs our attention to Christ, who
ascended into heaven before the eyes of his disciples, who is now seated at the right hand of the
Father, invested with royal power, who is there to prepare a place for us in the kingdom of heaven;
and who is destined to come again at the end of time.
Yours in Peace
Theresa Terry
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
4
HOLY FAMILY PRIMARY SCHOOL
FUNDRAISER FETE 2015
Permit no: ACT R 15/00088
We are writing to seek support from families within Holy Family Primary School and the Early
Learning and Care Centre for donations towards our 2015 fete raffle. Donations can be either
personal or business.
This year the raffle prizes:
1st prize 2
nd
$3,000
prize -
$2,000
3 prize -
$1,000
rd
Our school has a dedicated Parents and Friends (P&F) Association who work hard to ensure our
children have access to a vast array of resources and facilities. The school fete is the sole fundraising event for the P&F and in past years proceeds have funded projects such as purchasing
computer equipment, updating infrastructure, purchasing learning resources and playground
equipment.
Our school and the Early Learning and Care Centre have approximately 770 students and your
support would be widely acknowledged. If you are able to make a contribution we can discuss
appropriate sponsorship/advertising. This could include acknowledgement on every raffle ticket,
on fete fliers distributed to the local community, on the school’s fete website, in our fete newsletters and in announcements on fete day.
This is a great opportunity for people with a family business to have your business advertised
within our school community as we encourage our families to support any businesses that support Holy Family Primary School.
Any donations contributing to these raffle prizes is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in
making a donation can you please contact us before Friday 29 th May 2015.
Thank you in anticipation of considering this request. Please feel free to contact us if you have
any questions or wish to discuss this further.
Yours sincerely
Reshenda Cochrane
Amanda Hall
Raffle Co-ordinator
Raffle Co-ordinator
0438 127 467
0406 501 245
[email protected]
[email protected]
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
5
DONATIONS OF $1,000 AND ABOVE WILL RECEIVE THEIR NAME/LOGO ON:
All raffle Tickets
Fete fliers distributed to the local community
Holy Family fete website
Printed in a business directory distributed to every family in the school
Logo in the Fete Newsletters
Announcements on fete day
DONATIONS OF $100 - $1,000 WILL RECEIVE THEIR NAME/LOGO ON:
Fete fliers distributed to the local community
Holy Family fete website
Printed in a business directory distributed to every family in the school
Business name listed in the Fete Newsletters
Announcements on fete day
Canteen News
Canteen is open this week and from now on Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays.
Can you come in and lend a hand for 10 mins, half and hour or longer? Please complete the slip below and return
to the front office or alternatively email your availability to [email protected]
We thank Patricia El-Badawi managing the Canteen during Eleni’s absence over the next few weeks.
———————————————————————————————————————Name:________________________________ Phone number_______________________
Weekly
Fortnightly
Monthly
CANTEEN ROSTER – TERM 2 2015
Wednesday
9:00-11:00
Thursday
12:30-2:00
9:00-11:30
12:30-2:00
Friday
9:00-11:30
12:30-2:00
Other ______________
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
6
Mothers’ Day Breakfast 2015
Would you believe that it is nearly time to celebrate another Mothers’ Day?
So for all those mothers and grandmothers out there please come along with your
family to our wonderful
Mothers’ Day Breakfast on Friday 8th May (WEEK 2) from 7.45am in our school’s Presentation Hall.
There will be some wonderful artwork on display in the hall made by the children for you to see.
Our chosen charity this year is Bosom Buddies ACT. There will be a range of merchandise available at the breakfast. Along with a light breakfast provided, there will also be a raffle at $2 per ticket.
The money that we raise from all areas of the breakfast goes directly to Bosom Buddies ACT, which then
goes directly to helping Breast Cancer survivors in the ACT region.
So if you and your family can make it please fill in the RSVP slip below and return to school by this Friday
1st May. As most of our experienced families from the school know, the P&F put on the breakfast, which
won’t be possible unless we have lots of helpers. We will need help on the Thursday afternoon, then on the
morning of the breakfast. So please consider helping out, even if only for 1 hour.
——————————————————————————————————————
Mothers’ Day Breakfast 2015
RSVP
Family Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Numbers attending breakfast: ______________________ (adults) ____________________ (children)
I am able to help out on (please circle)
Thursday afternoon (7th May) at 2pm-3pm, 3pm-4pm, 4pm-5pm, 5pm-6pm
(Food preparation and hall set up)
Friday morning 6am-7.30am, service 7.30am-8.30am, service and clean up 8.30am-9.30am
Name of helper(s): __________________________________________________________________
Contact number and email: ___________________________________________________________
Eldest child’s name and class: _________________________________________________________
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
2015 HOLY FAMILY COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
Question 1 - How well does Holy Family do as a Catholic primary school?
Question 2 - Is the Catholic faith evident within the Holy Family community?
Question 3 – Is pastoral care evident within the Holy Family community?
7
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
Question 4 – Please rate the education provided by Holy Family Primary School?
Question 5 – Please rate the areas of learning at Holy Family Primary School.
Question 6 – Do you access the following to gather information from Holy Family
8
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
9
Question 7 – Does Holy Family Primary School address any concerns in a timely manner?
Question 8 – What do you value about Holy Family Primary School?
Overall the strong sense of Community is highly valued at Holy Family. The following responses have been collated to summarise the feel and responses of our community.

There is a real sense of family and community. The principles the school instils in children, with the morals
ethics and capacity to teach is all very high.

It's a wonderful modern, friendly environment.

My children's positive sense of belonging, their relationships and learning is supported.

The focussing on children's learning and the values instilled in young people, it is delivered very well.

Care taken towards students by teachers. Pastoral care, individual needs provided for, high quality teaching
and facilities. The way that the teachers provide support and care toward the children and families. A sense
that they truly care for individuals and even in such a big school the teachers and staff know individual students and parents.

I do value their emphasis on loving and caring for everyone.

The welcoming, caring and supportive approach to education, combined with a solid foundation in our Catholic faith. A caring community and unashamedly Catholic.

Empowerment of individual coupled with self-reliance and responsibility.

Extra help when child struggling.

Focus on the children. Good reputation in the community.

The support and encouragement for all children. Children need to feel safe in their school environment. It's
comforting to know that children can talk about what happens in class, and feel confident to discuss issues as
they arise.

Great community with a supportive and wonderful COOSH.

I value the nurturing they give to my children. They are learning so much which was very evident today at the
Learning Journey. Staff are very approachable and quick to answer any questions and resolve any issues
the children have had. I feel the communication is open at all times.

Sporting opportunities

The extra care and responsibility the children are given.
Continued...
FAMILY MATTERS | Issue 01
10

High quality education. It is very family and community orientated which I believe is very valuable within a
school. Also the facilities are fantastic!

The community spirit and the professionalism of all staff including the Principal. Awesome school all round.
The best in Canberra.

I love the community aspect of everyone feels welcome. The morning line up is a lovely chance to feel involved in the school.

My child is always happy to come to school. The excellent facilities in a clean environment. The iPad programme.

The regular and consistent communication to families is exceptional!

I value the concern shown to my children. I value how the teachers always go above and beyond what I
would expect. I value that the Principal and Vice-Principal know my child's name. I value how my children
are always encouraged. I value that older students treat my children as if they were their own friends. I value how the children rush to help others when something is wrong, regardless of whether they know them or
not.

Some teachers and friends we have made through our children.

The strong sense of community and School Spirit. It is a large school that manages to provide a nurturing
and comfortable "small school" feel.