1. education
2. school

25 March 2015
From the Principal
SOME IMPORTANT STAFFING NEWS
Vision
Statement
St Simon Peter Catholic
Primary School community
will provide challenges for
the growth of the whole
person. Within a framework
of Catholic values, we will
strive to live in harmony
with each other and our
environment living our
motto “Love One Another.”
I am writing to inform you that I have been seconded to the position of Regional Officer/Principal School Advisor of
the Catholic Education Office in Geraldton for the remainder of 2015. All being well, I return to the school in 2016.
This is a decision I did not take likely but I leave confident that the school is in good hands with our current leadership
structures and processes, in place now for the past 5 years, working very well. I see this as a learning experience
for me that the school will benefit from on my return, as well as giving new people opportunities to flourish in their
new roles here at SSP. Remember as I am often quoted - change is inevitable and this is a principle embraced by
the staff and community here at SSP.
I look forward to this big new challenge in the mid-West and Pilbara regions of WA, starting at the beginning of Term
2. My role is to administer the CEWA Office in Geraldton and its staff, oversee school improvement in the 11 schools
in the region and to represent our Executive Director in matters of church and school business. This position has
become available at short notice due to the person (currently doing this job) taking leave for the rest of the year due
to illness. Once I find accommodation my wife and I will take up residence in Geraldton for the duration of course
keeping in touch with the school as the job does incorporate working with metro schools as well, from time to time.
As a result of this appointment several changes have been put in place for the remainder of the year. Mrs Kerry
Hewitson will be the Principal with Fiona Green (Years 1-3) and Clodagh Manifold (Years 4-6 plus Catherine Centre)
being the other members of the school’s Leadership Team. This is a strong team and has been endorsed by Dr Tim
McDonald our Executive Director. With this change there is a “knock on effect” which will see several other staff
members take up new roles for the remainder of the year. They are:






Kerry Hewitson Principal (ELC to PP in place of Shane Baker)
Clodagh Manifold Assistant Principal (Years 4-6 in place of Mrs Hewitson )
Fiona Green Assistant Principal (Years 1-3)
Anita Woods Coordinator of the Catherine Centre (in place of Miss Manifold)
Jess Tindiglia to the Catherine Centre (in place of Miss Manifold)
Mrs Bec Kerridge to Year 3 (in place of Miss Tindiglia).
New appointments for Term 2 onwards:
 Mrs Olivia Rushack appointed as Kindergarten teacher (in place of Mrs Browner who has resigned)
 Mrs Sharon Hince to the role of Kindergarten EA (in place of Sue Claessens who has resigned)
 Mrs Fiona McAllister will be fulltime EA in PPH (in place of Sharon Hince).
I look forward to your support and cooperation with these arrangements for the rest of the year.
Project Compassion 2015 – Food for Life
Food for Life is the theme for this year’s Project Compassion. On Friday our newly formed Year 6 Social Justice
Committee plan to raise money for Caritas which will go towards empowering the poorest of the poor; in particular
the people of Vanuatu, who were recently affected by Tropical Cyclone Sam.
The words Food for Life will be marked on the paving between the library and admin block and every child in the
school is encouraged to bring some coins to donate to this worthy cause.
Individual Education Plans (IEPs) & Curriculum Adjustment Plans (CAPs)
IEPs and CAPs are written by teachers to assist those students needing adjustments in class to best help them with their learning. Adjustments can
be physical alterations to the environment or curriculum differences. This week IEPs and CAPs will be sent home for students needing adjustments.
CAPs are to be signed by the parents and returned to school by next Wednesday April 1 please.
Stations of the Cross
On 2nd April, Holy Thursday, Stations of the Cross will be presented in our school grounds by Year 5GF, with the assistance of our Year 6 Leaders under
the direction of Mrs Natalie Templeton. In order to accommodate all the students there will be an 8:45am and 9:30am performance. Parents are warmly
invited to join us at one of these times.
School Improvement 2015
Our school improvement plan was launched at our Annual Community meeting last year but I thought today I would give you an update. Year level
teams are working hard to achieve these goals by year’s end. A progress report will be given at our Parent Forums in Term 2 with the final analysis
being delivered at our Annual Community Meeting.
Library Shelves
There are some library shelves that have been taken out during the library refurbishment that won’t be required as they are now surplus to requirements.
These are available for viewing outside the Hall/Canteen entrance (just near the tunnel). If you like what you see, then please contact Clay and he will
assist you. Anything left at the end of the week will be put in a skip!
Shane Baker
Principal
Reminders
Thursday
Sat/Sun
Wednesday
Thursday
Thursday
Thursday
26 March
28/29 March
1 April
2 April
2 April
2 April
Interschool Swimming Carnival Years 4 – 6
First Holy Communion Enquiry Weekend
11.15am Easter Raffle Draw
Stations of the Cross
Interschool Cricket Year 6
TERM 1 ENDS
Uniform Shop
A quick reminder for the parents that there is only 1 week left to buy the winter uniforms.
Please make sure you have everything ready by the end of this term as children must return to school in Term 2 in full winter uniform.
Parents who are not able to come to the Uniform shop during the opening days and hours, please contact me by phone on 9301 6835 or by email at
[email protected] with your order.
Thank you.
Rody Somai-Popescu
Uniform Shop Manager
Dental Screening
In Term 2, on Thursday 11 June 2015, the Ocean Reef Dental Therapy Centre will be at our school conducting orthodontic dental screening for
children in pre-primary, Year 3 and Year 6. If you have not as yet returned your signed enrolment form to the class teacher to give permission for the
screening to take place, please do so as soon as possible.
Lost Property
Please check the lost property box outside Student Services/Nurse’s room. All un-named items will be discarded at the end of term.
Give 10
We have been receiving lots of enquiries about where the location of the Give 10 cards this year. We would like to apologise that these have not been
put out as yet and we are currently working on printing fresh cards off and they will be ready by the end of this week. We appreciate your
understanding for the delay and hope that it has not caused too much inconvenience. The Give 10 cards will now be located in the front
administration office, next to the visitor sign in/out folder, so that you can complete the card at the same time that you sign out.
The family of Rory Browne (5F) would like to sincerely thank all the Staff and Parents of St Simon Peter for their
support and good wishes over the past few months.
Rory had an unexpected prolonged stay at PMH and this was a stressful time for all his family and close friends.
He is now on the road to recovery and is looking forward to returning to school in the near future.
Hello from Chile
We have received an email from the Gutierrez family and they want to say hello to all their friends at SSP. They are now living in Chile. The children
have started school and are making new friends.
Seasons For Growth
An adult grief and loss programme to help people cope with death, separation, divorce, any loss in our lives is being held at Mater Dei College. The
programme will commence on Wednesday 29th April, 6th, 13th, 20th May at Mater Dei College, from 7 - 9.30pm. There are only six participants in each
program, please contact Sr Margaret Kane RSJ, as soon as possible, on 9440 3914 or email [email protected] to book your place.
HOPE Emergency Meals Program
Volunteers are needed to go on a roster to cook meals if a family in our school community is in
need. If you would like to be part of this initiative please email Anne du Coudray at
[email protected]
Easter Egg Hunt
Don’t forget Thursday 2nd April at 3:30pm is our Easter Egg Hunt at Neil Hawkins Park, Joondalup.
Please put this date in your diaries. Please see attached flyer for details in case you missed it.
Easter Raffle
We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations of Easter eggs and baskets. Please keep these coming in. Don’t forget you can get
more raffle tickets from the front office.
The Easter Raffle will now be drawn on Wednesday, the 1st of April at 11.15am on the oval outside the Hall.
Aussie of the Month Awards
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ENQUIRY WEEKEND - 28th & 29th of March. Candidates and families are required to attend any Mass on this
weekend where they will receive their Enrolment Forms.
HEALING MASS On Friday 27th March at 8.30am in our Church. If you are suffering from any kind of sickness physical or emotional please come
to receive the Sacrament of Healing of the Sick. Light refreshments served in our Parish Centre after the Mass.
A re-enactment of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem will take place on Palm Sunday 29th of March at the 10.00am Mass. We invite
all children to take part in the procession. Children carrying small palms or olive branches (supply own if possible) will lead the
procession of the priest with a pony and the rest of the congregation and then form an archway along the central aisle of church.
(Parent help needed to supervise). Come early – young ones can have a ride on the pony. See you there!
Easter Timetable
Holy Thursday: 2nd April - Mass
of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm
Good Friday: 3rd April - Reconciliation 10.00am—10.50am
Stations of the Cross at 11:00am
Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion at 3:00pm
Eucharistic Adoration after the Lord’s Passion until 10:00pm
Holy Saturday: 4th April - Blessing of Easter Food 11:00am
Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30pm
Easter Sunday: 5th April - Mass Times - 8:00am 10:00am & 5:00pm
Eucharistic Adoration after Mass till Midnight