Dear Parents,

Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to the all who helped to make yesterday’s swimming carnival such a successful day. I know Miss Jenkinson, who took on the bulk of the organisation, was very appreciative of the staff and parental support, making it a really enjoyable experience for the children.  Special mention to Marian House who won the overall trophy for this year’s carnival.  In other swimming news our Zone 6 students are also to be congratulated on their efforts last Wednesday, talking third place overall.  Mrs Boyle has provided further details with respect to these events but also an acknowledgement of the many students who are trialling for and gaining selection for a number of sporting teams at District level.  I know our girls fill four of the District netball places and three of our boys, the District AFL team.  Almost every sport offered sees our very talented students participating and showing just how capable they are. Well done everyone.

Boys Education

I will be holding a meeting on Tues 20^th April at 7pm.for all parents to discuss what is such an important issue, and that is the retention of boys beyond Year 4.  This is a situation which does have an effect on us as a school and is not merely in terms of a specific year level.  I would like therefore to invite all families and in particular those with boys in the lower grades, to attend so that the issue can be discussed.  I would be hopeful that at the very least we are able to gain some clarity with respect to some of the factors which may influence parents' decision making.  In Week One of Term Two I will send home a reminder but I would urge parents to make time to attend.

Strings Performance

If your child comes home after next Wednesday’s Strings performance at assembly, wanting to play the violin, then please note the process for doing this later in this letter.  If you are wanting to see the children perform or to have a chat with Mrs Hogan, then Wednesday 24^th would be a good opportunity.

Building Projects

I am pleased to indicate that the tenders have been received for the coming building projects and whilst a builder has yet to be offered the contract, the tenders appear to fall within our budget, meaning that we do not have to make any modifications to the plan we hoped to see ensue. This also means that the building should start shortly after Easter. I have included a copy of the plan for your viewing. The dotted line surrounding the work itself is the likely fenced area. This will mean a significant impact on parking. The staff parking on the grassed area will flow out to the general car parks. Whilst we will try to limit the impact on these areas, obviously it will reduce the amount of available parking at pick-up and drop off times. If you do normally park and pick-up, this may mean parking on a neighbouring street or change to picking up at the flow through zones.

Car parking for Sunday masses will also be impacted upon. In addition to the bottom car park we will also open the gate which allows for weekend parking on our netball courts. Hopefully this will address the overflow that the building will create.

Other News

In other news, we are going to trial allowing parents to drop off children of a morning in the lower carpark at points in addition to the two in front of the back gate.  Parents are now able to drop their children off at the kerb leading up to these gates.  This is currently identified as a No Standing area and is the place where the buses usually park.  This option, inclusive of the current two car space, should allow up to four cars to drop off at any one time.  The gate near the shelter shed will be open so that the children will not need to cross any driveway.  As this change in procedure may lead to more overtaking in this car park area, please ensure that your children exit your car on the kerb side.  This is a trial which we shall monitor, but hopefully will be successful and allow for a faster drop off for families in that area of a morning.   

Finally, this Friday is St Joseph’s day. We will be holding liturgy at 9am and you are very welcome to join us.

Kind regards

Gary