Mother Teresa School Harrison eNewsletter

Principal's Message Term 1 Week 1 2024

Dear Parents

As a Catholic learning community,

all at Mother Teresa School are called

to care, to dream, to innovate, to inspire!

Thank you for helping to make our first week run so smoothly. As always we return to school and the hot weather sets in. Please remember to send a cold bottle of water each day. The children are permitted to access their water bottles as needed.

Before the children returned to school the staff engaged in four intense professional learning days to support their personal faith life, develop an understanding of new programs to be introduced which you hear about as the term unfolds, and refine teaching practices and programs to meet the needs of the children.

A very warm welcome to all our new families and staff who are joining our community. This term we welcome

over 40 new students in Year 1 to Year 6
80 new kindergarten students
Ms Marcia Quinane and Mrs Kathleen McGuire to the Year 4 teaching team
Mrs Xandria Davern is our new music teacher

During the week I had the opportunity to meet with the team responsible for the design and scheduling of our hall project. While it is very exciting to be refurbishing and increasing the size of the hall, it will not be available for use for all of Semester 2. Lots of planning will occur as we look for ways to bring the community together and relocate our school care program within the school. The school has received an Australian Government Capital Grant for $863,000 toward the cost of our hall extension project.

The 5Cs are often referred to by the school staff to support our approach to student action and behaviour. This week we have focused on Being Courteous.

Chess Club

Unfortunately, Shaun Press, our Chess Coach, has taken this year to travel. I have looked into another coaching company but believe the cost of $15.00 per child per session is not acceptable. If anyone knows of a grandparent keen to come in, once or twice a week, to take a session ask them to contact the school. They must hold a WWVP card to work with children.

School Fees
We are waiting to hear from Catholic Education (CE) when the school fees will be released. Do not expect anything formal until at least Week 3 of this term. The annual school fee for 2024 will be

1 Child - $3,858 2 Children - $5,734 3 Children - $7,068 4 Children - $7,861.

This does not include a sibling discount if you have an older child at a Systemic high school. The Building Fund is not included in these fees as it is an opt-in contribution.

ACT Government’s Future of Education Equity Fund

Eligible ACT families can now apply to access yearly one-off payments to help cover the costs of 2024 education expenses through the ACT Government’s Future of Education Equity Fund.

The fund helps ACT students from eligible families access everyday essentials to assist with their education and well-being, such as book packs, uniforms and excursions, sport equipment and activities, tuition and music lessons.

It supports financially disadvantaged families with students who are enrolled in preschool through to Year 12 in any ACT school.

Payments include:

· $400 for preschool students

· $500 for primary school students

· $750 for high school and college students

In 2023, the fund supported more than 5,000 students, with more than $2.9 million distributed to families experiencing financial stress.

Applications for the 2024 school year will remain open until 29 November 2024. Information about the fund is available at: https://bit.ly/3O3vV1u

Car Park
Our car park was never built to accommodate parking for a school of our size. Please, patience is what is required, and following staff directions is essential. We have worked hard to develop a flow of traffic if parking on the tennis courts. Your assistance is very much appreciated - great work today!

Kinder Pick Up

Following discussion with the Kinder teacher the children will assemble in the Kinder Courtyard at the end of the day, not on the tuff as discussed. Parents, please collect your child from the courtyard as this will assist with supervision and provide the opportunity for the teacher to see you briefly if required. The teacher will then walk them to the carline if required.

Code Camp

Code Camp is returning for another year and I have opened up the opportunity for children from Years 3 - 6. This is not a school program but rather an opportunity for those children with an interest in coding. Refer to the Compass notification for cost and registration details sent out today.

Dance Club

Cassie our professional dance instructor is returning and will be offering a dance club on a Wednesday at lunchtime. This is another opportunity that is open for parents to consider. Cassie is responsible for the registration and collection of fees as it is a program run separately from the school opportunities that occur during class time. Refer to the Compass notification for cost and registration details sent out today.

Year 6 Camp

Year 6 camp information is to be released. As camp is occurring very soon please take the weekend to complete all the required documentation and permission requirements. Camp dates are Wednesday 28 February to Friday 1 March.

ICT Agreements

Granting permission is critical if your child is to continue to access our school network. Please refer to the Compass Event: ICT Acceptable Agreement 2024.

PG Movie Permissions - Years 2 to 6

Please search for the Compass Event: PG Movie Permission 2024. Parents also need to advise their intentions regarding the type of movies they are comfortable for their child to watch.

Swimming Carnival

Information regarding our Swimming Carnival to be held on Thursday 15 February has been released. This year the carnival is for Years 3 to 6 students and the competitive 8yrs students in Year 2. This year we have booked the Dickson outdoor pool.

Uniform Shop

Our uniform shop volunteers have advised that they will be opening the uniform shop every Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 until 9:00.

God bless and have a lovely weekend

Carmel Maguire

Principal