Dear St Clare's Community,

This week is Wellbeing Week, and we take the opportunity for a little reflection time and acknowledge all that we are grateful for. Students (and parents) have the week off from written homework. For staff, we do not hold a formal staff meeting in Week 8 and often take the opportunity to gather for a social activity. This week we have Mister Barista visiting for staff to have a well deserved treat. I do hope your family has the opportunity to do something together in place of homework time - cooking, playing a game, a walk or ride, or just enjoying some time together.

As we head into the final weeks of Term 1, things are still busy with a few events yet to take place. Upcoming events include our whole school welcoming mass, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day Mass and Cross Country Carnival. We very much appreciate your support with these special days and welcome your attendance now that we can gather as a whole school.

It is looking like the impact of COVID has decreased substantially at St. Clare’s, with very few absences now occurring due to positive tests or being close contacts. We are hopeful that this trend continues, and once again I thank you for your understanding and commitment to following the guidelines that are in place at any point in time.

Touch Gala Day

Last Friday, Years 4,5 & 6 were very fortunate to be part of the Southern Zone Touch Gala Day. There is a lot of work leading up to a day like this and I would like to sincerely thank Kate Mason & Cherie Jenkins for the extra hours that have been put into the organisation. Thanks also must go to the staff that were involved on the day and of course the students for their enthusiasm and positive participation. Finally, a huge thank you to Marie Vipiana for organising the canteen for the day and all the parents that were able to volunteer with set up, transport, canteen, managing teams, supervision and everything else that you do - we could not have days like these run as smoothly as they do without your support.

Prep 2023

Places for Prep 2023 look like they will fill fast. I will be starting interviews soon. If you, or anyone you know has a child ready for Prep in 2023, and are considering St. Clare’s please go to our website to complete an online enrolment - https://www.stclares.qld.edu.au/enrolling/enrolment-application/.

Staffing Update

It is with sadness that I pass on the news that Mrs Jamilla Dressler will be leaving St. Clare’s at the end of this term. Jamilla has accepted an offer that fits in extremely well with her family. Jamilla is a highly regarded teacher and she will most certainly be missed at St. Clare’s. Understandably, family comes first and I wish Jamilla every success as she takes up this opportunity. Advertising is already in place for a teacher to take over this part-time position in Year 5 for Term 2.

We will also be advertising in the coming weeks for a teacher to take the place of Mrs Jessica Lang, as Jessica will be taking maternity leave later in Term 2. Jessica has only recently joined us at St. Clare’s and the positivity and joy of learning and teaching she brings to each day will most certainly be missed while she is on leave. I am sure that our community will join me in congratulating Jessica and her husband Caleb, and celebrate with them in the news that their family will be welcoming the wondrous joy of a baby later in the year.

We will be welcoming to our staff, Natasha Johnson. Natasha will join us as a school learning officer - hopefully in the final 2 weeks of term until the end of the year. Enrolment increases have led to this decision and we look forward to Natasha joining the St. Clare’s staff in supporting our students.

P & F AGM

The P&F Annual General Meeting will be held 15th March @ 7pm in the Library. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Evacuation and Lockdown Procedures

As part of the school’s emergency plans it is important that we practice procedures for various emergencies that could occur within the school. 

The emergency lockdown procedure - during lockdowns students and staff stay inside the rooms and await further instructions. The signal for this procedure is music which is played across the school’s PA system. Evacuation procedures are in place for fires and other threats to buildings. Students and staff are aware that the sound for this drill is a siren through our PA system. When they hear this siren students as well as anyone else on the school site are expected to evacuate the buildings and assemble on the school oval to await further instructions. Class rolls are taken at this time to ensure that all persons on site are safe. As part of school compliance, we are required to practice both of these drills during the year using different scenarios. If, at any time, a drill has taken place and your child becomes anxious, please let your child’s teacher know.

Blessings for the weeks ahead,

Karran Burzacott
Principal