As we come to the end of Term 3 and look forward to spending time with our families over the school break, we reflect on the term. Of course, the fete has been a highlight! The time and effort put into bringing an event like the fete together can not be understated. It takes great commitment from our whole community to make these events happen in such a spectacular way. We would like to thank the Fete Committee (Marie, Jess, Alice, Alicia, Tammy & Kylie) for your organisation and co-ordination of this wonderful community event. I am sure you will all agree it was a fantastic theme! Our P & F Committee for your consistent support of our school and all the behind the scenes work that happens, not only for the Fete, but all year round. Our Cake Stall convenor, Maria, for continuing the tradition of our world class peach blossoms. Our Cent Sale master, Marie, who managed to organise a whopping 100 prizes and keep track of all the tickets and winners.  Our longest serving P & F member, Nancy Marsilio, who sold so many extra raffle tickets for us. Our staff for their dedication to choreographing and costuming the rock’n’roll dances. Our students (who are the real stars) as they presented and performed just like professionals. Our parents and grandparents who volunteered their time to convene or assist on the stalls and events, helped to set up and pack up, made donations and sold raffle tickets. Our businesses, local and afar, who donated such generous prizes. Our local community who came along to support us on the night.

As usual the term has been jam packed, we have been involved in Athletics, Rugby, Science Day, Book Week, Year 5 and 6 Camps and NAIDOC activities, as well as all our usual learning!

Term 4 looks just as exciting - Year 4 will go on their camp in the first week of term and our Water Safety Program will begin, culminating with the Swimming Carnival in Week 8, just to mention a few.

Staffing Updates

This week, Gita Sima is on Long Service Leave. Korma Byrne will be teaching in the Prep classroom. Carla Low will also be on Long Service Leave with Rhiannon Lizzio and Janine Burns taking on her hours.

Sadly, we are farewelling Paula Brumley at the end of the week. Paula has been at St. Clare’s this term taking over the Arts while Jo Wall has been on leave. We will miss her bubbly enthusiasm and choreography skills immensely as she once again heads back home to family.

We will also be saying goodbye to Jess Lang. Jess has accepted a school counsellor position at St. Rita’s in South Johnstone. We thank Jess for her time at St. Clare’s and wish her all the best for her exciting new career pathway. Carolin Schoch will join Sharon Chappel in Year 5 for Term 4.

We have some changes for 2024. Georgia Moloney is taking 12 months leave and Adam Stubbings has made the decision not to return to St. Clare’s. Temara Guiliany will also take 12 months leave in 2024 to work on finalising her studies. We are very excited to welcome to our teaching staff in 2024, Melissa Murphy and Carolin Schoch. Next term I will be able to share year level staffing.

As we move into the break, I ask that you be mindful of our uniform policy, particularly in regards to hair and haircuts.

• All student’s hair needs to be off the eyes.
• Long/shoulder length hair needs to be tied back.
• Hair bands/elastics/ribbons etc will be black, brown, blue or gold ONLY and will be kept to a minimum.

      No other hair accessories or adornments are permitted.  

• Extreme hair colours and/or extreme hairstyles (including tracks/shaved patterns) are not permitted.

Finally, to all staff, students, parents and our community, all the best for the break. I hope the weather shines for us and we all have the opportunity to enjoy the amazing backyard we are lucky to have in this part of the world.

Sharon Chappel

What an amazing night our 2023 Rock Around the Clock Fete was.

Thank you to all the children for the wonderful dance performances and to the teachers and staff for all your hard work. A lot of time is spent in practising and preparing for the big performance, and it was an absolute hit and enjoyed by all.

To the parents and extended family members that helped on the night and leading up to the fete, we can’t thank you guys enough. To the parents who convened a stall on the night this is such a huge job and we are grateful. Thank you to all those who sold and returned tickets as well and donated to the class hampers. We are unable to hold such a big event if we don’t have your support and help.

To the P&F executive John Clifford, Paul Grimaz, Melissa Murphy, Kelly Slattery and our Principal, Mrs Karran Burzacottt thank you for supporting the Fete Committee in this year's Fete. Its awesome to be able to work together and have your full support.

To the community of Tully and the surrounding area, Thank You so much for the donations of prizes, cash, discounts on ingredients etc. We are very blessed to live in such a giving community. Please remember all, to shop locally where and when you can, this is where we then can give back to those who have given to our school so kindly.

If you would like to be part of the 2024 Fete Committee, we are looking for new committee members as 2024 will be the final fete for some of the committee members, as our children are in their final year at St Clare’s. We would love to see some new families come on board and help to organise a wonderful community event. You will have our full support with anything you may need or want to know. Please if this is you or you have a few friends that would like to jump on board let us know.

FINALLY, to the 2023 Fete committee, Kylie Morris, Alicia Johnston, Alice McNamara, Tammy Clifford and Jess Kachel wow girls, we did it. Thank you so much for all your hard work and the time you have given to be able to co-ordinate this event.  We truly hope everyone enjoyed the night as much as we did.

Attached to this week’s newsletter is some unclaimed Cent Sale prizes, so please check your tickets.

Thanks again

Marie Vipiana