Dear Parents, Staff and Students

Welcome to the 2021 school year! I look forward to another successful year for our students and staff at St. Clare’s School.  All classes have had a wonderful first week of school and students are happy to be back with their peers. Our Prep students have had a fantastic start and should be congratulated on their ability to ease so well into school life. 

A warm greeting to all new families and current families. We also welcome new staff: Jamilla Dressler (Yr 6), Georgia Moloney (Yr 2), Naomi McGregor (Yr 4), Zanelle Collins (Yr 1) and Adam Stubbings (HPE).

Covid Update

During 2020, our hygiene practices increased due to COVID, which will continue at St Clare's.   Our school community does need to be extra vigilant due to having a student at our school with a compromised immune system.  Most school families would know one of our students was away in Brisbane in 2020 for medical treatment and we are very happy that he has returned to school this week.

We are asking that if your child is sick in any way you keep them home until symptoms go away. Parents are encouraged to take their child for a COVID test if flu like symptoms are evident. Students can return to school once symptoms subside, or if they present with a medical certificate or negative COVID test. This information is in the latest Operating Guidelines from Catholic Education Services.

Many of our school events will require COVID control measures.  We would like our parents to be involved in school life however we do have the following restrictions currently in place as outlined by the Operating Guidelines:

• If you come into school in the morning and intend on going into a classroom or meet with a staff member in a room you must sign in at the office.
• All volunteers for tuckshop etc must sign in at the office.
• When adults attend any school events they are requested to physical distance and adhere to sign in requirements as outlined by the school. Sanitiser will be available for use by adults upon entering.
• Events need to be by invitation to specific groups to limit increased adult numbers and ensure that appropriate spacing can be provided for adults
• Assemblies each week will be attended only by the parents of the year level presenting and those contacted by teachers if students are receiving an award.
• School masses will also be by invite only. We will be using St Clare’s Church with our students for masses moving forward. For our Opening Mass this Friday we are inviting Yr 6 parents to attend as their children will be receiving Captain and Leadership badges.
• Further information regarding interschool sporting events will be forwarded once finalised.

If there are any changes to what has been outlined above we will let parents know. We thank all parents for your ongoing support with the guidelines.

Opening School Mass

This Friday February 5th we will have a whole school mass to signify the beginning of the school year. Year 6 parents are invited to join us in the Church for the 9:00am mass.

Meet and Greet Evening – Feb 9th

Next Week, on Tuesday February 9^th, we will be hosting our Parent Student Teacher “Meet and Greet Evening”. This will be held between the hours of 5:30pm and 6:30pm.  Students are invited to bring their parents into their classrooms to meet their teacher/s and to show them some work they have been doing since commencing school. There will be important documentation for each family to take home from each class. Parents will have ample time to visit all classrooms with their children and can visit at any time during the hour timeframe. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher about any important issues please make an appointment with them at another time.

All families will need to sign in using the QR code that will be placed near each classroom block (only once per family) and we need to limit each room to no more than 5 family groups at a time with visits under 10 minutes in a room.

Important Forms - Please return forms promptly

During the next few weeks there will be important letters/forms sent home that will require parents to complete information regarding permissions, volunteering and transport. The emergency transport form sent home last week was due today.  Your cooperation in actioning these within a few days will enable us to finalise our important administrative tasks. It is always best to complete forms straight away so they are not forgotten. Many of these forms will be sent through the Parent Slips straight to your email. Simply click on the link and fill out the online form. Thank you in anticipation!

Important Safety Reminders

School/Parish Car Park

Children must not walk through the car park area unless accompanied by an adult.  Parents must meet children at the ramp to walk them to the car. Do not call your children to your car or into the carpark as this is unsafe. Please also note that children need to be accompanied by an adult when crossing Mars Street. Staff will not let children cross Mars St to a parked car on the opposite side of the school.

No U Turn in Mars St

The street in front of the two schools in Mars Street has signs that indicate u-turns are prohibited. Please adhere to this as it is for the safety of everyone.

Wishing you all a peaceful week,

Narelle Harney

Welcome   Community   Hospitality

A very warm welcome back to school for 2021 especially to our new staff, new students and parents, and especially our new Prep children all of whom bring new energy and life to our school community.  I am looking forward to working closely with students, staff and families as acting APRE to continue to create an atmosphere of WELCOME, COMMUNITY AND HOSPITALITY.

Helen Andrews (Acting APRE)

Opening School Mass

This week we are celebrating our Opening Mass on Friday, 5th February at 9am in St Clare’s Church. We will give thanks to God for our parish and school community and ask God to guide us in the year ahead to live as people of peace. Our Eucharistic celebration focuses on the theme of “Service”.

During the Mass, our Year 6 leaders will receive their Leadership Badges and all staff, students and parents in attendance will make pledges for the year ahead. To continue with the theme of peace, our school greeting to staff, parents and visitors will be ‘Good morning/afternoon …., Peace be with you’.

Father Joby

We extend a special welcome to Fr Joby who has joined St Clare’s as our Parish Priest. Father Joby will be visiting all classes this Thursday to meet all the students and staff. We look forward to having Father Joby as part of our school community and celebrating our Eucharistic celebrations and liturgies.

Farewell for Father Hilary

Father Hilary is coming back for a visit so our school community can have a formal farewell for him.  This will be held on Wednesday 10th February.  We will have the School Captains do a Farewell Speech and the students and staff will perform a special blessing for Father Hilary.  There will be a cake for Father to cut which will be shared with all students. Students will then have a picnic lunch either in the Montefalco or on the grass (depending on the weather).  ​

Shrove Tuesday

On Tuesday 16^th February, Year 6 students will host a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Fundraiser for Project Compassion starting at 8.00am.  Pancakes will sell for 50c each.  Pre-orders will be due in by the end of Week 3 with forms being sent home early that week.

 

School Calendar

P.E uniforms are to be worn on the following days.

Wednesday and Friday

In Term 1 Physical education students in years 3-6 will be covering rugby league and netball. Students in P-2 will be covering ball skills focussing on tennis.

SCHOOL FAMILY DATA INFORMATION -Important

Parents (mother & father) who have changed their home address, home phone, mobile phone, work details & emergency contacts and phone details must contact the school office by the end of this week. 

Your prompt attention would be appreciated. 

Please either email updated details (with using header - SCHOOL FAMILY DATA INFORMATION)  to secretary.tully@cns.catholic.edu.au or come into the school office to complete a form. 

SCHOOL - LIBRARY BAGS

Library bags can be purchased from the school office for the cost of $15 each.

WATER BOTTLES

St Clare’s phone number - 07 40659550. 

SCHOOL TIMES -  2021

School hours Prep—Yr 6 

8.40am Start       3pm Finish

LUNCH BREAKS

Our lunch hours are as follows: 

Lunch   –    11:00am – 11:40am    Afternoon tea   –    1:40pm – 2:00pm

VISITOR REGISTER - SIGN IN 

All parents and visitors are required to report to the school office before entering the school grounds between 8.10am to 3pm. A Visitor Register is located on the office counter for you to sign in and collect a visitor badge. When you are leaving the school you will need to go to the office and sign out and return the badge. Please include any children who are with you also (younger siblings). This is a requirement in the case of school emergencies.

STUDENT COLLECTION REGISTER

Parents must report to the school office before collecting students. A Student Collection Register is located on the office counter for parents to sign out their child during the school day.

If the student is returning back to school you are required to sign them back in.

SCHOOL MESSAGE BOX 

We have a message box in the school office (counter) for any school fees payment, class notes, messages etc. Please make sure all notes are named with child’s class and any money or cheques are to be placed in a sealed envelope with date, name, child’s class, correct money or any others. 

PARENT LIBRARY

A Parent Library is situated in the school library for parents to take books home and read them. So, please come and browse the collection of books we have available.

Catholic School Fee Discount for 2021 

Dear Parents/Carers

In 2021 Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Cairns will provide a discount on tuition fees for holders of means-tested Health Care and Pensioner Concession Cards. 

The discount applies to tuition fees only and not to school levies and charges.

This year for term one and two a discount of 100% on tuition fees will apply to holders of eligible cards.

The cards must be current and list as dependents, the students for whom the discount is sought. 

Parents and carers should now present their eligible card to the school office for verification. The office secretary will make a copy and provide a Health Care Card Tuition Fee Discount Scheme Form for the Parent/Carer to complete.  The fee discount will then be applied to tuition fees for term one school fee for 2021.

For families with children at other Cairns Catholic Schools; this process will be repeated for each school.  The discount arrangement will expire on the expiry date of the card or at the end of the school year. 

Parents/Carers receiving the discount have a duty to inform the school of any renewal or change in eligibility cards.

Families seeking a discount on tuition fees must visit the school office to verify and copy their Heath Care/Pension Concession Card and complete the Health Care Card Tuition Fee Discount Scheme Form no later than this Thursday, 4th February in order for the discount to be applied to Term 1 school fees.

For those who applied in 2020 a form was completed in the office and a copy of HCC card was taken for their 2021 application. For those with an expiry card (end of 2020) please come into the school office to complete a new form and copy of new HCC card is required by this Thursday.

Thank you to those who have completed their forms for 2021.

IMPORTANT: Once the Fees are generated, unfortunately we are unable to process any claims for the respective term. Full fees for that term will be charged. (no credit can be done for that term).

Please make sure you come into the school office and complete the form with your HCC card by this Thursday. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to phone or call into the school office.

2021 Term 1 fees will be sent out in week 3 or 4.

Invoices will be sent by email to all parents. Please contact the school office if you do not receive the invoice so we can check your email address or if you require a hardcopy of fees to make payment.

                  Please check your junk or spam mail.

Families have the option of paying weekly, fortnightly, internet banking, or direct debt can be arranged with your bank. 

Please note:-

There is NO EFTPOS available at the school office. 

• If paying in cash we appreciate that correct money be given as we do not carry any change in the school office.
• If paying by Bpay or EFT direct debit or internet banking please use the school bank account details shown on the term one statement.
• IMPORTANT: Please use your Ref: 966000….....(under Biller Code). This number is to be used when paying by Bpay, or EFT -direct debt, internet banking.
• Remittance slip at the bottom of the school account to be returned to the school office with ALL payments. (cash, cheque, direct debt or internet banking).

Thank you.

The first Book Club catalogue for 2021 has arrived and will be coming home with your child this week. Book Club is an easy and affordable way to access a wide range of books and hands-on activities for children to enjoy. Every order placed also earns the school reward dollars that we can later use to purchase new resources for the school.

Orders can be placed by either

1. Completing the order form on the back of the catalogue and returning it to your child’s classroom teacher by 10 February 2021.

(Please make sure you include your child’s name and the correct money in a sealed envelope.)

OR

2. Visiting the Scholastic Australia LOOP website or app and following the Wizard to set up your profile. You will be able to select your school, your child’s class and complete your order and payment online. LOOP orders will also close on 10 February 2021.

All books will then be delivered to your child’s classroom. If you need any help at all, please feel free to give me a call- 0427 920 109.

Happy Reading,

Steph Grimaz

Welcome to all our new and current students and parents to a new school year.

Just reminding anyone with an overdue book from last year to please return to library as soon as possible.

This week your child will be visiting the library and borrowing books, please ensure your child has a library bag for borrowing. The school office has library bags for sale if you need one for your child.

The school library also houses a parent library for anyone wishing to borrow.The books cover many child issues, parenting ideas, and books on teens. All welcome to come in and browse, these books are on a card system, just fill out your name and leave the card on the library desk.

Please comply with all Covid protocols by signing in at the front office before coming into the library.

Happy reading.

Tuckshop 2021

Welcome back to another school year. A big welcome to all of our new families in the school! Our tuckshop operates every Friday, and is run by volunteers from our parent body. A convenor and two helpers work from 8.30am to 12pm on their nominated day, or if you prefer you can volunteer to bake 16 cupcakes from home. You are only rostered on ONCE a term.

Last week a note went home asking for help and thank you to those who replied and are able to help. We are still looking for helpers in the tuckshop, it’s not too late to volunteer. Please let me know if you can assist. Keep in mind if there is not enough helpers, there may be weeks Tuckshop will not open.

Listed below is the way to place your child’s order:

STUDENT ORDERING

• Orders are handed in on a brown paper sandwich bags
• PLEASE DON’T STAPLE OR STICKY TAPE THE BAGS CLOSED, JUST FOLD TIGHTLY
• Student name, class and order written clearly
• Correct money is encouraged – change given when necessary
• Orders for both lunches are welcome, but both will be given out at first lunch. Cold menu items are only available for the first lunch break.

• Orders must be in by Thursday morning (day before)

Name:  Charlie Brown     Yr 5

First Lunch

1 Ham & Cheese Pizza $3.50

1 apple popper            $2.00

1 cup cake                   $1.00

                                     ………….

                                  $6.50

$ 6.50 enclosed – no change required

Tuckshop Term 1 2021 Menu - see pdf

Friday 5/2/2021 -

Coordinator: C Aspinall  Helpers: M Calleja  R Hodgson

Bakers: K Waters  M Calleja  (Cupcakes)

Friday 12/2/2021 - 

Friday 19/2/2021 - 

Coordinator:  R Lizzio  Helpers: J Kachel  C Quabba

Bakers: A Bevan  R Di Mauro  (Cupcakes)

PIE DRIVE 2021

We will be holding our annual Pie Drive in Term 1 this year. Order forms will be going home next week with pies being delivered the 17^th March. More information regarding the drive will be sent with the order form. 

Thanks Marie Vipiana

School Banking 2021

Welcome back to another year and welcome to all of our new families in the school.  School Banking will continue on a Thursday this year commencing this week 4^th February.

For any families that are new to school banking the program is run with the Commonwealth Bank and co-ordinated by volunteers from the parent body.  If you wish to participate, please head into a Commonwealth Bank branch with your child’s birth certificate to open an account.  Once you have an account number please advise one of the co-ordinators listed below the details and we can add you to the St Clare’s list and your child can start banking through the school on a Thursday.  Anyone who needs a deposit book just let us know. 

When your child wishes to make a deposit just fill out a deposit slip and send to school with the money on a Thursday morning.  Each classroom has a banking bag to pop banking books into first thing in the morning. These will be collected during the day by a co-ordinator, money deposited into the children’s accounts, and deposit books returned to class ready to bank again next time.  Each time your child makes a deposit they receive a token, and once they have reached ten tokens they are eligible to select a prize from the list provided by the bank.  Once ordered their prize should arrive in a couple of weeks.

Happy Banking and if you have any questions please give either of us a call.

Catherine Aspinall on 0418451449           Natasha Scuderi on 0429090223