Dear Parents, Staff and Students

Thank you to all who made the effort to come to our Meet and Greet evening last week. It is a wonderful feeling having so many families visit together. Hopefully, you have gained an insight into how each classroom will operate and the expectations for that year level. A reminder, if you need to see your child’s teacher, book an interview via email or Seesaw so they can make themselves available before or after school.

Thanks to all parents/carers who have been following our COVID protocols and signing in when intending on entering classrooms. Parents should keep onsite visits in the morning to less than 10 minutes.

I look forward to seeing parents tonight at our P & F AGM and first general meeting. During 2021, a successful partnership with all parents is a key focus, with our students being at the core of what we do.

Many of our older students are involved in upcoming sporting opportunities. Good luck to all students representing St Clare’s this Friday night at the Southern Zone Swimming Carnival!  Next Friday, February 26, students in Yrs 4-6 will compete in the Rugby and Netball carnivals.  Thank you to all parents who are assisting with these events.

Prep Enrolments for 2022

It seems early to be discussing enrolments for 2022 BUT if you have a child born between 1/7/2016 and 30/6/2017, your child is eligible to start Prep in 2022. Please go to our website to complete an online enrolment - https://www.stclares.qld.edu.au/enrolling/enrolment-application/. Interviews will commence in Term 2.

School Annual Implementation Plan

Each year we have key focus areas of improvement, and teaching staff work towards these goals during the year with dedicated staff meetings and Professional Learning that support growth in these areas.  Today we had the CES Support Team visit St Clare’s to work on our goals with the leadership team. We will publish our goals for our school community once finalised.

Volunteer training

Have you completed volunteer training?  All parents assisting with sport training, tuckshop, sport days, transport, excursions, classroom assistance etc need to complete the training found on the Catholic Education website. Go to: https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/our-school-communities/parent-engagement/volunteer-training/

Board Members

This year we are looking for a couple of new School Board Members to join the Board, in replacing some long serving members who concluded their service last year when their children graduated. Thank you to Chris O’Kane and Leona Bradley for their service.

If you are interested in learning more about the School Board then please contact me directly via email at nharney@cns.catholic.edu.au . Those interested will be invited to a School Board meeting and then the current Board members will discern the people we need on the Board. The School Board is an advisory body to myself, as principal, and discusses ‘big picture’ issues for St Clare’s. Meetings are once a month on a Tuesday, commencing at 5:30pm. We value the contributions and wisdom from parents from a variety of backgrounds. We also value practising Catholics who may bring that perspective to our conversations. I look forward to being inundated with EOI from parents.

Peace be with you and your families for the week ahead,

Narelle Harney

Welcome   Community   Hospitality

Opening School Mass

It was wonderful to have our opening School Mass in the Church and celebrate with Father Joby. Students who hold captain positions and all student leaders read their pledges to our school community and received their badges. We are looking forward to their leadership during 2021. Congratulations to all students in Year 6 for a wonderful start to the year. 

Father Hilary’s Farewell

Last Wednesday, Father Hilary came back to St Clare’s for a picnic lunch with staff and students. Our School Captains gave a farewell speech and presented him with a gift from the school community.  We all gave him a special blessing and we all loved helping him eat his delicious farewell cake.

Altar Servers

We are seeking students who wish to serve at the weekend masses in Tully and Mission Beach during 2021.  To be eligible to serve, students need to have made the sacrament of First Eucharist. Students will receive training from Father Joby and they will be rostered on to serve approximately once a month at the weekend mass.

If your child would like to be part of the Altar Server Roster, please email Helen Andrewsto advice which service you child is available for at handrews@cns.catholic.edu.au

The mass times are as follows:

TULLY                            SATURDAY 6pm  

                                      SUNDAY 9am

MISSION BEACH –       SUNDAY 7am

Shrove Tuesday

The day before Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday, the word ‘Shrove’ meaning ‘to be sorry’.  The students enjoyed making and eating pancakes before school in support of Project Compassion.  Thank you to the Year 6 students and staff who helped cook and serve over 200 pancakes and also to everyone who supported the morning with purchasing pancakes.  Amazing effort with the funds raised going towards Project Compassion.

Ash Wednesday

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday that marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for six weeks. We will be having a school liturgy for staff and students at 12pm. We call it Ash Wednesday because many Christians around the world usually receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads. However, due to COVID, it will be done a little different this year and Father Joby will bless us using ashes without any contact. Ash Wednesday also reminds us that we are followers of Jesus and our main job is to serve others just as he did. With God’s help we can try to reach out to others with more love and kindness especially in our own families, our school and in our world and think about how we can be servants to God’s people.

Project Compassion Launch                                 

Last Friday, Year 6 spoke about how the beginning of Lent also marks the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Funds raised allow Caritas Australia, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. During the Ash Wednesday Mass, Project Compassion boxes will be handed out to classes for distribution to families. Students are invited to bring their boxes from home each Thursday to contribute to their classroom box, which will then be taken to assembly each Friday during Lent to contribute to the school Project Compassion box. This will then be given to the Parish to pass on to Caritas.

You can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au  

Students will engage in different inspirational stories each week during Lent to show the power of hope and the work of Caritas Australia in different countries around the world.

School Calendar

Invoices were sent by email to all parents on Wednesday, 28th April.
Due date for fees to be paid is Wednesday, 12th May.

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.

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. 

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS

Parents please note - If your child requires medication during school hours, it is vital to complete an ‘Administration of Medication During School Hours’ form. These forms are kept in the school office or can be downloaded from the school website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO PARENTS 

• If your child is going to be absent from school please ring the school office by 9.30am.
• If your child is late coming to school they are required to come to the school office to sign in and collect a late slip.
• Parents are asked not to go to classrooms once school has commenced. Please report to the school office if you need to see / give items to your child or the class teacher.   
• All parents or visitors are required to sign in at the school office. Please do not use the car park gate to enter the school during school hours.  
• If there is any changes for your child/ren who catch the bus parents are required to contact the school office by 2.30pm.  This will allow time to pass the message onto your child.    

Thank you to everyone who supported Book Club for Term 1. Collectively, we ordered a massive $1304 worth of books and earnt the school $260 of scholastic rewards. These reward dollars will be used to purchase new books and resources for the school. I hope that you all enjoy your new books….they will be here soon!

Thanks again and Happy Reading.

Steph Grimaz

POPCORN

Friday 19/2/2021 - 

Coordinator:  R Lizzio  Helpers: J Kachel  C Quabba

Bakers: A Bevan  R Di Mauro  (Cupcakes)

Friday 26/2/2021 -

Coordinator: R Lizzio  Helpers: L Silvestro  T Dore

Bakers: C Lizzio  S Duncan  (Cupcakes)

Friday 5/3/2021 - 

PIE DRIVE 2021

Order forms for our annual Pie Drive were sent home last week with the eldest child in your family. If you require another order form please see the school office.

Orders are due by Monday 1st March. No late orders will be accepted and please when sending in money have the correct dollar amount.

Thank you for supporting this P&F fundraiser, Any questions please let me know .

Marie Vipiana 

Thanks Marie Vipiana