Dear Parents

Thank you to the parents that braved the rain on Monday night to attend the first P&F meeting for Term 1.  We probably would have had more in attendance if it wasn’t for the weather I am sure.  Attached is a copy of the presentation notes from the Committee, Assistant Principal and Principal’s report.  Please take your time to read the slides as it captures what is happening in the school and agenda that was raised.  It is important to be in the know!
 
We were very fortunate on Tuesday with the extreme weather that the school was not flooded given the SES alert warnings. It certainly helped to have your co-operation to pick up your children in a staggered manner from the classrooms.  This seemed to ease the congestion and flow of traffic and it certainly kept the students safe and calm as they waited patiently to go home.  I am very proud of our Year 3 and 4 students and ttheir eachers who calmly became adaptable when their classroom block experienced gushing water from the doorways and balcony. The students relocated into the library and spare Year 2 and 1 classrooms and continued with their learning and teaching.  The students will continue to be in these temporary spaces until the emergency repair to the balcony and roof is completed some time early next week weather permitting.  We are very grateful for the urgent attention of Facilities in our head office of CSBB who arrived quickly to the school to inspect the damage, isolate the area and expedite this repair work. 
 
Next week on Tuesday we will hold our Open Day at 9.15am and 6.30pm.  Please remind any family you know seeking a quality education, welcoming and caring faith-filled school community to come along to a tour and talk about the St Kieran’s difference and offerings

Welcome new familiy to St Kieran’s - Luchetti family - Rocky in Year 2 and Benny Year 4

Kind regards
Anna
    Anna Marsella
    Principal

After the Storm
Dear Lord, Even though lives have
been devastated by the storms,
We know we are not alone
We trust that you will carry us through and
make a way where there seems to be no way.
You are always faithful and we thank you for all the help
we know you will bring us because you are loving and good.
Amen

Family photos mini session (15 minutes) for $90 is being offered to St Kieran’s families on the weekend of Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April by our very own photographer by occupation Natasha Lorenzen Obad (Year 3 mum). This is a great opportunity for the P&F to fundraise so please support the school by purchasing this fantastic deal to make some precious family memories.

Location: Manly Dam (morning and afternoon sessions will be available) 
Once you have paid via QKR, a booking link will be sent to you to book your session time. 

P.S this could be a great Mother’s Day gift idea!

This Valentine’s day don’t say I love you with chocolate, don’t say it with flowers, say it with undies !

This year the Mission Team is organising a collection for the homeless people of the city.

We are collecting new men’s undies, ladies undies, children’s undies, granny undies to be delivered to the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, Sydney. At the Wayside Chapel homeless people can have a clean shower, however, when they get dressed again they have to put on their old undies. YUCK !

We want to change that so that when people have finished their shower they can put on a clean pair of undies. Next week, Week 4, we are collecting new undies. You can leave your donation under the noticeboard or in your classroom and we will collect them.
Thank you for participating in our undies project.
     The Mission Team. 

I need parent helpers for covering books. If you would like to continue or start helping in any way in the library, please email the school or fill in the linked form. We use either contact (soft cover books) or plastic (hard cover books).

If you have not contacted or covered books before or would like a refresher, I will hold a very quick session straight after school at a convenient time.
We will send home about a dozen books for covering once or twice a term at most.
     Liz McGuire

Orders for the current issue of Book Club close Sunday 13 March.

On Monday Students from St Kieran's participated in the Northern Beaches swimming carnival. Our students represented the school proudly and achieved some great results. It was fantastic to have parent spectators attend the carnival cheering on the students and showing great school spirit. Congratulations to all those who participated. 

We kicked off the first P&F Meeting for the year on Monday this week. The main focus was reconnecting as a school community, discussing the exciting calendar of events planned for the year and determining what resources within the school our fundraising efforts will go towards.
 
At the top of the list was playground maintenance and upgrades with a focus on the Gordon Street green areas - herb and veggie garden revamp / sensory play area. Educational equipment and resources were other key items, including new technology, such as STEM resources. Investment in the music program (new instruments), as well as outdoor play and sporting equipment, were all items of discussion.
 
A topic at front of mind was flood relief support and what we can do as a school community to help and raise funds for those affected.
 
Feedback regarding the SRC program across Years 3-5 has been positive and the students have been hard at work with exciting initiatives, including Friday Fun Days, connecting with secondary students from St Paul’s Manly – mentoring and sport coaching, including lunchtime picnics at the oval. We are also excited about the commencement of the performing arts teacher who will run an innovation program to foster confidence with emotional and social audience experience with students.
 
If parents have any questions or would like to raise any topics for discussion, Class Parents and the P&F are here to support and guide our families. Please reach out via pfskmv@gmail.com.
     The P&F Team

The Canteen is open for online orders only for recess and lunch.  Orders will be taken to the classroom for students.  There is no over-the-counter orders or service.  
Facebook

A big thank-you to our volunteers over the past week:

• Lisa Gashovski
• Ally Browne
• Nicole Crane
• Domeniki Tsagaris
• Tammy Brichta

If anyone is unsure of their upcoming days in the canteen let me know and I can post the roster again.

Please remember to update your child's class on QKR to avoid issues with your child thinking they have no lunch.

Any questions please feel free to make contact, on either 0438 433 231 or email me.
Thank-you,
     Hannah Davidson

Evergreen Music
Junior and Senior Band has commenced with Evergreen Music.  Please click here for information regarding enrolment. 

Young Investigators Science - Term 1 Enrolment
We have two classes available in Term 1 on both Wednesday & Thursday mornings.  The topic for Term 1 is 'Space - Exploring the wonders of the universe'. To enrol or for further information please click here.  
    Alana Wylie PhD - Eye Heart Science 

Term 1 Drama
To enrol click here.

     Stephanie Waites, Drama Teacher -  0407 235 914