It has been an absolute pleasure this week to have our Kindergarten and Year 1 students back at school. In my class visits I have asked a few individuals if they are happy to be back and overwhelmingly they are. Not surprisingly, the reason is to be back with their friends! The teachers have commented how smoothly the students have transitioned and for many of them, they have kept up with their reading and general learning behaviours. 

In addition, we look forward with excitement to the return of the remainder of our classes on Monday. The return to face-to-face teaching for our teachers and students is what learning is all about; the development of relationships that enhance our growth both socially and academically, not to mention the spiritual and physical growth that occurs within schools. 

I am sure there is a great sense of relief amongst our parents mixed with a touch of sadness after what has been an extraordinary period in our lives. I urge parents to be punctual with morning drop offs to assist with the smooth transition to school. Upon the return to full-time school, I would like to remind you of some crucial safety measures that will be in place for the foreseeable future. 

Safety Measures 

• If your child is showing any sign of COVID symptoms, do not send them to school until they have been tested 

• Parents, social distance and do not congregate outside the school grounds at drop off or pick up 

• If you need to visit the office, enter through the Gordon Street gate and use the QR code before entering the office foyer 

• Do not enter the playground without prior permission 

• Wear a mask while in or around the school premises 

 Dismissal 

This week we trialed the staggered dismissal of students in preparation for next week. Please adhere to the designated dismissal times to ensure the easy flow of traffic. Remember: 

• Blue and Green colour houses are dismissed at 2.45pm 

• Red and Yellow are dismissed at 2.55pm. 

• These times apply to car park and Gordon Street dismissals 

Canteen 

The canteen re-opens next week. The canteen will operate under COVID safety guidelines with online ordering only. Information was sent home earlier this week regarding canteen. A reminder that all volunteers will need to show proof of double vaccination and sign in with QR code. Unfortunately, there will be no sushi mini-boxes available until further notice. 

Virtual Disco 

The P&F are hosting another wonderful community event this evening with an online virtual disco. Thank you for offering this opportunity to our students and a special thank you to the parents who have volunteered to “supervise” the event. Have a wonderful evening! 

God bless, 

   Michael Gallagher
   Principal

Mission in Action
In Sunday’s readings the blind man is made to see again. Although he is physically blind, he has his eye on the goal of being with Jesus. Mark 10: 46 -52 is the core scripture for some of the ‘Mission” units of learning this term. Students ponder and discuss the meaning of this Scripture; both for the time in which it was written and its significance in our lives today. 

Blindness can take on many forms: the inability to see the needs of those around us, the inability to see injustice, the inability to see opportunities for peace in our lives and the lives of those around us.

We might pause to think about blindness in our lives. Often in the busyness of life and the pursuit of our careers, goals, and aspiration, we might miss opportunities to share in Jesus’ mission of spreading peace, joy, justice.

St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper Call Out
Each December our school and parish community collect, package and distribute Christmas hampers to those in need in our area. The many hands of our school community have joined together to make this giving and sharing in our community a joyful event.

We are asking for a team of parents and friends to assist with this task. Preparation and distribution are completed before the end of the school term. If you can assist in anyway, please complete the “Expression of Interest” linked here.  Assistance is required for planning, sorting of donations, assembling delivery runs and delivery of the hampers. You may wish to head up a team or assist in one stage of preparation. All help is gratefully accepted and guided by a St Vincent De Paul representative.  

Yours in Religious Education,
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

Leaving students: To assist with planning class groups for 2022 please complete this google form if your child will be leaving St Kieran's at the end of this year to attend another school. It is a government requirement that we send a student transfer note to the school they will be attending in 2022. Therefore we require information regarding any leaving students including Year 6 students. Please complete by Wednesday 20 October. 

In addition to the google form please notify the school in writing if your child is not returning next year (K - 5 only).

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card

For further information please click here.

If you have a child starting in 2022 please forward their application to the school as soon as possible.  Applications are available from the school website. 

The Canteen will reopen on Wednesday 27 October for online orders only.  Orders will be taken to the classroom for students.  There will be no over-the-counter orders or service. More information to follow.
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