Dear Parents

We are coming to the end of the term so quickly and we are enjoying and benefiting from the ease of school restrictions.  It has meant we have been able to reconnect again and fully engage in school community life. Next week is important to meet with your child’s teacher to have a 3 way meeting about their learning achievement, to celebrate their milestones and set goals for next term.  I am sure this learning conversation will affirm your child who will benefit from the feedback and supported partnership with the teachers. 
 
With a spike in Covid cases at the school with teachers and students affected, I strongly request the following to keep the community safe:

1. Wear a mask each time you enter the school.
2. Only attend the parent and teacher interview if you and your child are well.
3. If you are unwell, email the teacher so that your interview is scheduled at the same time via mobile phone conference call.
4. If attending the interview face to face with the teacher, you must wear a mask, sit physically distanced and sanitise hands on arrival. We discourage hand shaking.

 
Note that from time to time teachers may need to isolate themselves at home.  We will do our very best to engage a casual teacher to replace the classroom teacher.  However, there is a shortage of casual teachers at this time of high demand across all schools.  As a last resort, we may need to split the class into another classroom for supervision.  We will do our best to avoid this from happening, but I want to give you the heads up just in case.  Please be patient and we will get through this stage.  I highly encourage you to be vigilant with RAT testing at least twice a week at home.  If you are running low on kits please collect them from the office or send us an email so Julia can forward the kit to your child to take home.
 
We are also preparing to commemorate Holy Week next week with Kinder leading the school community with Palm Sunday.  This will be held on Friday 1 April at 2pm.  After this event I welcome the opportunity to have a cup of tea or coffee with you and get to know you better. I look forward to having this special time with you.
 
Tomorrow between 8.45am and 10.30am we recommence St Kieran’s Playgroup led by Eleanor Hill and Kate Foley. A coffee van will be here from 8.15am for you to buy a coffee and to meet and introduce yourself to new families attending for the first time.  Unfortunately, I am at a Principal’s Meeting in the Broken Bay Office and can not join you, but I will definitely be there for the April Playgroup.  A big thank you to Eleanor and Kate for setting this popular and interactive play opportunity for these young children and bringing families back together again.
 
Hannah Davidson has been employed by St Kieran’s to be a Learning Support Teacher Aide. Her hours have increased to support students in Kinder, therefore can no longer operate the Canteen as well.  The position of Canteen Co-ordinator has been advertised on Broken Bay Workplace and Seek.  The position is open for recruitment and closes on Friday 1 April.
 
We warmly welcome a new family to the school - Ortiz (Jose Carlos is in Year 3).

Kind regards
Anna
    Anna Marsella
    Principal

"Let us not grow tired of praying.
Jesus taught us to 'pray always without becoming weary.' ( Luke 18:1)
We need to pray because we need God.
Thinking that we need nothing other than ourselves is a dangerous illusion.
If the pandemic has heightened the awareness of our own personal and social fragility,
may this Lent allow us to experience the consolation provided by faith in God,
without whom we cannot stand firm.'(Isaiah 7:9)" — 
Pope Francis, 2022 Lenten Message

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!

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has now opened and closes on Friday 19 August. We encourage all students to participate in the PRC every year.

CONGRATULATIONS to the 6 students who have already finished this year’s Challenge! Let’s keep that total rising.

The teachers have all been given their students’ user names and passwords which they will pass on so books can now be entered online. Please note that any PRC books read in K-3 Library lessons this term have been entered into each student’s PRC reading record.



The student site is easily accessible and can be used to enter the books that have been read:
 
Please see the list below showing how many books your child needs to read to complete the PRC.


     Liz McGuire

Over the last few weeks Kieran H has experienced an incredible swimming journey. At the Northern Beaches swimming carnival Kieran was awarded a medal for the ‘Runner Up Boys Athlete of the meet’, a great privilege for his ongoing dedication to the sport.

He then proceeded this success at the Broken Bay championships on the Central Coast and therefore on the 22 March took part in the Polding Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.

Amazingly even at this exceptional level Kieran had another wonderful result coming in at 3^rd in the age 11 50m Breaststroke.
Kieran is now going to be taking part in the State Swimming Championships. An exceptional achievement. His dedication and commitment to the sport has definitely been proven in these wonderful results.

The St Kieran’s community is extremely proud and we wish him all the best.

Hannah Davidson will be stepping aside from her position as Canteen Coordinator at the end of term to work more closely with students as a Learning Support Assistant. We would like to sincerely thank Hannah for her smooth running of the canteen during the last 2 years.

The Canteen Coordinator position is now being advertised and if you or anyone you know should wish to apply for the position please click on this link for a full role description. Applications close on Friday 1 April.

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

• Natalia Clack
• Alyson Perry
• Kate Barbalace
• Domeniki Tsagaris
• Nicole Crane
• Olivia Smuts
• Alicia Unkovic

 Thank you,
     Hannah

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

Young Investigators Science
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 

Drama
To enrol click here.

     Stephanie Waites, Drama Teacher -  0407 235 914