Dear Families,

As we wrap up Term 3, I’m thrilled to reflect on the vibrant and action-packed ten weeks we’ve had. From unforgettable events to remarkable achievements, this term has been nothing short of extraordinary. And with our Colour Run and Footy Day still to come this week, there’s more excitement ahead!

We kicked off the term with our parent-teacher-student conferences, a fantastic chance to discuss progress and set goals for the rest of the year. Your involvement in these conversations is invaluable, and we truly appreciate your support.

Our Grandparents and Special Friends Day was a heartwarming highlight, where our students proudly shared their school experience with their loved ones, creating precious memories and strengthening our school community.

Our Year 4 students celebrated a special milestone by marking the Eucharist with their families and parish, while our Year 5 and 6 students had a blast at the Marvellous Minds Cubed event, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving skills.

The playgroup has continued to thrive, with families coming together twice a week, fostering a nurturing and connected community.

Last week’s Japanese Festival was a standout event, brimming with colour and culture. A massive thank you to Sensei for organising such a vibrant celebration of Japanese traditions. It was a wonderful reminder of the rich diversity within our school.

We’ve also received fantastic feedback from our recent school review, with the draft report highlighting our many strengths and commitment to excellence. This positive feedback energises us as we strive to build on our successes.

Our students have been busy with engaging activities: Science Week dazzled with its experiments and discoveries, while Book Week was a mammoth celebration of reading. We also welcomed baby Tavcar, Holly Burke and Joyce Dunne to our school family, enriching our community. The lunchtime music concert was a fitting finale, showcasing the extraordinary talent of our students.

We celebrated Foundation’s 100 days at school with enthusiasm, and the Green and Gold Olympics Day was a spirited highlight, promoting teamwork and school spirit. Our Year 5 and 6 students had a fantastic time at Hoop Time, demonstrating their skills and sportsmanship.

We’re also proud to announce our students’ first-place win in the Ethics Olympiad last Friday, a testament to their exceptional reasoning and ethical skills.

Our Parent & Friends (P&F) group has been hard at work on exciting projects, including the upcoming mural, our new school tents (which will debut at this week’s Colour Run), and preparations for the Year 6 graduation. Their dedication is truly appreciated.

As we look ahead to Term 4, I want to extend my gratitude for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. Together, we’ve built a vibrant and nurturing environment for our students. Enjoy the break, and I look forward to welcoming you back on Monday, 7th October. We’re excited to have Carmel Donlon returning as Acting Principal, ready to embrace the new opportunities Term 4 will bring.

Warm wishes,

Megan Moore

COLOUR RUN

Just a reminder that our Colour Run is happening this Thursday, 19th September, with kick-off at 2:30 p.m. A huge thank you to Abbey, Nat and the P&F for organising what promises to be a fantastic fundraising event and loads of fun for everyone involved. If you’re able to lend a hand, please arrive by 2:15 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your Working with Children Check.

Children should wear a white t-shirt and old shorts to change into. These can be brought to school from today, in a named bag. Parents, make sure to bring a towel or a change of clothes if you’re taking children home in your car. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move the event to Friday, 20th September. Stay tuned for updates!

This Friday is Footy Day! Don’t forget to dress in your favourite footy colours to join in the activities that Ms Patto and the team have organised for the morning. Go Pies!

ETHICS OLYMPIAD

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news about our Ethics Olympiad team. Competing against over 20 teams from across Australia and New Zealand, our team secured an impressive first place! This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and dedication.

The journey to this success has been an incredible one. I am immensely proud of how our students came together, demonstrating remarkable effort and collaboration. Their commitment to preparing for the competition was evident in every practice session and discussion. Not only did they excel in their ethical reasoning, but they also enjoyed the process and had fun along the way.

This victory is a reflection of the team's collective effort and their ability to support and inspire each other. It’s moments like these that truly highlight the strength of our school community and the exceptional talent within our students.

Congratulations to our Ethics Olympiad team on this well-deserved win. Your achievement has made us all incredibly proud, and we celebrate your success with great joy. Well done!

JAPANESE FESTIVAL

What more can I say that hasn’t already been expressed by our staff, students, and parents! A huge thank you to our students for their outstanding performances and enthusiasm—you truly brought the festival to life!

To our families, thank you for coming along to watch and support the event. Your presence and encouragement added to the success of the celebration.

And a special thank you to Sensei for organising and leading this vibrant festival. Your dedication in bringing Japanese culture to our school community is deeply appreciated.

Thank you all for making this festival unforgettable!

YOUTH LEADERSHIP VICTORIA (YLV) - our after school care program

Please contact Megan Moore if you plan for your child/children to attend the holiday program these school holidays. We are in daily conversations with YLV about CCS payments and the holiday program. 

RIGHT TO DISCONNECT

As of 26th August this year, The "Right to Disconnect" rule came into  effect and is designed to help teachers manage their work-life balance by ensuring they have clear boundaries between their professional and personal time. This means that after their regular working hours, teachers are not expected to respond to emails, take work calls, or handle school-related tasks. By respecting this right, teachers can fully engage in their personal lives, reduce stress, and avoid burnout, which ultimately helps them return to school refreshed and more effective. This balance is crucial for maintaining both their well-being and their ability to provide the best possible support for their students.

With this in mind, we kindly ask that you address emails and queries to staff during business hours. If necessary, you can schedule your emails to align with these hours. Your understanding and cooperation in supporting the well-being of our dedicated staff are greatly appreciated.

ARBORIST WORK ON THE HOLIDAYS

Tree maintenance at our school has been scheduled for the first week of the school holidays. The work will be carried out between 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 25th, and Thursday, 26th. Megan and Maree will be on site to oversee the project. Clear exclusion zones will be established to ensure safety while our after-school program is in operation.

STUDENT ABSENTEE PROCEDURE

We are in the process of developing a new system, inline with MACS policies, for managing student absences and will soon be sharing detailed information with you. This updated process aims to streamline communication and ensure accurate record-keeping. Please stay tuned for further updates and instructions on how to use the new system once it is finalised.

STUDENT ACHEIVEMENTS

We’d love to celebrate your child's achievements and special moments in our school newsletter! Whether they’ve excelled in sports, made significant academic progress, or achieved something extraordinary in any other area, we want to hear about it. Sharing these highlights not only acknowledges their hard work and dedication but also inspires and fosters a sense of community among our students and families. Please send us your child's accomplishments and memorable moments so we can showcase their success and the diverse talents within our school community. Please email principal@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au

Here is our first contribution - congrats Aston!

Aston was on Fox FM in the last week of August where he had the chance to read the weather live for the morning show with Fifi, Fev and Nick. WHat an exciting opportunity. 

“I was a bit nervous but mostly excited because so much people in the world were going to listen to me. They sent me a practise letter and that made me feel more comfortable. I loved doing it and I’d love to read the weather again.”