WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to everyone in the St Ita’s learning community. I hope you all had a restful break and enjoyed a happy and holy Easter with your families. We have a great deal happening this term and it's going to be remarkably busy for everyone.

A big thank you to all our staff, students and parents who participated in our School Review last term. It was a very affirming process and has given us the opportunity to develop a rigorous four-year Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will be presented to our school community once it has been finalised and approved.

 SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD / PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE

Thank you to the parents in our school community who have nominated to join the School Advisory Board for 2023. We appreciate the time you are prepared to commit to this important group. Our first meeting will be Wednesday 10th May at 7pm in the School Boardroom.

We are aiming to have our Parents and Friends Committee back up and running this term. We will be sending out nomination forms to all families in the coming weeks outlining the roles, expectations and opportunities that will be available.

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY

Thank you to all those in our school community who participated in the Drouin ANZAC ceremony last Tuesday 25th April. It was a meaningful ceremony and all of the children who participated were very respectful of the significance of the day, and why were celebrating the sacrifices that so many made for our country.

 

EVERY DAY OF SCHOOL IS IMPORTANT

At St Ita’s Primary School, we are committed to providing your child with the best education in a safe school environment. The building blocks of a great education begin with all students coming to school every day.

Regular school attendance is vital and missing school days can have a significant impact on a child’s future – missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by the end of the year. By Year 10, they will have missed more than a year of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational outcomes. If for any reason your child must miss school, there are things we can do together to ensure they do not fall behind too far:

• If your child is away for a period of time (1 week or beyond) please inform your child’s teacher.
• Speak with your classroom teacher and find out what work your child will need to do to keep up with classroom learning.
• Develop an absence-learning plan with your child’s teacher and ensure your child completes the set plan whilst they are away from school.

Remember, every day at school counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible.

In 2014, new legislation was introduced across Australia that gives the Department of Education and Training the capacity to fine parents for not sending their child to school without an acceptable reason.

A copy of the attendance regulations is listed below and the document clearly outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both parents and schools.

If you are having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day.