Dear Families,
This is the time of year when staff start the process of allocating students to their 2025 classes. This is a task that our staff take very seriously, and they put a significant amount of care into their decisions.
I appreciate that this can create discussion among students, parents and guardians. Parents and guardians naturally have a vested interest in where their child is placed and the teacher that will be teaching them.
In the current climate, this has continued to be an ongoing challenge for our school as we still have not been able to confirm all our staffing for next year. The teachers have to complete this task without yet knowing where all the teachers will be placed, which is an unavoidable challenge when we are still looking for teachers and do not know where potential new teachers might best be placed. It does mean that we are having to make the best decisions possible without having all the information. I will try to keep the community informed and will communicate our staffing as soon as possible; however, I want to avoid sending out information that might turn out to be incorrect or that changes and causes further unnecessary anxiety.
While we have always acknowledged that parents and guardians know their children best, the placement of children into classes is best left to the teachers. They are best placed to make these decisions as they work with and observe the children every day. As a rule, I rarely overrule the decisions teachers have made unless it is really necessary, as doing so can cause unforeseen consequences.
We do not encourage parents and guardians to make requests for classes and teachers specific to their children. While I am always ready to listen, allowing parents to select teachers can create further problems and taking the request of one parent means that we need to do so for everyone, which would make the process untenable. I would ask that our parents and guardians trust our staff. They are extremely professional in this process, and I have complete confidence that they have the best interests of all the children at heart.
If, once this process has been completed, you have any further concerns, you will need to make time to come and see me to discuss this matter.
2025 SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
A reminder that there is a 2025 Sacramental Information Night at St Anthony of Padua parish church on Thursday, November 21 from 5.15 – 6.00pm. This is a compulsory meeting for all families seeking to have their children engage in a sacrament in 2025. If you have any questions about this, please contact our Religious Education Leader, Jamien Russell at jamien.russell@slweirviews.catholic.edu.au.
COLOUR RUN & SCHOOL COMMUNITY TEAM MEETING
Our Inaugural Colour Run Fundraiser is fast approaching! On November 29, students will be engaging in a fun-filled day of sport, activity, and colour as part of this exciting event. Many teachers and parents have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure this will be a day to remember, and we can’t wait to see everyone getting involved!
This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to raise funds for much-needed outdoor items, including furniture, shade, and play equipment, to help enhance our school’s outdoor environment. All students have been encouraged to create a personal fundraising profile (by next Friday 15, November), and we ask that you support them in this initiative by spreading the word and encouraging donations.
The best part? Every dollar raised will go towards improving our outdoor spaces, no matter how much each child raises. There are also some exciting incentives on offer:
- Prizes for the students who raise the most money
- Prizes for the class with the most students who have a profile
- Prizes for the class that raises the most money
And of course, there’s the chance to slime a teacher! I hear there’s a lot of excited chatter around this fun opportunity, and we know it will bring lots of laughter and excitement on the day.
More details and updates will be shared as we get closer to the event, but for now, please encourage your child to set up their fundraising profile and get ready for a colourful day of fun, laughter, sport and community spirit.
Thank you for your support in helping us raise funds for this important cause!
There is a School Community Team Meeting scheduled for next Thursday, November 21 from 5.15 – 6.00pm. This meeting will focus on the organisation of our Colour Run. Any parents and guardians who are able to help with this event are invited to come along. I hope to see lots of parents and guardians there – the more we have to help, the better the day will be.
DISCOVERY GRADE TWO FOOD BANK COMMUNITY DRIVE 
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our Discovery Grade Two Learning Community for the amazing work they have done with their Community Food Bank Drive. They have done an incredible job and their efforts will make a real difference to lots of families in our community. This is our Catholic faith in action.
“Look at how successful our food drive has been. We collected twenty shopping bags full of donations. Combined Churches Caring Melton will collect and distribute these items to those in need in our community. This project has provided the Discovery Grade Two students and the whole school community with the knowledge that through stewardship we can make a difference in the lives of others. A big thank you for the generous donations.”
Kandi Barrowcliffe
2025 SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
We need you!! – we are calling for parents and guardians who are interested in our School Advisory Council in 2025. This is a vitally important leadership role in our school, and the commitment required is limited (two one-hour meetings per term).
The SAC is the major forum to give parents and guardians a voice in key school developments of our school and we have been blessed to have a really active and engaged SAC. We would really love to have new parents and guardians join our SAC team knowing that we are likely to have some current members step down from their role on the SAC. If you are interested, please let me know.
On another note, I had indicated that our Annual General Meeting, when interested parents and guardians can nominate to join the SAC was planned to take place on Tuesday, November 19. Due to scheduling issues, I have had to reschedule this meeting to Tuesday, December 3 at 6.30pm.
UPCOMING DATES
November
15/11 – Discovery G1 Learning Community Assembly at 2.30pm
21/11 – School Community Team Meeting: 5.15 – 6.00pm
20/11 – 2025 G1 – G6 Parent & Guardian Parent Information Night
26/11 – Christmas Carols
29/11 – Colour Run & Schools Sports Day
December
09/12 – Three-Way Conferences
10/12 – Three-Way Conferences
06/12 – Exploration Learning Community Assembly at 2.30pm
– School Reports to be sent home
11/12 – Graduation Mass at 6.00pm
12/12 – 2025 Prep Parent & Guardian Parent Information Night #3
13/12 – End Of Year Mass at 11.30am at St Anthony’s
17/12 – Last Day for Students for 2024. Students finish at 1.30pm
18/12 – Student Free Day
– Last Day for Staff for 2024
19/12 – Student Free Day
20/12 – Student Free Day
God bless,
Bill Hill
PRINCIPAL