It has been heartening to see the enthusiastic response we have had to the newly added extra curricular activities as we have been working hard behind the scenes to deliver some more activities run by outside organisations.  Families will be dealing directly with the individual company and information for signing students up to participate will be dealt with directly with the businesses. They all have their own: fee schedule paid directly to the individual business, a set day and times for their activity.    Some of the activities have a minimum or maximum number of participants each week so it is good that many families have  signed up  already, with our first Music Rocks session starting today! Music Rocks Australia Year 1 to 6 "Where students experience a range of instruments, with the program  built around developing students confidence and providing an opportunity for students to play multiple instruments." 

On Tuesdays students will have the opportunity to be involved in the Pro Football Training, PrePrimary to Year 6 - "Each session children will be learning new techniques within the game of football and also finish the school day in a positive manner having been engaged in a fun and positive environment."  The first session will be running next Tuesday 24 and is being offered as a free session so children can experience the program and parents can then make an informed decision. Once again our community have got behind these initiatives with 49 students already signed up for the free session of Pro Football on Tuesday and 16 for Music Rocks.

Miss Leddin has been extremely busy this week celebrating National Science Week and preparing many fun and informative lessons for our students based on the theme "Different By Design" which honours the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. I am sure many experiences have been shared at home, over the dinner table.  The staff were lucky enough to share some special snacks at morning tea on Tuesday and asked to pick the 'different by design' theme in the tasty treats!

Mrs Plint has been working feverishly with our choir and their performance at the Performing Arts Festival where they participated in the Primary Sacred Choral Music section at St Benedict's on Monday was very well received.  Congratulations to the students and Mrs Plint!

Today, our choir were once again performing in the One Big Voice (OBV) extravaganza.  It is Australia's largest children's choir, open to all schools, public and private with students from Years 3 - 7). OBV culminates annually in two massive concerts at the RAC Arena.  Over 7000 students and their families celebrate in joyous affirmation of the life changing power of song!

Invitations for our annual Father's Day Breakfast on Thursday 2 September have been sent out this week so please ensure you send in your replies as soon as possible so we can move forward with the catering needs. More information about where we will be holding it,  will be communicated via Seesaw, closer to the date, as we plan to hold the event in the safest possible way with our students present. The change for the breakfast, if weather permits, will be the school oval.

Our Year Three students and others who will be making their First Reconciliation, tomorrow,  celebrated the special day together at their Reconciliation Retreat on Tuesday.  Special thanks go out to Mrs Sarah Carberry, Miss Alberta Bodeker and our Parish Catechists for preparing and sharing their knowledge with our students.

How wonderful that we are able to hold the annual Book Week Parade next Tuesday 24 August.  I know the students are extremely excited, as are the staff, who will once again be sharing their talents with the school community!

Wishing you God’s blessings

Andrea Millar