Dear Parents/Carers & Community Members

We come to the end of Term 1, a term which has seen our students and teachers achieve so much even with the ongoing impact of COVID and the continuous torrential rain.  The year started with us welcoming 150 new Year 7 students our biggest group for several years.  We launched our new Wellbeing program, ‘The Learning Curve’ into Years 7 to 10.  Students have again been able to participate in representative sport and other extracurricular activities.  These types of activities and the school’s wellbeing program are essential to help build a sense of community, connectedness and improve student wellbeing.  As human beings the sense of belonging goes a long way towards helping us as individuals cope in times of stress, build self-confidence and just be happy.

From Term 2 we have appointed Mrs Marian Parvin to a new role of Wellbeing Mentor, the focus of this role is to work with our CLARE teachers and Leaders of Wellbeing to embed our new Wellbeing program across the school, implementing other initiatives to better support student growth and wellbeing and place more emphasis on student voice across the school community.  With Mrs Parvin’s change in role, Ms Jamaya Pearse will continue in the role of Year 8 Leader of Wellbeing, a role she undertook earlier this term with Mrs Parvin’s movement to Acting Assistant Principal Wellbeing for Term 1.  I will be moving back to the Assistant Principal, Wellbeing role with Mr Nicholls returning as Principal.  I thank the Catholic Schools Office Maitland/Newcastle for supporting the school with this initiative.

Term 2 starts on Wednesday, 27 April for all students with Tuesday, 26 April being a staff development day.  But prior to the start of term, we have ANZAC day on Monday, 25 April.  This is a significant day for all Australians as we take time to remember the many men and women who went to war to protect our country and freedom.  As a school community we have a long history of supporting this day by participating in the local Taree March.  I urge all our students and teachers to again come along and march as a school community and show your respect to our diggers both past and present.  We have always had a strong representation on this day, and I hope this continues for many years to come.  If you cannot come to the Taree March, take the time to attend your local service in school uniform.  As a school our ANZAC Service will occur on Wednesday, 27 April at 10 am, parents and community members are welcome to attend, please contact the school prior.

A few reminders for parents and students:

1. Masks are mandatory for all students on buses, this includes when students are going to sporting or extracurricular events on buses. The school unfortunately cannot continue to supply masks without having to charge.  No mask will mean that you cannot get on a bus.

2. Mobile use – can we please request that parents do not contact their child via mobile phone during the school day 8:55 am – 3:20 pm, classes are being increasing disrupted by student phones going off by messages from parents/carers. If you need to contact your child during the school day, can you please contact the school office on 6552 3300 (Option 5).  We have phones in all classrooms and can pass on any message from a parent onto their child immediately or call the child to the office at recess or lunch.  We also request all parents and carers to discuss with their child about contacting them during the day.  Students can contact their parent and carer at recess and lunch by simply gaining permission from a teacher or Leader of Wellbeing. 

3. School hats and grey socks for boys are available at workwise, it is now expected that all students have a school hat to wear when outside and not in shade and that all students wear the correct socks from Term 2 now that they are available. 

4. Year 7 to 11 Parent, Student, Teacher interview day is on Thursday, 5 May starting at 10 am and finishing at 5 pm. Bookings can be made through compass from today.  Years 7 to 11 will have no classes, Year 12 will have classes as normal. 

5. Next term we welcome back Mr Nicholls and Mrs Northam after both being on leave for a large portion of Term 1. 

6. First day of Term 2 is Wednesday 27 April for all students. 

Lastly, can I thank all community members especially parents, carers and students for their continued support of St Clare’s, you are what makes this school great.  Thank you must also go to all the teaching and support staff at the school, who have worked tirelessly in sometimes difficult situations to ensure all students receive the best education possible. 

Prayer for Mind, Body and Soul 

Dear Lord, It can be so easy to neglect the most important.  Sometimes we hurry and live to appear put together on the outside when really, we’re crumbling to pieces on the inside.  Lord, I don’t want to live that way. I want to honour Your creation – my mind, body, and soul – which You have made so intricately.  Where my mind is polluted with the filth of this world and struck down by false beliefs, would You bring renewal?’  When I forget to take care of my body, help me remember that it is the tent that helps me stay grounded in life.  And lastly, Lord, remind me of the importance of nurturing my soul, which so desperately needs You to help me recover in those vital areas of life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Have a great holiday and may God bless us ad look over us all during the school holidays.

Regards

Mr Phil Gibney
Acting Principal