This week we have enjoyed French Week. Full of activities, and students were delighted to perform their French plays at our assembly on Wednesday. Bravo et merci a tous les etudiants! The assembly was a joyful time to celebrate all the magnificent learning during their AIMS French lessons with Madame Maazi and Madame McKiernan. On Monday and Wednesday, the visiting crêpes van was certainly a welcome afternoon treat, with superb crepes served to our students and their families. Thanks to everyone for their patience, I’m sure the chocolate ganache or salted caramel options were worth it.
While our normal Term 4 school hats have been replaced by colorful French berets and ‘Good morning’ greetings with Bonjour tout le monde, we have had many comments that it has been truly a wonderful celebration of language learning. Our special and sincere thanks to Madame Maazi who began the planning many months ago and has worked tirelessly to ensure every student can enjoy the week.
Thank you to students, staff and parents for your support of this inaugural celebration of learning the French language. Parents are welcome to give feedback and ideas to our staff as we refine and plan for next year’s event! More food trucks are definitely on the cards.
Swimming for Year Prep and One continues throughout this term and once again we thank those parents who are willing to come along to assist classes during this important water safety and confidence program. While this program is brief, it enables our students to begin to act safely around water and practice safety for themselves and others. We encourage parents to explore the possibility of further swim programs over the summer.
Prep to Year 2 Sports Days
Next week on Wednesday 23rd for Preps, and Thursday 24th for Years 1 and 2, students will be participating in a Sporting event here at the school on the sports field. We invite volunteers to assist. All parents and guardians are welcome to come along to cheer on your child and their house team! Current Working with Children Checks are needed to volunteer in our school. This will be another wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and encourage our students as they participate. We look forward to seeing you there. Please register your availability to assist with the Junior School office. Email: werribeeprimary@heathdale.vic.edu.au
Operation Christmas Child
Next week, we will finalise the packing of all Christmas boxes and encourage students to bring any they have made at home. This program is a practical way to inform our students about children who live in areas of our world with very little. Students will have opportunity to pray that each gift box will bless the recipient and their family as they receive them in time for Christmas.
To help raise the postage to send the boxes, we invite families to contribute by sending students with a gold coin donation by Friday, October 25. Families may also make a monetary donation to support postage online, and then email us with the details so the postage can be used for our boxes to make their journeys. Please go to www.samaritanspurse.org.au to donate.
We are thankful to each family who contribute in prayer and donations of these boxes and know your generous giving will indeed bless another child elsewhere. Our students learn that strong community can grow from everyone doing their small part giving thanks to God for His provision in our lives and in permitting us to help in this way at Christmas.
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” – 2 Thessalonians 16-17
Prep to farewell our Year 12s
We will be gathering as a school community to farewell our Year 12 students on Tuesday, October 22 at 1.45pm in the MS Courtyard. Prep students will participate in a presentation to Year 12 students. Parents are welcome to attend.
Hats/Summer Uniform
A reminder to all that Junior School Uniform requirement for Terms 1 and 4 is for students to wear a hat when outside. Hats should be worn by students for all outside activity including leaving at the end of the school day. It is suggested that students keep one hat at school in their locker and one in their school bag, both clearly named. Teachers will ask all students to wear their hat for outside play and sporting activities during this term.
The summer uniform is applicable in Term 4, however, when the weather is unseasonably cold, students may wear their winter uniform but it must be one or the other – not a mixture of the two. All girls with shoulder-length hair or longer must have their hair tied back. No jewellery, wrist bands or necklets are permitted, and may be confiscated for a time if worn to school.
2020 Prep Orientation Days
Parents who have children starting in Prep in 2020 should have received an email detailing attendance on Wednesday, October 23 (non-Heathdale Kinder children only) and Friday, November 22 for all 2020 Preps. Please contact the Junior School Office if you have any queries.
Mid-term Break & Student Free Days
A reminder that Heathdale Christian College has its mid-term break Monday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 5 (Melbourne Cup Day). We hope you are able to enjoy some family time over this extended weekend. We also have a Student Free Day for all Prep-Year 6 students on Friday, November 22. Please note these dates on your calendar.
Kinder Survey Reminder
Last week, our kindergarten families were emailed a Parent Opinion Survey in relation to our Kindergarten program. We value parent feedback and ask that if you haven’t completed this already, that you make some time to do so.
Please click the following link to start the survey:
https://live.srcentre.com.au/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?I.Project=SRC2323&i.user1=80685
If you are unable to access the survey by clicking on the link, please copy and paste the link into a new browser window. Survey will close on Friday, October 25.
Letters home
October 7 – Prep-Yr 4 Class placement letter
October 8 – Prep swimming letter
October 9
- Yr 2 Science letter
- 2C Class Teacher letter
October 10
- KE Excursion letter
- Prep-Yr 4 French Week letter
October 11
- Yr 4 French Week letter
- PW Class Teacher letter
October 14 – Yr 6 Online Behaviour letter
October 15 – Prep-Yr 2 Sports Day letter