Lord, give us imaginations big enough to reach up to yours. However, make us grounded enough to want only to love and humbly serve others as best we can. Help us to do everything for the greater glory of God. Amen
Dear Friends,
It has been a very positive and busy start to Term 4, with much activity and celebration still to come before the (well-deserved) forthcoming Christmas break.
Coming up
On 18 November, the School community is looking forward to welcoming our new Kindergarten students for their Orientation. An Orientation morning has been planned for these students, their 2021 teachers, Executive staff, ELC staff and the classroom support team. At 5pm a parent information session will be held, via ZOOM. This meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to attend at this time.
On 19 November, the Courtyard Learning Area (Kitchen Garden) will be officially opened by Alicia Payne MP, the Federal Member for Canberra. Funds for the Courtyard Learning Area were provided from a grant and with additional financial support from our P&F (our sincere thanks to all involved). Special recognition must go to the Year 2 students who imagined and crafted drawings and plans which were then used as a basis for the overall design, in consultation with the P&F.
On 11 December is the Fete Fun Day (if you children are like mine, you will have already heard many excited discussions about this day). If I could please extend a very sincere thanks to Jenny and all those involved in planning and preparation for this wonderful event: all you have done is much appreciated!
Successful BGA Application
In exciting news, Holy Trinity was successful in its application for a Block Grant Authority grant for the refurbishment of the Year 1 Annex classrooms. Principal Philippa Brearley has already met with architects, and it is hoped that this will progress to tender by the end of the year, with construction beginning around April 2021. Portable classrooms will be brought in during January to accommodate classes affected by this refurbishment process. A special thanks and congratulations to Philippa for all her work in leading this initiative. The outcome will be much improved classroom space for our Year 1 students and staff.
Water Safety Program
COVID-19 restrictions have impacted the planned water safety program this year. As a result, only Kinder to Year 4 will be participating in a water safety program during weeks 8 and 9 of term.
Over the next few weeks, the Board will be surveying parents to assess the effectiveness and value of the water safety program at Holy Trinity for 2021 and beyond. If you can respond to this survey so that we are able to make informed decisions about the future of this program, the Board would be most grateful for your input.
KidsBiz contract renewed
Following discussions with KidsBiz, the School Executive and the Board, the contract for KidsBiz to run the before and after school programs at Holy Trinity hs been extended for another 3 years. My thanks to all involved in this renewal process. Congratulations also to Kidsbiz who completed their Assessment and Rating visit this week.
Continuing to observe COVID-19 restrictions
We remain very fortunate to be in Canberra during this terrible global pandemic, and to be able to have our children schooled without the significant and enduring restrictions or disruptions which have impacted some other Australian jurisdictions and countries overseas. Whilst it is pleasing that restrictions in Canberra and at Holy Trinity have eased, if I could please remind all members of our community to continue to observe the restrictions which are in place to ensure the continued safety of everyone.
Thanks and best wishes
As this is my last Bulletin submission for this year, I would like to wish all students, families and staff who are leaving Holy Trinity at the end of this year all the very best for the future endeavours - and to thank you all for your significant contributions to our community. We hope that you leave enriched by your time at the school and that your journey ahead continued to be filled with all the things that matter most to you.
If you would like to contact me at any point, or would like to raise any matters with the Board, please feel free to email me at sbpearsall@gmail.com.
Wishing you all the very best for the rest of this term - and for a wonderful Christmas break.
Scott