2023, Term 1, Week 1

Principal's Message

Dear Families, 

Welcome back to 2023! I trust you all enjoyed the break and wonderfull weather we were so lucky to have.

I am sure you will join me in welcoming our new families to St Ambrose.
Smith Family
Rosevear Family
Cameron Family
Perry Family
I trust that your association with St Ambrose will be a long and rewarding one.

Thank you to all those families who were able to bring their children to the school for their MAI interview. This data is very important in providing information to your class teacher regarding your child's progress in mathematics.

On Wednesday we welcomed back Yr 1 - 6 students and next week our Kindergarten students will commence their school journey.

Our Swimming carnival was a big success and a great day was had by all - big thanks to Miss Rachael King for coordinating the day. I trust the first week has been enjoyable and we look forward to another fantastic year at St Ambrose.

Regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Farewell Mrs Caitlin Davies

Mrs Caitlin Davies was a Foundational Staff member, commencing in 2015. In her 8 years at the school she taught both Yr 3 and Yr 5 and held the position of Literacy Coordinator.
Simply, Caitlin is an outstanding teacher. Her commitment, dedication and professionalism have been unquestionable. Caitlin is simply a beautiful person, wonderful educator and will be sadly missed.
We thank Caitlin for her contribution to St Ambrose and wish her and her husband, Rory, all the very best as they embark on a new chapter of their lives. Caitlin we wish you all the best.

Staffing Changes

With the departure of Mrs Davies the following changes have been made:
Yr 5 Gold - Miss McMahon
Yr 3 Teal - Mrs Lock & Miss Falcke
I sincerely thank Miss McMahon, Mrs Lock and Miss Falcke for accepting these changes.

I thank you for your understanding.

Mr Brian Laybutt
PRINCIPAL

Religious News

Dear Families,

I would like to say how thrilled and excited I am to be at St Ambrose as Assistant Principal Mission on a full -time basis, 5 days a week.  I look forward to meeting and supporting many families in our School community, working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students and wonderful community. 

Warm Regards,

Mrs Sue Falcke
Assistant Principal Mission

SUNDAY 5^th February

STS MARY & AMBROSE CHURCH, POTTSVILLE

PARISH/SCHOOL MASS CELEBRATION 7:30am also Commissioning of St Ambrose Staff.

We hope to see many St Ambrose families at this Mass celebration

At this Mass celebration staff from St Ambrose will be attending to the ministry duties and there will be children’s liturgy.

St Ambrose Opening School Mass, Years 3-6, will be celebrated on Tuesday 7^th Feb. at 9:15am. School and sport captains will receive their badges which will be blessed by Father John.

Assembly Reminder - Friday 10th February

Next Friday 10th February we will be presenting SRC Badges to students and Age Champions will be announced and presented with their medals. Friday Assemblies begin at 2.15pm.

Australia Day Recipients

Congratulations to Evie and Ella, both in Yr 6, who received an Australia Day Award last Thursday at the Lions Club Park - Cabarita Headland.The Lions Motto - "We Serve" is characterised by both Elle and Evie who truly live out this motto and our school values of being responsible, respectful and courageous, Mr Laybutt was on hand to watch the girls receive their awards.

General School Reminders

SCHOOL HOURS
MORNING

• 8.50a.m.    Morning Bell - students line up
• 8.55a.m.    Classes Commence

AFTERNOON

• 3.05 p.m.   Afternoon Bell - students dismissed

SUPERVISION:
MORNING

• Morning - teachers are on duty from 8.25a.m.
• Students who arrive before 8.25a.m. will NOT be supervised. These students must remain seated until the teacher comes out on duty. Students are not to play games unsupervised.
• Students arriving before 8.05a.m. should be enrolled with Before School Care.

AFTERNOON

• Afternoon - bell sounds at 3.05p.m.
• Parents can come into the school at 3.00p.m. and wait for their child (please do not go to the classrooms)
• Teachers will walk with and supervise students who are going to the PICK UP ZONE or are catching Buses
• All students will be supervised at school until they either go home or a carer picks them up.

SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR

• Our school crossing supervisor will be in attendance from 8.00a.m. - 9.00a.m. and 2.30p.m. - 3.30p.m.

PARKING:
DROP OFF

• The drop off Zone is a fast and efficient way of bringing children to school. Students should be ready to alight the school once it is stationary.  
• If you wish to spend more time with your child in the morning 9packing their bag, adjusting uniforms, giving last minute instructions etc) please park in the carpark so as to avoid congesting the Drop Off Zone.
• If you use the car park and wish to enter the school, please set a good example by using the Pedestrian Crossings.
• Be sure to go to the end of the Drop Off Zone even if there are no other cars in the Drop Off Zone!

PICK UP

• Cars should not be parked in the Pick Up Zone prior to 3.00p.m. 
• If you arrive before 3.00p.m. please park in the car park

DO's And DON'TS

• If you arrive prior to 3.00p.m. please park in the carpark
• If you arrive at 3.00p.m or thereafter be prepared to wait as there is often a queue of cars waiting
• Under NO circumstances can vehicles pass another car or line of cars on Charles Street
• Please be patient and considerate of others
• Always go to the end of the Drop Off Zone
• Avoid parking / waiting in Elizabeth St. Far too often we have had children walk across the crossing into Elizabeth St only to find that their parent is not there or running late - hence they are standing alone for a considerable amount of time unsupervised.

STUDENTS RIDING BIKES / SCOOTERS

• Please be sure your child is familiar with basic road rules and etiquette when riding to and from school.
• All students MUST wear a helmet when riding to and from school.
• Students enter the bike rack area via the laneway running off the church
• Students must walk their bikes when on school property

PLEASE AVOID:

• Ringing the office with last minute instructions for your child. Often the office is very busy late in the afternoon and phone calls cannot be taken, hence messages can not be passed on
• Running late in the morning!! Please ensure that your child arrives at school between 8.30 - 8.45a.m. This gives them ample opportunity to meet their friends, have a short play / talk with friends and importantly settle into the day.
• If picking your child up early, please try and notify the teacher and Office in the morning rather than arrive in the afternoon.

MOBILE PHONES

• Students are NOT permitted to have a mobile phone at school. If they need to bring a phone to school it needs to be left in the Office on arrival and can be picked up in the afternoon when leaving. 
• Smart watches are not to be worn to school. If they are brought to school they need to be left at the Office on arrival and can be picked up in the afternoon.
• Parents are not to contact their child directly during the school day via messenger, phone or via any other electronic devices.

MEDICATION

• Under No circumstances are students allowed to self medicate 
• Medication must be sent to the office and must be in the prescribed container / packaging. Clear written instructions (frequency / dosage) must accompany the medication

Volunteers Needed

Canteen Volunteers Needed

If you would like to Volunteer at our canteen please contact the School Office.

New Canteen Days
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

Parent Forum AGM

Tuesday 7th February 6.00p.m
SCHOOL ADMIN BUILDING

Election of positions include:CHAIRPERSON
TREASURER
SECRETARYCOMMITTEE MEMBER
KINDER REP.

If you would like to nominate for a position, please forward your expression of interest to the Parent Forum:   stambrosepf@gmail.com

In addition to the Parent Forum Executive we are still looking for class Parent Representatives. If you would like to nominate yourself as a Class Parent Representative, please email your name to :  sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au
NOTE: Meeting will be live streamed through facebook

Library Volunteers Required


We need your help covering home readers: next Wednesday and Thursday between 8.30am and 11.00am. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Warm Regard, 

Miss Victoria

Returning to School Safety

As children return to school, it is important to keep road safety in mind. Take time to talk with your children about travelling to and from school safely. 

Here are some safety tips:

Be alert and aware by travelling distraction-free. Ask children to take off their headphones when walking.
Keep safe getting in and out of the car. Always use the door closest to the kerb.
Keep safe getting on and off the bus. 

• Wait at the bus stop and stand at least one step back from the edge of the road.

• Always meet your child at the bus stop. Never meet them on the opposite side of the road and call them across.  

• Wait until the bus has gone, before you cross the road. 

Message to share with your children in Kindergarten to Year 2
Hold a grown-up’s hand when:

• you cross the road

• you’re on the footpath

• you’re in a car park

Message to share with children in Years 3 to 6

• Use a safe place to cross the road. The fastest way, may not be the safest way.

• Stop! Look! Listen! Think! Every time you cross the road and keep checking until you safely across

STOP!  one step back from the kerb
LOOK!  continuously both ways
LISTEN!  for the sounds of approaching traffic
THINK!  whether it is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across

Wear a helmet. Children must wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place – it’s the law.  Foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders should wear helmets and protective gear such as knee and elbow pads. 

If your child travels independently to school, please talk to them about the route they take to ensure they are making safe decisions. 

Be a positive role model when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver. Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say. 

Never sacrifice safety for convenience.

Source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/

Parental iPad Information

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201304

Music Tutors

Nutrition and Physical Activity