24 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

If you love me you will keep my commandments.
I shall ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you forever,
that Spirit of truth
whom the world can never receive
since it neither sees nor knows him;
but you know him,
because he is with you, he is in you.

Dear Parents and Guardians

Federal Funding

You may have seen the topic of federal funding for education being played out in the media during the past couple of weeks. The new model of funding as proposed by the Turnbull Government presents some real concerns for the Catholic sector.

Our director, Mr. John Mula highlighted the following questions and concerns:

Why were the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), the second largest provider of schooling in the country, and Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA), the national peak parent body representing the parents in those schools, not consulted with by the Federal government prior to the funding announcement being made?

By the Government’s own figures on average over the next 10 years funding to Government schools will increase by 5.4%, in Private Independent schools by 4.2% and in Catholic schools by 3.7%. So why are the parents and families who choose a Catholic education for their children being targeted nationally for adverse funding support, when compared to government and independent schools?

Why is the Government attempting to undermine systems? Is the Commonwealth seeking to abolish system autonomy and regulate fees for Catholic schools by ignoring the role of school systems?

What might be the financial impact of these decisions on parents and families, particularly those who are already struggling financially?

Catholic education strongly supports needs based funding. A key concern with the newly proposed model is how funding will be distributed in the future. At present funding for Catholic schools is distributed by systems using a mechanism known as the system weighted average. This enables schools to be funded fairly and justly regardless of socioeconomic status or location.

In the interest of a fair and just funding model for all students, The Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission and the Tasmanian Catholic Parent’s Council are calling on the government to reconsider their position.

Cross Country

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in last weeks’ Cross Country Carnival. The day was highlighted by great competition, excellent weather and wonderful support from parents and guardians. Thank you to Mr. Clark, Mr. Sawyer, staff, parents and our SRC for ensuring that everything went off like clockwork. We look forward to the Southern Catholic Cross Country carnival on Friday June 9.

Maternity Leave

Our best wishes are with Mrs. Claire Chivers and Mrs. Stephanie Cripps as they each await the arrival of their first child. Claire’s last day for this year is this Friday, May 26 and Stephanie will finish on Friday, June 2.

Parking

Unfortunately we have received a number of complaints from our neighbours about parents continuing to park illegally over driveways. As a matter of decency I urge all parents to be considerate and to comply with legal parking requirements.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and congratulations on my appointment as Principal of St Cuthbert’s. It’s a great privilege to be given the opportunity to lead such a wonderful community. I look forward to getting to know you better and working closely with you as we continue to build on the great work that happens at St Cuthbert’s Catholic School.

Marcus Donnelly
Acting Principal
St Cuthbert’s Catholic School

Uniform Shop

Please note the Uniform Shop hours for Term Two are Tuesdays from 8.45am-9.30am. If you are unable to come at this time, you can leave orders at the Office and they will be filled when the shop is open, and sent home that afternoon. Any exchanges/refunds will also be processed during shop hours.

NEW – 3/4 sports leggings for girls available now - $45. These are an optional sports uniform item.

Cross Country

Well done to all students who participated in the Cross Country Carnival at Geilston Bay. It was a great event, blessed with great weather - no wind and no rain (possibly a first for any of our outdoor carnivals in recent years).

Furthermore, many thanks to all the parents who helped record and hand out ribbons. Thank you also to all the staff.

The following are the Cross Country Champions of 2017. A medal will be presented to the Champions and a certificate will be presented to the runners-up at the next assembly.

Points tally:

Flynn - 386
Rogers - 376
Presentation – 486

Quiz Night

Important Dates

Mouthworks Speech Pathology – Literacy Clinic

Please see attached information. For further details, please contact Mary Turnock, or your child’s Class Teacher. Spare copies are available from the School Office.

Guilford Young College

ENROLMENTS for 2018 are now open at GUILFORD YOUNG COLLEGE …

All interested people are invited to visit GYC on these Open Days: HOBART CAMPUS on Sunday 21 May, 10am-1pm; GLENORCHY CAMPUS on Sunday 28 May, 10am-1pm. If you cannot attend one of the Open Days, tours of either Campus can be arranged.

Learn about GYC’s rich and dynamic college life based on academic and vocational teaching excellence, engaging co-curricular activities and service to the community. Further information: Mrs Bernadette Pogorzelski, 6238 4312.

Hockey Tasmania