Principal's Messages
GETTING OUR SENSE OF COMMUNITY BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS
One of the greatest challenges through Covid-19 has been the limited opportunity to create a sense of community in our school which has always been a key foundation of St Ita’s Catholic Identity.
Community is a nonnegotiable foundation for learning. We know that children, teachers, and families thrive best when they know they belong to a community where they feel welcome, safe, and free to share their big ideas and, when necessary, their concerns. Sure, building a community will look drastically different in this coming school year but we have to maintain our commitment to making this critical foundation a priority for every child and every family.
The business of education relies heavily on relationships and school culture. As a principal, I believe that relationships matter, and building an influential school culture is foundational. Finding ways to continue in this relational thread during Covid-19 is challenging. I jokingly tell people often, "we are making this up as we go along." As much as I joke about this, this unprecedented event has left school communities to seek out answers in these uncharted waters, and make the best decision possible for students.
As we gain greater confidence working with Covid-19 and getting back to a sense of normal, I’ll continually keep all in our community up to date about any changes that are happening within the school in relation to parents on site, class masses, car line pick up and drop off, school board meetings and parents and friends meetings.
I look forward to a time where we get back to normality and I want to thank everyone in our school community for their ongoing support to keep everyone safe during these challenging times.
PLEASE LEAVE SENSORY POPPERS AT HOME
One of the latest crazes to hit schools are the multi coloured, sensory poppers. Touted as a fantastic resource to support students who have struggled through remote learning or as a major reliever of anxiety in children.
Whilst there are some very good sensory toys available, that have a positive impact on students with specific needs such as ADHD, Autism or Anxiety. Sensory poppers are not one of them; like the widget spinner, tech decks, yoyo’s and Ushi’s, they are all a fad that children are drawn to and in a short period of time they become a must have item. The reality is that these sensory poppers are a disruption in the classrooms and they are a major distraction to children’s learning. Several teachers have already alerted me to classroom arguments, disagreements, and social issues arising from having them in the classroom.
Could I please ask parents to ensure children leave their sensory poppers at home and don’t bring them to school ? If your child has a diagnosed condition that requires them to use a sensory toy, please outline your child’s need in writing to the classroom teacher and we will help cater to their specific needs.
HOT CROSS BUN FUNDRAISING DRIVE

All orders placed will raise $2 per pack for the school to help fund a new shade sail for the lower playground.
FOUNDATION COMMENCE FULL TIME
Foundation students have now commenced full time classes, coming to school every day from this week on. Today was their first Wednesday class at school.
TONIGHT - MARIST-SION YEAR 7 - 2022 - INFORMATION EVENT
All current Grade 6 students and their parents are invited to attend the Year 7 Information evening for 2022 at Marist Sion College, Warragul as per details below TONIGHT - Wednesday 10th March.
- Enrolment information will be available at the event.
- Registration is required in the hall on arrival.
- Masks are mandatory. Social distancing will be observed.
SCHOOL FEES & FEE CONCESSION
Term 1 school fees are now due. BPAY details are available on your school fee statement. School fees are due by the 4th week of each term and must be paid in full by the end of the school year they are due, December 2021.
If any families would like to pay off their fees either weekly, fortnightly or monthly, please set up a direct debit schedule by completing a Direct Debit Form and returning to the school office at your earliest convenience. Please calculate the total fees payable by the number of weeks/payments required for your fees to be paid by December 2021. For any assistance please contact the school Admin office via email on: admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
For any families that have recently received a Government means-tested health care concession card & have not already advised the school office, please forward a copy of your card to the office to check your eligibility, as a fee concession may apply. The card must be in the name of the parent/fee payer for a fee concession to apply with the student details listed on the card. A CSEF (Camp, Sport & Excursion Fund) form must also be completed.
If your current Health Care concession card has expired, or is due to expire and your card is re-issued or any details have changed, please send a copy of your new card details to the office as soon as possible for the concession to be checked and applied to your fees.