Key Information

Term 1

Thursday 28 January 2021 to Thursday 1 April 2021

Easter

Friday 2 April 2021 to Monday 5 April 2021

Term 2

Monday 19 April 2021 to Friday 25 June 2021

Term 3

Monday 12 July 2021 to Friday 17 September 2021

Term 4

Monday 4 October 2021 to Thursday 16 December 2021

For the first month, our Grade Prep Students have a rest day on a Wednesday. Therefore, the children do not attend School on Wednesdays for the first month.

Week One

Thursday 28 January to Friday 29 January 2021 - 8.45am - 3.30pm

Week Two

Monday 1 February to Friday 5 February (Wednesday rest day) - 8.45am - 3.30pm

Week Three

Monday 8 February to Friday 12 February (Wednesday rest day) - 8.45am - 3.30pm

Week Four

Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February (Wednesday rest day) - 8.45am - 3.30pm

Week Five

Monday 22 February to Friday 26 February (Wednesday rest day) - 8.45am - 3.30pm

Week Six

Monday 1 March - Normal school timetable applies

Grade Prep children attend School daily from 8.45am to 3.30pm, except on a Monday when ALL children are dismissed at 3.15pm.

Children are expected to arrive at school between 8.30am and 8.40am, giving them ample time to greet their teachers and friends, organise their materials for the day and even have a little time to play. The first bell goes at 8:45am to allow the children to set up and get ready for the day. All of this is great settling behaviour and allows the students to be ready for the business of the day. Students arriving before 8.30am cannot be adequately supervised as teachers are engaged in other duties. Families of students consistently arriving before 8.30am are advised to enrol in Before School Care.

Children arriving after 8.45am experience difficulties settling into the days’ learning as they miss the important ‘tuning in’ that happens at the beginning of each school day. Being at school on time helps children to learn and assists them in developing good habits which will benefit them throughout their schooling and throughout their lives.

We kindly ask that all Grade Prep children please bring on their first day of school, the following items:

1 art smock (clearly marked with your child’s name)

2 library bag (clearly marked with your child’s name)

3 2x boxes of tissues

In case of little accidents, we also ask that you pack in your child’s School Bag:

1 2 pairs of socks

2 2 pairs of underpants.

These items should be kept in your child’s school bag for the entire year. Please ensure you regularly check your child’s school bag and wash/replace any used underwear.

With the excitement and settling into the new School Routine, some children are often unable to eat too much at snack and lunch time. We recommend in your child’s early days of starting school, you only provide your child with a small lunch at first. We also recommend ensuring that your child can open their packaging, especially cling wrap and yoghurt or fruit containers.

It is also recommended for the first few weeks during the settling in transition period, Grade Prep children bring their lunch from home rather than placing a lunch order

Children are supervised while eating their lunch. Children in Grade Prep commence lunch at 1.25pm.

Drinks in glass containers are not allowed. These are dangerous in school situations.

During Term 1 and Term 4, students are required to wear sun-safe school hats, which are designed to protect the face and neck.

Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. The major cause of common skin cancers is cumulative, unprotected exposure to the sun, with research indicating that most skin cancers occur during childhood and adolescence.

As a means of encouraging our students to practise preventative over-exposure to the sun measures, St Francis de Sales School implements a 'No Hat - No Play Policy'.

Traffic Management – Keeping our Children Safe

All absences need to be notified to School either by completing an eForm on the SkoolBag App, telephoning the School Office on 9306 9444 or emailing your child/children's teacher. Failing to notify the School will result in our School Administration Staff contacting families to ensure the absence is genuine.

Contacting Families of any unexplained absences is a mandated requirement for Catholic Primary Schools.