Welcome to the start of 2019 ...

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you to the 2019 academic year. A special welcome is extended to all of our new students and their families and our new staff.

Students have enthusiastically returned from their summer break with much energy and vitality which has been terrific to see over the past few days. It is hoped that this enthusiasm will be maintained throughout the year as they encountered a wealth of new learning experiences and activities.

Greetings!

Welcome to the 2019 school year! Welcome also to our many new families who have joined our St Martin's community.  May your child's and your year be one of hope, joy, love and learning. I pray that each and every one of you have had a blessed holiday break and are ready for the learning opportunities ahead.

At St Martin's, we believe the best way to learn more about us is to see our school in action. Open Mornings will be held on the following dates...

2019 DIARY DATES

Friday, 1 February @ 2.00pm | P&F Meeting in Community Centre Foyer

Friday, 10 May | Mother's Day Stall

Friday, 24 May | Disco

Saturday, 10 August | Family Movie Night

Friday, 30 August | Father's Day Stall

Friday, 20 September | Disco

Saturday, 19 October | Quiz Night

(Please note, the Wine and Cheese Night planned for Friday, 8 February has been cancelled)

NEXT MEETING

Our next meeting is being held on Friday, 1 February at 2.00pm in the Community Centre foyer. There will be an opportunity to nominate for the Executive roles and to register your interest in helping to coordinate events throughout the year. All welcome!

FACEBOOK PAGE

Please log on and look for 'St Martin's Parent & Friends Network'. Send a request through and keep up-to-date with what is happening in the school community including second-hand uniform sales, information on coffee catch-ups and upcoming events. Next coffee and catch up is planned for Veloce at Northgate on Friday, 22 February at 1.30pm.  All welcome!

Volunteers play a vital role at St Martin's Catholic Primary School and we are grateful to the many people who give their time freely for the benefit of our community.

If you are looking to become a registered volunteer, please call into the school office during school hours to collect a volunteer pack.

Volunteers must have a current police clearance, and have undertaken the Responding to Abuse and Neglect online training course before being issued with a badge.

All volunteers (parents and caregivers) are asked to sign in at the school office and wear their 'Registered Volunteer' badge while on the school site and on any excursion. If you have misplaced your badge, please see Nadia for a new one prior to the day of an event . Due to the busyness of the office, no badges will be reprinted on the day of an excursion.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to use the Skoolbag App to keep up-to-date with everything that is happening at St Martin's.

Recently added:

2019 Parent Handbook, QKR App Instructions, Kiss and Drop Zone Parking

St Martin's Catholic Primary School community welcomes the following students who are beginning their learning journey with us:

Class RP: Abigail, Anastasia, Ariana, Aries, Chayce, Georgia, Isabella, Jit, Kian, Lily, Nate, Noah, Peter, Veer, Viaan and Zaiden; Class RPJ: Aiden, Anshi, Avadhesh, Avleen, Dhyan, Eerat, Gunvir, Hudson, Jaden, Junho, Kai, Kaja, Luke, Maahi, Manya, Ryan and Samarvir; Class RT: Ajieth, Brian, Cameron, Dion, Eva, Gemma, Heli, Jakob, Jessica, Kevin, Kiara, Liya, Phoebe, Raiden, Raunakjot, Ronan and Zayaan; Class RV: Aarav, Braxton, Brodie, Cecilia, Connor, Cyrus, Harrela, Melody, Mia, Oliver, Mishalya, Savija, Thomas, Vihaan, Yug, and Zara.

Class 1RW: Yana;  Class 3FB: Oliver, Shaij and Travis; Class 4GEL: Charlene; Class 4GEN: Tanishka.

We also welcome the following staff members: Mrs Sophie Melingakos (teaching in RPJ), Miss Brooke Penney (teaching in 3PB), Mr Jason Bielak (Groundsman), and Katherine Belperio (teaching in 3FB) and Olivia Kropinski (teaching in 6DK and 6R) who have returned from maternity leave.

QKR! APP

All sports related paperwork will be electronic this year. Permission forms and payments can be finalised using the QKR App – the same system that is currently used by the school canteen.

SWIMMING - Year 3 to Year 6

Squad swimming for Year 3 to Year 6 students starts next Thursday (7 February). Squad swimming sessions are in preparation for the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival in March. Squad swimming sessions are held at the Payneham Swimming Centre and run from 7:30am – 8:15am. The complete cost of squad swimming sessions is $25 and includes, pool entry, lane hire and breakfast.

Permission forms and payment can be made online through the QKR app.

 SWIMMING DATES

Squad Sessions - Thursday, 7, 14, 21 and 28 February and 7 March (7:30am - 8:15am)

SAPSASA District Swimming Day - Thursday, 28 February (12:30pm – 2:30pm)

St Martin’s Swimming Trials – Tuesday, 5 March (12.00pm – 3:00pm)

Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival - Tuesday, 12 March (1.00pm – 3:30pm)

SAPSASA Swimming State Day - Thursday, 28 March

SCHOOL SPORTS (Team nominations rely on sufficient interest and volunteers)

Cricket (Years 2 to 6)

Nominations for Term 1 cricket teams are being accepted. Cricket is open to boys and girls. Years 2 to 3 students will play Kanga Cricket at Prospect Oval on Friday afternoons. Other year levels will play modified games on Saturday mornings at local grounds.

Teams require only 8 players. Team nominations rely on sufficient interest and volunteers.

Interested players are encouraged to submit their interest and payment via the QKR app as soon as possible.

Netball (Reception to Year 6)

Nominations for Term 1 netball teams are being accepted. Netball is open to boys and girls.

Teams require only 8 players. Team nominations rely on sufficient interest and volunteers.

Interested players are encouraged to submit their interest and payment via the QKR app as soon as possible.

Basketball (Years 2 to 6)

Boys and girls Basketball teams are competing this term. Interest for the winter season (Term 2 and Term 3) will be collected later in the year via the QKR App.

SAPSASA Basketball (Year 6 and exceptional Year 5)

The SAPSASA Basketball Tournament will be held in July and follows a knock-out format. As other schools in the State still have Year 7 students, the St Martin's team (should it go ahead) will be competing against Basketball teams with older students.

Being part of a team will require 2 to 3 terms of commitment. Practice sessions will be held throughout the year prior to the competition held in July.

Year 6 students familiar with playing Basketball and exceptional Year 5 students will be considered.

If sufficient interest and commitment cannot be gathered, teams will not be entered into the tournament.

Please submit this form online via the QKR App before Friday, 15 March.

SPORTS DAY (Friday, 29 March)

Sports Day will be held at Greenacres Reserve. It will not be a twilight event as it has been in previous years. It is a normal school day for all students. More detailed information is to follow shortly.

Credit Union SA supports St Martin's Catholic Primary School through 'School Community Rewards'.  See picture above for competition details.

During the recent holiday break, major work was undertaken at the school in readiness for our Stage 1 building program. See the article regarding new road rules for the 'Kiss and Drop' zone.