Carnivale - What a wonderful celebration of our school community!

Last night the final meeting for the Parents and Friends Association was held for 2024.  We had a strong number of Mums in attendance and the joy in the room was obvious. A few celebratory refreshments and food was shared to reflect on the success of the Carnivale.

There were many Mums last night (and probably Dads at home) who were feeling the after effects of the effort, energy and planning for the Carnivale for this year.  As well as the obvious fatigue,  there was a feeling of relief and deep satisfaction that the team had ensured that last Saturday was the best ever Carnivale.  The Carnivale went off like a  rocket on Saturday even with the warmer weather in the the afternoon.

Can I say thank you to each and everyone of you for making this event on Saturday so special. It was definitely the highlight of the year.  

Earlier in the year when we called out for organizers for the Carnivale there was some trepidation at the enormity of organizing the event.  Many thanks to Jane Clark and Alexandra Stebbing for accepting the role.  Two Prep Mums who created a stir of enthusiasm and Mums who also spent time in one of our original schools, Mercia.

Jane and Alex were able to assemble a team of willing helpers who got behind them to organise donors, auction items, stalls, food and drink and sponsorship. It was great to call on the wisdom of the experienced hands (eg Kelly and Zoe) and then combine that knowledge with the fervour of our experienced and new families.

And they are still at it.  Gemma has been at school all week finalizing the silent auction items. Today I got the surprise of my life, when I arrived at the back of the Art room to find Jane and Christine in the dungeon under the hall rearranging and restacking resources for the next Carnivale!! 

To all Mums and Dads who so willingly committed hours and hours in the preparation time and for those who came on board in the final days on behalf of our children, a huge thank you.  

Jane Clark, Alex Stebbing  Kelly Kules,Gemma Willocks, Christine Wallis, Caity Foster, Jamie Lee Donohue, Misti Clifford, Meredith Crees, Fiona Priddle, Zoe Symons, Kelly Butler,Michael Davis, Jacinta Bolling, Amanda Ollis, Daniella Larkins, Michael Carey, Jonathan Scholes, Grant Burrows, Laura McKee, Jess McWilliam, Johanna Cail.

If I have missed you please be aware that your commitment has not gone unnoticed.   

A proverb  Many hands make light work. A job is done easily if many people join in the work.

Master Planning

After the success of the Carnivale last Saturday there will be some questions regarding the allocation of funds for the school community.

We are anticipating that this year's Carnivale will bring in our highest fundraising effort to date. This is a phenomenal effort and due to the dedication of many parents, sponsors and volunteers across the year.

I am including the brief minutes of a meeting that Kat, Christine and I had yesterday with Kathryn Holden from MACs Building and infrastructure and Tim Perks and Lauren from Morton and Co architects.

Please read this italic section.

Hi Brendan,

Further to our meeting today, some dot points below for your P&F meeting tonight:

 . Masterplan development is ongoing & moving in a positive direction with meetings b/w the architects & MACS

 . Future development opportunities need to be considered as part of the masterplan approach to ensure we don’t build now & remove later

 . Further investigations need to occur with the existing stormwater issues onsite & potential solutions which may impact development moving forward (whether building, landscape, playground equipment etc.,) 

 . MACS are not supportive of works until the stormwater infrastructure issues/works are resolved

 . Great that the P&F has raised funds for the school community but it would be a waste to make rushed decisions whilst the previous matters are being considered

I believe the explanation requires us all to be patient until we have a complete picture of the school and the proper direction of P&F funds.  The funds will be spent wisely when we have a clearer picture of the current challenges regarding stormwater issues, these also include the Parish and the City of Greater Geelong Council.

Reflection on the Feast of Christ the King

In this weekend’s  Gospel we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Jesus accepted the title of King, but very explicitly he insisted that there is no fighting in his kingdom, no violence. 

These past weeks our TV screens have shown us the Israeli military and terrorist Hamas and Hezbollah mindlessly killing each other.  The sad thing is that most of the victims are women and children, non-combatants - what generals and others refer to, heartlessly, as collateral damage.

Our political leaders seem intent to persecute even further people fleeing persecution and hoping to find asylum, safety and a peaceful life in nations that claim to be Christian.

As we gather to celebrate Eucharist this weekend, may we establish a kingship with Christ and promote a love and support for others on the Feast of Christ the King   Jesus died because he would not step back from his conviction that the only way to save this world of ours is to choose resolutely the way of love.  That is what his Kingdom was about. That was the truth to which he bore witness, what he was born for, what he came into the world for… and to which we, too, should witness in our school and wider community.

Brendan

1. VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Christmas Hampers

Christmas is the time our Clairvaux Community Is asked to help Vinnies make 40 Christmas Hampers for local families in need.  Each year level has been allocated different food items to contribute.  Please send along to school with children over the next three weeks to add to the classroom hampers.

PREP: jars of jam, vegemite, peanut butter, Christmas cake, mince pies

YEAR 1:  breakfast cereal, chips-large bags, Savory biscuits  eg. BBQ shapes

YEAR 2: muesli bars, shortbread, sweet biscuits (not chocolate)

YEAR 3: cans of soup, baked beans, popcorn, bags of party mix lollies

YEAR 4: jars of pasta sauce, tins of tomatoes, pancake mix

YEAR 5: canned fruit, Christmas pudding, cake mix

YEAR 6: soft drink (1.25 or 1 litre), long life custard, jelly

The Giving Tree

Each year, Clairvaux also organises a ‘Giving Tree’ of toys for children and personal care items for adults in need at Christmas time.

Toys for children - all toys are appreciated.
Vinnies has a growing number of teenagers.  Gift cards (under $30) are appreciated for this age group.  Possible gift cards are JB Hi Fi, him/her Teenager cards, Rebel sport. (cards that don’t allow alcohol or cigarette purchases).
Personal care items - include soaps, conditioner, deoderant, hand cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand cream etc.
Please note - Unwrapped gifts, toys and personal care items can be placed under the Christmas tree in the school foyer.  Gift cards can be sent to school in a labelled envelope and placed in the classroom note bag to go to the office.
         Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Recently we have had the Geelong city council at school at both pick up and drop off time and they have issued fines based on their observations. 

PICK UP/DROP OFF ZONE

For those who use the drop off/pickup zone or drive down Reynolds Road you would understand that more often than not it becomes very congested.

We have had the Geelong Council review the situation and there has been a LEFT TURN ONLY sign installed at the exit closest to the staff car park. Cars will not be able to turn right or drive straight ahead when exiting the drop off/pick up zone. You will need to go up to the Laura Avenue roundabout to turn back the other way.

We appreciate this is a change but it is very welcomed by the school and we hope it makes a significant difference to the flow of traffic.

Please do not double park on the right hand side of the drop off zone. This is a two way street for bus access and it is illegal to park or stop on the right hand side of the road. Children are not permitted to cross the road to enter a vehicle which is parked illegally. If you are unable to pull in to the left hand side of the curb please drive on and come around again.

STAFF CAR PARK

Another reminder that we consistently need to be communicating is for parents NOT to park in the staff car park at any time. This is clearly signed. We have staff coming and going at all times of the day and especially at pick up and drop off time we are trying to keep the movement to a minimum. Children should not be walking through the staff car park other than on the yellow crossing from the gate to the footpath.

CHURCH CAR PARK

Please ensure you are conscious of where your children are playing in this space and keep ball use under control. We keep children behind the yellow line until they are with their parent/s. It is important that you as parents are also reinforcing safety in this area and keeping in mind that cars have right of way.  Ideally we would like children walking on footpaths at all times.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

We have some accessible parks around our school at gate 2 and also in the church car park. Please do not park in these parks unless you have a permit displayed. We do have families who require these parks and it can be difficult to collect children if access to these is not available.  We appreciate your respect and consideration for those who rely on these spaces."

BIKES
If your child rides their bike to school could you please have a conversation with them about bike safety and expectations in the school yard. We love seeing children being independent but ask that they be respectful of after school crowds particularly along the path to McDonalds Reserve and around the Church car park. We also do not allow any scooters or bikes to be ridden in the school yard.

PLAYGROUND
We welcome parents into our yard after school however ask that toddlers and all school children are not on the play equipment. We kindly ask this from a risk point of view in regards to accidents, supervision and children who should be waiting at gates for their parents to arrive.