Assistant Principal’s Message

As we embark on an exciting new school year at St Ursula’s College, it is with great pleasure that I write our first newsletter for 2024. I extend a warm welcome to both returning families and those who are joining our school community for the first time. I want to take a moment to express how much I value the partnership between our school and your family. Working together is not just a catchphrase; it is the heartbeat of our school’s success. As we venture into the new academic year, I am committed to fostering an environment where collaboration, open communication, and shared responsibility are at the forefront.

I thank all of our families for their constant support of the College. It is with this in mind that I remind you about some of our school processes.

Reminders:

Lost property

It would be appreciated if you could put your daughter’s name on uniform items and equipment. This is so we are able to easily return lost items.

Before and after school pick up

We have a collective responsibility to ensure that students arrive at school and leave school safely. Too often students are crossing the road in front of cars. Families can assist by encouraging their daughter to walk up to the crossing near the primary school, rather than crossing the road in front of the College particularly when the traffic is congested. I also remind families that they cannot park in the bus zone in front of the school. If you are using the parent pickup area you must stay in your car and be there for a maximum of two minutes. Council rangers regularly patrol the area and impose fines.

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. The College is required by the NSW Education Act 1990 to promote and support regular school attendance. This means that we systematically monitor attendance rates and inform families if a student’s attendance drops below the national minimum standard of 90%. This is regardless of whether the absence is explained or not. We ask that parents explain absences within 7 days.

Late arrival / Early leave

Students are required to be in class by 8.45 am each day. Students who arrive late to school without reason more than 3 times in a cycle will be issued with an afternoon detention. Students who arrive late to school must check in via the Student Services office. A reminder that medical appointments should be made outside of school hours where possible. If your daughter does have a medical appointment during school hours, please ensure a medical certificate is requested and supplied to Student Services to be entered in compass. If on the odd occasion your daughter does need to leave early, she must present to Student Services with a note preferably in compass or handwritten. It is your daughter’s responsibility to let her teachers know and make her way to the Student Services office to be signed out.

Application for Extended Leave

Last year we updated out College attendance procedures to reflect Sydney Catholic Schools policy:

Absence of 1-4 days

If you are planning for your daughter to be absent for 1-4 days:

This leave can be entered into Compass by the parent/carer however please note that it is your daughter’s responsibility to check if they are missing an assessment task(s).
A family holiday, overseas trip and the like, are not considered valid reasons to miss an assessment task. In this instance, the student will receive a zero result for missed tasks.

Extended leave of 5 days or greater

The Guidelines for Parents/Carers: Application for Extended Leave can be viewed on the Compass parent portal.

If you are planning extended leave for 5 days or greater, please follow the process below:

SCS Guidelines for student leave for 5 days or greater specify that Principal approval via this Form A-1 Application for extended leave including travel is required.
To ensure that this process is followed, parents are asked to complete the A1 Form and email with a covering letter to info@stursulakingsgrove.catholic.edu.au.
The Principal will review this leave application and parents will be notified via Compass.
Any leave approved is based on the assumption that your daughter will catch up on any missed classwork.
Please note that a family holiday, overseas trip and the like, are not considered valid reasons to miss an assessment task. In this instance, the student will receive a zero result for missed tasks.

We are looking forward to a productive and successful term at the College. Thank you in advance for your support.