School Newsletter Term 3, Week 8, 2nd September 2021

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

In yesterday's press conference,  Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement that there will be no face-to-face learning for the remainder of Term 3. All Victorian children will continue flexible and remote learning until the end of Term 3.  A detailed plan for Term 4 will be provided next week. 

Book Week will be postponed until midway through next term when we are all back on site and we will make this a week long celebration.

The Chess competition will also be cancelled and I will update you of any future plans as they come through.

This week also begins the season of Spring and the Season of Creation in our liturgical calendar. Hoping you take the opportunity to reduce screen time, get outside together and enjoy these beautiful spring days.  Along with this we celebrate Fathers Day. Wishing all of our 'Dads' and special people in our lives a very special Fathers Day this weekend. 

NEXT WEDNESDAY 8th September 

Wednesday will be a STUDENT WELLBEING DAY. There will be NO LEARNING, NO DEVICES and NO MEETS. Students will be offline and having a well deserved day off.  Teachers will be at school planning for Term 4.  

Happy Father's Day 2021

A Huge thankyou to the Parents & Friends who have made a small gift for all students to give to their Dad or special loved one as we are unable to run the Father's Day stall this year. This gift will be available for the Year 1 - 6 families to pick up from the front door of the school from 8.30am either Friday 3/9 or Monday 6/9. The Foundation children will have their gift for pickup with their learning pack between 12pm - 3pm. Children who are onsite on these days will bring theirs home.

For all the fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers of our yesterdays and todays, and for the fathers of tomorrow who will soon be holding their very first newborn, we bring you especially into our prayers and hearts as we wish you a Happy Father's Day.

"Every family needs a father — a father who shares in his family's joy and pain, hands down wisdom to his children and offers them firm guidance and love." -- Pope Francis

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Students with underlying conditions

Recent and most up to date information for children in schools:

Students with underlying conditions (such as hay fever or asthma)

If a student has persistent symptoms due to an underlying condition such as hay fever or asthma, the student should still be tested for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms that are different to or worse than their usual symptoms. Students whose symptoms are clearly typical for their underlying condition can continue to attend school.

Parents/carers should also consider getting a medical certificate from the child’s treating GP to confirm that it is safe for them to attend school with persistent symptoms that may overlap with some of the symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or runny nose.

Young children with persistent mild symptoms

For younger children (in Prep to Year 2) who have had a negative COVID-19 test that was taken after they developed symptoms, the decision about return to school should be made in conjunction with the child’s treating GP. If the GP is satisfied the child has recovered from their acute illness, is otherwise well and does not need a repeat COVID-19 test, the child can return even if they are not completely free of symptoms. Any worsening of symptoms will require review and repeat COVID-19 testing, if considered appropriate by the doctor.

Students with a negative COVID-19 test whose symptoms have completely resolved do not need a medical certificate to return to school.

BOOK CLUB

Book Club Issue 6 is due in by Friday 3rd September 2021. All orders must be placed through CDFPay. 

Happy Birthday to...

TYSON S - Year 2       William C - Year 4      Charlotte J - Foundation     

Elijah T - Year 5      Thomas H  - Year 6      Allera D - Year 1  

Baxter P - Year 3      Austin R - Year 6     Brandon V - Year 2

Father's Day Stall Cancelled

Unfortunately we have had to cancel our Father's Day Stall this year due to the current restrictions.  As per Sonia's letter, a small gift has been prepared by Parents & Friends for pickup Friday 3/9 or Monday 6/9.

COVID Guidlines

Walk for Wendy

Letter from Trish Ipsen - Goldfields Family Centre

To all our valued colleagues and friends,

 I hope you’re doing as well as possible in this lockdown.

Many of you would know my work colleague and friend, Wendy Powell. 

What you may not know is that Wendy has been diagnosed with oromandibular dystonia and later diagnosed with additional cervical dystonia in November 2020.

The severity of dystonia can vary, but the disorder can cause significant pain and discomfort as well as difficulty due to the abnormal postures. It can affect quality of life and activities of daily living. 

Dystonia has affected Wendy's life significantly. She has had to reconsider her ability to continue to work as an Early Years Educator and can no longer undertake such tasks as driving. She has difficulty speaking and eating, with the spasms becoming increasingly painful, travelling throughout her face, neck, back and arms. The cause of Wendy’s dystonia is yet to be determined.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dystonia and, so far, Wendy has had little to no relief from current available treatments. Wendy will continue with Botox therapy in the hope that it will eventually be effective.  

September is ‘Dystonia Awareness’ month. To help raise awareness of Dystonia, to raise $$ to support further research into Dystonia and to support ‘our Wendy’, we have planned an online walkathon with all proceeds going to ‘Dystonia Australia’. (This is a COVID safe event.)

All are invited to participate. Please click on the link below. 

Wendy's Walkathon - to raise awareness and funds for Dystonia Victoria | DoJiggy

How the walkathon will work is: 

For the month of September 

Set yourself a goal of how far in kilometres you want to walk. 

Work hard to achieve this. 

Seek donations or sponsorship towards your goal. 

Everyone is invited and welcome to participant in our Walkathon.

To add some more fun to the event - set yourself up a team making it a social event.

We are working towards raising awareness and funds for Dystonia Australia. 

ALL FUNDS will be donated to Dystonia Australia.

If you are unable to physically participate in the walkathon, you may like to donate to Dystonia Australia. https://www.dystonia.org.au/

 This event is organised in honour of Wendy and her struggles with Dystonia.

Please let me know if you have any queries.

Warm regards,

Trish Ipsen

Parents and Friends

The Trivia Night has been postponed due to the current COVID guidelines. A new date to be advised.

Cyber Safety

Each fortnight we will post helpful eSafety Information for Students and Families here. 

Child Safety

St. Augustine's Primary School Maryborough demonstrates a strong commitment to the care, safety and wellbeing of all students at our school.

Each fortnight we will be sharing information around child safety and the obligations that we have as a school, staff and community.  All of our Child Safe policies and procedures are accessible on our website at samaryborough.catholic.edu.au.

Supervision of Students Information for Parents

ENROLMENT

We have begun our enrolment interviews for 2022 applicants. If your family is not returning to St. Augustine's next year please advise us via email to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au.

Likewise, if you have another child or know of someone who has a school age child for 2022, please contact the school asap.

An 'Application for Enrolment' form, as per link below, needs to be completed and emailed to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au.

Alternatively, forms are also available in the school office.

We will be contacting families in Term 3 when we commence the enrolment interview process. 

STAR Students

At St Augustine's we are a SWPBIS school (School Wide Positive Behaviour in School) and we have a STAR culture. STAR stands for:

S  - stay safe

T  - take pride

A  - act justly

R  - respond positively

Just like children are explicitly taught academics, acceptable behaviour is also explicitly taught. STAR awards are given at Assembly each fortnight, exceptional STARs are sent a postcard which qualifies them to morning tea with the Principal at the end of the term.

STAR lessons are taught around a nominated behaviour blitz. Children are taught how to be a STAR in all places they go and what the acceptable behaviour looks like. Examples of a lessons: how to stay safe in class, in the library, the toilet, at the bus stop, on the playground or when walking to the swimming pool.

Canteen

Canteen is closed until further notice.

Parish News

Please see link below for the latest Parish Bulletin & the Confirmation Readings.

School Fees and Payment Information

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is currently closed until further notice.

PAM - Parent Access Module

We require families to complete and update their child/ren’s medical details and contact information through PAM as changes occur.  This information is mandatory and vital in the case of an emergency.   It is important that if you have any change to your contact numbers, including work place, mobile, home number, that these be updated through PAM.

To complete your child/rens medical profile including contact information, go to PAM, click on your child/rens name, go to 'Medical Profile' and click 'Edit Details'. Complete details then click in the box at the bottom of the page to confirm the details are correct and click ‘Update Details’.

If you have any questions or require your login details, please contact the school office.

Parking & Road Safety

There are three minute parking bays in Burke Street outside the school entrance.  Your co-operation in only parking in this area for the specified time would be appreciated.  These parking bays are for quick pick up and drop off for students leaving early due to appointments and illness.

Likewise we also ask parents to respect the parking restriction on the disabled parking area. 

Please observe road rules around our school for the safety of all of our children.

* Schools have 40km zone.

* Parking behind the church & tennis courts is STAFF ONLY parking.

* Please use the children's crossing on Burns, Kars St and Burke St.

* For safety purposes, please avoid letting your children exit or enter a car whilst on the road or stopped at the crossings. Please do not double park. 

 Thank you for your co-operation.

Student Illness & Absence

If your child is unwell please keep them at home.

This includes coughs, colds, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea and any other contagious illnesses.  

Coughs & Colds

Children can return to school once symptoms have eased and they are not actively coughing or blowing their nose.  

Vomitting & Diarrhea

Children can return to school 48 hours after the last episode.

We will send children home if they present with any of these symptoms whilst at school.

Notifying Absences

All absentee notifications should be recorded either through the Parent Access Module (PAM) or directly to the school office by phone or email to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au prior to 9.30am on the day of the absence. Please do not send notes of absence through to classroom teachers on Class Dojo as they may be absent or unable to check messages prior to commencement of class.

If a student is absent and we have not received any form of notification by 9.30am, a text message will be sent to parents asking them to call the office or send a reply text. 

Bus Travel

Bus travel on the country buses is available for students at St Augustine’s School and arrangements are made through the bus co-ordinator, Stephen Broad, at the Maryborough Education Centre on 5461 7900.  Parents of the student/s must organise the pass through MEC at least two days prior to travel. Students cannot travel on the country buses without a pass. The town bus does not require a pass but costs 50cents a trip, payable on the day of travel.  Please advise the office if your child will be travelling on any of the buses so we can update our bus rolls.

IMPORTANT

All bus travel requires parents/guardians to complete a Public Transport Victoria (PTV) Application for Permission to Travel form prior to any bus travel. This form can be emailed direct to Stephen Broad at MEC, Stephen.Broad@education.vic.edu.au. It is important that this form is completed as these details will be used in the event of an emergency.

Advanced dates for your diary

2021 School Closure Days

Monday 4th October - Visible Learning, Staff Curriculum Day

Wednesday  17th November - Literacy, Staff Personal Development Day 2

Children do not attend school on the above days.

2022  Dates - Term 1 

Friday Jan 28th – Staff Day. STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL.

Mon Jan 31st - School Closure Day – Staff PD, Visible Learning. STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL.

Tuesday Feb 1st - Classes commence for all students 

Wednesday Feb 2nd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday Feb 9th - Foundation rest day

Wednesday Feb 16th - Foundation rest day

Wednesday Feb 23rd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday March 2nd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday March 9th - Foundation rest day

Monday  March 14th - Labour Day Public Holiday. STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL.

WEDNESDAY 16^TH MARCH - NO REST DAY DUE TO THE HOLIDAY FOR LABOUR DAY. All students attend school.

Wednesday March 23rd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday March 30th - Foundation rest day

Wednesday April 6th - Foundation rest day

Friday 8^th April – Last day of Term 1, 2.30pm finish

Catholic Education Ballarat

ABOUT OUR DIOCESE

The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat is a diverse and geographically extensive Diocese of thirty-seven parishes which covers the western third of Victoria, extending from the Murray River in the North to the Southern Ocean. To the west it is bounded by the Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Diocese of Port Pirie, to the north by the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes and to the east by the Diocese of Sandhurst and the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The Diocese has a number of provincial centres and large rural areas. There is a wide range and mix of primary and secondary industry and tourism and many places of natural beauty – the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians, the towns of the Murray River, the Little Desert and the goldfields.

The total population of the Diocese is 422,854 and the Catholic population is 95,696 (2016 Australian Census). There are thirty-seven parishes in the Diocese comprising one hundred and seven church communities. There are twenty six priests working in parishes.  Their work is supported by retired priests.  One priest works in pastoral care.  Tw0 priests work outside the diocese in tertiary education.  Twenty-four of the thirty-seven parishes have a parish priest who also cares for another parish.  There are two parishes who have formal lay-leadership with a Supervising Priest and a Visiting Priest(s). Many lay people have leadership roles in parishes and many parishes share resources within one of the ten Ministry Districts in the Diocese, including sharing lay personnel.  Click here to view the current diocesan map.

Community Notices