School Newsletter Term 3, Week 10, 17th September 2021

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

I would like to take this opportunity to say what a wonderful job all of our students, parents and staff have undertaken over the last few weeks during remote and flexible learning. In the last fortnight, we have seen the return of the Junior school Foundation, Year 1 & 2 children. It is just so lovely to see the many smiling faces and hear the fun and laughter erupting around the school. We all hope and pray that we can have the Year 3- 6 children back onsite at the beginning of Term 4.

This week we decided that we would reward the children with a 'fun' week and one that looked a little different to the previous weeks. For the Year 3-6 students, there were dress up themes, less meets, the curriculum tasks looked a little different and more student directed learning. The Junior students. even though they were at school didn't miss out; they engaged in lots of craft and language experience activities and were even treated to a virtual magic show by 'Tim the Magician'.  This fun and mixed up week was well deserved and a lovely way to re-engage at the end of a crazy term. Let's face it, the kids really deserved this.

Today, we will finish up with Footy Colours Day and the children will have the opportunity to draw a happy picture, write a get well card or letter to the children in the Westmead children's ward. These pictures, letters etc can be placed into the red letterbox at the front of school and then I will post them to the hospital. The hospital put out a call for these 'happy' pictures and well wishes so they can brighten and decorate the children's ward because during lockdown many of these children are not able to see family. 

As you are aware, Ballarat is now in a 7 day lockdown. Many of us frequent Ballarat so to help keep our community safe, please keep an eye on the exposure sites and if you have any symptoms please get tested and stay at home.

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/case-alerts-public-exposure-sites

Thank you again to the P&F in particular Nadine and Isla who made up the Fathers Day lolly bags. It was lovely to see how excited the children were when they came to collect them.

Staffing news

It is with mixed emotions that I share the exciting news that Miss Justina Shanahan has been offered and accepted a teaching position at Sienna in Ballarat commencing 2022.
Justina has been with us here at St Augustine's for 7 years and in that time has shown enormous growth in teaching practice and leadership. She has made such a difference to many children's lives in that time and made many great friendships with staff and families.
We will have the opportunity in the future to acknowledge and celebrate Justina's great work here at St Augustine's, thank her accordingly and wish her well for the future.
Congratulations Justina, we will certainly miss you and what an asset you will be to Sienna. 

We have had to cancel the staff curriculum day set for Monday 4th October due to the current COVID regulations. Term 4 is therfore due to commence on Monday 4th October for all students. What Term 4 will look like will depend on the governement advice prior to this date. All updates will be posted to Class Dojo so please keep an eye out for Term 4 information.

Wishing all families a relaxing and very well deserved holiday from home schooling, stay safe and look forward to a more normal Term 4.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

STEPtember

During September the students in 5/6 Berry are participating in the fundraising event, STEPtember.

STEPtember is a fun and inclusive virtual event that challenges you to walk, swim, ride, wheel or spin your way to 10,000 steps per day during the month of September – all while helping to improve the lives of children and adults who live with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. It’s caused by damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth – directly affecting a person’s movement and posture for life.

The students have been doing an amazing job racking up the steps each day, many getting their families involved too.

On top of raising funds and awareness for Cerebral Palsy, this event is helping bring our grade together, supporting and promoting their physical and mental health.

Some families have gone above and beyond by promoting the cause with friends and family through social media.

As a class, we have raised over $1800, including $265 in registration fees, to date! 

An extraordinary effort, given the event still has two weeks to run.

If you would like to support us and this very important cause please click on the link below.

https://www.steptember.org.au/fundraisers/staugustinesprimaryschool   

Thanks from everyone in 5/6 Berry

Headlice Alert

There has been a number of reports of headlice throughout the school.  Please take the opportunity over the holidays to check your childrens hair thoroughly and treat if required.  Below is a link to some detailed information as well as a general fact sheet about headlice and treatment.

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.

Happy Birthday to...

Sloane B - Year 1       Jett A - Year 2       Jacob R - Year 6    

Parker Y - Year 3      Tyler D - Year 1     

Holiday Birthdays

 Evie M - Year 2     Henry B - Year 2    Samantha W - Foundation 

Charlie M - Foundation     Keira S - Year 5       Hugo R - Year 1

Ayla H - Foundation    Carter S - Foundation     Ethan M - Foundation   

Aidan H - Year 5     Charlotte H - Year 3     Noah L - Year 3

COVID Guidlines

Parents and Friends

Updates of events to be provided in Term 4.

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

The Canteen will be open this Friday 17th September for the Foundation, Year 1's, Year 2's and any other children onsite for supervision.

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.

Changeover to Summer uniform will be Week 4 of Term 4, 25th October 2021.

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 & Diarrhoea

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 - CANCELLED due to current COVID regulations

Monday 1st November - Staff Report Writing Day (TBC), STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL.

Tuesday 2nd November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday, STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL.

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

FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 
Central Goldfields Youth has arranged a schedule of activities for the school holidays available to young people aged 12 – 25 including street art spray painting classes, a learn to garden workshop, and a drawing excursion.

All of the events are free and, if in person, are conducted in small groups in accordance with COVID-safe restrictions. Young people who are interested can scan the QR code to sign up, or follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/central-goldfields-shire-council-31182428683 (please note the online activities listed do not require registration).