School Newsletter Term 4, Week 8, 26th November 2021

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

It's been such an exciting and busy Book Week this week. The Year 5 children have been providing both science and book week activities at break times that have been enjoyed by all. The Book Fair has been operating all week and it has been lovely to see a small number of parents back in our school enjoying looking at the books with their children. The 'book week' dress up day yesterday filled the school with so much excitement, laughter and joy. The chance to dress up and just have fun is clearly a favourite for lots of children. Thank you to parents for assisting with the costumes, they looked terrific.

Today, we finish off the week with the school Fair that has been organised by the Year 6 children. Thank you to all families who have been able to donate prizes. 

On Monday, we were able to welcome our 2022 Foundation children and families for their first transition morning to St Augustine's. They will visit again next Wednesday and then join us for the whole school transition day on Tuesday December 7th, 9.15am - 1.15pm. 

After much careful deliberation the class structure for 2022 is as follows.
F/1 x 4 classrooms, 2/3 x 2 classrooms, 3/4 x1 classroom, 4 x 1 classroom, 4/5 x1 classroom, 5/6 x 3 classrooms.

Children will find out their teacher and class on the whole school transition day.
With only 3 weeks of the year left and lots happening I will write a weekly update until the end of the year with reminders and reflection of events.

2022 Enrolments - if your child is not returning to the school next year, please advise the school office ASAP via email to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au. This information is important as we are finalising class structures for 2022.

CONGRATULATIONS - I would like to congratulate Mrs Beth Sardo (Miss Van Rossum) on her recent marriage to Jesse and announcement that they have a baby on the way! Beth will still be with us until the end of Term 1, 2022 next year and will then begin maternity leave. 

Advent - this weekend Advent begins in line with the Liturgical calendar. Advent is the name of the season in which Christians prepare for the celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin phrase "Adventus Domini", meaning arrival of the Lord. This is a time of preparation. 

Heavenly Father, as we begin this Advent, give light to our eyes and peace to our hearts. May the Lord find us watching and waiting in joy when He comes. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

BOOK WEEK

Students have enjoyed stepping into another world this week with our junior corridor decorated with clouds of tulle, balloons and colour to create Dr Suess's world of The Lorax. Yesterday we saw the corridor transformed into the magical world of Harry Potter depicting the darker halls of Hogwarts. Thank you to all the staff that transformed this space which complimented the theme of 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'.  A special thanks to Miss Pickthall for her wonderful artistic creations that took us to another world.

Students have been immersed in a range of Book Week activities and we were very please to be able to hold the parade yesterday in our gym. The parade is always a highlight in book week and the costumes were amazing again this year.  

Thank you to all who purchased books from the book fair. We have sold over $2000 worth of books which has given the school $500 to spend on books for our library!

My New Gallery

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 18

Next

Term 4 STARS

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.

Happy Birthday to...

Annalee R - Year 6     Oliver L - Foundation       Jalen R - Year 3  

Spencer B - Foundation      

BOOK CLUB

Issue 8 of Book Club is the final issue for the year.

All parents orders need to be finalised on loop by Friday 3rd December and the link for the catalogue is listed below.  Late orders cannot be guaranteed for delivery by the end of the school year. 

Thank you to all the families who have supported the school with purchases from book club this year. Many children have been enriched by a variety of books both purchased and also adding to our vast catalogue of books in the library. 

Parking & Road Safety

PLEASE BE MINDFUL AS WE HEAD INTO THE CRAZY TIME OF YEAR THAT PICKUP TIME IS BUSY.

Follow road safety regulations, keep driveways clear, check carefully before reversing and avoid letting your children exit or enter a car whilst on the road or stopped at the crossings. Please do not double park. We all want to keep our families safe so your co-operation is appreciated.

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.

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.

COVID Guidelines

Cyber Safety

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

Kids Helpline - Being safe on the internet

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

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 or beyond, 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.

Canteen

 Canteen will continue to run on Friday this term.  All volunteers to the school will need to have a Working With Childrens check and show evidence of full COVID Vaccination.

Final day for Canteen will be Friday 10th December.

Lunch Box Ideas

Parish News

Please see link below for the latest Parish Bulletin & readings.

School Fees and Payment Information

As per school policy and enrolment agreements school fees are to be paid in full by the end of November 2021 or unless other arrangements have been made.

Fees can be paid via direct credit into the school bank account or at the school office.

St. Augustine's Primary School

BSB: 083-532        ACC: 754337515    

Reference: Your surname and/or account number

An appointment can be made with Sonia Turner if required by contacting the school office.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop will be open on transition day Tuesday 7th December from 9.30am - 11am. Alternatively orders can continue to be placed through CDFPay and filled once a week.

The last day for orders for 2021 will be Wednesday December 8th.

There will no longer be a designated period for summer or winter uniform. Students can choose what they would like to wear in any season. The only exception is that sports uniform must be worn on designated sports days and bucket hats are to be worn in Term 1 and 4.

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.

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, Benedict Stewart, 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, Benedict.Stewart@education.vic.gov.au. It is important that this form is completed as these details will be used in the event of an emergency.

Bushfire Season

As we head toward the summer months it is important that we plan and prepare for the possibility of bushfires. Follow the link below for helpful information on how to stay safe.

Advanced dates for your diary

Thursday 16th December - Last Day of Term 4 for Students, 3.15pm finish

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

Our Diocesan Community Magazine

Community Notices