School Newsletter Term 4, Week 10, 10th December 2021

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON ...............

I would like to congratulate the following children on completing the Sacrament of the Eucharist last Thursday and Friday night;

Elijah T, Georgina B, Jed C, Dylan H, Keegan H, Rylee H, Keira S, Edie M, Campbell P, Danika A, Abigail S, Chelsea R, Brock V, Connor O, Elijah R, Jack M, Ruby M and Hayden B. 

May God guide you and protect you as you continue to grow in your faith.

On Wednesday, it was lovely to gather as a whole school and celebrate Mass together to commemorate the end of the school year and farewell the Year 6 students. This was followed up with a special Graduation celebration for  families that evening. As a special, treat the Year 6 children treated us all to a very well choreographed dance.
Congratulations to this years' scholarship recipients:

Hazel Hancock - Zaiden Egan

Brigidine Sisters Barbara May Memorial - Oakley Maddison

Trish Crameri Memorial - Isabelle Hanley

Gary Bench Memorial - Ella Govan

Patricia Wash Memorial - Emiley Howlett

Staff - Annalee Ross

CARE group - Kaleb Jardine

MEC - Tegan Argall

Freemasons - Jasmine DiSante

Hickey Family Memorial - Charlotte Hemming

P&F - Rubie Hooper, Jase Cicchini and Tate Williams.

We congratulate our Year 6 students and wish them all the best in their future endeavours and look forward to hearing of the great things they achieve. 

Advent is a beautiful time of longing, hope and renewal in our liturgical year.

Mathew reminds us to be “awake” and “ready”... and I like to think that is because he does not want us to miss the opportunity of new possibilities, new eventualities, new ways of coming into being our true selves. 

As we wait in joyful hope this Advent, may we make time to “be” rather than to “do” and to listen for God’s voice calling to us in the waiting…

During Advent we prepare for Jesus to come. Last week we talked about the never ending “circle” of the wreath. This week the symbol is LIGHT. Jesus’ birth is represented by the flame of the candle, bringing the light to the world.

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 for finalising class numbers for 2022.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Maffescioni family on the arrival of Nakoa. Little brother for Sienna, Izayah & Aisha. Warmest congratulations.

As this is the last newsletter for 2021, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our students, staff and families for your support, guidance and resilience through another complex year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, enjoy this time with your families and I look forward to seeing you all for what we all hope is a more 'normal' year. 

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

Jaxon D - Year 6     Pippa B - Year 4     Oscar B - Year 3     Harry M - Year 5      Everly N - Foundation Angus B - Year 3     Brock L - Year 4     Anissa P - Foundation     Izayah M - Year 3

Ivy P - Foundation     Isabelle J - Year 2     Darcey W - Year 5     Molly A - Year 3     Marnie R - Year 6  

December Holiday Birthdays

Oliver C - Year 2      Archer C - Foundation      Brody H - Year 3      Jed C - Year 5      Jase - Year 6    Emerald - Year 2    Harley Ma - Foundation

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

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.

Cyber Safety

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

Bravehearts - Keeping kids safe online

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 ASAP.

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 is now closed for 2021. 

Lunch Box Ideas

Parish News

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

School Fees and Payment Information

2022 school fee structure as per below.

Payment of the Resource fee is expected by the end of February 2022.

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 is now closed for 2021.

The uniform shop will be open on Monday 31st January 2021, times to be advised on Class Dojo. 

Note: 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.

Uniform Shop Open - times TBA

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

Community Notices