School Newsletter Term 1, Week 4, 18th February 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

What a great start to the year we have had, with already so many things being able to take place.

Last week, 19 Year 4-6 students participated in the local school tennis tournament and then this week we had the Year 3-6 school swimming sports. Information sessions for Year 2-6 have taken place so if you still have any queries please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher. Foundation students have settled into school life so well and are now visiting on a Wednesday for their numeracy assessments. As part of compliance staff have engaged in fire extinguisher and emergency management training. Breakfast Club has begun with lots of children enjoying the opportunity to come along for a piece of toast and/or milo. Fr John and Deacon Matt are assisting with breakfast and meeting the children.

SAC and P&F AGM - There are a number of ways in which families can be involved in their children's school life and journey. Being a part of the School Advisory Council or the Parents and Friends Committee are just 2 of these ways.

As a DOBCEL school we are required to have a School Advisory Council which generally meets at least once a term. The main role of the School Advisory Council is to assist with the preservation and promotion of the school's Catholic ethos and culture and assist with stewardship and planning for future operations of the school. The work is to be viewed as ministry and service rather than school management. 

The Parents and Friends meet to plan and organise both fundraising and social opportunities for families.  

The St Augustine's AGM for the election of new members to the School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Committee will be:

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30th at 7pm in the Parish Hall.

* Nomination forms attached and available at the school office. 

COVID SAFE PLAN - All schools have a COVID safe plan that is updated every time there is a change to guidelines for our setting. We have been told that it is not one single strategy that will help keep us as safe as possible but a number of layered strategies.
Strategies that we have implemented and are continuing to monitor include:

* Visitor QR sign in and vaccination evidence, IF entering a school building

* Limiting visitors on school site

* Sanitising and increased classroom cleaning

* Daily cleaning of high touch areas in the classroom and school at midday

* No sharing of food

* No whole school indoor gatherings

* Zoom meetings rather than face to face

* Staff and Year 3-6 students wearing masks indoors, encouraged for F-2 students

* Air purifiers, open doors, windows to increase the air flow in rooms

* Increased washing of hands

* If unwell staying at home 

In the event, a student or staff member has (or multiple students or staff members) have returned a positive COVID-19 test result and have attended the school I will notify the school community through a daily Dojo.
We are incredibly fortunate to not have had any positive cases on site so I take this opportunity to thank our school community of families, students and staff for your continued understanding, support and co-operation in supporting these strategies.

DEFIB MACHINE - Like many other locations around Maryborough, we now have a defibrillator machine located on the left hand side of the front door for community use.
If access is needed, ring 000 for the pin.

In times when we are stressed or very busy a breath prayer can help. Slowly breathe in as you pray/receive the first line and then slowly breathe out/release as you finish the sentence:

Lord God, fill me with your Holy Spirit.

I receive your love, and release my insecurity

I receive your joy, and release my unhappiness

I receive your peace, and release my anxiety

I receive your patience, and release my impulsiveness

I receive your kindness, and release my indifference

I receive your goodness, and release my ungodliness

I receive your faithfulness, and release my disloyalty

I receive your gentleness, and release my severity

I receive your self-control, and release my self-indulgence

By Sheridan Voysey

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

Isla C - Year 3      Mia P - Year       Sarah C - Year 5      Hugo R - Year 2      Charles B - Foundation

Leonard Y - Year 1      Rylee H - Year 6      Oliver R - Year 5      Connor B - Year 4      Tia R - Year 1

                                                              Chad C - Year 5     Otto M - Foundation

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.

Bell times

5 minutes prior to classes commencing there is music played. This signals to the children it is time to start moving to class. This is the time children need to have a drink, go to the toilet etc. so they are lined up and ready to start class when the bell goes. 

8:30am - Yard Care Supervision begins

8:40am  -  Classroom teacher in classroom - meet & greet

8:55pm - School classes begin

9am-11am - 2 hour learning session

11am-11:40am -  First break

11:40am-1:40pm - 2 hour learning session

1:40pm-2:20pm - Second break

2:20pm-3:15pm - 55 minute learning session

3:10pm - Fiscalini & Flanagan dismissal

3:15pm - Arundell & Scanlan, Bus students dismissal

BOOK CLUB

Orders for Issue 1 are due in by Friday 18th February.

All orders are to be placed online through the LOOP portal. 

Links below for LOOP sign in and online catalogue.

If you have any further enquiries, please contact the school office.

Canteen

All going well, canteen will recommence Week 5, Friday 25th of February.

All orders must be placed through CDFPay prior to 9.30am Fridays.

Please contact the office if you are having any issues with your CDFPay account. 

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.

Parking behind the church & tennis courts is STAFF ONLY parking. Please do not use these areas to park or pickup your children. Vehicle movement in and out of these areas means you are driving over footpaths/walkways which both our students and Highview students are using. This creates a potential safety hazard.

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.

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.

PAM - Parent Access Module

IMPORTANT

PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR PAM ACCOUNT AND CONFIRM/COMPLETE YOUR CHILDS MEDICAL PROFILE ASAP

We require ALL families to complete and update their child/ren’s medical details and contact information for 2022 through PAM and throughout the year 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 and to advise the school office.

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.

COVID Guidelines

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.

Cyber Safety

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

Kids Helpline - Staying 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

School Fees and Payment Information

Statements were sent home this week with your eldest child.

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

Camps Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) 

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. $125 per year is paid for eligible primary school students, with $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made directly to the school and are tied to the student. Eligibility: Families holding an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans Affairs Gold Card on the first day of Term 1 or first day of Term 2 or be a temporary foster parent will be eligible to apply.

The CSEF will be credited to your fee account once government funds have been received by the end of term 1.

Family Fee Assistance Scheme 

In all Ballarat Diocesan Catholic Primary Schools, tuition fee discounts are available to families eligible for a means tested Centrelink or Veteran Affairs concession card. The scheme offers tuition fee discounts to both Catholic and non-Catholic families, to new and current students. If you are eligible for the above concession card and require further information regarding this scheme, please contact the school office for more information.

Family Fee assistance forms will  automatically be sent to eligible families who have received CSEF by the end of Term 1. Family Fee Assistance for 2022 is $600.

2022 school fee structure as per below.

Conveyance Allowance

The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus.  The conveyance allowance is available to eligible students travelling by public transport, private car and private bus.  The conveyance allowance is also available to eligible students whose nearest school is not serviced by a free school bus.

Students attending a non-government school must:

• attend their nearest non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended
• be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria

For further information, please go to the link below.

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.

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will continue to fill CDFPay online orders once a week and send them home with your child/ren. 

Note: As per 2021 announcement, there is no longer 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.

St. Augustine's is a Sun Smart school. This means all members of our school must wear a school hat while outside during the school day in Terms 1 & 4. Please ensure your child has a school hat. No Hat, No play (unless under the shade area).

Bucket hats are available through CDFPay and in the school office for $10.

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. 

Lunch Box Ideas

Parish News

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

Advanced dates for your diary

Term 1 

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

Friday 11th March - School Closure Day, Staff PD - STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL 

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

Wednesday 16th March - Foundation rest day (UPDATED)

Wednesday March 23rd - Foundation rest day

Friday 25th March - School Photo Day

Wednesday 30th March - School Advisory Council & Parents & Friends Meeting 7pm, Parish Hall

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