School Newsletter Term 1, Week 11, 4th April 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

Last week, we held our annual combined School Advisory Council and Parent & Friends meeting. Thank you to all who were able to come along. Thank you to, Fr Flanagan who was able to share unique and historic information not only about our school but about the past priests who now hold the namesake of the House Teams. We will have this information written up, and then share with both the children and community. 
The contribution of our parent community is at the heart of our school mission: 'As partners with parents in Catholic education and open to God's presence, St Augustine’s School pursues fullness of life for all its students and the school community.
...Engage with our parents, extended parish families to ensure that St Augustine’s embodies connectedness, ownership and responsibility for learning by all members of the community.'
A heartfelt thank you to: Grant Allan, Rowena Butler and Hayley Henderson, the outgoing members of both the SAC and the P&F who have contributed many hours behind the scenes to ultimately provide opportunities and fullness of life for our children. Simultaneously, thank you and welcome to the new elected members from the school community; School Advisory Council members - Duncan Bates, Elizabeth Mayall and Meagan O'Halloran. Parents & Friends members - President - Nadine Costelow, Secretary - Clair Willman, Treasurer - still to be filled !!

This Friday, we will have our school liturgy depicting the Easter Story. We will not gather for this but instead each classroom will take part in their own individual Easter Liturgy.

“Easter is the greatest celebration in the Catholic church because it is the completion of the Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity. Jesus was raised from the dead, and it goes to show that He conquered sin and death.

Thank you all for your generous donations for our Easter raffle! The raffle will be drawn on Friday but we will not gather in the gym as we usually do. Winning students will be called over the PA to collect their prize. 

ANZAC DAY PARADE APRIL 25TH - With the school holidays leading right up to ANZAC Day, please mark the parade on your calendars. All children are invited to join as a school in the parade that will march though the Main Street of Maryborough and finish at the war memorial in McLandress Square, in front of the the Post Office for a commemorative ceremony. Children are asked to wear full school uniforms as a representation of St Augustine's. Our School Captains will lay a wreath in memory of those who have fallen in the Wars. We will meet outside the RSL Hall, 51 High St near the Coles Express Service Station, at 10.20am for a 10.30am march. I will send out confirmation details closer to the day on dojo.

May the peace of Christ be with us all as we continue our journey through Lent and come to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

Wishing all families a very safe and happy Easter break.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Easter Raffle

Tickets are 50 cents and are being sold outside the school library before school until the end of the week.  All proceeds from the Easter Raffle goes to Caritas.    The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term, Friday 8th April.

In order to make our Easter raffle a success we kindly need donations of easter goodies. These can be left in the basket in the school foyer. Thank you in advance!

Happy Birthday to...

Indy W - Foundation     Ava H - Year 3    Evie C - Foundation    Emmie R - Year 1     

Georgie A - Year 6    Airlie H - Year 5     Abigail S - Year 6     

Holiday Birthdays

Savannah E - Year 1      Olivia O - Year 4      Jedd A - Year 5     Edie M - Year 6   

 Amy C - Year 6      Lily E - Foundation      Evie L - Year 4    

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.

PAM - Parent Access Module

INDIVIDUAL REMINDERS HAVE BEEN SENT THROUGH CLASS DOJO. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A REMINDER, PLEASE COMPLETE REQUIRED TASKS ASAP.

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.

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

Canteen

All orders must be placed through CDFPay prior to 9.00am 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.

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. 

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

School Fees and Payment Information

REMINDER: Resource fees are now overdue.

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, 2022

Wednesday 6th April  - Foundation rest day

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

Monday 25th April - ANZAC Day public holiday. NO STUDENTS COME TO SCHOOL ON THIS DAY

                                         -ANZAC Day March 

Tuesday 26th April - First Day of Term 2

Monday 2nd May - Wednesday 4th May - Year 3/4 Camp

Community Notices