School Newsletter Term 2, Week 6, 3rd June 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

On Wednesday night, I had the absolute privilege of listening to and meeting the remarkable, spirit-filled Aboriginal Woman from Daly River, Dr Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann. Dr Miriam was visiting Ballarat this week for National Reconciliation Week. Her message was for all Australians to come together to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. She also spoke about the Aboriginal, spiritual gift of Dadirri, deep listening, the awareness of the quiet stillness and waiting.

"Our Aboriginal culture has taught us to be still and to wait. We do not try to hurry things up. We let them follow their natural course - like the seasons. We watch the moon in each of its phases. We wait for the rain to fill our rivers and water the thirsty earth... When twilight comes, we prepare for the night. At dawn we rise with the sun. We watch the bush foods and wait for them to ripen before we gather them. "

"We wait on God, too. His time is the right time. We wait for him to make his Word clear to us. We don't worry. We know that in time and in the spirit of dadirri (that deep listening and quiet stillness) his way will be clear. We are River people. We cannot hurry the river. We have to move with its current and understand its ways. "

Dr Miriam spoke with such a profound sense of calm, the kind of calm we all need in our lives.

                                   Dr Miriam

OPEN MORNINGS AND CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

We also welcomed new and prospective families to come and have a look through our school in celebrating Catholic Education Week.

If, you know anyone who has a child/ren at kindergarten and will be starting school next year, they are welcome to call for a tour at anytime. Information packs are available from the school office. 

REPORTS & PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

The Semester one student reports will be available through your PAM portal by the end of day Friday 24th June 2022.  If you are unsure of your PAM login details, please contact the school office either via a Class Dojo to Amber, phone or email admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au. The Student Led Conferences (Parent Teacher Interviews) will be held early next term.  This will be an opportunity for parents/carers to discuss their childs report and to set goals for the 2nd semester. 

CONFIRMATION

This weekend we pray for the children who will be completing their Sacrament of Confirmation;

Taiya, Peyton-Rose, Evie, Emerald, Tyson, Henry, Alfie, Isla, Connor & Isabelle

May they and their families be blessed as they make a further commitment to being a part of our Catholic family and renewing their baptismal promises. 

Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

BABY NEWS

Warmest congratulations to Mrs Beth Sardo and her husband Jesse on the arrival of little Luca John. Blessings of health and joy to you and your new baby!

PARISH HALL TRANSFER

Message from Father John Monaghan:

 The Parish Hall is being used little by our parish and increasingly more and more by St Augustine's School. Our parish council and finance committee have approved the transfer of St Augustine’s Hall from our parish to St Augustine’s School. Under this arrangement, our parish would continue to be able to use it for Deb Ball practice and funeral catering; similar to our current shared arrangement with the Marian Centre and our Parish Office that are part of St Augustine's School. Administration and running costs would become the school’s responsibility who can then use and modify this building in whatever way the school needs to in the same way as every other school building. While further considerations and negotiations need to be entered into before this transfer can be made, we see this as being in the best interests of both our parish and our school. Please share your thoughts about this proposal with School Advisory Council members and I’m also happy to receive comments and questions. Fr John Monaghan 0466 451 984

School Advisory Council

Happy Birthday to...

Louella R - Year 6       Lily G - Year 4          Mahtab B - Year 1

Sarah C - Year 4       Hudson B -  Year 4     Brock V- Year 6      

Peyton W - Year 3       Patrick C- Foundation   Bridget C - Foundation     

Campbell P - Year 6      Jayda W - Year 5     Hayden B - Year 6

Fundraising

EBT FUNDRAISING

The year 5/6's will continue to sell raffle tickets for the Cadbury 10kg block each morning outside the library. Tickets are 50 cents and the raffle will be drawn at the end of term.

FUN BOXES
We have nearly sold through all the boxes of chocolates.  Thank you to everyone who particpated and donated. please return cash asap.
Payment is preferred via CDFPay but cash in the envelope provided will also be accepted.

ROYAL CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER

LOOM BANDS are being sold each day at first break in the courtyard (except Wednesdays or until stock sells out).
This fundraiser has been organized by year 4 students - Evie R, Georgia B, Liberty R, Rose J, Mia P and Molly A to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital. There are rings on sale for 50c, bracelets for $1.00 and necklaces for $1.50

NCCD

Term 2 RAT Testing

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.

PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE

If you call the office and the phone is unattended or busy, please leave a message. Messages are checked regularly throughout the day. Often there is only one person in the office and they may be busy on another call or with a student or parent.  Alternatively you can email a message through to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au or send a class dojo through to Ms O'Kearney.  Please try and avoid last minute end of day changes for students. We understand that things do come up and if a change needs to be urgently relayed to your child/ren, please call and speak with the office so we can make sure they get the message immediately.  

BOOK CLUB

Issue 4 is currently available online to view and order. Due date for orders is Friday 10th June.

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.

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 make sure you complete your order and get to the green screen where your receipt is displayed. We have had a number of children saying they should have a lunch order and don't.

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. 

eSafety - Cyberbullying

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: Camp Fees to be paid prior to camp.

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

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 Ben Stewart 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. Please understand that there may be times that orders are not filled within the week and will be filled the following week.

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.

Dont forget to grab a beanie as part of our EBT fundraising!

Beanies are available through CDFPay and in the school office for $20.

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 2, 2022

Monday 13th June - Queens Birthday Public Holiday (students do not come to school on this day)

Friday 24th June - Last Day of Term2, 2.30pm finish time

Term 3, 2022

Monday 11th July - First Day of Term 3

Thursday 21st July - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY, Staff PD Day-Visible Learning

Friday 16th September - Last Day of Term 3, 2.30pm finish

Community Notices