School Newsletter Term 3, Week 2, 22nd July 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St. Augustine’s Families,

Welcome back to Term 3 and I hope you enjoyed the school holidays! This is going to be a very busy term with many sporting events, Book Week, Science Week, camp experiences, World of Maths incursion and starting to prepare for Energy Breakthrough and much more! Please keep an eye out for notices and reminders. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to three new families joining our St. Augustine’s school community, the Palmer, Ross and Smith families. 

VISIBLE LEARNING

Thursday’s school closure day enabled staff to attend a professional development day focusing on Professor John Hattie’s Visible Learning research. This day was facilitated by Corwin Visible Learning in Ballarat. Staff unpacked Hattie’s research which explores what works best for improving student learning outcomes. The focus of day one was learning intentions, success criteria and dispositions of learning. We will be continuing to work closely with Corwin Visible Learning over the next couple of years to continue to implement best practices in teaching and learning.

GRADE ONE CAMP EXPERIENCE

On Wednesday the 20th, our Grade One students participated in our Camp Experience Program. They had a fun filled day participating in various activities around Maryborough. These activities included swimming, playing on the basketball courts, a visit to the town library, a scavenger hunt at Phillips Gardens and of course a play at the railway station playground! On returning to school, the Grade One students had a McDonalds happy meal, ice cream, changed into their pyjamas and watched a movie. 

A big thank you to the Grade One teachers for planning and taking the students on this camp experience! The Grade One camp experience is an important step in preparing students for the Grade Two sleepover and subsequent camps in Grades Three, Four, Five and Six.

COVID

With the increasing number of winter colds and COVID positive cases, unwell children must stay home. We are wanting to stop the spread of any germs. We also strongly encourage students from 8 years old to wear a mask when indoors at school. 

The Victorian Government is providing three further deliveries of RATs in Term 3 and again in Term 4. We will provide these RATs to parents/carers, staff or students on request, as the previous settings that required weekly or daily testing of students and staff have ceased. Please make contact through via the office and leave a message or send an email to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au if you would like a pack sent home with your child/ren. For the latest COVID advice go to; https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/

Many blessings,

Rebecca Pickthall

Acting Principal 

Happy Birthday to...

Nikita D - Year 2       Stella Q - Year 5          Blair Y - Foundation

Aaylah E- Year 2       Jayden H -  Year 6     Daniel L - Year 4      

Leni T - Year 1       Sebastian B- Year 6   Sophie L - Year 2     

Book Club Issue 5

Orders for Issue 5 Bookclub are due in by the 29th July 2022.

All orders are to be made online through LOOP.

Mask recommendation

Advanced Notice - Circuit Breaker Long Weekend

School Advisory Council

School Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting Summary 15.6.22
The SAC met again on Wednesday 15th June prior to school holidays and Sonia starting her Enrichment Leave.

The following topics were discussed this meeting:

- Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy was reviewed with suggestions offered from members of
the SAC.
- Finance report discussed and explained by Celia Jardine (Finance Officer).
- School to take over management of the St Augustine’s Hall – SAC discussed possible hire
charges. SAC to do further research and discuss further at next meeting.
- Possibility of buying a therapy dog for St Augustine’s to provide wellbeing support for
students and staff. SAC to do further research and discuss further at next meeting.
The SAC would love to hear any feedback about the above topics or anything else parents would like
discussed at the next SAC meeting. Please reach out to Adam Balzan, Duncan Bates, Andrew
Henderson, Libby Mayall, Meagan O’Halloran or Sam Porter to provide any feedback.

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

Bread Bag for School Play Equipment

The collection bin is located in the front entry of the school. Any bags that have contained bread are acceptable to place in the collection box, they don't have to be 'Wonder' branded.

Dinner Conversation Starters

NCCD

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.

Term 2, Week 7-9 STARS

Congratulations to the following students on their STAR efforts!

All Foundation & Year 1 Students

Library - Georgina B, Hazel L, Amy C, Sophie L, Taiya K

4 Foran Term Award - Judd R & Sarah C

4 Foran - Olivia O & Tyson S

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.  

PAM - Parent Access Module

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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. 

Supervision of Students Information for Parents

School Fees and Payment Information

REMINDER: All fees to be paid prior to the end of November 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

2022 school fee structure as per 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 3, 2022

Friday 19th August - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY, Circuit breaker long weekend

Monday 22nd August - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY.

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

Community Notices