School Newsletter Term 3, Week 8, 2nd September 2022

Principals Letter

Dear Families,

It is great to be back and a huge thank you to Rebecca for stepping in as Acting Principal while I was away and to Warren, Kate and staff for assisting her.

Happy Fathers Day this Sunday to all the Dads and special people in our lives. As a school we will be celebrating with a liturgy to recognise and give thanks. 

A big thank you again to Bianca for co-ordinating the Father's Day stall and to the helpers who assisted. The children were so excited to be able to choose a special gift.

St. Augustine’s Feast Day 

The 28th of August is the feast day of St. Augustine, this is a day when we remember his story and what he teaches us. Children and teachers celebrated the feast day of St. Augustine with a liturgy in their classes. Student’s reflected on what it is like at our school and shared words like: learning, fun, caring, exciting, helpful, caring, welcoming, safe, included, educational, accepting, peaceful, understanding, unity, respectful and generosity, 

EBT

On Friday 26th, the Maryborough Highlands Society held their Energy Breakthrough Community night. The Maryborough Highlands Society generously presented our school captains with a $600 cheque. This money will go towards the carts in making sure they are mechanically safe.

Energy Breakthrough is an exciting community event that St. Augustine’s participates. 

2022 will be the first year since COVID interrupted in 2020. More details will be shared closer to the event in November.

Teacher Aide and Admin Staff Appreciation Week 

This week we acknowledged our Learning Support Officers and Administration Staff with a special morning tea to thank them all for the wonderful work they do in our school. Our students and teachers are lucky to have their support.

Staffing announcements - A big congratulations to Kyra and Jake who are expecting their first baby, in February of next year so Kyra will remain with us until the end of the year. Such an exciting and beautiful time for them.

It will be with great sadness that we say farewell to Adele and Mark at the end of the year as well.
Mark has accepted a position at Clarendon College in Ballarat and Adele is looking at a move interstate. Celebrations and thanks will take place for them both later on in the year. 

PUPIL FREE DAY MONDAY 3rd OCTOBER

The first Monday of Term 4 will be a pupil free day as staff will be continuing the Visible Learning professional development that was started earlier this term.

Many Blessings,

Sonia Turner

Principal 

My New Gallery

Happy Birthday to...

      Harry L - Year 5         Elijah R - Year 6     Tyson S - Year 3

William C- Year 5       Charlotte J -  Year 1     Elijah T- Year 6      

Thomas H - Year 5      Baxter P - Year 4      Allera D - Year 2      Brandon V - Year 3   

Book Club Issue 8

Catalogues were sent home with students this week. Orders for Issue 8 Bookclub are due in by Thursday 1st December, 2022.

All orders are to be placed online through LOOP.

Energy Break through Sponsorship

At St. Augustine’s School we focus on the attainment and honing of leadership skills. Students are encouraged with support, to take control of their own skill acquisition and development. One of the ways we help our students’ facilitate this is through our participation in the Energy Breakthrough Program, which this year takes place 16th -20th November, in our school’s home town of Maryborough. This is our town’s biggest annual event and here at St. Augustine’s, we throw our full support behind this amazing opportunity for our students and our town.

The Energy Breakthrough website is worth a look to find out more about this remarkable program.
The Energy Breakthrough provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industries to work together to design and construct a vehicle that represents an ‘Energy Breakthrough’. Students then compete in a series of races. This event aims to provide an opportunity for females to participate in what has traditionally been ‘male’ dominated areas of the curriculum. The EB program promotes leadership and encourages participants to examine
and use the latest technology while considering its impact on the environment.

In 2022, St. Augustine’s School will be in its twenty-ninth year of participation. This year we have entered two Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) teams, two Try-Athlon teams and four Pushcart teams. Our school is unique with our Energy Breakthrough Program in that every Year 5/6 student participates in the event, not just ‘the fastest’ or ‘the fittest’.

We are once again looking for significant community support from local businesses and families as we look to build our Energy Breakthrough Program. Through your very generous support, we will be able to offer our students a program to gain the full benefit of their hard work and dedication.

If you would like to be part of this exciting EBT program we would welcome your contribution. Attached are our sponsorship options, for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Emma Ryan
Sports Coordinator
St. Augustine’s Primary School
e: eryan@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au 
ph: 03 5460 4440

Mask recommendation

Bread Bag for School Play Equipment

LAST WEEK FOR COLLECTIONS!!

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.

THANK YOU to all that have contributed!

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.  

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.  We have had a number of children saying they should have a lunch order and don't.  In this case we will supply lunch from out staff room. Most times it will be a toasted sandwich & a piece of fruit. Please ensure you complete all orders on CDFPay and proceed through payment screen to the green receipt screen.

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

Term 4, 2022

Monday 3rd October - School Closure Day, Staff PD

Community Notices