School Newsletter Term 4, Week 8, 25th November 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

Last week saw St Augustine's involvement in the Energy Breakthrough event held here in Maryborough. It was such a wonderful week for students, teachers and families to come together in partnership to provide a learning opportunity for all children involved. A lot of time and hard work by all goes into this event but nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without hard work. The outcomes of this are truly wonderful. The intrinsic rewards, the self belief in children achieving something that they may never have thought possible and the team building is enormous. My huge thanks goes out to the children involved who did us all super proud with their commitment, effort and behaviour, the teachers who spent endless hours in preparing the children and to the many, many parents and families who helped out in whatever way they could. We were successful across all categories and were lucky enough to be awarded first place in the Pushcart track event and one of our Push cart entries, Super Saints came first overall. Congratulations to Mr Tanis, Alex, Jai, Brock, Fateh, Brock, Stella, Sienna, Anna, Keira. We will have a special Assembly next Monday to present medals to these children.  

Friday Fun Day - Rather than a ‘Fair’ this year we will be having a Friday Fun Day on the 9th December with our students. Each class will organise an activity for other students to engage in. All activities will be free for students to participate in aside from the prepurchased showbags available through CDFPay. ORDERS FOR SHOWBAGS MUST BE IN BY THIS FRIDAY 25TH NOV BEFORE 1PM. Please see below list of stall and donations required for each classroom. If you are able to donate any items, please drop them to the school office or send them with your child(ren). 

Community Visits - This week our Foundation, Year 1 & 2 students had a visit from our local police and CFA. This was a wonderful opportunity for the children to engage with members of our community, see a police vehicle and firetruck up close and talk to these important members of our community about what they do and how they help us.  

Advent -Starts on Sunday 27th November

Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” It is a season of expectation and hope. Believers across the world spend the weeks before Christmas preparing for that day of beauty and light.

The first recorded mention of Advent occurred at a meeting of church leaders in Spain in the 300’s A.D. The Council of Saragossa encouraged people to attend church daily between December 17-29. Advent eventually developed into a month-long season in December.

Traditions vary by country, but people celebrate Advent all over the world. Each country or faith contributes something unique.

• In Eastern Orthodox churches, believers participate in a Nativity Fast that begins November 15 and ends December 24. During the fast, they abstain from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil.
• In Germany, Christian set four candles in an evergreen Advent wreath. Each Sunday preceding Christmas, they light another candle while singing Christmas songs.
• In China, families put up a “tree of light” and decorate it with lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains. Some give apples on Christmas Eve because the Chinese word for apple sounds similar to the word for peace.
• In the Philippines, people attend nine different early morning masses with the final mass occurring on Christmas Day. They decorate a bamboo pole with a lighted “lantern” that represents the star followed by the wise men.
• In Costa Rica, families decorate their houses with tropical flowers and set up a nativity scene. On Christmas Eve, everyone dresses up and goes to Midnight Mass.
• Celebrating Advent means joining Christians across the world—and through the centuries—to celebrate the coming of Jesus. 

Advent Wreath 

The word ‘Advent’ means ‘coming’. Lighting the candles on the wreath symbolises the coming of light (Jesus) into the world. The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) peace, the third (rose) joy, and the fourth (violet) love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ. This Advent we will learn, act and pray for a more just and fair world – a world full of hope, peace, joy and love.

The Advent wreath helps us keep our thoughts focused on the coming of Christ at Christmas, it should be integrated into our daily lives. If you don’t have an Advent wreath you can make your own. (Instructions can be found at: www.caritas.org.au/advent Everyone gathers around the wreath and someone lights the candle(s). Leader prays the Advent wreath prayer for the week.

“May this beautiful holy season bestow you with many new promises and many new dreams to make this life a wonderful one."

Many Blessings,

Sonia Turner

Principal 

Friday Fun Day - Donation list

Energy Break through Sponsorship

Pushcarts

Well done to the four Pushcarts teams throughout EBT. St Augustine’s Warriors (Ed B, Chad C, Harry M, Liam L, Cody J, Jayda W, Millie T, Ella G, Pippa B), Super Saints (Alex W, Jai A, Brock L, Brock V, Fateh B, Anna M, Stella H, Sienna M and Keira S), Speedy Saints (Will C, Nash K, Harry L, Clayton B, Bronte F, Chelsea B, Amy C & Lylah F) and Saints Racers (Mackenzie D, Keegan H, Lucas M, Mason V, Logan C, Darcy W, Abigail S, Isla L, Sarah C & Imogen D). All four teams were required to record a presentation prior to the event, which focussed on their learnings throughout the process. During the event, they were required to participate in scrutineering which involved pulling their pushcart apart and putting it back together, whilst sharing their knowledge about the cart. They then began racing which involved an obstacle course, an endurance event and a sprint event. A special mention to Super Saints who were awarded the overall event winners. 

Tryathlon 

On Thursday, our two Tryathlon teams were required to give a 20 minute presentation to a panel of judges and a scrutineering assessment where they needed to share their knowledge of their trike. Racing commenced on Friday and the teams completed an obstacle course and a time trial sprint event. On Saturday the endurance race began, but unfortunately was cut short due to the severe weather. Saints Stars (Georgie A, Leila L, Stella Q, Quinn M, Lila C, Jack S, Elijah R, Ollie R, Jack M, Blade W) finished the event in sixth position. Flying Saints (Thomas H, Aidan H, Charlie G, Seb B, Harrison D, Edie M, Olivia D, Airlie H, Asha R and Sienna K) finished the event in eight position. A special thanks to the pit crew of Campbell P, Jedd A and Daniel W for their efforts as well. 

HPV

The HPV teams were also required to give a 20 minute presentation to the judges on Thursday, along with completing their scrutineering assessment. The race began on Friday afternoon and stopped later that night (eight hours). The race then re-commenced at 6am on Saturday morning and finished up at 12pm. The students were challenged both physically and mentally in extremely tough conditions and overcame these as a team. Kildare Barbara (Jayden H, Harry M, Dylan H, Connor O, Thomas J, Louella R, Mia S, Amelia R, Rylee H and Sophie J) finished the event in ninth position out of around 55 teams. Kildare May (Jed C, Cruz S, Elijah Tull, Max Skinner, Hayden B, Ruby M, Danika A, Felicity C, Sienna H and Georgina B) unfortunately had some trouble with their trike and were out of racing for a period of time which affected their overall position dramatically. These students showed a great amount of resilience and determination regardless of this challenge. Thank you to the pit crew members of Kadyn L, Ray C and Campbell P for their enormous efforts as well. 

A HUGE THANKYOU TO ALL OUR 2023 ENERGY BREAKTHROUGH SPONSORS. YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS HAVE ENABLED US TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR TRIKES, PROVIDE ALL THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO OUR STUDENTS AND COVER COSTS OF THE EVENT AS A WHOLE. 

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JOHNSON'S CARAVAN & MARINE AND HURSE PLUMBING WHO COVERED THE COST OF ALL THE EBT TOPS FOR ALL OUR PARTICIPANTS!

TO ALL THE PARENT HELPERS & VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT & TIME LEADING UP TO AND THROUGHOUT THE EVENTS, WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. 

WE THANK ALL THE STAFF INVOLVED FOR THEIR TIME AND DEDICATION TO THE EBT PROGRAM, ALWAYS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR STUDENTS.

WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO OUR 5/6 STUDENTS IF IT WASNT FOR YOU ALL!

A WHOLE HEARTED THANK YOU!

My New Gallery

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 33

Next

Happy Birthday to...

Emileigh L- Foundation        Oliver L- Year 1       Jalen R- Year 4 

Spencer B - Year 1      Ella R - Foundation        

Book Club Edition 4

 Orders for Edition 4 Bookclub are due in by Tuesday 6th June 2023.

Orders for Edition 3 are on their way.

All orders are to be placed online through LOOP.
Instructions below.

OUR DIOCESAN COMMUNITY

Link to the 'Our Diocesan Community'  magazine for November.

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.

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.

Cyber Safety

Each fortnight we will post helpful eSafety information for students and families here. 

COVID Guidelines

Changes to Pandemic Orders

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the pandemic declaration and associated pandemic orders. New settings apply from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 12 October 2022. 

Changes to COVID-19 isolation requirements.

It is strongly recommended that students: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should: 

• Be collected by their parents/carers.
• Undergo testing for COVID-19. 

COVID-19 reporting requirements.

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household. 

Face masks.

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so.  Face masks are available for staff, students and visitors. 

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. 

Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. 

Further information to follow on Class Dojo.

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.

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. 

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

Uniform Shop

The last day for uniform orders will be Thursday 8th December 

Bucket Hats are available for purchase through CDFPay or cash purchases from the school office in Term 4 for $10 each.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

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

Parish News

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

Lunch Box Ideas

Advanced dates for your diary

Term 4, 2022

Whole School Transition Day Tuesday 13th December

Last day of Term 4 - Friday 16th December, 3.15pm finish

Community Notices