School Newsletter Term 2, Week 6, 23rd May 2024

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

Confirmation Candidates 

We wish our young candidates all the best in their faith journey in preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They have been to a Commitment Mass, made a poster about themselves and are completing a workbook at home. Confirmation is a time to reflect on their Baptism and renew these promises made by their parents. Students learn about how they belong to other groups and the Sacraments are a way of belonging to the Catholic faith and our Parish at St Augustine's. We wish and pray for these students as they prepare for this special occasion. 

2025 Enrolment Applications Open - We are now taking enrolment applications for 2025. Please complete an Expression of Interest form through our school website (link below) if you have a child/ren starting school in 2025 or beyond. We will be conducting enrolment interviews later next term. Likewise please let the school know if your child/ren will not be returning to our school in 2025.  

3/4 Camp - This week I had the absolute privilege of attending the Year 3/4 camp at Log Cabin Lodge Creswick. The children certainly made all their families and our school proud. They were respectful of each other and of camp staff, well mannered, constantly encouraged each other, showed lots of courage and bravery, resilience and lent a hand when it was needed. A huge congratulations to the Year 3/4 children and thank you to the staff, Megan, Donna and Jason who also attended to ensure the camp was a happy and successful one.

1/2 Aquarium visit Last Friday the Year 1/2s visited the Aquarium to learn more about the animals and their habitats. Thank you to these children for displaying STAR behaviour across the day. The Aquarium staff commented on how well behaved and engaged they were. Thank you to staff, Bree and Sammi for ensuring the day was such a success. 

Congratulations to Sian & Cullen on the arrival of Edward (Ted). Little brother for Winston in 3/4T & Penley in 1/2H. Welcoming your new baby with wishes of health, happiness and plenty of sleep!

Many blessing, 

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

REMINDERS

MAY 24th will NOT be a pupil free day due to Lightning Premiership being scheduled on this day.

Friday 31st May is now a Pupil Free Day for our staff ReLate PD. Students do not come to school on this day.

School Saving Bonus

This week the Allan Labor Government announced a $400 School Saving Bonus for all school students in government schools regardless of income, but only for Health Care Card holders in Catholic schools.
This is deeply unfair.

We believe the payment should be means tested for all students or apply to all students.
It should not be based on which school you attend.
This policy punishes families for choosing to send their children to a Catholic school.

Our school, St Augustine's and the peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy and we need your help.
We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable.

Please consider contacting your local Member of Parliament to express your concern.

Our school’s local MP is Martha Haylett and she can be contacted by calling 54611255 or by emailing;

martha.haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au

Below is a template for you to send to Martha Haylett.

Thank you for your time in reading this and for advocating for your family and our school.

Happy Birthday to...

Amelia T - Year 3      Shakira W -Year 5      Xavier D - Foundation     Holly C - Year 1

Esme M  - Foundation           Christopher C - Year 2      Lily G - Year 6      Sarah C - Year 6 

Mahtab B  - Year 3      Peyton W - Year 5      Hudson B - Year 6

Science Corner

Another great experiment to do at home and as a bonus you get to enjoy some yummy homemade icecream at the end! 

Materials list below and a video link on how to do the experiment.

You could try alternatives to cream such as lactose free, vegan, yogurt or coconut cream and see if the results are the same. Email cgriffiths@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au or dojo Mrs Griffiths a photo or a little write up of your results. I would love to hear from you!

BOOK CLUB Issue 4

Book Club catalogues were sent home with students earlier this week. All orders are to be placed through LOOP, instructions as attached.

Each purchase accrues points which are used to buy library books and resources for our school. Thank you to all who support Book Club and our school. 

Orders are due in by Friday 14th June.

PROMOTION FOR Issue 4 - $5 credit towards next issue. Details below.

PAM - Student Photo Permissions

REMINDER TO COMPLETE
PAM - Student Photo/Video Permissions

We are now required to obtain student photo/video permissions yearly for each student. Previously this was a form that was completed upon enrolment of your child.

Permissions are now to be completed through PAM. Please log on and you will be promped to complete 5 Yes/No questions for each child as follows;

*Student Photo Permission for DOBCEL/CECV using my child's photograph/video

*Student Photo Permission for materials promoting the school

*Student Photo Permission for newspapers and other media

*Student Photo Permission for School social media channels

*Student Photo Permission for School Website

To access the PAM portal go to:
https://pam.samaryborough.catholic.edu.au/Login/Default.aspx

If you are unable to access your PAM portal, please contact the school office when Term 2 commences or email your request to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au.

SchoolTV

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

St Augustine’s is very excited to introduce a new initiative to help support the wellbeing of your students and better resource key staff. After all, happy and well supported students are better equipped to learn and succeed.

Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is an online wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges of modern-day parenting. This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist you in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle. 

Parenting is a learning journey and SchoolTV supports families by providing credible information from trusted sources offering practical strategies with a focus to empower confidence when difficulties arise.

We invite you to visit our SchoolTV site and view the content. Discover a host of interesting topics featuring interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additionally, each topic includes a compilation of related resources from key organisations providing a comprehensive stream of content. Resources include informative fact sheets, articles, apps, books, podcasts, websites, and other videos - all related to a single topic, in one place for easy access!

Start exploring SchoolTV today!

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, 2024 Weekly STAR Awards

Week 5 & 6

Bus Travel & Conveyance Allowance

Bus travel on the country buses is available for students at St Augustine’s School and arrangements are made through the bus co-ordinator, Heather Jennings, 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 Heather Jennings at MEC, Heather.Jennings@education.vic.gov.au. It is important that this form is completed as these details will be used in the event of an emergency.

PTV forms are now required to be updated and completed yearly by all families who have bus travellers.

CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE 

Eligibility

An application on behalf of a student may be submitted if the student is:

• a Victorian resident.
• school aged and enrolled (3) three or more days per week at a school; and
• attending a school/campus located outside the Melbourne metropolitan conveyance boundary

A student who meets the above requirements may be eligible if they:

• attend their nearest or designated neighbourhood government school/campus appropriate to their year level, at which admission is permissible, or
• attend their nearest appropriate non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level, at which admission is permissible, and
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from the campus attended

Lunch box ideas

2024 School Fees & Levies

ALL Resource Fees, Year 5/6 & 3/4 Camp fees are now outstanding.  Payment can be made via EFTPOS or cash at the school office, credit card over the phone or direct deposit to our account. 

We welcome all students and their families who share or respect our Catholic faith, values and traditions. Catholic education is supported by State and Federal funding, with families contributing the balance of the cost of educating their children. At times, some families are unable to meet their commitment to the full costs of education. As a Catholic school system, we ensure fee relief mechanisms are available to support families in time of need. We encourage these discussions on enrolment or as these needs emerge.

Medical Information

Concussion – Important information

If your child has experienced concussion, it is important that you follow recommended medical advice. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sport. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.

It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of the school setting so we can monitor for ongoing symptoms and adapt activities if required.

This factsheet link below from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Head_injury_return_to_school_and_sport/

There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children’s research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.

https://www.headcheck.com.au/

Student Medical Information

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.

All of our Child Safe policies and procedures are accessible on our website through the link below.

Uniform Shop

Uniform orders will continue to be filled and sent home with your child(ren) weekly. If you would like to enquire about secondhand uniform, please send a message to Amber on Class Dojo with your required items and sizes and we will send home what we can supply, $5 per item.

School hats are now not needed outside. We do have our winter beanies for sale in our uniform shop and in the school office which are optional to wear. All profits go to our Energy Breakthrough program. 

Beanies available from the front office and the uniform shop for $20.

If you have any queries or items to be exchanged, please contact the school office. 

Note: 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.

School hats are compulsory in Term 1, up until 30th April of Term 2  & Term 4. No hat, no play! 

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.  

Please note with the temporary office relocation we only have one phone line in so please leave a message and we will return your call ASAP.

PAM - Parent Access Module

PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR PAM ACCOUNT AND CONFIRM/COMPLETE YOUR CHILDS MEDICAL PROFILE. THIS INFORMATION IS MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS. 

We require ALL families to complete and update their child/ren’s medical details and contact information for 2023 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

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.

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

8:45am  -  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.

Advanced dates for your diary

Pupil Free days - Students do not come to school on these days.

Friday 31st May - Pupil Free Day - Staff ReLate PD day

Please see the link to the school calendar below for all other important dates.

Community Notices