School Newsletter Term 4, Week 4, 31st October 2024

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

Term 4 continues to be a busy term! Foundations enjoyed a very wet start to their camp experience Friday 18th October, arriving to school in their pj's to enjoy a breakfast together, then dress for the day and a walk down the street to visit the art gallery and library for activities.   This is an important stepping stone in building the students’ experience in preparation for their overnight camp experiences from Year Two onwards. 

Last Wednesday we had Crazy Sock Day to raise funds for Socktober. Socktober engages Australian students to make a difference by raising awareness and critical funds for mission programs supporting children from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds in many countries around the world. At first break the students gathered to make a coin line raising $195.65 with 234 coins  for Socktober.

We hosted a DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited) board visit last Tuesday from CEO Tom Sexton & Monsignor Glynn. They were very impressed with our building works which are in the final stages. They also brought along the Message Stick. In Aboriginal culture, the Message Stick was passed from different clans and language groups as a form of cummunicating messages, information and invitations to ceremonies and rituals.  To mark the 150 years anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, five Aboriginal Message Sticks were gifted to carry the message to 'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer' (Romans 12:12). We presented the Message Stick and its meaning in our whole school Liturgy last Friday. I will be taking the Message Stick with me to the Principals gathering in Horsham on Thursday where the 5 Message Sticks will all be returned so that they can now be passed through the Horsham office and schools.

Our Year 5/6 students continue to work hard for their upcoming EBT events in November with after school & weekend training sessions and working on their presentations around sustainability & the environment.

Foundations to Year 2's are participating in the swimming program this week. Swimming is the only sport that teaches you life saving skills, which is one main reason it is so important. Additionally the children will benefit from swimming for fitness, health, coordination, mental health and socialisation. 

Foundations also had a visit from our local police Monday in support of their inquiry topic about Communities. Officer Dale Harrison explained how the police help to keep the local community safe, the equipment officers carry and how the breathalyser works.  Dale also showed the police car including a display of the lights and sirens which the children loved.

P & F Fundraising - We have had a great response to our Mango Fundraiser, selling 130 boxes and profiting $910! Thank you to Meaghan O'Halloran for organising. Orders should arrive early December.

Social media safety - Parents and carers play an important role in supporting their children to be safe online and on social media. You can help your children safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences. You can explore websites, games, apps and social media together and set some rules and boundaries.

Your support and guidance can give your children the knowledge to make sound decisions online and confidence to ask for help when they need it. It is also important to stay informed about online safety.

The Department of Education recognises this important issue and has developed fact sheets about supports to help keep students safe online and what to do if they are involved in an online incident.

The fact sheets contain links to evidence-based information on supporting positive and safe online experiences, signs a child or young person might need support, what to do if something unsafe happens online, and where to reach out to for more support.

To access the fact sheets, refer to the Safe Socials webpage. The fact sheets are available in 19 community languages.

The government is also launching public consultation on age limits for social media.

You and your children can share your experiences to inform proposed changes via an online survey, before 5 pm on Friday 1 November 2024. For more information on the survey and to take part, refer to Proposed changes to social media age limits on the Engage Victoria website.

If you have any queries about this information, you can contact the department by email: bullystoppers@education.vic.gov.au

REPORT FEEDBACK We are currently revising our school reports with the intention to improve. Schools are required to formally report student achievement and progress to parents/carers at least twice per school year for each student enrolled at the school. The report must be a written report (print or digital), be in an accessible form and be easy for parents/carers to understand. Please click on the 'Reporting' link below to have the opportunity to provide us with your feedback. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

 Reporting 

School Closure Day - Tuesday 5th November is a school closure day for the Melbourne Cup public holiday. Students do not come to school on this day. 

Forward dates - Please see list below of Term 4 events and dates for 2025.

Pope Francis' Message for
World Mission Sunday 2024

“Go and invite everyone to the banquet" (Matthew 20:9)

Pope Francis' message of inclusion raises the question of what unites us all and presents a valuable opportunity for growth and unity, as it requires everyone to open their hearts and minds to each other.

Guided by the Gospel, we can find answers to creating ways of inclusion and dialogue.

The Gospel is made to gather and not divide, to invite and not to exclude. This is the message Pope Francis shares, reminding everyone of the importance of sharing the Gospel and, above all, reaching out to all by inviting them to be part of the celebration we call “life,” as we all have a seat at the table.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

Maddox S - Year 6      Banjo T - Year 3     Emily O - Year 4    Madison F- Foundation   

Brodie L  - Year 4      Loui H- Foundation      Bella C - Year 3   Lila R  - Year 4    

        Taiya K - Year 5    Ava I  - Year 1    Angus B - Year 6   

Charlie P - Year 6     Darcy Weir - Year 1      

EBT Sponsorship

At St. Augustine’s Primary School, we prioritise the development and progression of leadership skills. Students are actively encouraged and supported to take ownership of their skill acquisition and personal growth. One of the ways we help our students facilitate this is through our partnership in the Energy Breakthrough Program. The event is held in our hometown of Maryborough from the 20th to the 23rd of November this year. We fully support this incredible opportunity for our students and our town, as one of the biggest local annual events.

The https://www.eb.org.au/ website is a great resource to find out more about this remarkable program.

The Energy Breakthrough Program 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 show their understanding of their vehicle through a range of oral and practical presentations, followed by 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 Energy Breakthrough Program promotes leadership and encourages participants to examine and use the latest technology while considering its impact on the environment.

In 2024, St. Augustine’s Primary School will be in its fourteenth year of participation. This year we have entered two Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) teams, two Try-Athlon teams, three Pushcart teams and one Robotics team. At our school, we take pride in our exceptional Energy Breakthrough Program, which goes above and beyond by involving every Year 5/6 student in the event. This inclusive approach opens up abundant opportunities and creates meaningful experiences for all the children.

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 wish to support this exciting Energy Breakthrough Program, we would welcome your contribution.

Attached are our sponsorship options, for your consideration. If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact the school office on 03 5460 4440 or email admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au.

Sincerely,

Emma Ryan

Energy Breakthrough Coordinator

St. Augustine’s Primary School

e: eryan@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au 

ph: 03 5460 4440

TERM 4 CURRICULUM

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.

Parents & Friends - BOOKINGS AVAILABLE

BOOKINGS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE Aver and Line family portraits Saturday 16th Nov. See below details;

Lunch box ideas

WITCH FINGER COOKIES

SchoolTV

SchoolTV is a great resource for parents & caregivers.

See below link for articles on Positive Parenting and many more important issues. 

Ambulance Cover

Emergency medical transport services are not free and not covered by Medicare. Become a genuine Ambulance Victoria member and be protected against the cost of transport and treatment by paramedics.

If your child required an ambulance at school we would not hesitate to call for one before speaking with parents. Without ambulance membership it can be a very costly trip! If your not already covered please consider!

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 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

2024 School Fees & Levies

Final payment of fees are due by the end of November 2024.  Please make contact with the school if you have any questions or concerns.   

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

THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA INFORMATION

Grass pollen season brings an increase in asthma and hay fever. It also brings the chance of thunderstorm asthma. Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm. For people who have asthma or hay fever this can trigger severe asthma symptoms. If you have current, past or undiagnosed asthma or seasonal hay fever you are at risk of thunderstorm asthma. Even if you don't think you have asthma or hay fever, don't ignore symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath. Thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.Know the risks. Get prepared. Stay safe. Learn more at https://www.bhs.org.au/services-and-clinics/grampians-public-health-unit/thunderstorm-asthma/

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

We are discontinuing the lemon polo's due to the large delay in delivery times. We are out of stock of size 8 & 12 short sleeve polo's and are substituting for green polo's. Lemon polo's still available in all other sizes while stocks last.

Bucket Hats available from the uniform shop or school office for $10 each. Compulsory for Term 4, NO HAT NO PLAY!

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.

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

Note: There is no 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 between August & April.

HATS 

Recent changes to sun protection regulations have deemed the UV rays as a predictor for the wearing of sun protection, such as hats. In the past we have mandated hats in Term 1 and 4 however now in Victoria, UV levels typically reach 3 or higher daily from mid-August to the end of April.

Daily sun protection times are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology based on location. At levels above 3, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. No hat, no play! 

PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE

If you call the office and the phone is unattended or busy, please leave a message. and we will get back to you ASAP. Alternatively please 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!

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.

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

Term 4, 2024 Dates

Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Day Holiday - school closure day

Wednesday 20th - Friday 23rd - Energy Breakthrough event

Wednesday 4th December - Graduation Mass

Tuesday 10th December - Whole school transition day

Tuesday 17th December - Last day for students, 3.15pm finish

2025 DATES

Monday 27^th Jan - AUSTRALIA DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY 

Tuesday 28th Jan - Staff day (Student free day)

Wednesday 29th Jan - Staff PD day - School Review (Student free day)

Thursday 30th Jan - ALL CHILDREN BEGIN CLASSES 

Wednesday 12th February - Structured literacy (Student Free day)

Monday 24^th – Wed 26th March - Year 5/6 camp

Monday 19^th – 21st May - Year 3/4 camp 

Thursday 24th April - Staff PD day - School Review (Student free day)

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

Community Notices