School Newsletter Term 1, Week 6, 6th March 2025

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

Before the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, children enjoyed a pancake treat for Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday). Shrove Tuesday was intended for Christians to indulge in rich foods that may be given up during Lent or before fasting begins for Lent.  The whole school also attended Mass to see the burning of their lenten promises along with burning palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. These ashes are then used in the Ash Wednesday Mass for blessings. Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. The whole school joined with the Parish to have a cross of ash placed on their head to remind them of how they are going to act throughout the Lenten period. Fr John reminded the school and Parish it is a time to reflect on our actions and how we can choose to act towards other people. 

Project Compassion Fundraiser  - This year we are raising money for Caritas Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s main annual fundraising campaign. This helps us focus on giving some of our resources to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the world's most vulnerable and marginalised communities. This week each family will receive a small donation box. This box is to help your family collect any spare change that you may have and would like to bring to school to support Project Compassion. Funds from our Easter Raffle will also go to Caritas. 

Term 1 Holidays Advanced Notice - Please note the Term 1 holidays from 5th April to 28th April is a 3 week break for students. Staff will be involved in Professional Development and the school review in the third week. 

Please continue to support your children if they any worries about the incident yesterday. We understand that any security concern can be unsettling, but please know that we are taking all necessary precautions to protect our students, staff, and school community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

WEEK 5 & 6

Charlotte F - Foundation      Bastian F - Year 2      Otto M - Year 3      Miles Z - Year 5        

      Caitlin M  - Year 2     Brooklyn C - Foundation      Sienna F - Foundation      Poppy H - Year 6 

Sadie G - Year 5      Alex L - Year 4      Pippa M - Foundation      Hardy H - Year 6

Jo B - Year 3      Evie G - Foundation      Winston G - Year 5      Indy M - Year 5  

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.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WEEK 1-5 STARS! WELL DONE!

Parents & Friends News

Our Parents & Friends is a group that have the chance to support our school and fundraise for areas in our school that need improvement or facilitate events in our school.

We also admin the St. Augustine’s Parents & Friends Group on Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/samaryboroughpnf)

At our meeting on February 28, we elected our 2025 Executive Committee

President – Megan Mullins

Secretaries – Clair Willman & Courtney Mitchell

Treasurer – Meaghan O’Halloran

In 2025 our fundraising efforts will be put towards the schools outdoor areas including a new playground equipment, shade & landscaping to go alongside the newly renovated buildings. As this area is a big expense our fundraising efforts for this may go across several years.

Fundraising ideas that we are looking at including this year include a Pie Drive, Mango Trays, Bulbs, a Tea Towel fundraiser, Trivia Night, Pizza Days, Mother’s & Father’s Day Stalls, just to name a few.

If you would like to get involved, we will do some call outs for volunteers for some of these events & our next meeting will be on Friday March 21 at 9am in the Marian Centre, all are welcome.

Mindfulness Colouring with Mrs. Gardiner Every Tuesday at Second Break!

Everyone is invited to join Mrs. Gardiner for mindfulness colouring every Tuesday at second break. We've had a wonderful start to the year with a great turnout each week!
Colouring can really be a powerful tool for emotional regulation. Something as simple as focusing on colours and shapes can redirect attention away from stressful thoughts and help ground children in the present moment. Colouring is an accessible form of meditation for many, as it encourages mindfulness in a way that's enjoyable! These sessions are also a great chance for children to socialise and it's been lovely seeing many cross-aged friendships develop.  

My New Gallery

BOOK CLUB

Bookclub issue 2 is available to view and order online through LOOP. 

Catalogues have been distributed today.

Orders close Friday 21st March.

FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE

PAM - We require ALL families to complete and update their child/ren’s medical profile and contact information for 2025 through PAM and throughout the year as changes occur. This information is mandatory and a requirement for enrolment. Link to PAM:

https://pam.samaryborough.catholic.edu.au/Login/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

School photo permissions are also to be completed through PAM for all students. If you are unsure of your PAM login details, please contact the school office.

2025 School Fees & Levies - It is an expectation that all Resource fees are paid by the end of February 2025. The Resource Fee covers all your childs books, stationary, digital licenses and classroom supplies.

Camp fees are to be paid prior to students attending the camp. 5/6 Camp is the 24-26th March and the 3/4 Camp is 19-21 May. All other fees are to be finalised by the end of November each year. 

Valid concession card holders will be eligible for the government Camp Sports Excursion Fund (CSEF), Family Fee Assistance and the School Saving Bonus. Forms have been sent home with all Foundation students and copies are available in the school office for any other new claimants. Existing claimants (anyone who has claimed CSEF in 2024 with our school) will be advised when payments have been received and applied to your fee accounts. if you have any questions please contact the school office. All fee discounts will be applied to fee accounts by the end of Term 1.

CDFpay - CDFpay now has its own new App. Previous links to CDFPay will no longer work. Instructions on how to download are attached below.

Absences - Please let the school office know if your child is absent via a Parent Notified Absence through PAM, an email to admin@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au or via phone. If your child is arriving late to school or leaving school  early you will need to come into the office and sign them in/out using the kiosk located on the right of the reception desk. 

School Photo Day - is Thursday 29th May (Term 2). MSP Photography will be taking our school photo's this year. More information to follow.

Calendar - Please make sure to check the school calendar which is linked to this newsletter to keep up to date with events and school closure days. 

Class Dojo - All families should now be connected to Class Dojo. Class Dojo is a direct form of communication from the classroom and school wide to home. Please be aware that teachers may not be checking messages during the school day as they will be teaching so if there is any important /urgent information that we need to know please call the office. Please stay up to date with Class Dojo notifications and messages as this is where you will find the majority of important information. 

2025 School Fees & Levies

2025 School Fees & Levies - below is the 2025 School Fees & Levies information.

It is an expectation that all Resource fees are paid by the end of February 2025. The Resource Fee covers all your childs books, stationary, digital licenses and classroom supplies.

Camp fees are to be paid prior to students attending the camp. 5/6 Camp is the 24-26th March and the 3/4 Camp is 19-21 May. All other fees are to be finalised by the end of November each year. 

Valid concession card holders will be eligible for the government Camp Sports Excursion Fund (CSEF), Family Fee Assistance and the School Saving Bonus. Forms are available for new claimants.  Existing claimants with no changes from 2024 will not need to complete a new CSEF form, applications will be automatic. All credits will be applied to fee accounts by the end of Term 1.  

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.

Lunch box ideas

SchoolTV

SchoolTV is a great reliable resource for parents & caregivers.

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

New articles released regularly. 

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

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

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 Leach, at the Maryborough Education Centre on 5461 7900 or via email to Heather.Leach2@education.vic.gov.au. 

A PTV form must be completed and approved prior to any bus travel.

For one off or seasonal travel, parents of the student/s must organise a bus pass through MEC at least two days prior to travel. Students cannot travel on the country buses without a pass.

The town bus is currently full so no additional travellers are being accepted. The town bus 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 Leach at MEC, Heather.Leach2@education.vic.gov.au. It is important that this form is completed as these details will be used in the event of an emergency.

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

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

Uniforms will continue to be filled weekly and sent home with your child/ren.

We have discontined the lemon polo's due to the large delay in delivery times. We are out of stock of short sleeved lemon polo's in most sizes now. Long sleeve lemon polos are still available in some sizes while stocks last. Send a dojo to Amber is you would like to purchase.

Bucket Hats available from the uniform shop or school office for $12 each. Compulsory for Term 1 - 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! 

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

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

2025 DATES

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

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

Tuesday 22nd April - School Closure Days - Staff PD collaboration

Wednesday 23rd April - School Closure Days - Staff PD collaboration

Thursday 24th April - School Closure Day - School Review

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

Community Notices