School Newsletter Term 1, Week 10, 3rd April 2025

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

What a busy term we have had! 

5/6 Camp - A great time was had by all on our recent camp experience to Melbourne. A huge thank you to Meagan and Trav for taking time away from their work commitments to help us out. Thank you to the 5/6 teachers for organising a fun-filled and busy camp and to Athina for joining us as well.The biggest thanks goes to all the children who were a pleasure to take away in every way. I received such positive feedback from several places we visited. We were told how well behaved, cooperative and engaged the children were. All of us should be super proud of them.

Attached is what some of our students had to say about the camp.

Celebration of learning - On Monday, it was lovely to see the children sharing what they had been learning across the term with family members. The evidence that supports having parents/carers/family members involved in the learning journey is overwhelming. The children get so much joy and pleasure out of sharing their classroom, their achievements and their learning. These will occur at the end of terms 1 and 3 on the last Monday of each term.  

ANZAC day, following the pupil free days- we will be marching as a school to recognise ANZAC day on Friday 25th April. All children are welcome to march and are to wear full school uniform. Our school leaders will be placing a wreath in honour of those who fought in the wars. We will gather at the BP Service Station from 10:30am and march up High St to the McLandress Square at the Post Office for the 11:00am memorial service.

Foundation 2026 enrolments - If you have a school aged child for Foundation 2026 or beyond, please complete our 'Expression of Interest' form on our website or click on the link as follows:

https://app.enquirytracker.net/webforms/general/501891b1-6e8f-46e8-b293-5b2938a304c9

Next term we will be holding a 'Come and Try' hour for prospective 2026 Foundation students. To register please complete the form;

https://app.enquirytracker.net/webforms/event-registration/616626c0-7448-4744-ac6b-62c6667e88e0?data-widget-event-type=IS

We also invite prospective students to our open mornings on the 27th & 28th May from 9.15-11am. Our current Year 6 students will lead the tours.

Fee credits - For valid government concession card holders, applications for the CSEF (Camp Sports Excursion Fund) have now been applied to fee accounts, $154 per child.  The School Savings bonus ($400) will be applied to these same accounts and application forms will also go home for the Family Fee Assistance early Term 2. Once all fees are applied updated statements will be sent home. Any queries regarding fees, please contact the school office.

Lifelong benefits of attending a Catholic School - I'm pleased to share new research based on data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, which reveals that individuals who attended Catholic schools are likely to experience lifelong benefits in employment, general health, and overall life satisfaction.

The study highlights that Catholic schooling offers both personal and community advantages. On average, Catholic school alumni are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages compared to those who attended government schools, with wage differences ranging from 4% to 11%. Additionally, former Catholic school students are more inclined to work in public-serving industries and sectors, and they are more likely to donate to charity. The research also shows that Catholic school attendance positively influences personal health and life satisfaction scores.

Conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by VCEA, the research adjusts for various individual and family characteristics to specifically isolate the impact of Catholic school attendance.

This evidence supports what you and your team have likely known instinctively – that an education focused on developing the whole person leads to well-rounded individuals who are prepared to succeed, thrive, and navigate life with confidence, regardless of the path they choose.

You should take great pride in the substantial and positive impact you have on the lives of your students and their families as they journey through our educational system.

A copy of the full report is available on the DOBCEL website, and you can also watch a video featuring lead researcher for the report, Mr. Andrew Wade, who has over 20 years’ experience in public policy analysis and research, most of which has focused on education and skill formation among Australians, and the interface with the labour market. 

I encourage you to read the report and share these terrific findings with your staff and school communities.

A reminder - These holidays are a 3 week break from 5th April to 27th April. Staff will be involved in Professional Development and the school review in the third week. Students commence Term 2 on Monday 28th April. 

Wishing all our students and families a very happy, relaxing and safe Easter break.

"Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of new life and hope through the resurrection of Jesus. May this Easter season be a time of joy, reflection, and renewed faith. Amen."  

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

WEEK 9 & 10

Oliver F - Year 3      Indy W - Year 3      Harry S - Year 1      Ava H - Year 6        

      Emmie R  - Year 4     Freddie W - Foundation      Finn B - Year 1     

Holiday Birthdays

Oliver P- Year 3      Charlie J - Year 1     Antonia K - Foundation      Hux M - Year 3

Savannah E - Year 4     Frankie R - Year 2      Rylie H - Year 3      Harrison R - Year 2

Ella G - Year 2    Scarlett P - Year 5      Hannah P - Year  4

Sport - Term review

Term one has been action-packed with sport! We kicked off the term with the district tennis tournament, where Emmie Graco and Patrick Noonan claimed the singles titles. Swimming sports followed, with several students progressing to the division stage in Bendigo, and Lizzy Bates and Charlie Smith advancing to the regional stage in Swan Hill. Athletics day saw an impressive 33 students qualify for the district stage in August. Most recently, our Grade 3-6 students competed in cross country, with 17 qualifying for a spot in the district stage the first week back of next term. Thank you to all parents who helped out and supported this busy term of sport!

Miss Ryan.

A word from our Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader

Breakfast Program

Greetings from the last breakfast of the Term! Big thanks to Mrs Griffiths, Nicole, Bianca and Father John for providing breakfast and chats every Tuesday. The Breakfast program will be back in Term 2, Tuesday mornings from 8.30am until 8.50am. 

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 9 STARS! WELL DONE!

Parents & Friends News

Next P & F Meeting is Friday 2nd May at 2.30pm in the Marian Centre. All welcome!

See below flyer for details around this years Mother's Day stall.

Lunch box ideas

SchoolTV

SchoolTV is a great reliable resource for parents & caregivers.

This month on SchoolTV - Cybersafety

Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.

Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.

In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.

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.

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

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! 

ALL ORDERS TO BE PLACED THROUGH THE NEW CDFPAY APP. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCOUNT SETUP ATTACHED.

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

2025 DATES

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

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

Thursday 24th April - School Closure Day - School Review

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

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

Community Notices