School Newsletter Term 1, Week 2, 4th February 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

A very, special welcome to all the new families to our St Augustine's school community. I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year and were able to spend time with family and friends at some stage.  Again, we find ourselves navigating the implications of COVID19 but I thank all families for your patience and understanding as we implement these new guidelines and changes to the way we would normally do things.
Students are encouraged to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) twice a week. RATS are available for all students covering weeks 1 and 2, anyone wishing to collect these and have not done so already please contact the office.                          I will put out a School Dojo post to let you know when our next delivery for weeks 3 and 4 arrive and when/how distribution will take place.                                                                                                        IF your child tests positive please contact the office 54604440  AND register on the coronavirus website. I will also notify our school community via School Dojo of any positive cases that have been onsite.
Teachers have sent home an activity book and a list of continued learning activities IF your child/ren finds themselves in isolation due to being a close contact. These activities will also be posted on class dojo. These are optional and if as a parent/carer you are sick then we do not expect this to be done. If your child is positive and unwell we also do not expect continued learning activities to be completed. These activities, both online and hands-on are optional, the decision is up to each family.  

INFORMATION SESSIONS/MEET & GREETS - Each teaching team would normally hold an information session about expectations and big events occurring in their respective years. This is also a great opportunity for parents to convey to their classroom teacher things about your child that you deem important for us to know at a meet and greet interview.  Current guidelines prevent these information sessions from happening on the school site. Teachers will be sending home  information flyers which will then be followed up with a zoom opportunity for questions, queries and clarifications.   Zoom links will be sent to parents on the day prior to the meeting.                                                                                                                                           

Year 5/6 -  Tuesday, 8th Feb 5:30pm - 6:00pm                                                                                                             Year 4 -    Tuesday, 15th Feb 5:00pm -5:30pm                                                                                                               Year 3 -     Tuesday 15th Feb, 5:40pm - 6:10pm                                                                                                             Year 2  - Tuesday 15th Feb, 5:00pm - 5:30pm

Foundation /Year 1 - Date to be confirmed as this will occur in the Parish Hall. 
* You are always welcome to ask questions via dojo, to your classroom teacher or at the office. Please note do not send notifications via dojo that require attention during the school day as teachers will be teaching and not checking dojo. Please direct these requests to the school office. 

TENNIS - Next Wednesday, St Augustine's will compete in the Junior tennis tournament with children from other surrounding, district schools. Miss Ryan will take interested children from Years 5/6 to this tournament.

SWIMMING SPORTS - Monday 14th February, St Augustine's will have a swimming sports event. ALL children in Year 3-6 will participate in this day. They will walk to the Maryborough Outdoor pool with class teachers and then walk back at the end of the day. More details will come out next week to the Year 3-6 children.  

Heavenly Father, As we step into this new year, 

Restore our spirits, renew our passion for sharing your wisdom,

Nurture our compassion for those in greater need of support.

Transform us, as we seek to transform.

Guide us, as we seek to guide.

Open our minds and hearts, as we seek to open minds and hearts.

To the Good News of justice and peace, Help us listen more deeply to the world and to Your world, So we can walk with those in our care, Attentive to the wisdom that calls us to the Kingdom of God.

Amen

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

JANUARY HOLIDAY BIRTHDAYS

Harry M - Year 5        Elizabeth B - Year 1        Eddie R - Year 1        Mia S - Year 6        Noah G - Year 4

                Chelsea B - Year 6        Logan C - Year 5      Dylan H - Year 6      Penley G - Foundation

Fateh B - Year 5        Estella D - Year 3        Anaya F - Year 4        Lucas M - Year 6       Jakobi W - Year 4

Hazel L - Year 1      Frederick B - Year 4      Cruz S - Year 6      Rilee H - Foundation     Alexa R - Year 1 

WEEK 1-3

                     Amelia S - Year 2        Charlie G - Year 5        Hailey D - Year 1        Aisha M - Year 1

                 Estella M - Year 5        Olivia D - Year 6        Reef M - Year 2        Alexis Y - Foundation     

                                            Harley M - Year 3        Sienna H - Year 6      Isla L - Year 5

Scholastic Book Club

We offer Scholastic Book Club to all of our students. Catalogues will come home twice per the term. All orders are to be placed online through the LOOP portal. Due dates will be published in the newsletter and/or Class Dojo. 

Issue 1 was sent out this week. There is currently a special promotion for $5 off your order if placed by midnight today, Friday 4th Feb.

Links below for LOOP sign in and online catalogue.

If you have any further enquiries, please contact the school office.

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. 

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.

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.

COVID Guidelines

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.

Cyber Safety

Each fortnight we will post helpful eSafety Information for Students and Families here. 

Bravehearts - Keeping kids safe online

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

Canteen

 Canteen will commence Week 3, Friday 11th of February. All orders must be placed through CDFPay prior to 9.30am Fridays. Please contact the office if you are having any issues with your CDFPay account.

Parish News

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

School Fees and Payment Information

Statements will be sent home in Week 3 with your eldest child.

Payment of the Resource fee is expected by the end of February 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

Camps Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) 

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. $125 per year is paid for eligible primary school students, with $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made directly to the school and are tied to the student. Eligibility: Families holding an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans Affairs Gold Card on the first day of Term 1 or first day of Term 2 or be a temporary foster parent will be eligible to apply.

Family Fee Assistance Scheme 

In all Ballarat Diocesan Catholic Primary Schools, tuition fee discounts are available to families eligible for a means tested Centrelink or Veteran Affairs concession card. The scheme offers tuition fee discounts to both Catholic and non-Catholic families, to new and current students. If you are eligible for the above concession card and require further information regarding this scheme, please contact the school office for more information.

2022 school fee structure as per below.

Conveyance Allowance

The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus.  The conveyance allowance is available to eligible students travelling by public transport, private car and private bus.  The conveyance allowance is also available to eligible students whose nearest school is not serviced by a free school bus.

Students attending a non-government school must:

• attend their nearest non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended
• be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria

For further information, please go to the link below.

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will continue to fill CDFPay online orders once a week and send them home with your child/ren. 

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.

St. Augustine's is a Sun Smart school. This means all members of our school must wear a school hat while outside during the school day in Terms 1 & 4. Please ensure your child has a school hat. No Hat, No play (unless under the shade area).

Bucket hats are available through CDFPay and in the school office for $10.

PAM - Parent Access Module

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.

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. 

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 Stephen Broad 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.

Bushfire Season

 Follow the link below for helpful information on how to stay safe through bushfire season.

Advanced dates for your diary

Term 1 

Wednesday Feb 9th - Foundation rest day

Wednesday Feb 16th - Foundation rest day

Wednesday Feb 23rd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday March 2nd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday March 9th - Foundation rest day

Friday 11th March - School Closure Day, Staff PD

Monday  March 14th - Labour Day Public Holiday. STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL.

WEDNESDAY 16^TH MARCH - NO REST DAY DUE TO THE HOLIDAY FOR LABOUR DAY. All students attend school.

Wednesday March 23rd - Foundation rest day

Wednesday March 30th - Foundation rest day

Wednesday April 6th - Foundation rest day

Friday 8^th April – Last day of Term 1, 2.30pm finish

Community Notices