School Newsletter Term 1, Week 6, 4th March 2022

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustine's families,

Last week marked the beginning of Lent - March 2nd to April 14th.

Shrove Tuesday is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent. Students enjoyed making & eating pancakes with their class and learning about Lent through various activities. 

To prepare ourselves for Lent all children made a promise to try and keep over Lent. The idea of a promise is so we can become closer to and followers of God. These promises were burnt at our whole school liturgy in the church on Tuesday.  The burnt promises then become the ashes used in the Ash Wednesday mass.  

Lent is the six week period leading up to Easter. It’s one of the most important times of year for many Christians around the world, particularly those within the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, held at a similar level of importance to Advent – the build up to Christmas. While Advent is a celebration and a time of great anticipation, Lent is more frequently seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional time for fasting or giving something up. 

EMERGENCY DRILLS - As part of our duty of care we practise either an evacuation, fire or lock down drill each term. These drills are practiced so the children have a greater understanding and know exactly what to do in the case of a real emergency. We will be evacuating to Phillips Gardens on Monday to practise leaving the school site in the case of an emergency like a fire, gas leak, truck rollover at front of school ect. The teachers will explain to the children what they are going to hear, what they are to do and where we are going all before we leave. 

Last week also saw us welcoming our new Foundation students at the Beginning of the Year Mass and the presentation of the 2022 School Captains and House leaders of St Augustine's. Congratulations to those students and we look forward to working with them across this year. 

Easter raffle -  Each year the Catholic Identity group run an Easter raffle to raise funds for Caritas.

Caritas is the international aid and development agency of the Australian Catholic Church, they are driven by social justice and the dignity of every person. They work with local communities in Australia and overseas, listening to concerns, assessing needs and working with partners on locally-led development programs. With hope, support and compassion at the core of what they do, they work towards a world where all people may thrive.

'Working together for justice and dignity. Walking together in hope. Building together a thriving future for all. Walk with us towards a world of hope.'

The Catholic identity team will be selling tickets outside the Library every morning in the last two weeks of term. Students can purchase tickets for 50 cents each to go into the draw to win some Easter goodies. The raffle is drawn on the last day of term, Friday 8th April.

EASTER DONATIONS NEEDED - We kindly ask families for donations of Easter goodies for our  raffle. A basket will be located in the school foyer for donations.

Do you want to fast this Lent?

• Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
• Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
• Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
• Fast from worries and trust in God.
• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
• Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
• Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
• Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Many blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

2022 School Captains

Congratulations to our 2022 School Captains!

Felicity C, Jayden H, Georgie A and Abigail S

2022 House Captains

Congratulations to our 2022 House Captains!

SCANLAN - Georgina B, Jed C and Rylee H

FISCALINI - Ruby M, Cruz S and Edie M

ARUNDELL - Danika A, Harry M and Sienna H

FLANAGAN - Jack M, Hayden B and Sophie J

2022 Year 6 Leadership Groups

Leadership Groups

Baby News

Exciting news for Noah (3/4B) & Violet (F/1M) on the arrival of their new little sister, Millie. Warmest congratulations!

SAC and P&F Reminder

The St Augustine's AGM for the election of new members to the School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Committee will be:

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30th at 7pm in the Parish Hall.

* Nomination forms attached and available at the school office. 

Happy Birthday to...

Miles Z - Year 1     Poppy H - Year 3     Sienna M - Year 5      Amelia R - Year 6      Hardy H - Year 3

Lila C - Year 6     Milla W - Year 3      Winston G - Year 2      Indy M - Year 3      Charlie R - Year 4

                                                   Elijah R - Year 2     Olivia B - Year 4     Maya M - Year 2     

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.

BOOK CLUB

Orders from Issue 1 have been received and sent home.

Issue 2 is now available online.  Catalogues were sent home yesterday.  

Due date for Issue 2 is Friday 18th March

All orders are to be placed online through the LOOP portal. 

Links below for LOOP sign in and online catalogue.

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

PAM - Parent Access Module

IMPORTANT

PLEASE LOG INTO YOUR PAM ACCOUNT AND CONFIRM/COMPLETE YOUR CHILDS MEDICAL PROFILE ASAP

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.

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

8:40am  -  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

Canteen

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. 

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.

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.

COVID Guidelines

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.

Cyber Safety

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

esafety - Online Safety Basics

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

School Fees and Payment Information

REMINDER: Resource fees are now overdue.

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.

The CSEF will be credited to your fee account once government funds have been received by the end of term 1.

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.

Family Fee assistance forms will  automatically be sent to eligible families who have received CSEF by the end of Term 1. Family Fee Assistance for 2022 is $600.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Lunch Box Ideas

Parish News

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

Advanced dates for your diary

Term 1, 2022

Wednesday March 9th - Foundation rest day

Friday 11th March - School Closure Day, Staff PD - STUDENTS DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL 

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

Wednesday 16th March - Foundation rest day (UPDATED)

Wednesday March 23rd - Foundation rest day

Tuesday 29th March - School Photo Day (UPDATED)

Wednesday 30th March - School Advisory Council & Parents & Friends Meeting 7pm, Parish Hall

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