School Newsletter Term 3, Week 8, 31st August 2023

Principals Letter

Dear St Augustines families,

What a huge week we have had this week. Book Week, St. Augustine's Feast Day, Teacher's Aide Appreciation Week and Fathers Day stall.

We were so very blessed with a lovely sunny morning for the book parade on Monday. It was wonderful seeing the many different costumes being donned and children enjoying the chance to dress up as their favourite book character. 

The Catholic Identity Group led the assembly on Monday in the church to incorporate the celebration of St. Augustines Feast Day.

 Our school is named after ‘St. Augustine.’ Augustine was the Bishop of Hippo, an African
province. St. Augustine’s vocation included this challenge to his fellow Christians: ‘Tolle Legge. ’
This Latin phrase is interpreted to: ‘Take up and read.’ His feast day is August 28th.
St. Augustine knew that the best way to Christ was through the Scriptures.
Our school continues to inspire the children to discover St. Augustine’s invitation to take the scriptures and read them. Our school logo reminds us of his message, by illustrating an open book.

At lunchtime and Assembly on Monday, we had past students Milla, Ella, Lacey and Amelia from Highview come and promote Aussie Hoops with our children. A great program that teaches the fundamental skills of basketball.

On Tuesday evening, we opened our school to families to enjoy and foster a love of reading through interactive book week activities. It was truly wonderful to see the support from families and especially the excitement and enjoyment from the children at the opportunity to share the experience with their families. 

A very, big and special thanks to Miss Pickthall for organsing all the activities for our Book Week this year and to Gayle in the library for organising the Book Fair. 

Australian Teacher's Aide Appreciation Week.  This was a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the wonderful work and dedication of our teacher's aides at our school and around the country. We are very thankful of the support not only to our students but to classrooms and our school community as a whole.  

Last week, the Year 3-6 children engaged in Water Safety swimming lessons. Thank you to Miss Ryan for organising and co-ordinating a small opportunity to practice this vital life skill. 

Last Friday night, our School and House leaders accepted a very generous donation from the HIghland Society from community support to go towards this year's Energy Breakthrough event.  Thank you to all the families and staff who attended the night in support of our EBT program. 

Fathers Day stall - Thank you to Bianca for organising and coordinating the Fathers Day stall for children to purchase a special something for Dad or someone special in their life. The children all really value this opportunity and it could not be possible without your support so thank you. Thank you The stall is open again tomorrow (Friday) at first break for children who were away or would like to make another purchase. 

We have lots of events and fundrasing going on so keep an eye on Class Dojo for updates.

Pie Drive closing tomorrow (Friday 1st September) so get your orders in through CDFPay before 9am tomorrow. 

Father's Day Liturgy will be held on Monday 4th September in the church at 9am. Send in your photo's by end of day Friday 1/9 to Kate Balzan at kbalzan@samaryborough.catholic.edu.au.

Hot Dog & Footy Colours Day on Wednesday 13th September.  Orders to go through CDFPay.

Spooky Trivia Night will be on Friday 13th October (Term 4). Tickets to be purchased through CDFPay.

We wish all our Dad's and special people in our lives a lovely day Sunday. 

Many Blessings,

Mrs Sonia Turner

Principal

Happy Birthday to...

    Harry - Yr 6        Tyson - Yr 4      William - Yr 6       

Thomas - Yr 6        Baxter - Yr 5           Allera - Yr 3 

Archie - Yr F           Brandon - Yr 4     Eli - Yr 2

Our Diocesan Community

A link to the July 2023 Diocesan community magazine.

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 THE WEEK 6 & 7 STARS

EBT

Lunch box ideas

NCCD Information

2023 School Fees & Levies

REMINDER - Resource, 3/4 Camp & 5/6 Camp fees are now overdue and need to be paid ASAP. Balance of all fees to be finalised by the 30th November 2023. Payment can be made via EFTPOS or cash at the school office, credit card over the phone or direct deposit to our account. 

School Approved Scrunchies

School approved Scrunchies are for sale in the school foyer for $5 each.

$1 from each scrunchie sold goes to our Energy Breakthrough Program.

We now also have coloured scrunchies for sale. These are 'not ok to be worn on a school day'. $1 from each scrunchie sold goes to our EBT program.

Lots of different patterns and colours available so come check them out!

Cyber Safety

SAVE THE DATE - Tuesday 17th October 2023

Susan McLean
Susan McLean is Australia's foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as the 'cyber cop' she was the first Victoria Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people.

COVID Guidelines

It is strongly recommended that students: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should: 

• Be collected by their parents/carers.
• Undergo testing for COVID-19. 

COVID-19 reporting requirements.

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household. 

Face masks.

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so.  Face masks are available for staff, students and visitors. 

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. 

Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. 

Medical Information

Concussion – Important information

If your child has experienced concussion, it is important that you follow recommended medical advice. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sport. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.

It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of the school setting so we can monitor for ongoing symptoms and adapt activities if required.

This factsheet link below from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Head_injury_return_to_school_and_sport/

There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children’s research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.

https://www.headcheck.com.au/

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.

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.

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

Uniform Shop

All orders are to be placed through CDFPay Orders will continue to be filled once a week and sent home with your child(ren). 

We are still experiencing delays with our suppliers. If you have items on backorder these will be filled and sent home as soon as we can. 

With the sun coming out and the feeling of Spring in the air, we have Bucket Hats available from the front office and the uniform shop for $10.

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

Note: 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.

PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE

If you call the office and the phone is unattended or busy, please leave a message. Messages are checked regularly throughout the day. Often there is only one person in the office and they may be busy on another call or with a student or parent.  Alternatively you can 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.  

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.

Canteen

All orders must be placed through CDFPay prior to 9.00am Fridays.   Please ensure you complete all orders on CDFPay and proceed through payment screen to the green receipt screen.

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.

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, 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.

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

Parish News

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

Advanced dates for your diary

School Closure Days

Monday 9th October - Staff PD, SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY

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

Community Notices