A Prayer for Lenten Grace

Dear Parents and Carers

The students have had a wonderful start to the year filled with excitement, joy to reconnect and positive engagement in their learning. They are to be commended on how well they have settled into their beginning of year routines. 

This week we begin the Season of Lent. Lent is a time we are called to become more loving. Traditionally Lent is a 40 Day period to examine and renew our spiritual life. It is a time of prayer, service and fasting. These are the 3 Pillars of Lent.

Prayer: During Lent, we pray for others in need. We also use this time to talk to God about what is happening in our lives and world. Some things we could do: Pray for the sick and needy. Pray for those who are suffering in our community or world. Sit quietly and be with God. Thank God for our blessings. Participate in Masses and liturgies leading up to Easter.

Fasting: During Lent we give up something to show that we are thinking of the sacrifice made by Jesus. We may also decide to share our time with people in need, or do things we don’t normally do. Some things we could do: Fasting from spending money on things we want and donating to a charity. Fasting from things that separate us from God and others.

Almsgiving/Service During Lent, we show our love for others by helping. We might choose to donate money to projects or charities in our community. We might choose to donate our time in the service of others. Some things we could do: Donate clothes, shoes, books, food to people in need. Show an act of kindness to a family member each day. Cook a meal for someone who needs it. In all our efforts we are guided by the Catholic Social teachings. 

On Wednesday, Year 3-6 will be heading to the Church for a Mass at 12 noon to commemorate the beginning of Ash Wednesday. Families are warmly invited to attend. Year 1 and 2 will have a liturgy in their hubs. Spanning across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world. Your generous support can help change lives today - and For All Future Generations. You may receive a Project Compassion box at home and students are encouraged to donate to class Project Compassion boxes. It is a major fundraising focus for our school each year. 

Parent volunteers: We know our school is not just a place of education; it is a vibrant community where friendships are formed, positive relationships are paramount, strengths and talents are discovered, and students are encouraged to be curious and pursue their interests. As a learning community, we encourage everyone to actively participate in school events, volunteer opportunities and engage in the various activities that contribute to our vibrant community.

We had an amazing turnout at our recent PFA meeting with over 20 parents in attendance. We were able to make a plan of events for the year and are still open to ideas and input from more in our community. We made a shift a few years back from the PFA having a focus on fundraising a target amount. Now our focus is encouraging fun, family friendly and affordable events which add value to our positive relationships and community spirit. 

This term we have a beginning of year welcome picnic for new families and Year Prep children on Tuesday 20 February from 5-6 pm. This is an informal opportunity to bring along your picnic and get to know others who are new to the community and/ or have their child in Prep.  We also have the upcoming Working Bee on Sunday 18 February from 10am -12pm which all are welcome to. This  will be followed by a sausage and “Happy House Points” will be given and go towards our Good Citizenship House award at the end of the year.

Meet and Greets are next week. A great opportunity to meet your new teacher and share any helpful information. Please book via the Operoo which was shared or make another time that suits.

Hubs and classes are also happy to engage  parent volunteers. Please ensure  you have registered as a volunteer with us and have a current Working with Children Check (WWWC).

School Advisory Council: Our School Advisory Council is an important part of our community. The members are a representative of parent voice and help advise on some decisions in relation to the running of the school and the education of your children. We value this as we acknowledge the importance of working in partnership with families and the parish community. Here are the names of our 2024 members. Chairperson- Teneille Pasque, Fr Darien Sticklen, Pearse Fay, Olivia Liston, Catherine Cross, Deb Maud, Hayley Bennett, Stephanie Reynolds, Scott Annand, Ashlee Guiuffrida, Paul Anderson and myself. 

School Crossing: A gentle reminder regarding School Crossing etiquette particularly in relation to not moving over the crossing line until the crossing is clear and the crossing supervisor is back on the pavement. Safety of all is paramount.

Policies: All relevant policies can be located on our school website.  www.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

At this stage of the year we do like to highlight these two policies for your perusal Dogs Other Animals On School Grounds Procedure and MACS Attendance Policy. Naturally if you have any questions, your classroom teacher is available as a first point of call before the office and members of leadership, including myself.

Finally I will leave you with this quote to reflect on in light of our theme "With Grateful Hearts": “If we were to meet gratitude face to face she would say ‘take action that serves others’, ‘give back’, ‘say sorry’, ‘let go’, ‘clear the air’ and ‘connect’.”(Kerry Howells)

Wishing you a gratitude filled fortnight ahead.

Kerryn

As we approach our 3rd week of school for the term, I'm sure that routines and more consistent rhythms are gradually taking shape.  As a staff, we spent time at the start of the year to focus on setting consistent, predictable routines in the classroom. 

Through our routines for

i. entering the day (eg. greetings, checking in),

ii. routines for the classroom (eg. expectations, seating plans),

iii. transition routines (eg.moving between lessons & activities, before and after breaktimes)

iv.  fun routines (eg. brainbreaks, class celebrations),

v. routines for 'bumps' in the road (eg. regulating movement, restorative conversations)

vi. exit routines (eg. packing up, reflecting on learning outcomes, what went well (savouring)), we support student wellbeing and build capacity to engage and learn.

"Routines, rhythm and repetion soothethe nervous system to support learning." (Berry Street Education Model)

Safer Internet Day 

Safer Internet Day was held earlier this month.  Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of online safety issues.

The eSafety Commissioner leads the initiative in Australia. They educate people about online safety risks, like online abuse, how to be safe online and where to go for help.

This Safer Internet Day they encouraged everyone to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: 

• Connect. 
• Reflect. 
• Protect.  

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly. 

Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety. 

Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

By doing these things and sharing the Connect. Reflect. Protect message, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

The eSafety Commissioner - Online Safety website has a range of resources to support families to Connect. Reflect. Protect. and to promote online safety all year round. 

- Webinars for parents and carers

- eSafety Parents. 

- eSafety Guide.   Learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content. 

Kind regards

Paul Anderson

Deputy Principal/Student Wellbeing Leader

Term 1 Week 3 - Red Hub Prep News

Term 1 Week 3 - Green Hub 1 News

Term 1 Week 3 - Blue Hub 2 News

Term 1 Week 3 - Purple Hub 3 News

Term 1 Week 3 - Purple Hub 4 News

Term 1 Week 3 - Yellow Hub 5 News

Term 1 Week 3 - Orange Hub 6 News

Families are asked to donate as follows

Year 3-6: Easter eggs

Prep - Year 2: Bags/ baskets

Please send tickets and eggs in no later than Tuesday 26 March

If tickets could be separated and folded upon return,

we would be forever grateful.

Let’s all do our best and try not using snap lock bags/plastic.

Raffle to be drawn the last day of term Thursday 28 March.

Recycled Uniforms will be for sale at assembly Friday 30 August.

Open: 8.50am

Where: Staffroom 

Cash sales only. 

If you have a child due to start school in 2025 we ask that Applications for Enrolment are lodged before the end of Term 1. As applications are received by the school, you will be contacted to make a time for you and your Prep 2025 child to meet with Kerryn. To access forms and further information click here.

Open Time and School Tours

The school will be open for student led tours on Tuesday 26 March between 9.15am and 10.30am. Parents and children welcome. No bookings are required. 

Information Session for Parents

Parents are invited to an information session on Tuesday 26 March at 6.30pm – 7.30pm. 

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership.  All are a part of a healthy curriculum.

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

 The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $150 for primary school students

HOW TO APPLY

New applicants should Click here for CSEF Application Form  or contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form. 

If you applied for CSEF  last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

• new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools this year.
• changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about CSEF visit:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx

The Conveyance Allowance is a form of government financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus.  The allowance is available to eligible students  providing the eligibility criteria is met.

Students attending a government or non-government school must:

• attend their nearest government or non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible.
• be enrolled at a school/campus outside Melbourne’s metropolitan conveyance boundary.
• 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.

Click here to access the Student Conveyance Allowance Form for Private Car Travellers This form must be returned to the school office no later than Friday 8 March 2023.

Term 4 2024

Thursday 21 November: Yr 5 Parish Mass/Year 1 MOPA Excursion

Friday 22 November: Yr 5BC assembly

Thursday 28 November: Yr 3 Parish Mass

Friday 29 November: Staff Professional Learning Day - Student Free Day 

Staff Planning Day for 2025

Tuesday 3 December: School Concert 5:30pm-7:30pm

Wednesday 4 December: Prep orientation

Thursday 5 December: Prep orientation

Tuesday 10 December: Whole school orientation/Prep orientation

Wednesday 11 December: Future leaders days 2025

Friday 6 December: Diversity Day 2pm assembly 

Tuesday 10 December: Whole school orientation day 9.15am - 11am

Wednesday 12 December: Yr 6 end of year excursion

Friday 13 December: Yr 6EB assembly/End of year Mass

Monday 16 December: Whole school Beach Day (students are welcome to bring plastic shovels and buckets. Ensure they remember to bring sunscreen and hats).

Wednesday 18 December: Yr 6 Graduation Assembly/Last day of school Students finish at 1pm 

Term1 2025

Tuesday 28 January: Staff return

Wednesday 29 January: Staff professional Learning day

Thursday 30 January:  Students return 

Please note: Please refer to the Parent Calendar for all dates