Filter Content
O God,
When it feels like the world is on fire, we don’t always know what to do.
Do we light candles and pray?
Do we scream and yell in the streets?
Do we open our wallets?
Do we prepare guest rooms in our homes?
Do we write letters and make phone calls?
We don’t always know what it looks like to make crooked ways straight,
to stand up to injustice.
We don’t always know what it looks like to call oppressors to account,
to bring them into the full awareness of the injustice they hold over others.
But we are begging for mercy, for justice, for all those things you tell us to look for.
We are begging for mercy for children who are cold and tired,
for parents who cannot stop aching.
The widowed ones and the orphaned ones are yours,
and if they are yours, they are ours, too.
When those children are crying in cages and we cannot get to them,
When those parents are desperate to hold their babies again and we cannot console,
Show us what it means to be the face of love.
Show us what it means to have hands and feet that only work for good.
We acknowledge that we are called to be people who fight for human rights,
and it is not a choice.
Lord hear us.
Dear Parents and Carers
As a catholic community, one of our characteristics from Horizons of Hope is To Make a Difference in the World. This week’s prayer calls all of us to recognise that through our actions, we are the face of love and realise there is no choice when we see poverty, oppression or injustice. We should find a way, however small, to make a difference. What a wonderful testament this is, in educating our students about the importance of taking some small action and making a difference.
Mission Fete 2020: This Friday sees us celebrating our annual Mission Fete in a COVID friendly way. This is arguably the most popular day of the year, yet one which is profound in educating our students to think about and care for others. It is also the culmination of our Inquiry Learning unit “We Need Each Other.”
We will certainly miss having you all onsite to enjoy the day but hope and pray, that next year we will be back to normal for our 2021 Mission Fete Day.
Many thanks to you all for your donations and selling of the raffle tickets. We also greatly appreciate you sending along the suggested $10 donation, or whatever is in your means, before Friday. The class teacher is marking this off when your child brings it in. In line with a COVID friendly fete, no money will be exchanged for activities on the day. Our students will be able to participate throughout the fete time in their choice of activities.
Here is a photo of the prizes that can be won in the raffle which all our staff have kindly contributed to.
Survey Thanks: A big thankyou to those who completed the School Improvement Survey in the last few weeks. Your voice is invaluable to us in strategically planning for our Annual Action Plan for next year.
Accessing onsite: Many thanks to you all for your respect in continuing to social distance, wear masks and stop at the gate during drop off and pick up. We acknowledge and understand it is challenging not being able to pop by to see your teachers or child’s classroom and school work onsite. We hope you are able to have learning conversations through the hub news and newsletter information. Also via the SeeSaw and Google Classroom platforms as this was so valuable for you during the Learning From Home period and remains invaluable. Please also be assured your child’s teachers are there for you via email, phone call and setting up Google Meets as you require. Ongoing communication is extremely important to your child’s progress.
Cherished Pets: Many thanks to all families. $480 was raised for the Cherished Pets organisation. Our students also enjoyed wearing their footy colours on this day.
COVID TEST:
We have had a few enquiries regarding whether you can send your children to school if someone is having a COVID test in the family. Naturally, we strongly encourage you to be COVID tested if you have symptoms. This is inline with the government regulations. If you are being tested because you have symptoms and your child does not, it is not a requirement you keep them at home. It is your decision.
If you are being tested however because you have been identified as a close contact and/or DHHS has informed you, then we ask that you do keep your child(ren) at home until your results come through. Also you know your individual story, that is, where you have travelled to and your line of work. If you think you may have come in contact with the virus, then it is best to err on the side of caution. I hope this makes sense and feel free to clarify if required.
2021 Class Structure and Staffing:
Please see below our class structures for 2021. We complete a thorough consultative process via our Consultative Committee when making class structure decisions and I thank all staff for their input. I have added the Hub spaces these classes will be in. Please note there will be a movement of some classes when the new building is complete. This is forecasted at this stage to be completed by May 12, 2021.
PREP (4 Classes in Green Hub) Michelle Richards, Georgia Cowling, Nicole Maier, Clare Toomey. LST Kylene Gray
One (3 classes in Red Hub 1) Alison Healy, Maddy Fenton, New Teacher. LST Marnie Hallam
Two (4 classes in Yellow Hub) Jacinta Ryan, Blair Vredenbregt, Garry O'Callaghan, Bonnie Evers. LST Natalie Skahill
Three (3 classes in what is currently Red Hub 2) Michael Coldwell, Melissa Garvey, Lib MacPherson/ Maree Croft. LST Sara De Jong
Four (3 classes in Blue Hub and then move to Purple Hub) Carly O'Neil, Ashlee Guiffrida, Matt Eales LST Bree Russell
Five (4 classes in Purple Hub and then one class will move to Orange Hub) Lizzie Conquit, Corey Gallagher, Lisa Grigg, Sharon Chirgwin LST Marianne Caddy/ Rachael Thomas (Fri)
Six (3 classes in Purple Hub and then move to Orange Hub) Brendan Casey, Trish French/ Andrew Gibson (Fri) , Rebecca Nancarrow
Specialists Classes:
Technologies: Andrew Rayson/ Rachael Thomas, Music and Drama: Helen Stephenson/ Sue Constable; Physical Education: Bree Zivic/ Andrew Gibson; Environmental Science/ Sustainability: Sue Constable.
Please Note: LSO's for each hub to be confirmed.
Building works: Check out the latest video from Nate in Year 2.
Warm wishes for the fortnight ahead
Kerryn
Transitions
In the coming weeks we will begin to focus on transitions for 2021. The impact of transitions depends greatly on the degree of change involved, however with anxiety already heightened due to COVID, it is important for teachers and parents to be informed and prepared to suport and guide our young people if required.
The following information from BeYou provides some great information about Transitions.
All transitions, but especially those to new learning environments are major events in children's lives as they change social connections that have been built.
What are transitions?
Transitions are defined quite simply as change. They are a period where we must adapt to new circumstances, expectations, people, environments or routines. Whether big or small, transitions are a significant part in children and young people’s lives, as well as the learning community. Children and young people may also experience transitions in their home life – for example, moving house, going on holiday, the birth of a sibling, family separations and bereavements.
Impact of transitions
Transition is not just about the first day – it’s a process that happens over time. It begins as families and educational settings start to prepare during the previous year, or even earlier. It continues as children and young people experience their first days, weeks and months in their new environment.
Transition from home and between education settings involves various key changes for children, young people and families, including:
• the physical environment (for example, the size of the outdoor areas, buildings, the location and types of toilets, the number of other children, young people and educators)
• rules and procedures (for example, more structured times for attending class, eating and going to the toilet, rules for different places and times such as the classroom and recess)
• relationships (for example, meeting new children, young people and adults, responding to students of different ages, leaving established relationships with educators, getting to know a range of educators for different subjects)
• learning (for example, more formal learning experiences, structured times and set tasks, increasing independence and responsibility).
Importance of transitions
Potential challenges and stresses
Research shows that transitions to a new learning environment is a time of potential challenge and stress for children, young people and their families. For some, it brings excitement about making friends and learning new things, while for others the change can leave them feeling nervous and overwhelmed. Some adjust quickly to their new school For more information visit beyou.edu.au environment; others can take many months to adapt. Studies show that around 15% of students have some difficulties adjusting as they transition in and out of primary school.
Understanding behaviour
It’s normal for children and young people to have strong feelings about an upcoming transition, such as excitement about the prospect of going to a new school, as well as nervousness about what lies ahead. Many children and young people may also feel sad or angry about leaving their current learning environment and the positive relationships they’ve established with educators and each other.
Common feelings children and young people have during transition can include:
• excitement
• sadness
• anger
• anticipation
• fear or anxiety.
Understanding and helping children and young people to handle the feelings will help to reduce their stress and can provide them with positive coping strategies. Children and young people often have difficulty explaining in words how they are feeling – instead they might show their feelings through their behaviour.
Behaviours you might observe include:
In children transitioning to primary school – clinging behaviour, restlessness, withdrawal, anxiousness, refusal to comply, avoidance, planning and organisation difficulties, crying and tantrums, regression to younger behaviours, volatility.
In transitioning to secondary school – withdrawal or difficulty participating in class discussions, low confidence or self-esteem, regression to younger behaviours, avoidance of tasks, short temper or behavioural concerns, friendship issues or isolation. Families might also notice issues such as changes in eating habits (low appetite or overeating), difficulties falling asleep, feeling unwell (for example, sore stomach or headaches) or difficulty separating from family members.
These could be typical behaviours
Many of these behaviours are typical for children as they adjust to their new environment, but educators and families need to show understanding and support to help them settle in. If concerning behaviours persist, it’s important to get help to identify possible underlying problems such as mental health issues or academic difficulties. You may need to seek advice from the school wellbeing team or external health and community professionals.
Paul Anderson
Student Wellbeing Leader
School photos will be taken by Arthur Reed Photos on Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 November, 2020. Sibling photos will be taken on Tuesday 10 November.
There is no need to return any forms or money to school before then.
Unique codes will be issued to all students on/after photo day so you can register online to view your child’s images. To register, follow the simple instructions on your child’s individualized flyer once you receive it.
When images are completed and in the webshop, all parents who have registered will be notified by SMS and email so they can then view and order photos.
To ensure you are purchasing school photos for the current year, please wait for notifications that 2020 images are ready to view before placing orders.
This Friday is our Mission Fete. You will have received an email about the day’s proceedings, within Covid Safe regulations. This is our major fundraiser for the year and we are always blown away by your generosity. The money raised will support the community of Bulbula in Ethiopia. This week I received the attached report from Sr Abeba. Financial report 2020.The community has been adversely affected by Covid, as we all have, however the increase in poverty with diminished financial support is crippling. To understand why and how we support this community, please see the attached slideshow. OLSOS & BULBULA
Some money will also go to Catholic Mission, to support local projects.
Some Barbie clothes have been donated. These can be purchased at the office for $3.
On Thursday after school, plants can be purchased at the back gate (near the OG oval). Plants are $2. Correct money is required for both of these donated items and is to be dropped into the donation box, to avoid cross handling of money.Thank you for your support.
Marianne Caddy
Dear Parents/Carers,
Much excitement and music in the air as concert rehearsals steam ahead. Costumes are an important aspect of each class performance, allowing the group to feel connected to each other, and to their music choice. They help bring to life the performance that students work so hard to complete. Teachers have indicated what they require for each class. If you have any queries, please direct them to your child's class teacher. Click here to see the costume requirements.
Look what some of the children in Year 2 found in the junior gardens! ( Looking forward to creating something delicious in Week 6).
Below, Year 2 students clearing two of our garden beds, adding compost and worm castings and planting sunflowers and pumpkins.
National Recycling Week is in Week 6. What are you doing at home to cut down on waste by recycling? If you want to send some photos in to encourage others, we can put them in our next newsletter.
Final 2020 School Fee statements have been sent to families today. Please check your statement and contact the school office if you have any queries.
If you have a credit balance it will be applied to your 2021 fee account.
$5 for a hot dog and juice box.
Year 4/5 Hot Dog Day Monday 23 November.
Orders due by Friday 20 November. Please place orders in a paper lunch bag with your child's name and class.
Year 3 and Year 6 Hot Dog day Monday 30 November.
Orders due by Thursday 26 November. Please place orders in a paper lunch bag with your child's name and class.
Tennis Fanatics Coaching with David Franks and Steph Golightly will again be running lunchtime Hot Shots tennis lessons. To begin with we will be offering coaching in four week blocks. Incase of any further lock downs. Lessons will be run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1.15 to 1.45 and all sanitization procedures will be followed. We are limited to 18 positions at this stage so to register message David 0448274709 with your childs name, age and parents contact details.
