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Dear Families,
It was lovely to walk through our classrooms this morning to enjoy the learning taking place across the school. Our teachers have worked to ensure that students began the year with a strong sense of belonging in their new learning environment. We are fortunate to have such a passionate and dedicated team of educators working with our students.
Integrated Studies
The focus for integrated studies this term is the Health and Physical Education curriculum. Through this curriculum students learn about enhancing their own and other’s health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity. Health literacy is a key element of the curriculum being taught and is a critical skill for our children to develop. Every day our children are exposed to countless forms of digital marketing and they need to develop the ability to be discerning, so that they can make choices which support their overall health and wellbeing. Through this learning we aim to develop each student’s critical thinking skills so that they can take part in the digital world as discerning consumers of information.
Year 6 Student Leadership
On Friday last week, the Year 6 leaders met with the team of staff who will be supporting them as they undertake the various leadership roles they have been given this year. This was an opportunity for students and staff to share what makes a good leader and also to present the leadership badges to all students. Year 6 leaders will be meeting with their allocated teacher/s every Friday afternoon to work on their role. We are excited to see how our students grow in their leadership skills across the year, capably supported by the staff working with them.
Student Safety and Carpark Use
A number of families have noticed the changes to the fencing at the front of the school. In addition to this we have also changed the carpark system so that the main driveway near Ferrari Drive is the main entrance and the other drive way is the main exit. This is also referenced on the signage that was installed last year. Those families wanting to drop off or pick up their child in the car line must follow the green arrow system.
If you would like to park to drop off or pick up your child you can follow the white arrows. Please ensure you follow the car park system when dropping off and collecting your child/ren.
Please refer to the map below.
Enjoy the sunshine and have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
Peta Overbury Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Compliments to the parents who came to the Reconciliation Parent Formation Night last night. It was a fabulous turn out for our first night, to kick things off for our sacramental program this year. It’s a big commitment but a very worthwhile one. Next week, we have the repeat session for the rest of the parents who are wanting their child to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. Be sure to enrol before you turn up!
To re-iterate for the parents who are coming next Wednesday night (15th Feb 6:45pm in the Damascus building), this is a parent only session. The purpose of the night is to build the capacity of parents to support their child in their sacramental journey. Father Denis’ presentation is especially inspiring and informative, so you can look forward to this!
We often use the word ‘celebrate’ as the verb before a sacrament. We celebrate the Eucharist. We celebrate a Marriage. But do we really see the sacrament of Reconciliation as a celebration? And the answer in the Catholic perspective is, yes! We should celebrate when we’ve restored a relationship. It’s a joyous occasion. And this is essentially what happens. We restore our relationship with God and it has the potential to restore our other relationships too. High fives all round! Many will be able to recall the story of the Prodigal Son. Jesus told this story to give us a glimpse into the celebration that occurs in heaven when someone restores their relationship with God.
2023 Sacrament of Reconciliation Dates
May 2nd - 5:00pm & 7:00 pm
May 3rd - 5:00pm & 7:00 pm
Caritas ‘Project Compassion’ - Heads up with Lent!
Pretty soon, we will be distributing our annual Project Compassion Boxes.
This is a big deal in the tradition of the Catholic Church in Australia and every Catholic school in the country tends to get behind it.
In the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching, we get behind the Project Compassion effort, as it’s the tangible way in which we can express our beliefs around
- Preferential option for the poor
- the dignity of the human person
- care for our common home
- subsidiarity and participation
- the common good
- solidarity
Look out for the Project Compassion boxes that will come home at the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this season on 22nd Feb). Caritas are working in places like Turkey and Ukraine right now, so we know the funds raised will go in the right direction. Let’s pray for the work of Caritas, the recipients of their work and the people who support it.
REMINDER
School Photo Day is tomorrow – Friday 24th March
- Students are to wear their full summer uniform. If your child/ren have sports they are not to wear their sport uniform.
- Please do not send sick students to school just for their photo as we must continue to follow procedures around illnesses and COVID -19.
- There will be a running order for the day commencing with the Foundation students and ending with the Gr 6 students, followed by sibling photos. The order will not be changed so please ensure that you do not schedule any appointments for the day. We cannot give out specific times as to when students will be photographed as this can change on the day depending on cooperation with the photographers, weather etc.
- Please note that only LEGAL NAMES as per your child's birth certificate will be printed on the photos and all printed products and cannot be altered.
Please carefully read below regarding ordering of your child’s individual, class and sibling photos:-
- All orders must be placed online at Advanced life www.advancedlife.com.au
- The school office will not take orders or payment
- The school code is T92RYHLDC.
- All students will be photographed individually as well as in their class group whether an order has been placed or not by photo day.
- Sibling photos will only be taken for those students that have ordered.
- For individual and class photo orders, these can be ordered up to 7 working days afterwards with no late fees. After that time , late orders will incur a $15 late fee per package.
Newsletter
Our newsletter 'The Spear' is published and emailed weeky on Thursday . It will contain useful information, communication and reminders. It also will showcase photos and events from the school. Important communication will still be sent to parents via email and PAM.
Parent Notified Absences
Parents should notify the school of any absence by 9.00am. This can be done via PAM or alternatively by contacting or emailing the school.
Early pick up
A reminder that students are not released during recess (11:05 -11:35) , lunch (1:45- 2:20) and after 3:00pm. If your child is to be picked up early, please do so outside these times.
Uniform Reminders
Hats are compulsory until the beginning of May and then from the 1st of September.
Please note that due to government health regulations the school cannot provide spare hats to the students.
NB: Please clearly label your child's items of clothing so they can be returned to your child if handed to lost property.
Reminder - Medical details
Please update your child/rens medical details via the Parent Access Module(PAM).
This will enable the school to have to most current and relevant information related to your child/rens medical needs and requirements.
If your child suffers from an allergy/asthma/anaphylaxis please ensure that the school has an updated medical action plan and relevant prescribed medication . Please note that students cannot have medication stored in their school bags.
Fee Statements
Fee Statements have been emailed to the nominated Fee Payer as per the enrolment forms or as per paperwork submitted for changes.
Should you have any difficulties with fees throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me. All conversations are treated with confidentiality and we are here to assist.
Kind Regards
Nicola Saunders
Administration Officer
Smart watches /Mobile Phones
Due to our ICT/Cyber safe policy children are not permitted to have a mobile phone with them or wear and use a smart watch at school. If you need your child to have a phone/watch for walking to/from school etc we are happy to ensure the device is safely stored during the day and returned to them at the end of the day for communication with you after school.
Monash Health’s Health Promotion Team supports hundreds of Health Champions across the City of Dandenong, the City of Casey and the Shire of Cardinia. Our Health Champions are representatives from local schools, sports clubs, early years services, recreational and leisure services, community groups and many more.
Our quarterly e-newsletters will share free healthy resources, inspiration, free webinars and workshop opportunities, and grants on offer to help you grow. We'll highlight our incredible Health Champions and include fun and engaging competitions.
This month our focus is on Healthy Eating. With Healthy Lunchbox Week kicking off, we encourage you to consider what healthy changes you could make at your club, service, or group to start the year eating well and feeling great.
To help with this, we’re offering a free ‘Kids' Healthy Lunchboxes’ webinar on 28 February between 6.00 to 6.30pm. To make things a bit fun, we’re also running a fun, healthy eating competition with prizes for you to enter into the draw and win between 9 February to 9 March.
More information about the webinar and competition can be found in this e-newsletter.
For more information, visit our website or email us at healthpromotion@