Term 1, Week 2: Thursday 4th February, 2021

Welcome Back!!

Welcome back to the 2021 school year.   We extend a special welcome to new families. I trust that you and your family enjoyed the time together without the pressure of school routines. All being well, I hope the disruptions over 2020 are way behind us and we can look forward to four terms of uninterrupted learning.

Staffing Structure for 2021

Fr. Gary Jones – Parish Priest

Terry Brennan – Principal

Mandy Simpson – Office Administrator

Chris Schepis – Year 6 teacher

Carlie Daley – Year 5 teacher

Angelique Greene – Year 4 teacher

Maria Grawich – Year 3 Teacher

Celly Csorba – Year 2 Teacher

Estelle McLean – Year 1 Teacher

Emma Paterson – Foundation Teacher

Melissa Willey – Physical Education Teacher

Staci Jones – Japanese Teacher

Sarah Prendergast - The Arts Teacher (Visual, Music and Drama)

Louise Morris – Learning Diversity Teacher

Nicolle Miller – Classroom Support

Ginny Crilly – Classroom Support

Carlyn Hall -  Junior Classroom Volunteer

Swimming Program

The school swimming program will run for 5 weeks for students in Years 1 - 6, commencing on Wednesday 24th February and ending on Wednesday 24th March.  Foundation students will attend the Swimming Program for the last 3 weeks commencing on Wednesday 10th March, with their last day also on Wednesday 24th March.  Students will leave school at approximately 11:30 am and return in time for dismissal at 3:15 pm.  Please do not forget to pack sandals or thongs for each child, as students will change out of their school shoes before boarding the bus.  More information to follow next week - all details for the swimming program will be included on the Permission Form which will be completed via PAM.  Notifications will be sent when the permission form is ready for completion.  

Parent / Teacher Meetings

These will take place during Week 4 from Monday 15th to Thursday 18th February.  Note that teachers timetables will vary, depending on their availabilities, therefore, not all teachers will be available each night.  Refer to PAM for specific dates and times your childs teacher is available and for bookings.  This is an opportunity to have a chat with your child's teacher to inform them of any relevant information relating to issues that might affect your child's learning. The meetings will take place via a zoom link.  More information on times and linkups etc. will follow next week.

Student Medical Information

Please keep the office advised on any changes to a medical condition that your child may have. Staff have been provided with background information on children who may have a severe medical alert concern. Please ensure emergency medication has been updated. Children with severe allergies must have a current plan signed by your GP.  Also note that all students must have their Annual Medical Information completed on PAM as soon as possible.  If you have any queries regarding accessing PAM, please contact Mandy.

Conflict Resolution

At the start of a new school year, we would like to remind people to use the school's procedure for dealing with any issues that arise between children.  For obvious reasons, parents are asked not to confront other parents or their children regarding problems that have occurred in school. Minor issues that could be sorted out quickly can easily be blown out of proportion by such an approach.  Please see the class teacher, or myself if there are ongoing concerns.

Refer to our website:  www.sacreswick.catholic.edu.au  to view the 'Complaints Policy'.   

Correspondence

At the commencement of each school year, a large amount of information is included in our newsletters across the first few weeks.  Please ensure you read newsletters in full and ensure you respond promptly should you need to complete and return forms to us, so our records can be updated and claims be made on your behalf in a timely manner.  Thank you!

Making a PAM (Parent Access Module) Shortcut on your iPhone

Please use the instructions below to create a shortcut on your phone to the PAM module, which will enable more efficient access to PAM.  Parents will be able to view and update: Medical Information, Attendance, Excursion Activities (grant permission), School Reports (electronically at the end of each semester).  This will enable more efficient access to PAM.

To add a PAM shortcut to your device, go to your home screen on your iPhone and follow these below steps:  

Step 1:  Type https://pam.sacreswick.catholic.edu.au/Login into your browser.  Enter your username and password.  Log in.  Click on the square/arrow box (circled below). 

Step 2:  Click “Add to Home Screen” (circled).  You may need to scroll across the bottom to find this. 

Step 3:  Name the shortcut (PAM St Aug’s) Done!  It should now be on your home screen.  

Tuck-Shop

We are currently working through options for Tuck-Shop this year.  As such, Tuck-Shop is on hold, we will advise you as soon as it is operational, thank you!

Year 6 Leadership for 2021

School Leaders:  Grace Davis,  Declan O'Kelly  & Annabella Miller

Arts Leaders:  Lexi Evans  &  Bella Hocking

SRC Leader:    Dakotah Baker  (picture to follow with Year level representatives)

ICT Leaders:  Fletch Martin  &  Angus Bullen 

Sports Leaders:  Paige Robinson, Jonty Thomas & Paige Euvrard

School Uniform

We would expect all students to wear the correct school uniform. This means accessories such as wrist bands, multi-coloured hairbands, etc. should not be worn. I ask parents to check that all clothing items have their child(rens) name attached or written on each piece.  School shoes must be worn every school day except on students PE day.  Please support the staff and your children by insisting that they wear the correct uniform to school each day.  If there is a problem, please inform your child's classroom teacher.  Please refer to the School Uniform Policy included below.

Centacare Counselling!

We welcome back Sharalle Raven who will work with our students throughout 2021.  This service is free and available to St Augustine's students and parents and is made possible through a federal grant.  The focus of the support is in providing counselling for children and families during school hours. Parents who wish to access this service will find the necessary paperwork in the office foyer's pigeon holes.  Or feel free to speak with Mandy who can put you in touch with Sharalle.

COVID Safe Arrangements

To ensure the health and safety of all community members, we ask that all families adhere to the following guidelines:

Testing- Symptomatic (Feeling unwell) or Asymptomatic

If a doctor recommends a family member to have COVID 19 testing, this person is asked to self isolate until the results are known.  Any children/siblings of this family are requested not to attend school until the testing results are known. At best, we will restrict the spread of possible contact with the virus if the test is positive.  At worst we will have cost some children a few days at home if the test proves to be negative.  This is a duty of care for all at school.

If your child is ill or is feeling unwell, they must not attend school. They must remain home and seek medical advice.  Any unwell children WILL be sent home.  We will temperature check any child we feel is ill.

Drink Bottles:  Every child must have a drink bottle at school.  There will be no access to the bubble taps. Children will be able to refill bottles if required.

Visitors to St. Augustine's:  At this stage, parents, volunteers or community groups can now come onto the school premises or grounds.  Please adhere to the 1.5-metre buffer when on the property.

Face Masks:  Face masks are recommended where physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.

Cleaning & Hygiene:  To support the health and wellbeing of students and staff, the school will continue an enhanced cleaning routine and encourage frequent handwashing by staff and students. Hand sanitiser is readily available.

Physical distancing:  A range of measures will be in place to enable staff to do this. Our advice is that social distancing is still very difficult to manage between students and that while we will always be endeavouring to do this when we can, the reality is that there will be times when this will not be able to occur.

School Drop off and Pickup:  Students can be dropped off and picked from Napier Street and can also be dropped off and picked up from the rear drive-through.  Please do not park in this area as it is a strictly drive-through procedure.

2021 Foundation Class!

I finish with a very special welcome to our Foundation class of 2021.  We hope your time with us is rewarding and we look forward to many varied and positive learning experiences throughout your time at St Augustine's.

CSEF: Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund

The Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of trips, camps, sports and excursions.  

TO BE ELIGIBLE for a Primary School Student:  On the first day of Term 1 (27th Jan 2021) OR the first day of Term 2 (19th April 2021), a parent or legal guardian of a student must:

• Be an eligible beneficiary of one of these cards: Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
• OR they must be a temporary Foster Parent
• AND the parent/legal guardian must submit an application form by the due date

Parents who receive a Carers Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF, unless they also comply with the above.  Eligibility will be determined when the parent’s concession card successfully validates with Centrelink on either the first day of Term 1 or Term 2.  If the eligible card is in the name of the student, the fund is only granted to that student, not to their siblings.

For the purpose of CSEF, students may be eligible for assistance if they attend a Victorian Registered primary or secondary school.  Typically, these students are aged between 5 & 18 years.   CSEF is not payable to students attending Kindergarten, TAFE or who are home schooled.

CSEF Applications for 2021 are now open.  Payment amounts are: $125 per year for eligible primary school students, payments are made to the school and are tied to the student.  NOTE that if you applied for CSEF last year, you do not need to complete an application form for 2021, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.  You only need to complete a new application form, if any of the following changes have occurred:

* New Student Enrolment - commenced school in 2021, changed schools in 2021 or you did not apply in 2020;  or

* Changed family circumstances - change of name, change of custody, concession card number or new siblings commencing in 2021.

If you are eligible, you can either complete the attached Application form and email it to Mandy along with a copy of your card (msimpson@sacreswick.catholic.edu.au)  OR  drop into the office to complete a paper form - ensure you bring your card with you for proof of eligibility.  Note that Application forms need to be completed and lodged ASAP as payments are made early in March.  Schools will be able to accept and process applications up until the end of Term 2.  

Family Fee Assistance Scheme

The ‘Family Fee Assistance Scheme’ continues in 2021 across all Ballarat Diocesan Catholic Primary Schools.  This Scheme offers a tuition fee concession to families who hold a Health Care Card or Pension Card.  Families who qualify for the CSEF will also qualify for this Scheme and will receive a reduction in school fees if eligible.  The discounted fee covers tuition and capital fees only.  It does not cover additional charges such as camps, book hire, subject levies, etc.  A copy of the Application Letter is attached below, it can be completed and emailed to Mandy or feel free to drop into the office to complete the Application letter and for further information about the Family Fee Assistance Scheme.  Please bring your card for proof of eligibility.

Conveyance Allowance

Conveyance Allowance is available to eligible families to assist with the cost of transporting students to school.  Distance is measured by the shortest practicable route between the student’s place of residence and their school.   An Application form is attached below or you can come into the office to collect the Application form.  To be eligible, student/s must:  

• Attend the closest school of the chosen denominational group;
• Be of school age (5 to 18 years old at the time of application) and reside in Victoria;
• Live 4.8kms or more from the school measured by the shortest practical route;
• The residential address should be based on the Rural Road Numbering System. Mailbox & PO Box addresses cannot be used;
• Must attend an eligible school within the conveyance area;

Families applying for the Conveyance Allowance for 2021  PLEASE NOTE:

• Parents who successfully applied and received the Conveyance Allowance in 2020 are not required to complete a new application unless their details have changed.
• All Applications MUST be returned no later than Tuesday 9th March, 2021.
• Parents/Guardians are responsible for notifying us with any change to the information noted on previous School Conveyance Allowance Application Forms within 7 days of changed circumstances!
• Four payments for 2021 Claims will be made towards the end of each school term.  Please note that due to Government guidelines, no claim is allowed to be paid without the appropriate documentation.  Submission closing dates for 2021 are:
  

           TERM 1:  9th March  -  TERM 2:   1st June   -  TERM 3:  24th August  -  TERM 4: 23rd Nov.

• The Conveyance Allowance guidelines can be viewed at:         https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/conveyance-allowance/guidance/responsibilities-parents/carers

Hello from the Uniform Shop!

The Uniform Shop will be open every Monday at the end of the school day (approx 3 pm) and every Friday morning from 8:50 am during school terms.  If you have any items at home which you wish to sell, please drop them into into the Uniform Shop.  

All items of uniform submitted to the Uniform shop should be clean, in good condition and must have attached a completed sales slip for each item.  These slips are available in the office foyer.

A reminder the Uniform Shop is a voluntary run service.  All proceeds from sales of uniform are either passed directly onto the families as the seller of items or to the P&F where uniform items have been donated.  The uniform shop does not make any money from the sales, so no float is kept to provide change to those purchasing items.  Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

If you have any queries please email me:  bellul85@yahoo.com  - including details of what you are looking for (including size, etc.) and I will respond to you as soon as I can.

I hope that by having the uniform shop open twice weekly, with both morning and afternoon options available, assist those who have work and other commitments to have the opportunity to pop in when needed.   Thanks, Bernie Ellul.

CDF Pay

To streamline administrative processes, eliminate cash management and provide our school community with the convenience and security of a one-stop shop for all areas needing payment to be managed (other than school fees) we introduced CDF Pay late last year.  We aim to get this system fully implemented this year, as it will allow for payments to be made for other aspects of school such as: Tuck Shop, Uniform Shop, special events/days held at school, ordering of graduation bears/balls, etc.  Please refer to the flyer below, with regards to uploading this App.  When completing payments for the Uniform Shop, you will notice that you select the item you have purchased and then manually place the size and price in the required areas.  All other areas will automatically come up with the dollar amount owing.  Further options will become available as needed throughout the year.  As soon as the menu and details for Tuck Shop this year have been confirmed, it will be added to the online system.   If you have any questions, please contact Mandy.

Icy-Pole Fridays!

During Term 1 our Year 6 students will be selling icy-poles each Friday commencing this Friday 5th February.  Icy-poles will be $1 each and can be purchased from the Tuck-Shop during the second break after students have eaten.   Teaching staff will advise students when they are able to go and buy icy-poles.  Note there is a limited stock of frozen yogurts which will also be available for $1 each.  Unfortunately, the CDFPay online system will not be available to pay for the icy-poles this Friday, so students are asked to bring payment in on the day.  From Friday 12th February, all students wishing to purchase an icy-pole will do so by paying via CDFPay. Please refer to the flyer on how to instal the CDFPay App above.   If you have any questions, please speak with Mandy. 

Dates to Note!

FEBRUARY:

Wednesday 10th:  Foundation Students Rest Day

Friday 12th:  Foundation Class Photo taken by the Courier at 9 am

Monday 15th to Thursday 18th:  Parent Teacher Meetings (bookings via PAM)

Tuesday 16th:   Parent Meeting for ALL Sacraments at 4pm in the Year 4 Classroom - Fr Gary present  (NOTE:  This meeting is for all the Sacraments to be held across 2021, therefore, parents must attend should they wish for their child to be included in any of the Sacraments this year).

Tuesday 16th:  Shrove Tuesday  

Wednesday 17th:  Ash Wednesday 

Wednesday 17th:  Foundation Students Rest Day

Thursday 18th & Friday 19th:  Terry out  (Principal Network)

Tuesday 23rd:  Sacrament of Reconciliation

Wednesday 24th:  Foundation Students Rest Day

Wednesday 24th:  Swimming Program commences for Years 1 - 6 students

Friday 26th:  Terry out  (Principal Network)

MARCH

Wednesday 3rd:  Foundation Students Rest Day  (last rest day)

Wednesday 3rd:  Swimming Program continues for Years 1 - 6 students

Monday 8th:  PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Wednesday 10th:  Foundation students commence 5 days per week

Wednesday 10th:  Swimming Program for ALL students  (Foundation students commence)

Wednesday 17th:  Swimming Program for ALL students

Wednesday 24th:  Final day of Swimming Program

APRIL

Thursday 1st:  Last Day of Term 1

Friday 2nd:  Good Friday

Saturday 3rd:  Holy Saturday

Sunday 4th:  Easter Sunday

Monday 19th:  Term 2 commences

Tuesday 20th:  Parent Meeting for the Sacrament of Confirmation  (3:30 pm in the Year 4 Classroom)

MAY

Thursday 6th:  School Photos

FRESH FARM EGGS!!

One of our students is selling eggs fresh from the farm!  They are $5 per dozen and are delivered and collected from school.  Should you wish to buy these delicious eggs, please let Mandy know and she will pass your name onto Willow.

Scholastic Orders!

Kelly Sports Program

TERM  1  PROGRAM
MULTI-SPORTS (60 MINUTES) @ Creswick PS

Fridays after school 3:35 pm - 4:35 pm  (5th of Feb to 26th of March)  Tennis, Soccer, T-Ball and Basketball.
Foundation to Year 4  -  $132 for the 8 week program

Enrol online www.kellysports.com.au
Any queries call or text Paul on 0423 335 616

St Patrick’s College - 2022 Scholarship Program

The next Scholarship Testing date for St Patrick’s College will be held at the College at 9am on Saturday, February 20, 2021 for 2022 Year 7, 10 and 11 students.

Registrations are now open at - https://scholarships.acer.edu.au/intro/2121

Please note that registrations close at midnight on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

To encourage and recognise the pursuit of excellence in all areas of school life, St Patrick’s College offers scholarships for Years 7, 10 and 11 entry level in the categories of academic excellence, art, performing arts, music, sport, leadership and general excellence. All categories have an academic component and boys must sit a scholarship test conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research. A fee of $95 is payable at the time of registering your son as well as the opportunity to purchase additional practice testing papers at $25 which are available online and downloadable in PDF format.

For further information please contact the College Registrar on 5322 4449 or email enrolments@stpats.vic.edu.au

Year 5 Students - new Learning Hub!

Year 6 Students - new Learning Hub!