Term 1, Week 10: Thursday 1st April, 2021

From the Principal's Desk

THE CROSS

The cross is the hope of Christians
the cross is the resurrection of the dead
the cross is the way of the lost
the cross is the saviour of the lost
the cross is the staff of the lame
the cross is the guide of the blind
the cross is the strength of the weak
the cross is the doctor of the sick
the cross is the aim of the priests
the cross is the hope of the hopeless
the cross is the freedom of the slaves
the cross is the power of the kings
the cross is the water of the seeds
the cross is the consolation of the bondsmen
the cross is the source of those who seek water
the cross is the cloth of the naked.
We thank you, Father, for the cross.

Once again, Easter is not going to look like the ones of old, but I feel that sometimes that is not such a bad thing. Leading up to this year's Easter, there has been a lot of soul searching. It has encouraged us to examine many areas, both personally and work-related, with the idea of assessing what is vital and what we could leave by the roadside. Over this COVID time, we have assembled, be it virtually in most cases, but we are emerging as a society that is more aware of those around us, more willing to stop and ask, what can I do? I feel a great sense of hope even though the world is still in crisis. The changes that have emerged over the last fifteen months have reinforced that message of hope that always permeates our Easter message. We have lived and breathed hope, not only in the time of Lent but across the last 15 months, and that indeed is a truly effective Easter message.

I finish with a blessing from Pope Francis:

'May Mary, Mother of the Saviour, ever faithful at the foot of the cross and in the heart of the Church, sustain us with her loving presence.  May the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey towards the light of Easter.'

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

As humans, of all the creatures on earth, we can think and choose.  As we grow in understanding, we learn that our thoughts, words and actions have an effect; not only on ourselves but on our relationships with God, others and our environment and that each of our choices has a consequence.  Good choices result in positive outcomes.  They strengthen friendships, build trust and confidence and strengthen family and community life.  Good choices lead to a sense of happiness, peace and well-being.  Poor choices lead to disappointment, sometimes broken relationships, a lack of peace, feelings of hurt, anger, brokenness and resentment.       (source unknown)

When we come to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, we go through the process of reflecting on our lives, we take responsibility for our poor choices that result in wrongdoing, we express our sorrow, and we ask for forgiveness.  We also promise to make an effort to avoid making the same poor choices.  Over the past weeks, families have been working with their children to prepare them for the sacrament of Reconciliation which took place in our Parish Church on Tuesday 23rd March, we congratulate the following students as they take this next step in their sacramental journey.

Amelia, Max, Jack, Mac, Eleanor, Grace, Jayda, Lexie, Dani, Ella, Georgina, Alexa, Miley, Emelia, Dakotah, Bing, Roy, Izak, Max, Christian, Zahra, Erika, Milla & Sienna.   Absent:  Aisha.  

NAPLAN – National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2021 for Year 3 and Year 5 students, will be held on the following days:

NAPLAN assesses student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.  The results of NAPLAN provide information on student learning for students, parents, teachers and principals.

All students are expected to participate in the online NAPLAN tests. During test week, catch-up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days. These students may undertake catch-up tests on the days in the test week after the scheduled test, up to and including Friday 14th May 2021 for Year 3 Writing and Friday 21st May for all other online NAPLAN areas.  Please note the Year 3 Writing test is a paper based test, and the Year 5 Writing test is completed online.

A more detailed letter regarding NAPLAN will be sent home to parents of our Year 3 and 5 students.  For more information about NAPLAN, please visit the VCAA website:

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/f-10assessment/naplan/Pages/Index.aspx 

or the National Assessment Program - NAP website https://www.nap.edu.au/ 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding NAPLAN, please contact your child's class teacher.

School Fees

A reminder school fees need to be paid on a regular basis - weekly, fortnightly, monthly or at least termly.   And excursion/swimming/camp costs, must be paid prior to the activity taking place, as the school is required to pay for such things up front.  All school fees have been sent out again to families, if you have any queries please contact the office.  Note that a direct debit facility can be set up on your behalf, if this assists you in ensuring fee payment is made regularly.  We now ask all families to ensure swimming fees have been paid for in full and that the term 1 portion of fees, has also been paid.  Thank you.

Tuck-Shop News

A reminder the  Tuck-Shop is returning and will commence on the first Friday in Term 2 - 23rd April.  The winter menu will consist of:  

* Party pie $1.50   * Mini vegetarian Pastie $1.50   *  Sausage roll (large)  $3.50   * Iced donut  $1.50

As it was decided to reinstate the original lunch bags, the school has purchased these and they are being sent home with all students today.  Please ensure all lunch bags are named before returning next term.  We suggest the lunch bags are wiped out or washed as needed to keep them clean and hygienic.  Although the school has purchased these for all students this time, we note that the cost of replacing lunch bags, will be charged to fee statements.  Lunch orders must be placed via the CDFPay App.  by 10 am each Wednesday - late orders will not be accepted.  If you are able to assist in the Tuck-Shop or have any queries, please speak with Amelia Singline our Tuck-Shop Coordinator - thank you!

Guitar and Vocal Lessons

For any students wishing to learn the guitar and/or vocals, we note that Sean Dixon who worked in our school across 2019, has touched base to again offer his services.  We note that this is a parent based program, not school based and as such, parents need to make direct contact with Sean for information and bookings.  At this stage Sean plans to commence lessons in Term 2 and is thinking of scheduling Monday's as the day he will be onsite.  Sean mainly works with our senior students from Years 3 - 6.   Please refer to the below flyer for more information and contact details.

End of Term One

A reminder we commence Term 2 on Monday 19th April.  While we are in that week, Sunday 25th April is ANZAC Day.  Our Year 6 students will be representing our school at the 10:30 am service at the Creswick rotunda.  Feel free to join us as we pay our respects to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Winter uniform is to be worn by students on the first day of Term 2.  If the weather is still warm, we will be flexible and allow the students to wear their summer uniform for the first two weeks of the term only.

If your child(ren) are unable to wear the full school uniform at any time, please send a note of explanation to the relevant teacher.  Thank you for your ongoing support in this.

I sincerely thank all of our staff for their hard work, determination and commitment to the task of caring for and educating the children at St Augustine's. Whatever their role in our school, their contribution as an educator and role model is most important in providing the children opportunities to develop into the best person they can be.

Wellbeing News

Congratulations to the following students who received the St A’s Value Award for Organisation! 

Foundation: Jaxon Liversidge and Jane Mitchell

Grade 1: Elijah Muscat and Sophie Howkins

Grade 2: Echo Sewell and Evie Dossor

Grade 3: Alma Grant and Holly Novak

Grade 4: Charlie Smith and Georgie Righetti 

Grade 5: Hugh Miller and Emelia Coyle 

Grade 6: Jack Petch and Gurnoor Chahal

Congratulations to the following students who received the St A’s Value Award for Creativity! 

Foundation: Harseerat Chahal and Georgia Reid

Grade 1: Johnny Petrie and Charlie Macartney

Grade 2: Zachary Franklin and Riley Ellul

Grade 3: Ruby Keating and Heath Fawcett

Grade 4: Ella Wright and Chloe Elsworth

Grade 5: Jack Gull and Alexa Novak

Grade 6: Fletcher Martin and Bella Hocking 

Congratulations to the following students who received the St A’s Value Award for Helpfulness! 

Foundation: Patterson Montano and Campbell Williamson 

Grade 1: Kamden Singline and Mackenzie Stephens 

Grade 2: Hudson Taylor and Dylan Farley

Grade 3: Liam Wright and Jack Clohesy

Grade 4: Christian Abadilla and Maxwell Cameron-Lench

Grade 5: Dani Crilly and Jack Howie

Grade 6: Angus Bullen, Paige Euvrard, Annabella Miller and Abbigail Righetti

Goldfields Cross Country Event

The Goldfields Cross Country will be held on Friday April 30^th 2021 at the Clunes Golf Club.  Distances are:  9 & 10 yo boys/girls need to run 2 kms and 11 & 12 yo boys/girls need to run 3 kms.

All those wishing to participate need to be able to run the necessary distance continuously, therefore, we have completed trials here at school and those children selected will go through to Goldfields Interschool Cross Country.

Parents will need to arrange transport and be responsible for their children at this event. The students need to wear school sports uniform and will wear a nametag, supplied by the school, during the event.

More information about the day/timetabling, etc. will be given out next term, to those students selected.   Thank you, Melissa Willey.

Icy-Poles

The icy-poles have certainly been a BIG hit!  A big thank you to the Year 6 students for coming up with the idea and coordinating this each week.  As you are aware some students missed receiving their share of icy-poles which were paid for - for various reasons: Year 5 Camp, unwell, etc.  A number of students have today received their 'catch-up' icy-pole, but we still have some students who are yet to receive icy-poles that were previously paid for.   We note that  these will be caught up in the first week of term 2.  

Dates to Note!

APRIL

Thursday 1st:  Last Day of Term 1  -  Students finish at 1:45 pm

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 at 3:30 pm in the hall

Friday 30th:  Goldfields Cross Country Event

MAY

Sunday 2nd:  Dismissal Mass at 8:30 am

Thursday 6th:  School Photos

Sunday 9th:  Dismissal Mass at 8:30 am

Sunday 16th:  Dismissal Mass at 8:30 am

Sunday 23rd:  Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at 8:30 am Mass

Monday 24th:  Goldfields Athletics Sports Day - Year 3 to 6 students only

Tuesday 25th:  Meerkats Productions incursion (2pm)

Creswick Trails Stage One – Engagement Events & Hammon Park Survey

We’ve arranged several engagement events to provide the opportunity to have a chat with us about the Stage One of the Creswick Trails Network and the supporting documentation. Please join Council officers and land managers at one of the following events: 

• Virtual Community Open House - 8 April 2021 via Zoom online meeting platform 2:00-3:00pm. RSVP to receive the session link.
• Drop in Session - 10 April 2021 from 11:00am-1:00pm at Hammon Park.
• Community Open House – 15 April 2021 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Creswick Town Hall. 
• Drop in Session – 20 April 2021 from Ballarat Mechanics Institute – 6:30-7:30pm. 

To RSVP please email abreach@hepburn.vic.gov.au or for more information visit www.creswicktrails.com/progress

 Hammon Park Survey and EOI:  The Hammon Park Trailhead Community and Youth Hub has been awarded $2.1M in funding from the State Government. We are grateful for the support for this support and, when combined with the Creswick Trails Stage One, it is a transformative project for Creswick and the region. 

 As part of improvements to the reserve, we’d like to understand what experiences and activities you would like to see at Hammon Park.   Please take our survey, to let us know how we can improve Hammon Park - web address listed below:

https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/creswick-trails-project-hammon-park-trailhead

During April 2021, Council will be undertaking an Expression of Interest to identify user groups or community organisations/clubs for the licensed use of the Hammon Park Pavilion. 

If you would be interested in participating in this EOI, please email your contact details to abreach@hepburn.vic.gov.au and we will contact you with more information when the EOI is launched.

For more information visit www.creswicktrails.com/progress

Kelly Sports: Easter Holiday Program

Tuesday 6th April to Friday 16th of April 2021

(excluding weekends and public holidays)

Eastwood Leisure Centre, Ballarat  -  8 am to 5 pm each day

Pre-School to Year 6, boys & girls

$50 per day ($45 per day for 5+ days)

Enrol online www.kellysports.com.au or Contact Dom on 0417 967 621