Term 3, Week 8: Thursday 2nd September, 2021

Social Justice Sunday

We celebrated Social Justice Sunday at the weekend (29th of August). The Australian Bishops’ Social Justice Statement, ‘Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor’, calls us to listen, hear and respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor through practical action.

“It is clear that the signs of our times call for urgent action to defend, protect, and restore the earth and the dignity of the human person, especially those places, creatures, and people who are most vulnerable. People are more important than profits, and the beauty of our natural world is a precious gift to us and to the generations who will follow. In transitioning to sustainable and just economic systems and practices, we commit to partnering with the work of the Spirit in renewing the face of the earth”.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference recognised its unprecedented decision to work towards a more sustainable Church through their commitment to a seven-year journey towards the seven Laudato Si’ Goals.

THANK YOU!

This week we celebrate National Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. We would like to acknowledge the important role of our Teacher Aides, whose hard work and dedication make a difference to our students, staff and the school community.  So to Ginny Crilly and Nicolle Miller and from all at St Augustine’s, thank you for all that you do for us each and every day!

Father's Day!

We are so grateful for the love, guidance and support that is so evident in the lives and hearts of your children that attend St Augustine’s.  Thank you for being such wonderful fathers and father figures.  Whatever you choose to do on father’s day, do it well and enjoy the time together.

Key Operational Guidelines

Masks must be worn on the school grounds and inside the building.

Entry to admin area via the front door only for essential purposes, e.g. First Aid, medication, fees, drop off of children’s supplies.

Drop off -  at the front gate. Please do not linger.

Pickups -  at the front gate.

If you are entering any school buildings, it is a Victorian Government mandate that you check-in via our QR code. We are still restricted to four square metres per person if visitors enter the property.

The most crucial action our school community can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is to ensure that any unwell students remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms. 

As advised by VicHealth, visits to Melbourne should be avoided in the near future. If you choose to go to Melbourne, then to protect the wellbeing of all in our school, your child(ren) may require a COVID test before returning to school.

Schools have also been asked to ramp up their cleaning regime, this will involve the cleaning of high-touch/use areas at least twice per day after use, (in between classes or sessions) if sharing spaces or equipment.  Enhanced environmental cleaning will continue after school by our cleaners.

St Augustine’s Student & Parent/Care Giver Remote Learning Responsibilities

These guidelines have been developed to assist the students and parents/care givers to understand their responsibilities if remote learning is to be an effective tool to improve learning outcomes for the students of St Augustine’s Primary.

Student Responsibilities

These include:

• establishing and/or following a daily routine for learning
• identifying a safe, comfortable, quiet space in their home where they can focus effectively and successfully
• regularly monitoring the school’s communication to check for announcements and feedback from teachers
• completing tasks with integrity and academic honesty, doing their best work
• doing their best to meet timelines, commitments, and due dates
• communicating proactively with their teachers if they cannot meet deadlines or require additional support
• collaborating and supporting their classmates in their learning
• seeking out and communicating with school staff as different needs arise

Specific Guidelines for using video conferencing.

Before you get started with video conferencing (VC)

• Make sure that the room you are going to film in is clear of things that might embarrass you. Specifically, look at your walls and try to pick one that has a plain background that people will not take offense at or find humour in.
• Try before you go live! You can set up a Google Meet, Office365 or Zoom with no one in it except yourself. This way you can see what others see before you go live, and make alterations to make the image look better.
• Sit still and quietly for a moment and listen to the sounds around you ... if you can hear noises, then there is a high chance that people in your meeting will too. Before starting, see if you can find a quieter place or attempt to control what is happening in your surrounding environment.
• Consider using headphones so that you can hear clearly.

When in the video conference 

• Make sure you are on time for your video conference. 
• Start with your camera off and microphone muted and wait to be invited by the teacher.
• Understand that the rules used at school also apply in a virtual classroom, and poor or unacceptable behaviour will carry consequences.
• Students should comply with your school’s Responsible use of ICT and social media student guidelines.
• Get familiar with the tools … use the “Chat” feature or “Raise your hand” to ask questions of your teacher. This way your teacher can answer you directly and communicate the response to the whole group. 
• Participate in the learning activities.

After the video conference

• Make sure you use the Leave Meeting menu to exit the meeting when it is finished.
• Follow up the learning activities and complete all assigned tasks.

Parent/ Care Giver Responsibilities

As parents/care givers, you can provide support for your children by:

• establishing routines and expectations
• defining a space for your child to learn and where you or another adult is present and monitoring your child’s learning
• monitoring communications from school and teachers
• taking an active role in helping your child process his/her learning
• encouraging physical activity and/or exercise
• checking in with your child regularly to help him/her manage stress
• monitoring how much time your child is spending online
• setting rules around your child’s social media interactions
• communicating with the school if your child is unable to participate in the learning at home

How you can you assist your child to access Video Conferencing?

Before the lesson starts

• Ensure that your child is using a diary/schedule so that everyone is aware when conferences are to take place
• Ensure that your child has video and audio turned off unless invited by the teacher
• Talk with your child that the rules used at school also apply in a virtual classroom, and poor or unacceptable behaviour will carry consequences.
• Have a quiet space available to meet online using an internet enabled device.
• Ensure others in your house know your child will be in a video conference. Make family members and the student aware that they can be heard by the whole class if speaking too close to the microphone. Parents can help with controlling siblings and other family members while the VC is going on to help make sure that it all goes smoothly.
• Internet access and the strength of the signal can affect the communication in a video conference. Know your system, and if needed, dedicate time to your child’s learning for the duration of the meeting.

What to look for while students are online in a structured lesson

• Make sure that they are on task and using the computer for the correct reasons. Rarely would a game like “MineCraft” be played during a video conference. 
• Your child should be engaged in the lesson. This would include active listening, asking questions and completing online exercises.
• Ensure your child is working with the computer in an ergonomic manner. For example, sitting in a chair, back straight, feet flat on the floor and screen adjusted to a comfortable height.
• Students should comply with their school’s Responsible use of ICT and social media student guidelines. 

- Terry Brennan -

Tuck-Shop Changes

As Term 4 is a summer term we will be reverting to icy-poles instead of hot lunch orders on Fridays.  Icy poles will not be paid for using CDF Pay as in Term 1, rather students will need to bring in $1 each Friday to purchase their icy-pole at lunch time.

We would like to extend an invitation to interested parents to join our Tuck-Shop committee. We are looking for a group of around 3 parents to coordinate tuck-shop in 2022 in consultation with the Leadership Team. We feel that a group of parents could bring fresh ideas and menu choices to our tuck-shop, and also enable it to run all year. 

We ask you to please consider taking up this role, which will commence in 2022.   Please feel free to contact the Leadership Team to discuss this further, thank you.

- Emma Paterson on behalf of the Leadership Team -

Book Week Dress-up Day

Well done to everyone with your efforts in dressing up last Friday 27th August for Book Week dress-up day.  We hope dressing-up added a little fun and enjoyment to homelearning.  Those who attended school last Friday looked amazing, including staff!  

A big thank you to Mrs Miller for her creativity, time and energy in decorating the office foyer and front fence for Book Week.  The below pictures do not quite do justice to how wonderful the front office windows look, so Mrs Miller's decorations will be left on display, in hope that students may return before the end of Term 3, so everyone can get to see how fabulous they look!!

Father's Day Morning Tea

Unfortunately, due to uncertain times, we will have to cancel our Father’s Day morning tea tomorrow.  We feel that it is best not to commit to a new date, but rather cancel it altogether for this year.  We are disappointed to have to do this, but feel it is our only option at this stage.  We thank you for your ongoing support.

Dates to Note!

TERM 3

SEPTEMBER

CANCELLED Friday 3rd:  Father's Day Morning Tea  

POSTPONED Friday 10th:  District Athletics  (awaiting confirming of if/when this will be held - info to come!)

Friday 17th:  Footy Colours Day being run by the SRC   (will be held online if still in lockdown)

POSTPONED Friday 17th:  Teddy Bears Picnic  (Postponed until Term 4 - date to come)

Friday 17th:  Last day of Term 3 - students finish at 1:45 pm

TERM 4

OCTOBER

Friday 8th:  School House Sports Day

Thursday 14th - Friday 15th:  Year 3 Camp (Adekate)

Tuesday 19th:  Parent Meeting for Sacrament of Eucharist

Friday 29th:  Year 2 Sleepover (more information to come)

Sunday 31st October:  Dismissal Mass

NOVEMBER

Monday 1st:  Student Free Day - School Closure (whole staff RE PD)

Tuesday 2nd:  PUBLIC HOLIDAY - Melbourne Cup

Sunday 7th:  Dismissal Mass

Sunday 14th:  Dismissal Mass

Sunday 21st:  Celebration of the Sacrament of Eucharist

Thursday 18th:  Student Free Day - School Closure (Staff Literacy PD)

Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th:  Year 6 Camp

DECEMBER

Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd:  Life Education visit

Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd December:  Year 4 Camp at Lady Northcote

Monday 13th:  Year 6 Fun Day

Tuesday 14th:  Year 6 Liturgy

Wednesday 15th:  Year 6 Graduation

Wednesday 15th:  Students last day of school - students finish at 3:15 pm!

Friday 17th:  Last day for Staff