Term 4, Week 6: Thursday 11th November, 2021
From the Principal's Desk
REMEMBRANCE DAY
At 11 am on 11th November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the German invaders back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over four months.
In November, the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years and became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war.
Australia was a small nation with a population of fewer than five million. From this small population base, no less than 416,809 men enlisted, of which 302,000 served overseas. Of these, 62,000 were killed and 155,000 wounded.
At least a further 8,000 died of war-related injuries after the war. These figures do not include the neurological trauma inflicted on so many soldiers, which negatively affected their lives and their families for many years afterwards.
The school had a short service to remember and give thanks to those who have died and been injured in wars fought so we may continue to enjoy our lives here in Australia.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Field in 1915.
In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands, we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae (1872–1918)
Picture supplied by Ms Paterson!
2022 News!
The school scene at this time of year is certainly not a quiet one. It is very much a case of operating in two modes – tying loose ends and finalising bits ‘n’ pieces in preparation for the close of one year, while at the same time making decisions and organising many details for the commencement of the next. The organisation of staffing has taken priority across the last two weeks, and I am delighted to announce that we have employed two exceptional educators to work in our school next year. They are Jessica Reynolds from St Mary’s Primary Clarkes Hill and Kate Snow from St Alipius Primary Ballarat East. The common feature expressed by the referees of both teachers was that these teachers are not only incredibly skilled technicians, but they are exceptional people. As we draw closer to the end of the 2021 school year, our teachers are definitely in report writing mode. Reports will be available to parents and carers via PAM on Wednesday, 15th December.
Staffing & Year Levels 2022
Fr. Justin Driscoll – Parish Priest
Terry Brennan – Principal
Mandy Simpson – Office Administrator
Celly Csorba – Year 6 teacher
Carlie Daley – Year 5 teacher
Angelique Greene– Year 4 teacher
Maria Grawich – Year 3 Teacher
Sarah Prendergast– Year 2 Teacher
Chris Schepis – Year 1 Teacher
Jessica Reynolds – Foundation Teacher & Assistant Principal
TBA – PE/Health Teacher
Staci Jones– Japanese Teacher
Kate Snow - The Arts: Visual, Music and Drama Teacher
Louise Morris – Learning Diversity Teacher
Nicolle Miller – Classroom Support
Ginny Crilly – Classroom Support
Carlyn Hall - Junior Classroom Volunteer
Covid Safe
Minimising the transition of COVID-19 means we are committed to the ‘Three V’s of Vaccination, Ventilation and Vital COVIDSafe Steps.
These include:
- ensuring any workers and visitors on-site meet the current vaccination requirements
- taking all steps possible to maximise external airflow and good ventilation
- wearing and encouraging the wearing of face masks
- reduce congestion at the beginning and end of the school day
- maintaining physical distancing between staff and, where possible, students
- maintaining strong hygiene practice.
Your ongoing support of our learning community for the health and welling of all is appreciated.
Specialist Classes - Please be Aware!
Students attend three specialist classes for one hour per week, they are: Art, PE/Health and Japanese. Students look forward to these classes every week, so we ask you to please consider what day you book necessary appointments for your child, to ensure they are on a different day, outside the specialist class days/times to avoid interruption. Thank you!
Please note the Specialist Classes timetable below:
- Junior students (Foundation - Year 3) each Thursday from 11:45 am to 3:15 pm
- Senior students (Year's 4 - 6) each Wednesday from 11:45 am to 3:15 pm
A reminder also of the school daily timetable. We ask that where children need to be picked up for appointments, etc. that they are picked up at either the start or end of break times, not during the breaks, as students either need to sit and wait for long periods for parents to arrive, or if students go out into the yard, they can be hard to locate at a specific time. School break times are:
FIRST BREAK - 11 am to 11:45 am SECOND BREAK - 1:45 pm to 2:15 pm
Year 2 Sleepover
The weather smiled on us again as the Year 2 students enjoyed a games evening and sleepover in the hall. The event was delivered with much excitement, some games to wear them out, a night walk around the neighbourhood and a restful repose to herald in breakfast. A huge thanks to all of our staff involved in the running and the organisation of the event with a special mention to the lucky ones who slept over, thanks to Celly Csorba and Maria Grawich. Finally, thank you to Carlyn Hall for her help with the dinner and activities across the night.
Images supplied by Mrs Csorba!
Year 3 Camp
This week the Year 3 class attended a camp at Adekate, the weather wasn’t too bad, and they managed a mixture of outside and inside activities. Thank you to Maria Grawich, who organised and coordinated the camp alongside Celly Csorba, and also to both Carlyn Hall and Emma Preston, who helped across the two days.
I spoke with the class upon their return, so they could share with me their camp experience:
Jack Clohesy and Bailey Wright thought that archery was a fantastic activity, and it was something that he hadn’t done before.
Matilda Trounce was very impressed with the talent that people showed during the talent show.
Liam Wright thought that the low ropes course was amazing, and it presented a serious challenge to most.
Ruby Keating thought spending time with everyone and having lots of fun was a highlight for her.
Paige Achterbosch took the opportunity to listen in on her friends as they talked in their sleep. She was amazed at what you could learn.
Picture supplied by Mrs G!
Unexpected School Closure
Many thanks for understanding our last-minute decision to close our school on Friday 29th October, due to widespread storm damage and power outage. We were lucky to avoid any significant damage at school, but some families and businesses were not so fortunate. We were able to get the message across to most families through SeeSaw, and for those that missed the announcement, a big thank you to Maria Grawich, who attended the school in the morning to make sure that those who turned up to school, were advised of the predicament.
St Patrick's College Year 7 Orientation Day
We are delighted to advise that the St Patrick’s College Year 7 Orientation Day will be proceeding as planned for Tuesday 30th November and we look forward to welcoming all enrolled Year 7 students for 2022 on this day. Further information will be communicated directly with families.
If you have any queries, please contact Caitlin Bennett:
Email: enrolments@stpats.vic.edu.au - Phone: 5344 4449
School House Sports Day!
Dear parents, we feel that we needn't wait for tomorrow to make the call, as the weather prediction is for rain/showers to fall across the whole day, with low temperatures and southerly winds, which will not make for a pleasant day for anyone.
So after much deliberation (and praying the weather forecast would change dramatically), we've made the difficult decision to postpone our school sports day tomorrow. Therefore, we aim to reschedule it to Monday 22nd November.
We look forward to a third attempt to get together on the 22nd November!
Mrs Melissa Willey - PE Coordinator
REMINDERS FOR THE TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC DAY being held next Friday 19th November!
** Raffle tickets are due back at school TOMORROW please!
** Lunch orders placed via CDFPay - online system closes at midday tomorrow!
LATE ORDERS NOT ACCEPTED!!!
Graduation Bears/Balls
Please forward orders to Mandy via email NO LATER THAN Thursday 2nd December. The Graduation Bears are $14.95 each and the Graduation Balls are $13.20 each. These items can be paid for via CDFPay. Further details are:
- Extremely high quality
- Bear - Height: 40 cm tall - Moveable Arms & Legs
- Comes with a quality Permanent Marker
- Bear Memories® can guarantee these are the highest quality graduation bears available in Australia!
- All graduation bears and balls come in protective plastic poly bags.
- Beware of imitations.
Dates to Note!
TERM 4
NOVEMBER
Monday 15th: Retreat Day for Eucharist students (to replace Dismissal Masses)
Thursday 18th: Student Free Day - School Closure (Staff Literacy PD)
Friday 19th: Teddy Bears Picnic & visit from Camp Quality (incursion - refer attached flyer)
Saturday 20th: Celebration of the Sacrament of Eucharist: Group 1 at 5pm & Group 2 at 6pm
Monday 22nd: School House Sports Day
Tuesday 30th: Life Education Program visit
DECEMBER
Wednesday 1st: Life Education Program visit
Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd December: Year 4 Camp at Lady Northcote
Friday 3rd: Year 6 DAY OUT - Camp Replacement
Tuesday 7th: 2022 Foundation Orientation Day / Moving Up Day
Thursday 9th: End of Year Celebration Event in the hall (details to come)
Monday 13th: Year 6 Fun Day
Tuesday 14th: Year 6 Liturgy
Wednesday 15th: Year 6 Graduation
Wednesday 15th: Last day for ALL Students - students finish at 3:15 pm!
Thursday 16th: Staff planning day
Friday 17th: Last day for Staff
2022 SCHOOL YEAR
* Friday 28th January - Staff commence the 2022 school year
* Monday 31st January - Whole staff PD
* Tuesday 1st February - Students commence the 2022 school year
