Term 4, Week 2: Thursday 15th October, 2020
From the Principal's Desk
Welcome to perhaps our most eagerly awaited school term in recent years at St Augustine's. We cannot express how excited we were to welcome our students and staff back to school. We again wish to congratulate our families, students & staff on successfully navigating and surviving unprecedented times in our education history.
I look forward to the time when we can gather in larger numbers and can celebrate the work that has been done to adapt and stay connected during this period.
I once again wish to acknowledge the adaptability of our teachers and support staff as they responded with ease and excitement in readiness for the students return. They are a fantastic group of professionals, and I am constantly reminded of how well they take care of their business, always with the needs of the children at the forefront. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Emma Paterson and Chris Schepis for their unwavering support and exemplary leadership over this period. Both leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure all were kept informed, and everything ran smoothly. As always a very worthy mention goes to Mandy Simpson for her outstanding work upfront and behind the scenes.
Our journey of wellbeing is very much in line with the priorities issued by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria in the latest operational guidelines.
Priority 1 – Mental Health and Wellbeing
The highest priority is the mental health, safety and wellbeing of every student and member of staff. This will involve encouraging and sustaining motivation for learning, re-engaging students and families where needed, and supporting the social and emotional learning of children and young people alongside curriculum-based education.
Priority 2 – Learning and Excellence
Some students have been better able to progress in their learning in the remote and flexible learning environment, others have maintained their rate of progress, and some have, despite their best efforts and those of their families and teachers, fallen behind.
The priority will be to ensure those who have fallen behind can catch up, and those who have progressed significantly can continue to be extended and stretched in their learning.
Literacy and numeracy across the curriculum remain a focus by adapting our teaching and learning program in Term 4 to be responsive to student needs.
Priority 3 - Transition
Term 4 is a critical period, particularly for the children moving from kindergarten into Foundation, from Grade 6 into Year 7. Students in other year levels will also prepare for the transition to the next year level throughout Term 4.
At St. Augustine's, we are committed to the above system priorities and will strive to ensure every student has the very best learning conditions and support possible. This will include a whole school focus on positive behaviour support and consistent routines, providing a calm and safe environment for all students.
In Term 4, please note that a 'school' hat must be worn at break times. A strict 'no hat, no play' policy applies. Sunscreen is available for the children in each classroom.
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 member of a family is recommended by their doctor to have COVID 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 results of the testing 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 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 their own 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 or volunteers, or community groups can still not come onto the school premises or grounds. Those visiting for educational purposes can do so. This includes: Catholic education staff to work with our teaching groups, and other allied health staff (speech, OT, etc.) working with students.
Cleaning & Hygiene: To support the health and wellbeing of students and staff, the school will continue an enhanced cleaning routine and will encourage frequent handwashing by staff and students. Hand sanitizer will be 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.
Class Structure for 2021!
It is with great pride we announce St Augustine's Creswick will be able to run with seven classrooms in 2021 - we will run with a single stream model.
Staffing allocations and Class groupings for 2021 will be as follows:
Canonical Administrator: Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBSEL)
Principal: Terry Brennan
Administration: Mandy Simpson
Foundation Class: Emma Paterson
Year 1 Class: Estelle McLean
Year 2 Class: Celly Csorba
Year 3 Class: Maria Grawich
Year 4 Class: Angelique Greene
Year 5 Class: Carlie Daley
Year 6 Class: Chris Schepis
The Arts: Sarah Prendergast
Japanese: Staci Jones
PE/Health: Melissa Willey
Student Intervention: Louise Morris
Learning Support Officers: Nicolle Miller & Ginny Crilly
Go Local First Campaign!
The Hepburn Shire Council is currently supporting a national campaign called 'Go Local First'. The campaign is a call out to local people to support local businesses. Please visit the following link for further information: https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/go-local-first/
Specialist Classes!
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 seriously consider making any necessary appointments for students, 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
Book Week
Book Week was originally scheduled to be held in Term 3, but due to home learning being undertaken (COVID) it was rescheduled for the week commencing Monday 19th October. Details are:
DRESS-UP DAY: Thursday 22nd October
DRESS-UP THEME: Favourite book character
NOTE: Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions, we are unable to hold our usual parade!
Orientation Day
Orientation day will be held on Tuesday 1st December, 2020. Due to COVID, changes to how we normally run this day have had to be made. We will run 2 sessions for our 2021 Foundation students, details are:
Session 1: 9:15 am to 10 am
Session 2: 10:15 am to 11 am
Emma Paterson (2021 Foundation Teacher) will personally contact each family via zoom between 23rd November and 1st December, to ensure families and students feel comfortable and have all the information they need, prior to attending an orientation session. Terry Brennan and Emma will also run a bulk zoom meeting for all 2021 Foundation families on Tuesday 1st December between 3:45 pm and 4:15 pm, to discuss 2021, along with answering any questions parents may have. Details for this will be emailed to the families concerned. Unfortunately, as it stands today, our Year 6 students will be unable to visit secondary schools on this day.
Changes to Paracetamol Protocol
For students who have already been granted parent approval for paracetamol via the annual Medical Form completed through PAM, we remind you that for instances where students at school do not need to be sent home, but require paracetamol for headaches, toothaches, etc. we will no longer be contacting parents who have already consented to administer pain relief. Should any child be given pain relief while at school, parents/carers will either receive an SMS or a slip, outlining the details of what was given, time it was given, reason and staff member who administered the paracetamol. We will continue to contact any parent who at this stage, have not consented for their child to be given paracetamol, should the need arise. Please ensure you keep us informed of any changes to student medical information as soon as they occur!
SAFETY FIRST REMINDERS!!
A reminder to parents, carers and all visitors to our school, please ensure you wear a face mask at drop off and pick up, especially if you need to get out of your vehicle.
Also remember you are not allowed on the school grounds. Should you need to come into the school, please phone ahead to organise your visit. Do NOT to wait at the school gates, please either wait in front of your car or across the road. Thank you!
Pictures from the Art Room!
I wanted to share some of the wonderful art work completed by students during the home learning period - well done to everyone! Mrs P.
My New Gallery
Second Hand Uniform Shop News
Hello All, it is hard to believe that we are into Term 4 and Summer Uniform!
The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop continues to operate under the protocols that we outlined to you back in Term 3. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to adhere to the policies of the school to keep our community safe.
Uniform can be viewed by appointment. If you would like to make a time to view and purchase uniform, please contact me and I will book a time that is suitable. Once there is a change to restrictions, I will return to having “open” times, but at this stage this is still not possible.
We currently have no size 6 school jumpers, so if you have one that is no longer needed in the cupboard at home, please consider popping it into the uniform shop.
If you have any items that your child no longer needs, please consider selling them in the uniform shop. Ensure items are clean and each item has a uniform sales slip attached (these are available in the office foyer) and drop the items into the office when convenient, to be placed ino the uniform shop.
I can be contacted via text message on 0429 130 672 if you have any queries or wish to arrange an appointment time.
Best wishes, Narelle Barrett.
Term 4 Dates:
OCTOBER:
Monday 19th - Thursday 22nd: Book Week (dress-up day: Thursday 22nd - refer details in this newsletter)
Friday 23rd: AFL Grand Final Public Holiday
NOVEMBER:
Monday 2nd: Student FREE DAY - Staff PD
Tuesday 3rd: Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 25th - Friday 27th: Year 6 Camp
DECEMBER:
Tuesday 1st: Orientation Day (SESSION ONE: 9:15 - 10 am & SESSION TWO: 10:15 to 11 am)
Thursday 3rd - Friday 4th: Year 4 Camp
Friday 11th: Year 6 Fun Day
Monday 14th: Last day for students
Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th: Numeracy Testing days for students
Thursday 17th: Staff Planning Day
Friday 18th: Last day for Staff