Term 4, Week 6: Thursday 12th November, 2020

From the Principal's Desk

Imagine if Dr Seuss were alive today, he might write something like this:

The buildings were big, and people would smile

And travel they would mile by mile

But sick they became, in numbers it grew

Businesses worried, and communities too.

Things stopped for a bit, the world slowed its roll

The virus had certainly taken its toll.

But what they then saw from slowing things down.

Is, in fact, they now had less reasons to frown.

Families now gathered, what game shall we play?

Pass me the blue crayon, give mummy the grey.

Dad's home guys! He'll read us a book.

Then all of us together will cook.

The lungs of the planet caught a small break.

Less travel meant less pollution to make.

People did realise they'd all be ok.

They don't need much so much to get through the day.

Maybe this virus that caused so much stress

Showed the whole world that more can mean less.

Written by Anonymous, Inspired by Dr Seuss

New process for Monitoring COVID-19 Close Contacts

To minimise further community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has introduced a new system for the identification, notification and monitoring of close contacts.

In line with this, we will now be advised if a student at our school has been identified by DHHS as a close contact of a person with coronavirus and should not be at school.  Close contacts are notified directly by DHHS regarding requirements for quarantine and testing. The student should not attend school until DHHS advises them that their quarantine has concluded.  Students should bring a DHHS clearance letter as proof that their quarantine has ended, so they can return to school.

We will be asked to confirm that the student identified as a close contact is not attending school during this time.  If your child fits this criteria and is attending school, they will be sent home, as the school is not required to close.  

We will provide support to the close contact student and their family during the quarantine period to facilitate continued engagement in learning and address wellbeing needs.

DHHS has provided a factsheet with additional information on primary close contacts, quarantine periods and more.   

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Sunday (known as Armistice Day) - also known as Remembrance Day - remembers the agreement between the Allies and Germany on November 11, 1918, to stop fighting which marked a victory for the Allies and defeat for Germany.  It was signed in Compiegne in Northern France and came into effect at 11 am.

The armistice forced the Germans to evacuate invaded countries and territories within two weeks. They also had to surrender a significant amount of war material, including five thousand guns, 25,000 machine guns, 1,700 planes. Germany, exhausted by war and with a nation of hungry citizens, reluctantly accepted the terms. Although hostilities continued in some areas, the armistice essentially brought an end to four years of fighting in the First World War.

The classroom teachers organised to make poppies with their students on Remembrance Day. The poppies will then be used to create a poppy garden in the planter box at the front entrance to the school.  Chris organised some Year Six students to lead a poem/service and a minutes silence at 11 am over the PA.

A new era in Catholic Education at St Augustine's

Over time the demands of governing (OH&S, legal obligations and responsibilities and compliance etc.) have become larger, while the number of priests has diminished markedly over the latter years.  At the beginning of 2020, Fr Gary was responsible for six parish churches and four primary schools, a model that was not sustainable. After much deliberation and in line with a recommendation from the Royal Commission that parish priests no longer be responsible for the governing of schools, it was decided that the Parish Priest would no longer be a canonical administrator of our parish schools.

In 2021, St Augustine's Primary School will no longer be administered by the Parish's Canonical Administrator - Fr Gary Jones, but will be governed by a company, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL).

While DOBCEL will act as the governing body for schools, the Principal will continue to manage the day-to-day administration and operation of the school, and the parish priests will continue to be a presence in our school community with a focus on the pastoral and sacramental needs. I would envisage that the transition to the DOBCEL model of governing will have minimal impact on staff, students, and families.

A video has been created by DOBCEL which outlines its role, the Board of Directors and how it operates in partnership with school communities and the Catholic Education Office.

The video can be viewed on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdK79h1oNY&feature=emb_logo

or    www.dobcel.org.au

Extract from Bishop Paul Bird's Letter

"The new model for school governance has emerged from a long-term project undertaken by a governance working party of the Ballarat Diocesan Schools Advisory Council (BDSAC) in consultation with the Council of Priests. The working party, which commenced in 2012, has developed a model of school governance that will provide consistency and professionalism of governance for parish schools. It will also enable the continued pastoral ministry of priests in parish schools, without them being employers of staff.

The Board of the company will report directly to me as the bishop of the diocese and as the member of the company.  The Board will also develop and recommend diocesan education policy.  Day to day management of the schools governed by the company will be delegated to the Director of Catholic Education. Principals will continue to have the appropriate delegations to lead and manage their schools and their staff, supported by the Director of Catholic Education."

Testing Dates for 2020!

A reminder that Numeracy testing will be held on Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th December for current students.  Bookings will be opened via PAM early next week, please ensure you respond promptly when you receive the notification advising bookings are open.  We note this is the last time we are able to allocate specific days for testing.  As from 2021, any testing required will be held while students are attending school.  If you have any queries, please contact Mandy.

Wellbeing News

Congratulations to the following students: Mackenzie Stephens, Abigail Harris, Celine-Elsie Yanner, Echo Sewell, Evelyn Coulter, Alma Grant, Emelia Coyle, Alexa Novak, Abbigail Righetti, Amelia Dubberley-McPhan, Mia Keating and Luke Martin who received the St. Augustine’s Value Award for Love of Learning.

From the Art Room!

The students created this amazing Cube Art, which has been displayed in our school airlock.  This artwork was inspired by the famous Street Artist  ThankYouX.    Mrs P.

School Photos

School photos held on Monday ran very smoothly and we certainly lucked a great day weather wise.  Personalised flyers with unique codes were sent home with all students to assist parents with ordering photos.  If you have lost this form, please contact Mandy.  Please register with ARP as soon as possible, the photographers will be in touch with some ordering information as soon as the images are online and ready for parents to view.  In the meantime, if you have any issues with the registration or ordering process, please contact their customer service team directly for assistance: 03 5243 4390.

News from the Second Hand Uniform Shop

Hello All, we are currently looking for smaller size uniform items to offer to the 2021 Foundation Students.  If you have any items of uniform that are no longer needed, please consider selling them via the 2^nd Hand Uniform Shop.  Can you please ensure that the items are clean and that a 2^nd Hand Uniform slip (available in the office) is completed for each item.

The 2^nd Hand Uniform Shop continues to operate under safety protocols to comply with COVID restrictions.  Uniform can be viewed by appointment.  If you would like to make a time to view and purchase uniform, please contact me via text message on 0429 130 672 and we can arrange a suitable time.  Likewise, if you have any queries please send me a text.

Take care and stay safe, Narelle Barrett.

New Uniform Shop Coordinator Needed!!

Firstly, a BIG THANK YOU to Narelle Barrett for her management and efforts over the past 2 years in her role as the Second Hand Uniform Shop Coordinator.  Narelle has certainly brought life back into the Uniform Shop, which is due to her fantasic efforts in transforming and coordinating the shop and we are grateful for her time, energy and assistance!  As the Barrett family leave our school at the end of this year, we need to find a new Coordinator to ensure the smooth running of our uniform shop continues next year.  Therefore, we seek the services of a community-minded person to take over the running of the shop.  If you are possibly interested, feel free to chat with Narelle to seek further details on what the role entails, or contact either Terry or Mandy to discuss further and to submit an 'expression of interest'.  As we wish to ensure there is sufficient time for a adequate handover, please let us know ASAP, so arrangements can be made before Narelle leaves, thank you!

Graduation Bear/Balls

Graduation bears/balls (football or soccer) can now be ordered.  Large Bears $13.60 each (height seated 31 cm / height standing 45cm) OR small Bears (height seated 23cm) $9.50 each.  Balls are $9.50 each.  All items come with a quality permanent marker.  Note that we are currently setting up a new payment system called CDFPay, please refer to details regarding the new payment system within this newsletter to order and pay for these items.

CDF Pay - a new payment System!!

We have been investigating ways 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.  In doing so, we have decided to run with a new payment system called CDF pay.  Our aim is to have this system fully implemented for the 2021 school 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.  Note that Qkr has now been scrapped, so you can delete this App, as Tuck Shop will not run for the remainder of 2020 and CDF pay will be used for Tuck Shop in 2021.  Please refer to the flyer with regards to uploading this App.  Note that not many functions will be available until 2021.  We will keep you informed as more functions within CDF pay become available to use.  If you have any questions, please contact Mandy.

Term 4 Dates:

NOVEMBER:

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

NOTE 2021 DATES:

Wednesday 27th January:    Staff first day - planning, etc.

Thursday 28th January:  Students commence

(NOTE: as closure days for testing can no longer take place, students will return to school on Thursday 28th January, 2021.   Testing will now occur while students are at school).  

Book Club Issue 8

This is the final Book Club Issue for 2020 and Issue 8 is a fantastic catalogue chock full of GREAT SUMMER READS and terrific gift ideas for the coming season.  Orders should be placed no later than 30th November, to ensure items are received by the end of the school year.  Catalogues are available from the office foyer or can be viewed via the below link:  

https://www.scholastic.com.au/media/5754/bc820.pdf

Kelly Sports - Holiday Programs!

DECEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM    (excluding weekends and public holiday)

Thursday 10th of December to Wednesday 23rd of December, 2020

Eastwood Leisure Centre, Ballarat.  Time:  8am to 5pm each day - Pre-School to Grade 6, boys & girls

$45 per day ($40 per day for 5+ days)  Enrol online www.kellysports.com.au/greater-ballarat 

Any queries call Dominic on 0417 967 621 or Paul on 0423 335 616

OR

JANUARY SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM   (excluding weekends and public holiday)

Monday 4th of January  to  Friday 29th of January, 2021

Eastwood Leisure Centre, Ballarat.  Time:  8am to 5pm each day - Pre-School to Grade 6, boys & girls

$45 per day ($40 per day for 5+ days)   Enrol online www.kellysports.com.au/greater-ballarat 

Any queries call Dominic on 0417 967 621 or Paul on 0423 335 616

REFLECTION.....