Newsletter - 13th March 2024

Upcoming Events

15th & 22nd March:  Swim & Gym Program at Ballarat Aquatic & Lifestyle Centre

20th March:  PSGs (Program Support Group) for some students with class teachers and Louise

21st March:  Excursion to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, 8:30am-3:20pm; Harmony Day

23rd March:  Clarkes Hill Community Fair

25th March:  Project Compassion Boxes due

28th March:  Last Day of Term 1; End of Term Assembly 1:30pm; P & F Raffle to be drawn

29th March:  Good Friday

31st March:  Easter Sunday

15th April:  Term 1 starts; School Closure Day - Staff Professional Development AUSLAN

16th April:  Students return to commence Term 2

22nd April:  Healthy Harold - Life Ed Visit

25th April:  ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Principal's Message

A huge thank you to the many parents and siblings that assisted with the Parents and Friends fundraiser at the Sunflowers in Dunnstown over the past 2 weekends.  I know many hours were also spent preparing for this and I greatly appreciate the effort gone into it.  I am also aware some parents were not able to help out and kindly donated to the P and F.  This is greatly appreciated. Moving forward we are now looking forward to the Clarkes Hill Community Fair on Saturday 23rd March.  

The students have certainly been enjoying the Swim and Gym program at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre.  I’m guessing they all sleep well on a Friday night! Last Friday we were also fortunate to visit the Sunflower Farm at Dunnstown.

Next Thursday 21st March the students will be travelling to Melbourne by bus to view the exhibits at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.  We are hoping to get some ideas for our veggie pods at school. 

I am keeping the newsletter short this week as I really want parents to take the time to go to the Schools TV website via the link in the item below and complete the Wellbeing Barometer Survey.   

Kind regards,

Clare

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024

The Wellbeing Barometer survey has proven to be an invaluable tool for schools, providing insights into the state of youth mental health and wellbeing. Whilst last year’s results focussed the spotlight on areas of concern, there were also many highlights that demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of students and emphasised the necessity of prevention strategies.

Participating in this year's survey, will assist in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. Previously gathered information has helped support families as they navigate difficult conversations that enable understanding and foster connections to build relationships.

This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year. Its aim is to capture a comprehensive picture of young people's lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.

We encourage you to take a few moments to complete a survey for each of your children. This will help us determine the nature and extent of your concerns and how best to support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.

Acquiring the skills for future independence, taking healthy risks, and giving young people the opportunity to emancipate from parents, are key developmental tasks that are essential if we are to stave off the impact of mental illness in the future. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice.

Here is the link to your special report:

Project Compassion

On Ash Wednesday each family would have received a Project Compassion box to take home.  In Religious Education, teachers have been discussing with the children where the money raised will go.  Could you please return your box to the school before Monday 25th March so the money can be banked before the school holidays?

Assembly

Our Term 1 school assembly will be held on the last day of term, Thursday 28th March at 1.30pm.  We look forward to celebrating our learning with you and of course, drawing the Easter Raffle.  If you know that your child/children won’t be attending school on the last day could you please let their teacher know as soon as possible.  This will help in the planning and delegating of parts.  Thanks in advance!

Easter Raffle

A reminder that donations are needed for the Easter Raffle which will take place on the last day of Term 1.  Ticket sheets have been sent home and more are available if needed.  Please return your tickets to the office before the last day of term.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Fr Sajan's Farewell

As you may have heard, Fr Sajan will be moving to Warracknabeal after Easter.  We are hoping to have our last Mass with Fr Sajan next week on Monday or Tuesday.  We will let you know once this has been confirmed. It would be wonderful to see as many parents attend this and we will have a cuppa afterwards. 

Community Fair

Congratulations to Alexis

Congratulations to Alexis Farrell who competed in the Little Athletics State Competition at the Knox Athletic Track during the long weekend.  Alexis was awarded a 2nd in the Shot Put and also competed in the Discus.    What a great effort and it is a great reward for all your hard work and training.  Well done Alexis!

Harold - Life Ed Visit

Harold and the Life Ed team will visit our school on Monday, 22nd April.  They will deliver Harold’s Health and Wellbeing Program.  Parents are invited to visit the website below for information on the program.

South Room News

Parents are invited to read below to see what has been happening in the South Room during the last two weeks.

Matilda - Vanessa:  This term,  the south room is reading the book  Matilda  by Roald Dahl, because it helps us learn to read .  We are up to chapter 4 so far  in the book.

Matilda is 4 years old  and she likes reading books that she borrows from the library. She lives with her needy and greedy parents and brother.  Matilda doesn't like her family because they watch too much tv.

I like it so far and I can't wait to find out what happens next in the chapter.

Swim & Gym - Kamden, Will & Maeve:  This term on a Friday, we have been going to the Aquatic Centre to Swim and Gym and have been having a lot of fun working on different skills and to get our bodies stronger.  We have been challenged but we love the challenge and the support we have.

We go at 12:30pm and get 45 minutes for swimming and 1 hour for the gym and we are having loads of fun. Our instructors, Lilly and Chelsea, are very helpful and help us be flexible and strong.

We do lots of games because it helps our body be strong. Camouflage is one of the games we play. It is very loved and we are very competitive but are always good sports.  We eat our delicious lunch then we go to the gym. We get back to school about 2:45pm and then we go out to break and love eating our snacks as it's been a long time since our last break. We love working out in the gym!  

Reading Homework - whole class:  This term, our teachers have been reminding us regularly about bringing in our reading diaries. Reading at home is important because it helps develop our organisational skills;  helps us learn more words; it can help us get a good job in the future;  helps us understand words more and develop a lifelong habit of reading. In the classroom we discussed the consequences for not reading at home and bringing in our Reading Log.  The consequence will be that we will need to read for ten minutes during our play time.

Mindfulness - Quinn:  Every afternoon we have mindfulness, so we can relax and prepare for the next session. Some people do puzzles, reading, colouring and some rest.

Integers - Leo:  This week, in Math, Maeve and I learnt about Integers because Integers make up the basis of our number system.   Integers are a whole number that is positive, negative or zero.

Playground Games and Equipment - Pat:  When we have a break, we play trains because it is a game we love.  It is a game that we play on the slide. We play it all the time on the playground.

Some like to nuclear bomb it. Our new equipment is good. We have some new soft balls, tennis rackets, tennis balls and footballs.

Project Compassion - Evie & Alexis:  This week, we had an idea to take the Project Compassion Box to the sunflowers in Dunnstown.  Unfortunately, it  was not a great success.  We think that we could have improved our marketing with trying to get it to people by using a better poster,  or using eftpos, talking to the customers about what is important about helping people in need.

Our focus is the CST (Catholic Social Teaching) of The Common Good which is all about working together as one and everyone being welcome and that is why we have picked it because it falls in line with our Bricks which are Being Respectful Inclusive Courageous and Kind .  

Child Safety Information – all on website

Child Safe Standard 3:  Child and Student Empowerment

Children and young peole are empowered about their rights, participate in decision affecting them and are taken seriously.

Child Safe Standard 4:  Family Engagement

Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Child Safe Standard 5:  Diversity and Equity

Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice