Newsletter 6/2/2023 Term 1 Week 3

Friday - The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

From the Principal

Dear parents, carers and community members,

The 2023 school year has begun with a sense of optimism and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead. Having a settled staff with all positions filled, provides security and clarity of roles and responsibilities. This is not the case for many schools across the state who are still trying to find applicants for positions and we are very grateful for this. 

No canteen tomorrow

Please note there will be no canteen available tomorrow Tuesday the 7th February.

Please make sure your children have a packed lunch sent with them. 

Covid Cases

Unfortunately the risk of contracting covid is still a constant threat in our school. At the moment we have had reported cases for staff and students, so we are reminding parents to monitor for symptoms and test if they are present. RAT tests are still available from the school office if needed and if a positive result is shown, it is highly recommended that there is 5 days of isolation and then return to school only once the symptoms have cleared. 

Birthday Cakes

Over the last few years, parents have begun to celebrate their child's birthday with their classmates by providing a birthday cake to share. This can be problematic for students who have specific dietary requirements, allergies or are anaphylactic. To avoid causing harm or even social segregation, we are asking parents not to bring food to share at this stage. We love to make each child feel special on their birthday and we will do this in other ways.

Sport Days

Your child will need to wear their PE clothes on the following days.

Tuesday -  2B, 5/6C, 5/6MJ & Foundation SB

Wednesday -  3/4DC, 3/4HP, Foundation DF & 1WF

Thursday - 5/6CH, 5/6S, 3/4L, 2DS & 1M

Foundation Rest Days

Our Foundation students are having a rest day on Wednesday for the next 3 weeks. They will be attending on a Wednesday from the 1st March 2023.

Swimming Program

The swimming program will continue this week.

The timetable for Week 2 is below.

Our swimmming carnival will be held on Monday the 27th February.

Swimming Timetable Week 2

Conveyance Allowance

There is funding available for families if you have to travel more than 4.8km to pick-up or drop off students at Contract or College Bus pick-up points, parents should apply for the reimbursement applicable through the Private Car Conveyance Allowance Application. Please contact the office if you think you may be eligible.

Family Assistance Scheme

Family Assistance Scheme ~ are you eligible?

The Family Assistance Scheme introduced by the Catholic Diocese which reduces your Tuition fee to $520 will continue this year. To be eligible you must produce a Commonwealth Health Care Card to the office (which we are required to photocopy) and complete an application form. This needs to be done by Tuesday 28th of February at the latest as no late applications are accepted.

If you received this last year, we do not require to see your HCC again, your details will roll over.

Term 1 Known Dates

Parish Bulletin

Attached is the Parish Bulletin for this week.

Catholic School Culture

Opening School Mass

We will be holding our opening school Mass this Friday, 10th February at 9:30am. We invite you to attend our Mass and celebrate as we begin a new school year and introduce our new grade 6 student leaders to our school.

Sacramental Program

We are currently in the process of setting up our Sacramental Programs for 2023 which includes the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist. A parent meeting will be held at our school library on Tuesday, 14th February at 8:30am to provide further information about our Sacramental Program and for any queries you may have. 

Prior to this date, a form will be sent electronically to those children who are listed as Catholic on our records. If you do not receive a form, please contact the office. These forms need to be completed with payment by Friday, 24th February. If you have any further inquiries, please contact Tarryn at school on 5593 1962. 

Lourdes Feast Day

This Friday is Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day. The children in Lourdes House will celebrate with a bag of chips and an icy pole in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

Our Lady of Lourdes is a name for the Virgin Mary. She is believed to have appeared near Lourdes, France. The first appearance was on 11 February 1858, seen by Bernadette Soubirous, a 14 year old peasant. The site of Lourdes is near the Pyrenees mountains in France. Millions of pilgrims visit there each year to see the site of a famous vision experienced by Bernadette and to be healed by its supposedly miraculous waters.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes 

Oh ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfortess of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy. 

When you appeared in the grotto of Lourdes, you made it a privileged sanctuary where you dispense your favors, and where many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. 

I come, therefore, with unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. My loving Mother, obtain my request. I will try to imitate your virtues so that I may one day share your company and bless you in eternity. 

Amen

Piano Lessons

 WANT TO LEARN THE PIANO?

There are some vacancies for students to learn piano with Mrs Michelle Mackinnon (A.MUS.A.  B.MUS.ED.)

Lessons are held on Thursdays here at school.

For enquiries contact Michelle at-Email- m.fra603@gmail.com Phone- 0458345303

Canteen

The Canteen is open every day for lunch orders.

Below is an updated menu and price list for 2023.

Zooper Doopers sold at 2nd Lunch

Throughout Term 1 the Student Representative Council will be selling Zooper Doopers to raise money towards the Grade 6 camp to Melbourne.

These will only be sold at second lunch when the canteen is closed.

The cost will be 50 cents each.

Friendly Reminder

This is a friendly reminder to send your child with their named school hat to school during Term 1 as the weather is warm and the children are not allowed outside without one.

Parish Bulletin

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their this week.

 Belle E, Sophie Mc, Ben V, Savanna W, Fergus L,

Darby S & Lewie W

Phone Book helpers

The local phone book is one of the major fundraisers for our school.  This is a Term 1 fundraiser. Grade 5 parents are allocated this job on behalf of the Parents Association.  We have a coordinator assigned to this fundraiser but need some helpers. Please contact the office if you can help with this, thank you. 

Fundraising Coordinators

We are looking for volunteers to coordinate and run the BBQ for both the Swimming carnival and the Athletics carnival and the Easter raffle. If you are able to be a coordinator for any of these please contact the office.

Swimming carnival - Grade 4 - February 27th

Athletics carnival - Grade 1 - March 29th

Easter raffle - Foundation -  April 6th

Students of the Week

COMMUNITY EVENTS