Newsletter 20/2/2023 Term 1 Week 5
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Ash Wednesday
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From the Principal
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Swimming Program
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Parent/Teacher Interviews
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PAM Information Updates
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Conveyance Allowance
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Family Assistance Scheme
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Term 1 Known Dates
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Catholic School Culture
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Piano Lessons
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Mercy Regional College Open Day
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Canteen
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Zooper Doopers sold at 2nd Lunch
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Parish Bulletin
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Birthdays
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Phone Book helpers
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Fundraising Coordinators
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Students of the Week
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Camperdown Fire Brigade
Ash Wednesday

Just a note that Ash Wednesday is a meat free day in our school.
There will be no meat products sold at the canteen, other alternatives will be available. We would appreciate that lunches coming from home are also meat free. This is only for Ash Wednesday, so a small sacrifice by all.
Thanks for your understanding.
From the Principal

Dear parents, carers and community members,
Now that our swimming program is finished, we look forward to some settled weeks of learning without interruption. This week we begin the season of Lent where we all have the opportunity to challenge ourselves to be the best we can for those around us. This season allows us to prepare for the most important date in the church calendar when we remember the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
Swimming Program

Last week we completed the Grader 3 to 6 swimming program and we are delighted with our new swimming school, Splash Factory who delivered high quality classes and a great student/teacher ratio.
Our swimming carnival will be held on Monday the 27th February.
Parent/Teacher Interviews

We intend to conduct parent/teacher interviews later this term to discuss your child's beginning to the school year and gather any important information about them from you. A timetable will be sent out through PAM for either the 7, 8th or 9th of March so please watch for this notification. These sessions will be for 10 minutes for each child.
PAM Information Updates
We are asking all parents to log in to PAM and update each childs connect fields. We apologise if you have done this previously but there was a glitch in the system and we need them redone at your earliest convenience.
Still lots outstanding!
If you have not logged onto your account yet this year, please contact the office for a new password for your account.
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
21/2 Shrove Tuesday
21/2 Parent’s Association Meeting
22/2 Ash Wednesday Mass 11:30am
23/2 SAC and staff dinner
24/2 Friday Mass - FSB & 5/6CH
27/2 Swimming Carnival
1/3 Portsea Camp
2/3 Division swimming W'bool
3/3 Friday Mass - FDF & 3/4L
6/3 Nazareth feast day held on 8/3
10/3 Friday Mass - 1WS & 5/6Cook
22/3 Reconciliation @ Church 6pm
13/3 Labour Day Public Holiday
14/3 Regional swimming Horsham
17/3 St Pat’s Day mass & Green Faces
24/3 Friday Mass - 2DS, 2B & 3/4HP
26/3 Grade 5/6 Parish Mass
27/3 Young Leaders Day
29/3 School Athletic Sports
31/3 Friday Mass - 3/4D & 5/6MJ
4/4 District Aths - Camperdown
2/4 Palm Sunday
6/4 Holy Thursday Liturgy / Easter Raffle
6/4 Last day for students
7/4 Good Friday
9/4 Easter Sunday
Catholic School Culture

Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday is the day before Lent begins. Traditionally Christians clean out their pantries and use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar, making pancakes as their last feast before Lent begins. We also repent our sins and consider our Lenten promises and the sacrifices that we will make during the 40 days of Lent prior to Easter.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday we will observe Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent. It is a day of repentance which is symbolized when we receive the ashes in the shape of a cross placed on our foreheads to show that we are sorry and ready to start acting as Jesus teaches us. It also reminds us that we are followers of Jesus and we believe that God is always with us. We can be hope-filled people who encourage, inspire and support others by being optimistic and cheerful whilst acknowledging that life is difficult for many people at the moment. Christians refrain from eating meat and commit to our Lenten promises. School children will partake in an Ash Wednesday Mass where they will receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads.
Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 6 weeks as we become reflective and prepare for the resurrection of Jesus on the liturgical calendar. We remember the love of God that was poured out through Jesus Christ on the cross in his death. It is a call for us to take stock of our spiritual lives and set goals that we would like to reach before Easter. We may fast or give up something pleasurable such as chips or soft drink in remembrance of Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days. We may say extra prayers and find new encouragement to open our hearts to respond to God’s grace. We may give to those in need or commit to acts of kindness and lead others to do the same. We will be in the period of Lent until Easter Sunday.

Mass of the Oils 2023
The Mass of the Oils will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat at 6:30pm. Supper will follow in the Hall.

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
Mercy Regional College Open Day
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.
Parish Bulletin
Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their this week.
Maddison M
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 **We need a coordinator or 2 for this event asap!
Athletics carnival - Grade 1 - March 29th
Easter raffle Foundation - April 6th- we have a coordinator, just need some helpers please!
Students of the Week

COMMUNITY EVENTS
Camperdown Fire Brigade
