2021, Term 4, Week 3 Newsletter

God of every living creature, God of every creeping thing:                

a bird came into our garden, and we didn’t know its name.

The common snipe, the internet said. ‘Common,’ which suggests

our grandparents would have known, and their grandparents, too.

When did we forget it’s normal

to see and hear nature on our doorstep, and to appreciate the everyday?

Now that we’ve been stopped by this common threat,

may we never let such knowledge, or such birds, become so rare.

Amen.

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Back to School

It was absolutely delightful to have a full school of students today. As our sign at the front of the school indicates, we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all parents, carers and family members who have been the primary educators of your children for such an extended period. We are hoping and praying for a consistent end to the school year. A sincere well done and thank you to all families. 

Parent/Teacher Interviews (3-way Conversations) - Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th October

Bookings for parent-teacher interviews are currently open in PAM. You can access this via SZAPP or at this link 

https://www.spkoroit.catholic.edu.au/parent-access-module-pam 

This year we are trialling a 3-way conversation format that will involve the student, parent/carer and teacher all in the classroom and in conversation together. There will be strict guidelines surrounding this process. Parents/Carers will be required to check-in upon entry to the school grounds and provide a valid COVID-19 Vaccination certificate to attend the conversations. This can be done by showing your phone with a valid certificate upon check-in or providing paper or digital evidence of your first vaccination upon entry. We understand that this may cause an inconvenience to some parents, carers of families. If you are unable to provide this evidence we can arrange for your child’s classroom teacher to arrange a phone call or google meet in place of the in-person interview. 

AIM OF THE CONFERENCES 

- A 3-Way Conference actively involves parents/carers, students and teachers in reflecting on student achievement, discussing work samples and setting future targets.

- A 3-Way Conference acknowledges the most important participants in the learning process (student, teacher and parent/carer).  

School Photos

We have made a tentative booking with Glen Watson Photography for Monday, November 1st. We are still yet to receive formal approval from CECV for these to take place. This day would also include Year 6 graduation photos as well. We will keep the community informed. Fingers crossed.

Enjoy a great weekend, maybe with some visitors over to say Hello!

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Students of the Week

Room 3

Oliver Van Kempen for the responsible way he has braved swimming the last two weeks. It has been great to see you get out of your comfort zone Ollie. Keep up the great work!

Eleanor Huckstepp for the responsible way you have given your best effort during narrative writing this week. Your ideas you have put forward during writing have been outstanding. Well done!

Room 4

Neve Harlock for the respectful and responsible way she has participated in classroom and swimming activities this week. Neve has been an enthusiastic learner working hard on set tasks in literacy and maths, regularly answering questions and always listening respectfully to her teachers and peers.

Harvey Porter for being an amazing student in room 4 who always completes tasks responsibly and to a high standard. Harvey has just completed a wonderfully imaginative story called ‘Fred and the Missing People’ and is now making it into a picture story book to share with friends. 

An outstanding effort, Harvey! 

Room 5

Myra Quill for her friendly, responsible and cooperative attitude in the classroom. Myra, it is great to see your smiling face each day, and I love the way you jump in to help others whenever you can.

Charlotte Lilley for the responsible way you have given your best effort in tasks in the classroom. It is great to see how respectfully you work with others.

Room 7

Tessa Byrne - For her attentive return to onsite learning and bravery to share her writing with the class. Tessa is commended for the effort she has put in to strengthen her sentences and provide more information for the reader. Keep up the responsible mindset.

Lincoln Arthur - For his commitment to complete tasks with more information, focus on presentation and creative planning. This is evident in Lincoln’s recent presentation on climate zones of Australia and his detailed narrative writing. Keep up the responsible work ethic.

Hall 

Piper Fechete for being an exceptional student and responsibly completing work tasks to an excellent standard.  Piper, you have achieved great progress in all areas of learning and shown greater confidence in yourself, working accurately through Math problems, choosing more complex novels to read and with your engagement in discussions.  I am proud of your success, well done.    

Kaitlyn Brown for the phenomenal achievements she has made in spelling more complex and interesting words with accuracy, improving the overall quality of her writing.  Kaitlyn has demonstrated a responsible approach to learning tasks, listening to instructions carefully and organising her time on independent tasks to make sure she is producing quality work she should be proud of. Well done Kaitlyn.    

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Harrison Lilley, Milla Gleeson and Ellie O'Connell who are celebrating a birthday at this time.

Dates to Remember

Friday 29th October:

Child Safety Day for Daniel- wear something red, gold coin donation to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation

Tuesday 2nd November:

Melbourne Cup Dress Up Day

Friday 5th November:

Socktober Fundraiser- wear crazy socks, gold coin donation to Catholic Mission Australia.

CANTEEN 

Wednesday 27th October - Kim Hedger

Friday 29nd October - Mel Lilley

Volunteers/ School Helpers

All staff/volunteers/program support workers are required to have their first COVID-19 vaccination by October 18th or have an appointment for their first dose by October 25th. 

The school requires evidence of this first dose or the appointment in order for you to be onsite after October 18th. Unless a medical exemption applies (please see Nick if this applies to you). 

This does not apply to school pick up or attending the school office - only volunteers and school helpers on-site for a longer period of time e.g. canteen and lunch orders.

The deadline for being fully vaccinated (two doses) is November 29th. As above the school requires evidence of this in order for you to be onsite after November 29th. Unless a medical exemption applies (please see Nick if this applies to you). 

What evidence do we need? For approved evidence see the below statement

“Vaccination information may be recorded in a variety of documents, such as a letter from a medical practitioner, a certificate of immunisation or an immunisation history statement obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register.”

Christmas Raffle

Star of the Sea Parish Bulletin