August 8th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

A Note from our Principal

This week has seen all our classes back to a normal program after a few busy weeks of camps and excursions.  However, everyone has been busy with lots of song and dance as they practice their songs for the Finding Nemo production. Please see the flyer in this newsletter for further information regarding the performance.   We're also looking forward to our second week of our Ready Set School program which is on tomorrow morning at 9.30am.

Ready, Set, School! program - Next session TOMORROW Friday 9th August.

Click below to register for our Ready, Set, School! program

Click here to Register

Carpark Information

Please see the video below with information about pickup time in our carpark works, and what the yellow lines stand for. 

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Just a reminder that everyone is welcome to attend the 9am Mass on Sunday in the St Pius X Church to support the Eucharist Candidates from our school who are receiving their First Eucharist this weekend.  Eucharist is the final sacrament of initiation as a Catholic.  These children are Lincoln Steffensen, Ivy McDonald, Annabella McInnes, Indie Kermond, Alfie Parkinson and Mason Halloran.  Please remember these children in your prayers this week, before the Sacrament on Sunday August 11th.  

Country Bus for 2025

If you need your child to catch a Country Bus in 2025, please fill out the following form and return it to Bec Lawlor before the end of this term to secure your spot.  Copies of this form are also available from the office to fill in. Thank You.

Father's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast

Further information regarding how to RSVP and what costs are involved will follow soon.

SchoolTV

In this edition of SchoolTV - Diet & Nutrition

We all know that diet and nutrition is vital to your child’s development and growth, but are you aware of the effects it has on your child’s brain development and how it can impact their academic achievement?

In this era of convenience, it is easy to reach for pre-packaged and processed foods to cope with busy schedules. However, these foods are usually packed full of sugar and salt which can have adverse health effects. Making a habit of reading food labels can help reduce the risks. It can also help to stabilise your child’s energy, improve their mood, maintain a healthy weight and improve their general wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will discover practical advice for teaching your kids about the benefits of incorporating a healthy diet and good nutrition.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Diet & Nutrition edition of SchoolTV
https://spwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/diet-nutrition

Food bank support

We are excited to propose the launch of a weekly community foodbank to support families within our school. This initiative aims to provide meals to those requiring some assistance, enhancing our strong and compassionate community. We invite you to express your interest in supporting this important cause, this would be in the form of going on a roster to cook/provide a meal. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our fellow community members. Please text Lara on 0423 453 334 if you wish to participate or need more information. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Text Lara on 0423 453 334

Book Week Celebration Day

On Friday 23rd August, we will be celebrating book week.The theme this year is 'Reading is Magic.'Students are invited to dress up as their favourite book character but there is no expectation that new items or costumes are purchased. There will be some dress ups provided on the day for those who would like to borrow a costume. 

The students will participate in the following activities:

9:30-10:00 Book Week Parade.

10:00-11:00 Art Activities in Mixed-Age groups.

11:30-12:00 Reading Picnic in the Courtyard. 

Parents/Grandparents/Special People are invited to join us throughout the morning. Younger siblings are welcome to join us for our Book Week Parade. All are welcome to join our reading picnic. Bring a blanket, picnic and your favourite book. 

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day.

On Monday, 5th of August several of our students travelled to the Harris Street Reserve to celebrate the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day.

Activities on the day included decorating boomerangs, face painting, sand artwork, adding to a handprint mural, getting up close with some animals and reptiles and sharing lunch with other children from the district. Lots of fun was had by all!

The Foundation Files

Subtraction Stories

We are learning about using materials and pictures to solve take away stories to 10. We used our blocks and whiteboards to help us. Subtraction means to lose something, to make a group smaller or to take something away. Here are two stories for your child to do at home. Let them grab some pegs or crayons or toys to help them to model the story and then let them write the take away story using numbers.

Mary Mackillop

Today we celebrated Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day. We learnt this week about Australia’s first Saint. This week we used Mary’s special motto ‘Never see a need without doing something about it!!’ We have promised to be a good friend to others and to listen to each other in the classroom and the playground. Maybe on the weekend we will try to find something to do at home to help our families. We might clean up our room, tidy the table, help with the dishes or feed the pets. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS WALSH FOR FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST!!! 

(What is your pet onion’s name???)

Under the Staff Spotlight......

Let's get to know .............

XAVIER MILLS - Learning Support Officer

What is your favourite colour?  Purple

What football team do you barrack for? Carlton

What place would you most like to go to for a holiday? Cape Town, South Africa

What is your favourite dinner? Sticky Chinese Pork belly or Jane O'Donnells Chicken curry.

What's your favourite day of the week and why? Sunday because I get to watch my boys play Football.

Breakfast Club

A friendly reminder that Breakfast Club is running on Wednesday mornings from 8:20am. It is open to ALL students before school to enjoy some yummy toast, yogurt, cereal or a piece of fruit and take part in a morning conversation with others. We look forward to seeing everybody there!

 Again, a big thankyou to Foodshare for providing us with breakfast items and Woolies for providing the fruit! Of course, this wouldn't take place without our amazing parent helpers so a big thank you to Sarah & Virginia as well!

A special message just to say.............

The following students will be celebrating their birthday this coming week ........

Alfie Counch, Zoe Kent, Alexis Edge, Germand Van Jaarsveldt, Chelsea Astbury, Isali Hendahewa, Haley Howe-Betts, Luke Reilly & Mia Kent.

Canteen Coordinator Term 3 - Position still available!!

We are still seeking a volunteer who would be willing to coordinate our canteen during Term 3 (and possibly Term 4 if required).   

The duties involved normally only take 1 to 2 hours each week to complete and include checking the stock of and replenishing the following items;   frozen products including icypoles, nuggets etc,  kitchen items such as paper towel, serviettes etc. and tins of pineapple which need to be put into small snack bags for the freezer.

Shopping is usually done once a week (During the warmer months extra icypoles may be required) and duties also include a tidy/clean of the canteen when needed.   

If this is something you would be happy to undertake, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact the office for further information.

Canteen Roster for next week.

Important Dates.

Friday, 9th August - Ready, Set, School Program - TOMORROW!

Friday, 16th August - Young Vinnies to Emmanuel

Friday, 16th August - Assembly 3pm in church

Tuesday, 20th August - School Closure Day - Structured Literacy (DOBCEL determined date) 

Wednesday, 21st August - St Pius X Feast Day (Kaboom Sports)

Friday, 23rd August - Book Week celebration

Friday, 23rd August - Ready, Set, School Program 

Friday, 30th August - Father's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast 7.45-8.45am

Friday, 30th August - Assembly 3pm in church

Friday, 6th Sept - Ready, Set, School Program 

Friday, 13th Sept - Assembly 3pm in church

Wednesday, 18th Sept - School Production 7.30pm

Friday, 20th Sept - Last Day of Term 2.30pm 

Friday, 20th Sept - Ready, Set, School Program 

Remaining 2024 School Closure Days

Term 3

Tuesday 20th August- Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date)

Term 4

Friday 18th October - Religious Education Staff Professional Development

Uniform Price List

Before & After School Care.

Parish Contact.

Sunday Mass 9.00am @ St Pius X Church. School families are always welcome.

The Parish office can be contacted on 5562 2231

Other information and contact details can be found on the Star of the Sea South West Coast website: https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/parish/southwestcoast/