February 20, 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

World Day of Social Justice- February 20

Loving God,

You call us to act with justice, love and kindness. 

Bless our school as we learn to walk in solidarity with those in need. 

Open our hearts to fairness, our minds to understanding, and our hands to service. 

May we build a world of justice and peace. 

Amen

A Note from our Principal

Ngata families, 

I would like to inform you that there are currently some vacancies on our School Advisory Council (SAC). This is a fantastic opportunity for parents and carers to become more involved in the school and contribute to important decisions that help shape the direction of our community.

What does the SAC do?

The School Advisory Council is a representative body that brings together key stakeholders, but it does not manage day-to-day operations, which are the responsibility of the Principal. The council's role includes assisting with the stewardship of the school’s Catholic vision, ethos, and culture, regularly reviewing the school’s vision and mission, and offering ongoing advice to align the vision with improvement plans. The council also provides strategic advice to the principal on school operations and ongoing improvement. Additional responsibilities include participating in staff appointments, assisting with planning for future operations, and promoting the school and Catholic education in the community. The council helps ensure viable enrolments and acts as the voice of the school in the wider community. It also engages in regular formation activities to strengthen its effectiveness and support the school’s mission and growth.

If you are interested in joining the School Advisory Council or would like more information about the role, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can contact me directly by emailing principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au.

We welcome your interest and look forward to hearing from those who are keen to support our school in this capacity.

Nick Murrell

Principal

Sacramental Program- Reconciliation

On Tuesday night students gathered from all of the Catholic primary schools in the Star of the Sea Parish gathered at St Joseph's church to begin their preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation. 

We are all looking forward to gathering again on Monday the 24th March at Emmanuel College. This is during school hours and will be supported by the school. This formation day will be led by Maria Forde. 

The sacrament will be celebrated at St Pius X on Thursday 3rd April at 6pm.

Students are also welcome at the celebrations at other churches. If you intend on doing this please let Stacey know. 

Tuesday 1st April, 6pm, St Joseph's Church

Wednesday 2nd April, 7pm, OLHC Church

Wednesday 2nd April, 5:30pm, St Patrick's Church, Port Fairy 

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

This year the testing window begins on March 12th and takes place over several days. 

Please findbelow some information about NAPLAN. If you have any questions please contact your child's classroom teacher or give Stacey a ring at school. 

Foundation and Gr 6 buddies Picnic

We are excited to invite all Foundation 2025 families and their Grade 6 buddies to a fun and relaxed picnic at Lake Pertobe! This informal gathering will provide the perfect opportunity for our new Foundation students to strengthen their friendships with their peers and Grade 6 buddies, while allowing families to meet and connect in a friendly, low-key setting.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday 18/3/25 (weather dependent) 
• Time: 5:30pm-6.30pm
• Location: Lake Pertobe (area near playground adjacent the surf club carpark) 
• What to Bring: A picnic blanket, dinner to share with your family. 

This picnic is a wonderful chance to come together, enjoy the outdoors, and get to know each other better. Whether you're new to the school community or already familiar with some faces, it's a perfect time to make new connections. It’s also a great opportunity for Foundation students to bond with their Gr 6 buddies, strengthening those valuable relationships in a relaxed atmosphere.

Common Childhood Illness - Exclusion from School Guide

The following infections are common in early childhood.  This is a guide to the time which the child should be excluded from school should an illness occur.

Gastro: Exclude until 24 hours symptom free.

Measles: Exclude for 7 days from appearance of the rash.

Rubella (German Measles): Exclude for at least 7 days.

Ringworm: Return to school the day after appropriate treatment has commenced.

Impetigo (School Sores): Exclude until sores have fully healed. The child may be allowed to return provided that appropriate treatment is being applied and the sores on exposed skin are completely covered with clean dressings.

Head Lice: Return to school when appropriate treatment has commenced. Regular head lice checks are encouraged for every student.

Influenza: Return to school when advised by your GP.

School Closure Days 2025

11th March – Structured Literacy

24th April – Southern Zone Collaboration Day (DOBCEL determined date)

30th May – School Review 

2nd June – School Review 

Term 3 – School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Date TBC

6th October – Structured Literacy T4

7th November  – Religious Education 

District Swimming Carnival

The Warrnambool region swimming carnival will be held for district primary school at the end of this month. Students must meet age requirements and qualifying times. If you have a child that may wish to participate, please contact me prior to the end of next week and I will forward some information.

emcdonald@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Pastoral Care Day

Last Friday, St Pius X had their first Pastoral Care Day for 2025. These days are designed to help support the wellbeing of the students and take a break from the daily classroom routine. Students took part in Chat & Chew where we gathered as a whole school and had lunch in sports teams, building on our school community. 

The students then gave input on our School Wide Positive Behaviour matrix, putting forward ideas of what was expected in different areas of the school, focusing on Respect, Responsibility and Safety.

Finally the students trialled different tools that they could use to help them regulate their emotions and created their own safety plan which is now displayed in the classroom and can be accessed by the students throughout the day if needed.

It was a great day with fantastic student involvement!

Foundation Files

Pastoral Care Day

Last Friday we participated in our very first Pastoral Care Day.

We started off by learning about the 4 Zones of Regulation. We know that there are different feelings for each of the zones and we learnt that being in the green zone makes us happy and helps us to learn. We learnt about our school and Prep safety plan and we tried to use some of the tools to help us to regulate our feelings. We also had fun when it was ‘Chat and Chew’ time where we got to have lunch with all the people in our sports team. Thanks to Mr Bacon for his organisation of the day for everyone. We had a great day!! 

Patterns Here, Patterns There!

Over the last couple of weeks we have been learning about patterns. We know that a pattern needs to have a unit of repeat. We created some two-part and three-part patterns using movement and concrete materials.

We can clap, jump! We can sit, stand and touch our heads! Let us show you how to make a pattern at home using our bodies or using some of our toys. Here are Sophia, Ellie, Theodore, Bernie, Joanne and Karvie showing how they can make patterns.

Writing is fun!

We have been so busy learning so many new things since we have come to school. Every day we have been practicing our writing skills and learning some important things about a sentence. We know that a sentence must make sense, have a who or a what (noun), have a do (verb), begin with an uppercase letter, have a full stop at the end and have spaces between our words.There is a lot we need to know!! Check out George, Tommy and George working hard at their tables to write their sentences. 

Mini Vinnies News

This week our Mini Vinnies Crew gathered to hear Chris and Jan Nolan speak about the good work Vinnies does in our community. Each member of the team were then presented with a badge, certificate and St Vincent de Paul card. Good work team. 

Toy Donations Required!

Breakfast Club - SAVE THE DATE!

We wish to advise that the first Breakfast Club for 2025 will be in week 6 on Wednesday, 5th March.      We look forward to sharing breakfast with you then! 

A big thank you to Sarah Searle who has kindly agreed to co-ordinate again this year.  If any other parent would like to help out, you would be more than welcome!   A Working With Children Check is required.

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

The following students are celebrating their birthdays this coming week ........

Tully Widdrington, Emmerson Levett, Isla Storrie, Evie Hunt, Louie Miller, Chelsea Giddings & Max Marshall.

Canteen Roster for next week.

A big thank you to those Parents who have kindly donated their time to help in our canteen this year. 

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Before & After School Care.

Important Dates.

Wed-Fri 19th-21st February - PSG meetings

Friday 21st February - Assembly 3pm - Church

Monday, 24th February - Gr 3/4 Camp Kangaroobie

Tuesday 4th March - Shrove Tuesday

Tuesday 4th March - Lions Eye Health Program (Gr. F, 3, 6)

Wednesday 5th March - Ash Wednesday

                                                - First Breakfast Club for 2025!

Friday 7th March - Assembly

Monday, 10th March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday, 11th March - School Closure Day for Structured Literacy

Friday 21st March - Assembly

Monday 24th March - Reconciliation Formation Day - Emmanuel College

Tuesday, 25th March - School Sports Day

Wed-Fri 26th-28th March - 5/6 Swimming Program 

Monday 31st March - 5/6 Swimming Program 

Wednesday 2nd April - 5/6 Swimming Program 

Thursday 3rd April - Reconciliation Sacrament

Friday 4th April - Last Day of Term 1

Friday 4th April - Assembly

Monday 21st April -Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 22nd April - First Day Term 2

Thursday 24th April - Closure Day - Southern Zone Collaboration Day (DOBCEL determined date)

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Monday 28th April - Confirmation Parent Meeting (7pm St Joseph's church)

Tuesday 29th April - School Photo Day

Wednesday 30th April - Cross Country

Thursday 1st May - May Races Public Holiday

Free Uniforms!

If you are looking for some good quality second hand uniforms, we currently have a display set up in the foyer area near the office.  You are welcome to come in anytime and have a look through what we have.   Items include summer dresses, shorts, pants, shirts etc. in various sizes.  All items are FREE to take.

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/ 

Join the Questacon Science Circus for a FREE pop-up science centre experience like no other!  

 Come along to spin yourself dizzy, test your reflexes, explore your fingertips under the microscope, and watch some of our spectacular science shows.  

 With over 30 hands-on exhibits, the Science Circus pop-up is a fantastic STEM day out for the whole family. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to ignite your curiosity!  

 This is a FREE event, but bookings are essential.  

• Most people spend 1–2 hours at our pop-up. 

• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

 Hurry, book your FREE ticket now! ️ https://bit.ly/QSC25-VIC