February 27, 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Clean Up Australia Day Sunday 2nd March

Loving Creator,

We thank You for the beauty of our Earth, a gift to cherish and protect. 

Inspire us to care for our land, waters, and all living things. May we always act with love, responsibility and respect towards are Earth.  

Amen

A Note from our Principal

Ngata families, 

Next week marks the beginning of Lent, a special time in the Church’s calendar. On Tuesday, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, a day of preparation, followed by Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. During this season, we are invited to pause, reflect and grow closer to God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

In our fast-paced world, these traditions may feel disconnected from daily life. However, Lent offers an opportunity to step away from the noise and focus on what truly matters: our relationship with God, service to others and living out the Gospel. Through fasting, we learn to appreciate simplicity; through prayer, we strengthen our connection with God; and through almsgiving, we follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion.

I invite everyone to join us for the Ash Wednesday liturgy at 1.10 p.m. next Wednesday at the church. As we receive the ashes, we are reminded of our need for repentance and renewal and we commit to walking this holy journey together as a school family.

Let this Lent be a time of reflection and growth, as we strive to live with greater love and purpose.

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

SRC 2025

Introducing Our 2025 School Representative Council Members!

We are excited to announce the members of our School Representative Council for this year. These students have been selected to represent our school community and share ideas to help make our school an even better place. Congratulations to all our SRC members, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our school. Let’s support them as they lead with enthusiasm and pride throughout the year!

In Sympathy

We would like to extend our sympathies to the McInerney family on the passing of Sols Grandfather Terry.        We are thinking of you at this time. 

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. 

Lost and Found

A child's Disney themed bracelet has been found in the carpark near the school crossing on Ross Street.  If you believe this may belong to a family member, please check in at the office.  

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.

Foundation Files

Tug of War

We have learnt a great game called ‘Tug of War’. It is played using a bead string with 20 beads. I play with a partner and we start with 10 beads each. We take it in turns to roll a dice and drag my partners beads over to my side of the string. The winner is the person who ends up with all 20 beads on their side….it can be a real tug of war and sometimes no one is a winner. 

We love playing this Maths game with our friends.

We are learning to build words.

Every morning we get organised for our Sounds Write lesson by collecting our whiteboards and get comfy on the mat. We all hope we get a chance of being one of the ‘word builders’ which means we use sounds to build words on the big whiteboard at the front of the room. We have to listen for the sounds in words and then drag the correct spelling for the sound to the line. When we have built the word we have to say the sounds and read the word. We have learnt so much about sounds since we have started school and our teachers are amazed with what we can do. Check out some of our word builders this week…Well done to Eadie, Ezra and Ollie! 

My Family - Where Do I Come From

Next week we will be talking about where our Families come from.

Ms Lane - My family come from Warrnambool but my Dad’s family ancestors came from Ireland.

Ms Osborne - My family come from Warrnambool but my Grandmother’s family came from Scotland.

We’d love to know where your families come from. Your child might like to draw us a picture, send us a photo, email us a message or write down a quick note that tells us about your family history and where you come from.

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 

Toy Donations Required!

Breakfast Club - Next Week!

We wish to advise that the first Breakfast Club for 2025 will be next week 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 over this coming week ........

Olivia Dwyer, Karvie Armistead, Thomas Aitken, Bodhi Cochrane, Isla-May McCue, Matilda Westbrook, Braxton McGregor, Jack Lucas, Tommy Shand.

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.

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!

Thursday, 6th March - Meals on Wheels

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/ 

West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House - Calendar of Events