March 3rd 2022

Acknowledgement of Country

The St Pius X Parish School Community acknowledges the Gunditjmara / Marr Nation people who have educated children on these lands for thousands of years.

Prayer

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

On Tuesday afternoon our staff and a number of parents met (online) to discuss priorities for the refurbishment of our Middle Pod. The discussion was led by our architect Jake Kelly, who will use this consultation in his design process. Our students will also be given the opportunity to contribute to this thinking in the coming weeks. Any parents who were unable to join the meeting are welcome to give their feedback to me either directly or via principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au 

Please be mindful that Monday is our school athletics at Brauerander Park. We are looking forward to seeing as many families at this event as possible - our first large scale community event in two years. There is further information in the newsletter about this event, plus another reminder around providing parental consent to travel to Brauerander.

Thanks to those who have begun to deliver donations for our Easter Raffle. This event relies on the generosity of our families both in terms of donations and ticket sales. Thanks to Kimberley Lack (mum to Ollie and Quinton) for her coordination.

Joe Ewing

Principal

COVID 19 Regulation Changes

Last weekend brought only minor changes to the COVID school regulations. However school assemblies, liturgies and Masses are now able to recommence, with class levels separated. These type of indoor events will not be open to parent attendance just yet, but we hope to be able to review this in the coming weeks.

Carpark Safety: SAC Concern

Our School Advisory Council met last Thursday evening and an important discussion point was  safety in our carpark. Safety in the carpark relies on clear school guidelines, students trained in safe access and parents maintaining safe traffic patterns.

Currently two important issues are traffic flow and speed. On a daily basis we have cars moving against the arrows and moving too quickly. The SAC is concerned collectively that an accident is iminent unless there is a change in driver behaviour.

We ask all drivers to stay under 10km per hour and to follow the direction of the arrows to ensure all students are safe in the carpark . This should be the case at all times in the carpark - not just when there are crowds at 3.30pm

We thank all families who pay close attention to speed and traffic flow, and especially to those who make a point of walking their children across the carpark safely.

Hot Off the Prep Press!

Pancake Day

Tuesday was Shrove Tuesday and the Prep's ate their way through quite a lot of yummy pancakes.  We had some butter, sugar and syrup on top.  They were delicious.  Thanks to Cloe and Louise for flipping them up and over for us!!

Buddy Activity

Last Friday we spent some time with our buddies in the Big Hall.  It was the best day ever.  They helped us to make a special apple tree for our classroom.  They played a get to know you game with us.  They read us some picture story books and then we got to play "Duck, Duck, Goose". We love our buddies!!!

Spelling

Check out our spelling! We have learnt all these letter names and their matching sounds - c p t n s a e i u.  We even had a test on our whiteboards and look at how clever we are!!

Easter Raffle

Our Parents and Friends will again run the annual Easter Raffle. Families are asked to assist this raffle in two ways:

1. We are asking for you to donate Easters treats (chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, lollies etc) so that these can be placed into Easter hampers and baskets. These can be dropped at the school administration office.
2. Families will receive raffle tickets that can be bought or sold to friends and family.

This annual event is a great fundraiser for our P&F and we ask all families to get behind their efforts.

'Positive Start in 2022' Government Intitiative

The Victorian Government has provided information on the Positive Start in 2022 initiative, which offers students in all low-fee Catholic schools a chance to reconnect with peers and enjoy the kinds of activities that many missed out on over the past two years.

Under this initiative, eligible families have the opportunity to book holiday camps for children free of charge.

To be eligible for free holiday camps, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• attend a school that experienced closures of five days or more due to COVID-19 in 2021
• have an approved Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) application for 2022
• have a parent who holds a valid means-tested concession card
• are Indigenous students
• reside in out-of-home care (temporary or permanent)
• are from a refugee background
• are students with a disability.

The letter linked below gives more detailed information regarding this initiative. Families must register their interest by Friday 25 March 2022 to be considered.

CASEA program (CAMHS and Schools Early Action)

The CASEA program has been designed to assist schools and families to support children with their social, emotional and behavioural development. It has been developed to help children in Foundation to grade 3 to understand and express emotions more effectively and to enhance problem solving and relationship skills.   CASEA is a free program and is not compulsory.  

The CASEA program will be offered at St Pius X Primary School during Term 2, 2022. The program runs over an 8 week period and consists of a weekly children’s group (1.5 hours), a parent/guardian group (1.5 hours) and teacher consultation.    

If you have any questions or would like further information regarding the program please contact: Elli Smith, CASEA Clinician, South West Healthcare CAMHS.  Telephone 5561 9100. 

If you would like your child to be considered for this program, please complete a consent form, available through the school.  Forms will need to be returned by Wednesday 16th March 2022.

Representative Tennis

On Friday the 25th of Feb, Felicity White, Luke Harrison, Ollie Miller and Anna Lyons competed in the WPSSA tennis tournament at Supergrasse. We played against girls and boys from other Warrnambool primary schools. We all had a fantastic day and had heaps of fun. Although we were not the overall winners, we won a few games between us all. Many thanks to Mr Alexander for organising this opportunity for us. Thanks also to Janine Lyons for being our supervisor on the day. 

Witten by Anna Lyons.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, our school classrooms paused to join with Christians from all over the world  in observing Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, we receive the ashes, which are sprinkled on our heads or marked on our foreheads.

Ashes are what is left when something is burnt. In Australia we often experience bushfires that reduce the land to ashes, but afterwards new life emerges.

Lent is an invitation for us to be like the new growth from the ashes of Ash Wednesday as we prepare for Easter. 

Racing Heroes

We love to celebrate the achievements of the students in our school. Thanks to the O'Shannassy family for these shots of Logan and Darcy and their racing vehicles. We always enjoy hearing about their thrilling races and impressive results.

Head Lice

There has been a case of head lice in our Prep room. We ask all parents of children in the Prep classrooms to do a head check this evening please.

Car Seat Fittings & Checks

On Friday March 25th, the Warrnambool Neighbourhood House will be runinng a free car seat fitting and check service in the St Pius X carpark. We urge all families with children who require a car seat to take up this free offer.

School Athletics: March 7th

Our school athletics will be held at Brauerander Park on Monday March 7th. We are looking forward to a great day with families free to attend. Following is some key information:

Consent

All families are required to give consent for their children to travel to Brauerander. Yr 3-6 students will walk the short distance, while our Prep, Yr 1 and Yr 2 students will travel by bus. Families will receive an email notification to give consent though PAM. We still have about 90 students without consent to attend Brauerander. Please us the link below to login to PAM and give consent for your children to attend.

Family Attendance

We are delighted that families will be able to attend the athletics in person. We encourage families to bring something to sit on and to consider sun safety, as the fixed shelter will be taken up by the children. Families are not permitted beyond the track fence.

COVID Safe

While parents will be welcomed as spectators, the tiered concrete section will be for students and staff only. However students will be able to leave this section to meet their family and share food throughout the day. Hand sanitiser will be provided at different points also. Masks will not be required in the outdoor environment of Brauerander.

Sunsmart

All children must have a school hat, and sunscreen applied before school. Sunscreen will be reapplied during the day.

Program

The order of events for each age group is below.

End of Day

The day will end at about 3.00pm. At this time families are welcome to take children directly from Brauerander, but must communicate this with their teacher prior to departing.

Canteen

A simple canteen will be provided at the athletics, selling water, fruit boxes, icy poles and sausages.

Water - $1.50 ea.

Sausages - $2.50 ea.

Fruit Boxes - $2.00 ea.

Zooper Doopers - 60c ea.

Canteen Volunteers

Thanks to those who have volunteered to assist in the canteen during the day. We are still seeking parents who would be able to assist for short periods of time between 10.30am and 2.00pm. Please use the link below to register.   (Please note you will need to be triple covid vaxxed)

Pupil Free Day: March 18th

Families are reminded that our next pupil free day will be held on March 18th. This day will enable all staff to continue their training in trama-informed ReLATE teaching practices in partnership with MacKillop Education.

Their Care can be assessed on this day.  Families interested should book at https://theircare.com.au/ 

Anaphylaxis Awareness

Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. It always involves the respiratory and/or cardiovascular systems. Sometimes, the skin and/or gut systems are also involved. The signs of anaphylaxis can be:

• Difficult or noisy breathing.
• Swelling of the tongue.
• Swelling or tightness in the throat.
• Difficulty talking and/or a hoarse voice.
• A wheeze or a persistent cough.
• Persistent dizziness or collapse.
• Young children may become pale and floppy.
• Abdominal pain and vomiting (if the reaction is to an insect sting or bite).

Anaphylaxis is the most severe and serious form of allergic reaction and is treated as a medical emergency. We currently have one student enrolled who has been diagnosed with allergies (some severe/anaphylaxis) to a number of foods including nuts, egg, milk, dairy, soy and shellfish. We ask that you please be mindful of what you pack in student lunchboxes, particularly for students in MP1.

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia provide a number of resources to help raise awareness within our school community and we will be using a short slideshow to help our students understand anaphylaxis at an assembly, when we’re able to gather together. 

Here at school, the children will be encouraged to think about ‘How to be a mate to keep schoolmates with anaphylaxis safe’. A poster outlining the four main steps of ensuring you are a mate are attached. 

Footy Tipping

The P & F footy tipping competition is now open for entries. Simply go to the link below to join up!

The cost of entry is $10 for an individual entry or $20 for a family (multi entry with up to three individual family members). We ask adults to assist children in this process to ensure information shared is appropriate. Entry fees need to be paid at the administration office as soon as possible.

Last year we had 50 tippers - it would be great to get to 75 this year!

There will be a fantastic prize for first place thanks to Bojangles, and we would love to hear from any other potential sponsors too.

Not long until the men’s season begins and our tipping gets underway. As we approach the season opener this week we profile one of our red hot tippers from last year: Isaac Green.

Favoutite team: Essendon Bombers

Favourite player: Nik Cox

Brownlow prediction: Lachie Neale

Premier prediction: Brisbane Lions

Tipping method: Pick Essendon when they play a low team. I mostly favour home teams and always pick West Coast

Vinnies Reading Club

The Vinnie's Reading Club runs every Wednesday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.45pm. Any student from Yr 1 - 6 is welcome to take part. An enrolment form is available at the link below.

Important: All students to be picked up from the circular area outside reception at 4.45pm. Suzie will be there with one of the volunteers to ensure students are going home with a parent or caregiver. If parents need to collect your child ahead of this time, please come into the library to sign them out directly (rather than relying on a sibling etc to do so). If your child is walking home, they will be required them to sign themselves out.

A Gold Medalist of Integrity & Justice

The sun shone over Olympic Park in Melbourne. It was the Australian National Championships men's mile final, and the crowd sat expectantly as the runners prepared for the start. John Landy was the favourite to win the race after becoming only the second person in run a mile in under a minute.

As the smoke from the starters pistol wafted through the air, the race began as expected,  Landy running with the leaders. Suddenly the unexpected occcured. Another runner; Ron Clarke fell onto the track.

Landy did his best to avoid knocking into Clarke who had fallen in front of him, by leaping over. As Landy's feet passed over the top of Clarke, his running spikes scraped Clarke's arm causing a cut.  

While the leading pack ran on, Landy stopped and ran back to check on Clarke. Clarke regained his feet, pushing on with an obvious injury to his right arm. Landy ran on intent on making up the time he had lost. In an amazing sporting feat, Landy reeled in the leaders and won the final.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. The Gospel story is known famously as the Temptation in the Wilderness. In the story Jesus enters the wilderness for forty days, and while there is tempted by the devil. He is given the choice between his mission, to bring God's love, justice and compassion to the world, or to live a life of money, power and influence. As you probably know, Jesus chooses his mission, but the point of the Gospel story is for us to consider what our priorities are.

John Landy died last week and will be remembered for the few seconds he acted on impulse to help a fellow competitor. While he lived a full and a good life (notably as Victorian Governor), the day he made the choice to put the common good ahead of his own ambition, made it clear that he was a man of justice and intergrity.

Rest in peace John Landy.

COVID 19 Arrangements

There are some minor changes to our COVID regulations this week. While there is no longer a requirement to scan a QR code on entry to the school and opportunities for parent involvement are increasing, masks must be worn by all adults indoors and the requirement for volunteers is that they be triple vaccincated. 

Adult Entry

Visitors must:

• Wear a mask
• Show vaccination status (triple vaccinated or exempt)
• Complete school sign in.
• Carry a visitor pass.

Parents who need to briefly speak with teachers, or pick something up from a classroom before or after school,  can enter classrooms before 9.00am and after 3.30pm, but must:

• Wear a mask.
• Scan QR code at the building door.
• Keep visit brief (5 minutes)

The opportunity for family members to help with reading and other classroom based activities will begin soon, but the above criteria must be adhered to.

Managing Suspected or Confirmed Cases

As soon as a student (or staff member) becomes aware of being a suspected case - that is symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste:

1. The suspected case is required to leave the school site, or be isolated on-site until they are able to leave.
2. The suspected case is required to be tested with a rapid antigen test. A positive test result must be reported to the Department of Health using the RA portal and the school (notification on the VicED COVID tool).
3. Positive cases must be isolated for 7 days before returning to school. Another RAT test is not required.

In the event that school receives notification that a staff member or student was infectious while onsite:

1. All staff must use a rapid antigen test if they have symptoms.
2. All students must use a rapid antigen test if they have symptoms.
3. Close contact staff and students will be strongly encouraged to use rapid antigen tests for the following 5 days if they don’t have symptoms.

Where a positive case is recorded from a staff member or student who has been on site, the school community will be notified. Personal information will not be released in this communication.

Close Contacts

A close contact is now defined as a person who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID 19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility. Students fitting within this definition must access a PCR or RAT test and follow quarantine protocols if the result proves to be positive.

Rapid Antigen Tests

We encourage families to conduct rapid tests on children on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Rapid test kits have been distributed to families. Please contact the office if your family has not received the latest round of kits.

Please note that students who have been confirmed cases should not complete a RAT for 30 days after a positive test as the result will not be accurate.

Face Masks

Face masks for P - 2 students remain optional but are encouraged.

Face masks for Yrs 3 - 6 are required while students are indoors. These masks must be supplied from home and need to be managed by the students themselves.

Students whose physical or mental health will be impacted by wearing a mask may be exempt from this regulation, but we ask parents to contact the school to confirm this. Medical certificates and letters from doctors are not required.

We have listed all students with asthma or known respiratory conditions as exempt. Adults are no longer required to wear masks outdoors.

Masks are required to be worn on buses to and from school also.

Student Illness and Symptoms

Students and staff who are unwell should not attend school.

Students displaying symptoms that are beyond what they normally experience with a known existing condition (ie hayfever) will be sent home.

Assemblies & Liturgies

Special whole school gatherings such as liturgies and assemblies can now be held, however we are still required to maintain separation of class levels. Parent attendance at these events is still restricted.

Visiting Therapists and Allied Health 

Visiting therapists and allied health may continue to visit, but must be triple vaccinated. We have encountered a minority who believe this does not apply to them - they are incorrect.

Canteen

Our canteen is open Tuesday - Friday for lunch orders and also for small items at second recess.

Parent volunteers must be triple vaccinated and follow sign in procedures.

Hand Cleaning

Students will be prompted to sanitise or wash their hands at key times across the day.

We ask that children not use their own hand sanitiser, unless this has been discussed with the school.

Progressive Cleaning

The school will continue to be progressively cleaned throughout the day, with our teaching staff ensuring surfaces are wiped down during school hours, complementing the work of our cleaning contractors after hours.

Sharing Food

Food sharing will continue to be avoided unless individualised portions can be organised (ie. birthday celebrations).

Camps, Excursions, Interschool Sport

Most offsite activities can go ahead, with safety controls in place and some modification.

Before and after school care available at St Pius X

Book at: https://theircare.com.au/

Photo Consent

A number of photo consents are still to be returned from families. A second hard copy of this note will be sent to these families to ensure they are able to see pictures of their children in school publications that are also visible outside the school community such as our newsletter, linked video clips and the Warrnambool Standard.

Parish Mass

Sunday Mass at 10.30am at St. Pius X Church.  School families are always welcome.

Second Hand Uniforms

Families seeking uniform items are welcome to contact Angela Verspay (Mum to Dylan and Finn) who has stock of many donated uniform pieces.  Ph: 0477660119.

School Canteen Roster

Tuesday, 8th March - Mel Dawson

Wednesday, 9th March - Merryn Payne

Thursday, 10th March - Hayley Keane

Friday, 11th March - Alana Gleeson

Term Dates

West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House - Beamish Street

Resin Workshop.........