st. elizabeth’s school · 2018. 2. 8. · atar score of 90 and over. that puts them into the top...
TRANSCRIPT
Message from Ms Ash. Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and other Parishioners
Welcome back to St Elizabeth’s. I hope that you are as enthusiastic as we are about the new year of adventures in learning. There were lots of smiling faces when classes started a few days ago. The students were happy to see their friends again. The staff are delighted with the way everyone has settled into working together. Even our new Foundation students settled in quickly and happily.
We are now in SWEL week where the children get to know their new classmates and their teacher. This week we all work together on setting up the routines and agreements that will make our school a safe place to learn, work and play. Inside this newsletter you will get lots of information about what is planned for the students and also how you can help. There is so much to learn that we all need to work together to help these beautiful children become the very best people they can be.
The home school partnership is so important. If you have any concerns, contact me by email [email protected] and inside the newsletter you will find addresses for the teachers too. Better to have made a call and be reassured than not make the call and be anxious.
Student’s Absence We are working with nForma, the company who supports our electronic roll, to set up a system where parents are notified if their child is marked absent on the roll each day. In the meantime, please use FlexiBuzz to tell us if your child is absent.
Congratulations to our former students! Mazenod College celebrated the achievements of the Year 12 students of 2017 who reached an ATAR score of 90 and over. That puts them into the top 10% off the state in VCE results. Four students who came to St Elizabeth’s for their primary schooling achieved that score. Congratulations to Simon H, Kevin L, Jaidyn L and Ricky N.
PMI Music Lessons, We have a few families interested in having keyboard lessons but we need a few more before it is worth the PMI Company sending a teacher here to give lessons. PMI will make a decision in a week’s time so if you are keen to have your child learn, please come in and get the form.
Work in the holidays During the summer break we had repairs done on the roof to the Junior classrooms, new skylights replaced old cracked ones and we had new asphalt laid near the PAC. Softfall areas near the main playground were repaired and old dirty sand replaced with new clean sand in the sandpits. As usual, the windows were cleaned inside and out. Cyber Safety Night Tuesday 13th February 7pm. This is a “Must attend” event for all Year 3 to 6 students and parents. Cyber Safety is a huge concern for all of us. Parents of Foundation to Year 2 students are also very welcome.
Afternoon Tea for Mothers Wednesday 21st February. Wellsprings for
Women is inviting all mothers to come along to
St. Elizabeth’s School
Newsletter: 8th February 2018 (Always refer to FlexiBuzz messages for up-to-date information)
school on Wednesday 21st February 2:15pm
and enjoy a cuppa. Wellsprings for Women
specialises in women’s programs which include
education in English and computers, health and
wellbeing, recreation, choir, sewing, art and
craft.
Wellsprings is based in Dandenong and delivers
parenting sessions, guided playgroups,
information to women on respectful relationships
and handling family conflict, healthy cooking and
eating, getting involved in the community,
volunteering, or building skills for further training
or employment.
Message from Ms Walker
Dear Families and Friends,
Welcome to the 2018 school year. I pray that
this year brings each and every one of you
happiness and joy.
A special welcome to our new families,
especially our Foundation children and families.
They transitioned to school seamlessly and
were a credit to their parents and guardians. I
am looking forward to getting to know everyone
this year.
I am very pleased to take on the role of
Religious Education Leader for 2018. I look
forward to working with Fr. Tad in bringing you
the good news of Christ through Masses and
celebrating the Sacraments. Many thanks to
Maria Popowycz for all her hard work in fulfilling
the role of Religious Education Leader over the
past few years.
2018 is the Year of
Youth
We pray:
Come Holy Spirit of this
Great Southern land
Inspire our entire faith
community
As we prayerfully discern new horizons for
spreading joy
In the lives and communities of the people of
God
Amen
Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of
Christians
Pray for us
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, friend of the
young, pray for us
Below are the key dates you need to know for
Term 1.
SHROVE TUESDAY:
Shrove Tuesday - ‘Burning of the Palms’ Whole
School and community Celebration.
It will be held outside the PAC on Tuesday 13th
Feb at 10:30am.
ASH WEDNESDAY:
Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 14th
February at 9:15am. Please join us if you can to
mark the beginning of the Season of Lent. Mass
will also be celebrated in the evening, please
refer to Parish Newsletter.
PROJECT COMPASSION BOXES:
The eldest child in our senior school have been
given Project compassion boxes in the hope
they will donate money to help the
underprivileged. At the end of Lent, the boxes
can be delivered to the school. Thank you so
much for helping this project.
OPENING SCHOOL MASS:
On Friday 23rd February we celebrate Mass
for the start of our school year with the whole
school community. We would like to thank all
families who are coming to join us. It will be a
very special Mass as it is the first time the
Foundation students participate in a school
Mass and our House Captains will be
announced.
WELCOMING / 40th ANNIVERSARY MASS
On Sunday 25th February we are inviting all
families to come along to Sunday Mass at
10:30am. This is a special Welcoming Mass in
that the Staff of the School all receive their
commission to teach during the Mass.
We are 40 years old this year and are extending
the invitation to ex-students and families to join
us.
After the Mass we are inviting families to meet
the staff and to have a cup of tea or coffee or
even better, to bring a picnic and use the oval
and the playground for a bit of fun and sharing.
We want this to be a time when the grown-ups
can meet other parents and also meet their
child’s friends.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING: Tuesday 27th February Reconciliation Parent Meeting will be at 7.00pm
in the Church.
This meeting is for all parents of those children
in Year 3 looking to make their First
Reconciliation and First Communion over this
year.
If your child is new to our school community and
has been baptized into the Catholic Church
please get in touch with me as soon as possible
to enrol your child to receive the sacraments.
RECONCILIATION COMMITMENT MASS: Saturday 3rd March 6.30pm The children who will be making this sacrament
will also be making a formal commitment to their
preparation during this mass. Their whole
community will be invited to be at the mass to
support them. All children making their First
Reconciliation are asked to be at this mass with
their families.
Message from Ms Koutroumanis
Welcome back to a new year of teaching and
learning! I am beyond excited to be working as
part of the Learning and Teaching team again
this year, as well as working in Student
Services. I will be working in the classroom this
year in Grade 5/6 and working on my new roles
Thursdays and Fridays. I have recently
completed my Masters in Special Educational
Needs and look forward to lots of new learning
and challenges this year.
SWEL WEEK
Each year we begin our school year by getting
to know our students through getting to know
you activities. This helps us build relationships
with our students and set up expectations and
routines together as a community. As part of
SWEL week, we also discuss the importance of
our school values which are Mutual Respect,
Shared responsibility, Social Equality, Self-
Discipline and Co-operation.
Footsteps
As part of SWEL week, students also participate
in our Footsteps program. Footsteps specialise
in curriculum integrated dance program that
assists our students in developing inter/intra
personal skills while incorporating some fun and
fitness. Students will be participating once a
week in the Footsteps program every Monday
for the first 5 weeks of Term 1.
Goal setting Information Night
One of the ways we work with our parents and
students to set out our goals for the year is by
holding Goal Setting Interviews. On the 15th
February, each level will be creating a video,
along with a written transcript; that will be
uploaded to our website so that it can be
translated in your language of choice. Through
these videos, you will be introduced to the
teachers that work with your child and receive
an outline of the teaching and learning that will
occur throughout the year and how we help
each child in our Learning Community.
Communication
One of the best ways to keep up to date and
involved in your child’s learning is to be involved
in your child’s education. Communication in our
school can occur in many different ways.
Reading communication from the
school through our fortnightly
newsletter each term
Talking to your child about their
day at school and asking about
what they have learnt
Writing a note in your child’s diary
and passing it onto the teacher to
keep up to date or pass on
information
Coming into the classroom and
talking to the teachers face to
face, or, via email. Here is a list of
our staff email accounts so you
can keep in touch with us. We look
forward to hearing from you all
and sharing in our children’s
learning.
Use the FlexiBuzz app to send a
message to the teacher.
Christine Ash Principal
FJC Jessica Connolly
FBK Rebecca Kealy
1/2DB Donna Burke
1/2CH
Louisa Chalk
Delphine Hesse
1/2GC Gagan Shergill
3/4RM RoseAnn Melenhorst
3/4NS Natasha Stirling
3/4MD Marija Diosi
3/4SO Sherika Olagama
5/6KD Kelly Donald
5/6CK
Kristine Koutroumanis
Cecile Claxton
5/6 GY Gary Young
5/6MP Maria Popowycz
Physical Education Dean Andrew
Performing Arts Tania Ladson
Media / Coding Kaetlyn Howe
LOTE – Chinese Kelly Chen
Literacy Intervention Nan Perazzo
Numeracy Intervention Lyn Dennett
Resource Manager Trixie Martin
Deputy Principal/ Student Wellbeing / RE Leader
Lorraine Walker
Special Education / Learning and Teaching
Leader
Kristine Koutroumanis
Important Calendar Dates On the school’s website there is a calendar. This calendar is “live” therefore updates happen regularly. There will also be a Term Overview calendar under “recent news” on the front page of our website. www.sedandenongnth.catholic.edu.au Please take note that on the following dates are school closure days.
Friday 9th March
Friday 8th June
Monday 16th July OHSC will be available on these 3 days.
Monday 5th November, is also a school closure day, but OHSC is not available on this day. Message from Lisa Reminder to parents that there are a number of CareMonkey permission requests that need to be attended to. They are:~ Year's Foundation to 6 - Permission for Publication of Students' Work or Photographs to be used
Year's Foundation, 1 & 2 - Shrove Tuesday Pancakes, 13/2/18 Year's 3 & 4 - Shrove Tuesday Pancakes, 13/2/18 Year's 5 & 6 - Shrove Tuesday Pancakes, 13/2/18 Year's 5 & 6 - 2018 Summer Interschool Sports If you could reply to these via CareMonkey as soon as possible, it would be greatly appreciated. Goal Setting interviews are on Tuesday 20th February and Wednesday 21st February, appointment times need to be made on Flexibuzz. There was a Flexibuzz message sent earlier this week. Reminder to current Foundation families, if you have only selected “Future Families”, please
select “Foundation” as that is where your notices will be sent to.
Message from Mr Andrew
The Melbourne Stars are running a season of T20 Blast Cricket on a Tuesday afternoon at WJ Turner reserve for all of Term 1. The game is a modified entry level game suited for children aged 7 years and up. Every player gets to bowl, field, wicket keep and bat very game. The game is very engaging and is a great fun way for kids to develop their skills in a safe, professionally ran environment.
Please contact me at school or
on [email protected] if
you have any questions.
Swel Week Activities Morning On Wednesday our students were taught a number of games and activities they can play at morning and lunch recess. Our Year 6 students were divided into 12 groups and they had the task of teaching the rest of the student’s fun things to do with their friends. We learned how to play “What's the Time Mr. Wolf”, “40/40”, “4 Square” and many other playground favourites. Our year 6's did a great job in explaining, demonstrating and encouraging the younger students. The morning gave them a real, hands on experience at being a school leader.
St. Elizabeth’s Community There is a lot happening during the beginning of the school year: ~
Coles Sports for Schools program is back on, so please collect your vouchers and send them along to school or pop them into the box, either at Waverley Gardens (make sure it’s St. Elizabeth’s box), in our church foyer, or in our reception foyer. Parents, Friends and Caregivers, we are hosting a meeting this Monday (12th February) 7:30pm in The Nook, please come along. We are looking for ideas to get our families together and some ideas for fundraising. We will also be discussing the Schools 40th Anniversary.
News from The Nook. A reminder that parents are encouraged to borrow books from our library (Mondays to Thursdays). Please remember that you are welcome to come in and have a cuppa either at the beginning of the day or before you pick up your child/children at the end of the day.
Message from Ms Howe Welcome back to Media / Arts
This term I will be focussing on the basic skills that are used to create and design our work pieces across each level. I will be emphasising colour, pattern and shape in the junior areas and how we can present work pieces that communicate our ideas to an audience with some technology.
I will work on the design process in the middle and senior areas but allow the students to use the technology skills that they already know and look at different strategies that they can use to communicate to their audiences.
We will be using a variety of apps across the school. ChatterPix is a fun one that I have found that is easy to use and free to download. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/chatterpix-kids-by-duck-duck-moose/id734046126?mt=8
Here are some photos of some our students designing their Media/ Arts book front covers.
Message from Ms Ladson: In Foundation, Year 1/2 & Year 3/4 students will be exploring the subject of Music. They will be experimenting with different sounds and learning how to combine these. They will learn to listen and respond to music, becoming aware of the elements of beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics and tempo as they sing, play, improvise and move to music. Students will also learn to use their voice and other instruments appropriately and safely. In Year 5/6 students will be exploring drama, particularly performing scripted drama, independently and collaboratively with their peers. Students will learn to develop characters through their voice, movement, and develop stage presence for their upcoming Cross Arts Performance in Term 2.
School Banking School Banking at St Elizabeth’s is done on Tuesday mornings. A flyer was sent home this week which tells you about the new super saver rewards items and the super savers competition grand prize. Also on the flyer is information regarding the CommBank Youth app and activity sheets.
Community Sports:
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St. Elizabeth’s Out of School Hours Care Program …
YOUTH LEADERSHIP VICTORIA PRESENTS – ST ELIZABETH’S OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Contact Details ….
111 Bakers Road,
Dandenong North
Ph. 0422 803 709
Before School Care
Permanent: $13.50 /Casual $16.00
7am to 8:55am Monday to Friday during
school term, excluding all Victorian Public
Holidays.
After School Care
Permanent: $14.50 /Casual $17.00
3:15pm to 6:15pm Monday to Friday during
school term, excluding all Victorian Public
Holidays.
Vacation Care / Pupil Free Days
Per Day: $50.00
7am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday
(The School Holiday Programme in January
will be held at St Anthony’s and St. Marys)
Late Pick Up Fees: Per minute: $1.00
For enquires or further information, please
contact Elarine on 0422 803 709 during
session times.
Fortnightly Activities …
Monday 12th February to Friday 23rd
February
Monday Scratch Boards, Chalk
Drawings, Writing Games,
Footy Play
Tuesday Pompom Designs,
Popstick Designs, Be
Creative With Play Dough
Wednesday Shaving Cream Art, Puff
Painting, Hama Bead Art,
Fruit Salad
Thursday Moon Sand Play, Create
A Bookmark Using Felt,
Tunnel Ball, Knockout
Friday Colourful Origami, 40-40,
Smartie Bingo
If you need care, please contact Elarine,
on 0422 803 709