Term 4 Week 5 Monday 30th October 2023
- Our Weekly Prayer
- From the Principal
- Key dates for the Diary
- Grandparent's Day
- Term 4 Sun Smart Policy
- Term 4 Classroom information
- 5/6 Camp to Melbourne
- School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS)
- Baking Queen
- School Fees Reminder
- Weekly Award Winners
- Playgroup at St Colman's
- Lunch Orders
- St. Colman's Enrolments
- Birthday Wishes
- School Advisory Council
- Our Lady of Mercy Parish Newsletter
- St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community
- Out of School Care
- COMMUNITY NEWS
- Mortlake Rose Show
- St Joseph’s Church Caramut
- AngliCare Energy Assistance
- MRC Car Raffle is back for 2023!
- MRC 50th Jubilee Celebrations
- Cricket Blast
- Cricket Blast
- NCCD
- Covid Information
Our Weekly Prayer
From the Principal
Dear St Colman's community,
Welcome to Week 5. A special thanks to the parents who have agreed to give up some of their week to help us out with Meals on Wheels this week.
Last Friday schools all over Australia acknowledged World Teacher's Day.
World Teachers’ Day is a day of recognition and appreciation for teachers around the world. It’s an occasion to celebrate the profound impact teachers have on society by equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed for success. This day also serves as a reminder of the importance of quality education and the role of teachers in achieving it.
At St Colman's we are very lucky to have such dedicated teachers who do whatever it takes to provide each child with quality learning opportunities and pastoral care. I feel incredibly blessed to work alongside such an amazing team of professionals.
Read on to find out what else is happening in our school community. It is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the key dates section of the newsletter. Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.
Have a great week.
Kind regards,
Janet
Key dates for the Diary
Term 4
30th October- 3rd November- Meals on Wheels
- Shandell on Carers Leave
Tuesday November 7th - St Colman's Feast Day celebrations
Friday November 10th- RE SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
Friday November 17th - Kinder Transition Day 1
November 22-24 - Year 5/6 Camp to Melbourne
Friday November 24th - Kinder Transition Day 2
Sunday November 26th- Sacrament of Eucharist
Thursday November 30th- SAC AGM at Macs Hotel, 6pm
Friday December 1st - Kinder Transition Day 3
Friday December 8th - Kinder Transition Day 4
Tuesday December 12th- Whole school "Move up Day"
- End of Year Mass and family BBQ @ 5:30pm
Wednesday December 13th- Abberlea visit and carols
Friday Decemebr 15th- Last day for students (normal finish time)
Monday December 18th- Last day for staff
2023 Meals on Wheels Roster
Week beginning; 30th October
School Closure Dates 2023
Term 4: Friday 10th November (Catholic Social Teaching)
School Camps and Excursions 2023
Year 5/6 Camp to Melbourne November 22-24
Grandparent's Day
Our school community spent a wonderful morning with our grandparents and special friends last Tuesday. It was fabulous to see the obvious bond between the grandparents and grandchildren and the morning provided us all with the opportunity to reflect on the guidance we have received from older generations and to show our love and respect for them.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on this day and to the staff at St Colman's for all their work in preparing for the day.
Term 4 Sun Smart Policy
Children are required to wear their St Colman's school hat for all outdoor activities during Term 4. The first week was a 'grace period', but now we have implemented our No Hat No Outdoor Play policy.
Please take the time to find your child's hat and check that it is in clean and presentable condition.
Term 4 Classroom information
5/6 Camp to Melbourne
A note was sent via PAM providing more details about the up coming Year 5/6 school camp. We also need parents to complete the online form informing us of any dietary or medical needs for your child. Please ensure you access this information on PAM.
School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS)
At St Colman's we want everyone in our community to be Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Our school wants us to develop these values so that they become a part of how we live our life at school each day. This will lead to a safer, kinder and more considerate school community and will help everyone to be able to learn and grow to their full potential.
As a Catholic School, the example of Jesus is at the heart of all that we do. This is how Jesus lived his life and we encourage everyone to be the best versions of themselves each day and contribute to our school in a positive way.
Our school has developed a School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix which outlines our core values of Welcome, Learn and Care and how they can be transferred into respectful, responsible & safe behaviours that we would like to see everyone doing.
Currently we are having a few focusses or what we call blitzes from our Matrix to ensure students are following those expected behaviours. These blitzes are focussing on the core value of WELCOME:
Wk 1-3: We welcome all visitors to our school
Wk 4-6: We treat all teachers and visitors with RESPECT
Wk 7-9: We use a respectful tone to all staff, students and visitors
When staff see these behaviours being demonstrated children will be acknowledged and receive Double Dojo points.
Baking Queen
Congratulations to our Year 5 student, Remy Herry who had a lot of success at the Warrnambool Show on the weekend. Remy won 5 sections of the Under 18’s Baking Competition and also got a second and third placing. Two of her classes were VAS Classes which means she is now qualified to go onto the next level. What a great effort Remy! Good luck at Regionals!!
School Fees Reminder
Just a reminder that we are now three quarters of the way through the year!! Our governing body is looking at our fee collection and will be asking questions about any fees that haven't either been paid, have a payment plan or signed paperwork, very soon. It is a requirement by DOBCEL that all school fees are paid by the end of the year. If you haven't set up a payment plan yet or signed paperwork stating how you intend to pay, please contact the office ASAP.
If you need any assistance or have any questions please contact Janet or Jane (Monday or Thursdays 9-3), or send an email to admin@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au
Weekly Award Winners
Congratulations to all of our students for completing another week of hard work.
We especially acknowledge the students who received an award during our assembly on Friday afternoon. All parents are invited to join us for our weekly assembly from 2:50 each Friday.
Well done Spencer, Adia, Alex, Archie and Gus who all received awards last week.
Playgroup at St Colman's
We have been delighted by the success of Little Colman's Playtime and we are extremely grateful to Lily Convery-Oborne for her passion and commitment in getting this little initiative up and running. Due to the popularity of this playgroup, we have decided to make this a fortnightly event, and the next session is this FRIDAY- 3rd November.
The ongoing commitment to this project will require support from other members of the school community. If you are willing to help out by going on a roster to help organise Little Colman’s, please contact either the school or Lily.
WE WILL NEED TO PURCHASE SOME GAMES AND EQUIPMENT FOR OUR PLAYGROUP. HOWEVER, WE WONDERED IF YOU HAD ANY OLD TOYS AND GAMES THAT YOUR CHILDREN HAVE GROWN OUT OF AND THAT YOU NO LONGER NEED. IF SO, WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE DONATION OF ANY PRE-SCHOOL TOYS AND GAMES, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR, THAT ARE IN EXCELLENT USED CONDITION.
Lunch Orders
LUNCH ORDERS are only available twice a week on Monday and Friday.
Menu and price list below
St. Colman's Enrolments
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to any members of our school community who are celebrating a birthday this week.
Many blessings to you on your special day and throughout the year.
School Advisory Council
We would like to introduce you to our SAC members for 2022-2023. Lily Convery-Oborne (Chair), Jo Wallis, Alison Greig, Michelle Lehmann, Jo Dolling, Zion Palmer, Sophie and Nick Allen, Rachel Baulch, Rosie O’Connor (School rep), Janet Cain (Principal) and Fr. Gary Jones (Parish Rep)
These people are the voice of the parish and parents in the school. If you have any questions or anything that you would like raised please contact one of these people.
The SAC meets twice a term and we thank these people for agreeing to be a part of this group that provides an essential link between the school and its families.
Term 4 Meeting Dates:
Thursday 30th November AGM Dinner Meeting @6pm (Macs Hotel)
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Newsletter
St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community
Child Safety Officers
Janet Cain and Rosie O'Connor are our Child Safety Officers.
Contact them on:
Phone: 55992285 or 0490539167
Email: jcain@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au or roconnor@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au
Child Safe Standards (eleven in total) came into effect in July 2022 and are a vital part of what we do here at St Colman’s. But what do these standards look like in practice? Each week, we will look at a standard in closer detail
Standard 7 - Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
At St Colman’s we can see this standard in action in a variety of ways. If a child is concerned about something, we encourage and welcome the reporting of these concerns. We work hard to ensure that complaints are responded to promptly, thoroughly and fairly. Our website contains a link to our Complaints Handling Policy and the PROTECT: Identifying and Responding to Student Sexual Offending Policy and Reporting and Responding Obligations Policy.
We display the PROTECT posters throughout our school and all staff receive the Identifying and Responding to All Forms of Abuse in Victorian Schools document as part of their annual induction training.
We conduct student Wellbeing surveys at least twice a year to check in with how students are feeling and any concerns are followed up and dealt with promptly. We discuss our School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB) foci each week and students are reminded to “talk to your teachers and other staff if you are having difficulties or notice something that is not okay - we will always help.”
More information about these standards can be found by clicking on the link below.
Out of School Care
A reminder that during 2023 we have access to Out of School Care, supplied by TheirCare, at Mortlake College. Registration is made via the TheirCare website. https://theircare.com.au/
Search for Mortlake College P-12
COMMUNITY NEWS
Mortlake Rose Show
The historical Mortlake Rose Show is celebrating a milestone 125th year this year and we are very proud to support this community event being held on November 11th and 12th.
They have a new addition this year of a free Kids activity corner! This will be manned by one of our students and her siblings, so we're hoping to see some familiar faces come along!
St Colman's will also be operating a cake stall at the show. We will have more information about how you can help support this cake stall next week.
St Joseph’s Church Caramut
Final Mass & Closure Celebration Sunday 12th November @ 11.00am
Luncheon to follow at 12.00pm @ Caramut Hotel RSVP: by 1st November to the Parish Office on 5592 1195 for Mass &/or Luncheon
CONTENTS OF CHURCH
The contents of the Caramut Church are for sale. We have had a lot of interest in the Pews. All contents of the Church will be removed after the final Mass & those who have purchased items will be contacted to arrange a time & date to pick up their goods from our storage area. All contents have been documented/photographed & are not to be removed without permission
AngliCare Energy Assistance
As part of Anglicare Victoria’s FREE Energy Assistance Program, they provide assistance with energy bills to support Victorians to:
- Talk to their energy retailer and get help with debt
- Access extra financial support
- Check they are receiving eligible concessions on their bill
- Find and move to an affordable energy plan
- Understand bills and fix any possible errors
- Support your child's education with free internet at home
They can provide immediate assistance for clients who are struggling to pay for their gas or electricity bills to prevent disconnection to their property!
The follower two flyers provide further details.
MRC Car Raffle is back for 2023!
1st Prize is a Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport (demo) and 9 more fantastic prizes!
Tickets are $10 each (6 for $50, 13 for $100) and are available online from https://shop.mercy.vic.edu.au/
Paper raffle tickets are also at many local shops and events.
MRC 50th Jubilee Celebrations
Mercy Regional College is celebrating 50 years of Catholic education in our community. If you are a past student you may wish to attend one of the events they have planned.
Jubilee Day
We would love our past students, families and staff to join us in this celebration on Saturday 25 November from 11:30 to 3:30 in Camperdown. School tours, roll calls and displays for each decade, food trucks and music, tree planting, free family portraits, afternoon tea and more. This event is free.
Jubilee Dinner
On Saturday evening (25 November) we will gather for dinner and the presentation of the inaugural Spirit of Mercy Awards, and the Annual Car Raffle. Then you are invited to kick up your heels to the lively music of The People’s Poets.
Click on the link below for more information and to secure your spot!
Cricket Blast
Cricket Blast
NCCD
Please read the attached information sheet for parents regarding NCCD.
Covid Information
As we have had quite a few reported cases of Covid 19 within our community, it is timely to remind ourselves of COVID Safe arrangements. We will be encouraging greater vigilance with our hand washing procedures at school.
Although there are no mandated isolation arrangements, the following is strongly recommended:
It is strongly recommended that students:
● Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
● Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
● Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.
Where students become symptomatic at school, they should:
● Be collected by their parents/carers.
● Undergo testing for COVID-19.
It is strongly recommended that staff:
● Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
● Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
● Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.
If families require RAT kits, please contact the school office.
COVID-19 reporting requirements.
The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household.
Schools no longer have to alert their school community of positive cases, however we will continue to do this informally.
Face masks.
Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.