Term 2 Week 1 Monday 15th April 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Important Dates:

Term 2 2024

Monday 15^th April- Term 2 commences- Jane Lee on LSL for 4 weeks

Monday 22nd April- Sacramental Information session @ 3:30pm in Rosie's classroom.

Wednesday 24th April- St Colman's Cross Country

Thursday 25th April - ANZAC Day

Friday 26th April - Student Free Day- Staff Professional Learning in Wellbeing 

Monday 29th April - Catholic Education Week

                                         - GRIP Student Leadership Day

Tuesday 30th April- Open Morning

Thursday 2nd May- Warrnambool Cup Public Hioliday

2024 School Camps (with St Thomas’ Terang)

Sept 2^nd-3^rd: Year 3/4 Warra Gnan Coastal Camp, Warrnambool

Nov 13^th-15^th: Year 5/6 Dunkeld Adventure Camp

School Closure Days for 2024

Term 2: Friday 26^th April- Wellbeing

                  Thursday 2nd May- Warrnambool Cup Public Hioliday

Term 3: Monday 15^th July- Religious Education; Re-contextualising the Scriptures.

                Tuesday 16^th July- Structured Literacy

2024 Sacramental Program

We are pleased to invite all children in Year 3-6 to participate in our 2024 Sacramental program. This year, we will offer the Sacrament of Confirmation which will be held on Sunday 19th May at St Colman’s Church. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three Sacraments of initiation, beginning with Baptism and finishing with Holy Communion.

The Parish of Our Lady of Mercy is transitioning to a new structure for receiving the Sacraments. Therefore, going forward, children in Year 3 will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and those in Year 4 will participate in First Reconciliation and will receive the Sacrament of First Communion.

Please note that Confirmation will be the only Sacrament that we will celebrate at St Colman's this year. Holy Communion and Reconciliation will take place for our students in Year 4 and above in 2025.

Please make contact with either Janet or Rosie by this WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17th, if you would like your child to take part. 

Participation in our Sacramental program is entirely voluntary, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. 

An information session on our Sacramental Program is being offered by our Religious Education Leader, Rosie O'Connor, next Monday at 3:30pm. It is highly recommended that all parents who have children participating in the program for the first time attend this meeting. I am sure that it will provide answers to all the questions you may have.

Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey

Every five years all Catholic primary schools in our diocese complete the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey. 

The Catholic University in Leuven was commissioned by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) to design a process and tools, based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where the school community might like to see itself in the future.

The ECSI Survey is a key element of this process and I write to request your participation. The online survey gathers responses from students in Years 5 and 6, all staff and a representative sample of parents.

You are asked to complete the survey online; it may take up to an hour to do so. Attached is a letter of explanation and a set of instructions. Your child will also bring home a copy of this information today. In order to get an accurate picture of how our school community sees our school, it is essential that as many of you as possible complete the survey. Please find some time in your busy lives to sit and reflect upon our Catholic Identity and complete the survey.

Go to; http://www.ecsi.site/au/user/

Enter the password: Ghj654

Click on NEW USER

Our school Access code is: (case sensitive): mpUWYb

Many thanks in advance for taking the time to do so!

Our Lady of Mercy Parish News

WEEKEND MASS TIMES
ST THOMAS’ TERANG
Saturday 6.00 pm
Sunday 10.30 am
ST COLMAN’S MORTLAKE
Sunday 9.00 am

New Blue House Captain

With Xavier and the Camplin family leaving us at the end of last term, we had an opening in our Student Leadership Team. The role of Blue House captain will now be filled by Cooper Francis. Congratulations on your new role Cooper!

GRIP Student Leadership Conference

On April 29^th, our six Year 6 student leaders; Mason, Ivy, Alex, Phoebe, Cooper and Will along with Anna and Mrs Cain, will be participating in the GRIP Student Leadership Conference in Geelong. Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sessions that will include a main presentation, interactive activities, discussions and leadership games. The GRIP Student Leadership Conference concentrates specifically on training student leaders for their role as current SCHOOL LEADERS. The goal of the conference is that our student leaders will leave the conference with a clear vision, a solid understanding and dozens of ideas for their time as a leader. 

Specialist Timetable for Term 2

Below is the Specialist timetable for Term 2. All children need to wear their sports uniform and return their library books each Wednesday

We invite all current families to encourage any prospective families to join us for our Open Morning on 30th April 2024 from 9am to 11:30am. All visitors to our school will go into a draw to win a lucky door prize.

🏫 Explore Our School: Tour our vibrant classrooms, playgrounds, and facilities, and see firsthand the exciting learning opportunities we offer.

👩‍🏫 Meet Our Teachers: Chat with our dedicated educators, learn about our curriculum, and discover how we nurture each child's unique talents.

🎨 Experience Learning: Participate in fun activities, view student learning, and get a taste of the engaging educational experiences we provide.

📚 Learn About Our Community: Discover how we create a supportive, inclusive community where every family is valued.

A morning tea will be held in the school library at 11am where you will be able to meet with our current Foundation teacher Shandell Moloney and discuss with her any questions you may have about your child's transition into Primary School.

Join us and see why St Colman's is the perfect place for your child to learn, grow, and thrive.

ANZAC Day service

All students are encouraged to represent our school community at the local ANZAC Day commemorative service next Thursday, April 25^th. We will meet at the former Post Office site, on the corner of Dunlop and Webster St, at 9:45am ready for the parade to the War Memorial which starts at 10am. Our school captains, Ivy and Mason, will lay a wreath during the service. All children are asked to wear their school uniform.

Free Wardrobes

We have two white wardrobes that we no longer need. See images below.

They are free to a good home. If you are interested, please contact the school office.

Free wardrobes

School Advisory Council (SAC)

We would like to introduce you to our SAC members for 2024.   

Jo Wallis (Chair), Alison Greig, Michelle Lehmann, Zion Palmer, Sophie Allen, Rachel Baulch, Danielle Kenny, 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.

This year we will hold our meetings Wednesday of week 3 and week 8 each term starting at 6:30pm.

The dates are;

Term 2: May 1st and June 5th

Term 3: July 31st and Sept 4th

Term 4: October 23rd and Nov 27th (AGM)

Playgroup at St Colman's

We look forward to welcoming back our local pre-schoolers every second Friday, with our next session being held this week, Friday April 19th.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE PRE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!

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.

SCHOOL NURSE VISIT

Each year our Foundation students have the opportunity to have a FREE health and wellbeing check conducted on them by the visiting School Nurse. If you would like your Foundation child to have this check, please complete either the online questionnaire or request a paper version from Shandell. 

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support is: A multi-tiered framework for establishing the social culture and behavioural supports needed for a school to achieve behavioural and academic outcomes for all students. For the next two weeks at St Colman’s we are working with our students on developing effective learning habits that will set them up for success throughout the year ahead. During that time, all staff will be reinforcing the behaviour expectations as set out in our Behavior Matrix (below).

SchoolTV Wellbeing Platform

This week's feature articles explain the importance of promoting respectful relationships to our children.

Initiating conversations about respectful relationships with children is crucial for their emotional and social development. By addressing topics like kindness, empathy, and communication, parents create a foundation for healthy interactions. These discussions promote awareness of boundaries, consent, and mutual understanding, fostering a safe environment where children can thrive. 

"Respectful relationships promotes respect and gender equality and helps students learn how to build healthy relationships. It prepares students to face challenges by developing problem-solving skills and building resilience and confidence." Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Birthday Wishes

We would like to wish two of our Year 6 students, Cooper and Alex, a very happy birthday for this week. We also wish a happy birthday to any other members of our community who are a celebrating a birthday during the week. 

We send you many blessings on your special day and throughout the year. 

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

The Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse.  provides the framework for child safety in schools.

Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 4 St Colman's must, at a minimum, ensure:

4.1    Families participate in decisions affecting their child.

4.2    The organisation engages and openly communicates with families and the community about its child safe approach and relevant information is accessible.

4.3    Families and communities have a say in the development and review of the organisation’s policies and practices.

4.4    Families, carers and the community are informed about the organisation’s operations and governance.

How are we implementing this at St Colman's (SCM)??

• Engaging Families and Caregivers in Child Policy and the Diversity and Equity Policy have been endorsed by the SAC and are available on the school website/SIMON portal for staff. 
• SCM provides parents with educational materials, pamphlets, and resources on child safety and well-being topics that they can access at their convenience such as SchoolTV 
• The Pastoral Care Worker provides support to students and families.
• The school promotes student and school achievements through the Annual Report to the School Community 
• The School’s Complaint Handling Policy and procedures outlines the way of keeping families and caregivers informed and provide guidance on how to do this while complying with obligations regarding confidentiality and privacy. 
• Families and caregivers have an opportunity to participate in decisions made by the school that impact the safety and wellbeing of their child, using a variety of methods including casual and ongoing participation in the School Advisory Council (SAC). 
• Child safety matters are raised regularly with parents and caregivers (and the broader school community) via school newsletters, website and other appropriate communication tools. . 
• The school has embraced inclusive pedagogy and a commitment to uphold the rights of CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) families in order to support settlement and integration, ensure safety and wellbeing and to develop students’ English language proficiency and academic learning.
• School website shows  different student backgrounds represented in images

If you have any questions about our implementation of this Standard, or have a suggestion about how we could be doing this better, please contact  our Child Safety Officers; Janet Cain and Rosie O'Connor.

Our Student Representative Council will be co ordinating our partnership with Cooinda Terang to become a collection point for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).

We will be collecting all eligible empty drink containers and then returning them to the CDS collection point at Cooinda. The 10c raised from each return will go back to the SRC. They will nominate various charities to support as well as using 50% of the funds to upgrade school resources.

So please start collecting and sending in your empties. 

Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible. You can keep the lids on, we recycle them too. The easiest way to know if your drink container can be returned is to look for the 10c mark on the label, often located near the barcode.

You can help in two ways:

1. The first is by far the simplest. Just return your empty eligible containers to the tubs in the corridors at school.
2. If you have a large amount of containers to deposit, you may wish to take them to a Container Deposit Depot and return them yourself. Please download the CDS Vic West App (instructions below). When you return your containers, nominate St Colman's School Mortlake as the charity you want to donate the money to.

Please note, that as we are in partnership with Cooinda Terang, our preferred deposit depot is their Reverse Vending Machine located at 49 Dow St Terang.

Camperdown Theatre Company

Toastie Tuesday

Lunch Orders

LUNCH ORDERS are only available twice a week on Monday and Friday.

Menu and price list 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

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.

NCCD

Please read the attached information sheet for parents regarding NCCD.