Term 2 Week 1 Tuesday 26th April, 2022
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Our Prayer This Week
- From the Principal
- Anzac Day
- Building Update
- Family Engagement
- Awards
- RATs
- NAPLAN
- Happy Birthday
- The Farm
- Footy Tipping Competition 2022
- Circle of Security-Learning Opportunity
- Safety at St Colman's
- Key Dates for the Diary
- Parish Bulletin
- COVID Reminders
- NetSetGo is Back for 2022!
- Auskick
Acknowledgement of Country
St Colman’s acknowledges the Girai wurung people as the traditional owners of the land on which our school stands and we respectfully recognise elders both past and present.
Our Prayer This Week
Gracious and loving God,
the cross of Christ is the sign of your desire for justice and peace for all.
Open our minds to your vision as we remember all who suffered
through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Grant all servicepersons who sacrificed health and life for the good of all, the gift of your deep peace.
May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought become instruments of your peace in our homes, workplaces and world.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen
From the Principal
Welcome to Term 2. I hope that everyone had a chance to enjoy the beautiful sunshine as well as some rest and relaxation after a busy term.
There is no easing into the term. I am away Tuesday and Wednesday in Ballarat with a leadership course. Like most things, this was postponed due to Covid. On Friday we have our school cross country event. More details will be circulated in regards to times later in the week. However, there will be a sausage sizzle on this day (no cost).
We also have our school closure day for Family Engagement on Monday 2nd May.
It has also been brought to my attention that we are now required to have May Race Day as our Public Holiday. This is Thursday 5th May. I sincerely apologise for the late confirmation of this date and for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Covid restrictions continue to ease, so please read the new requirements carefully later in the newsletter. Please remember, if your child is symptomatic in any way then they should be kept at home. Thank you to everyone who works hard to keep our community safe.
Term 2 also means that we are now transitioning into winter uniform.
Best wishes for a great term,
Stacey Atkins
Principal
Anzac Day
Thank you to all those people who were able to support the Anzac Day March in Mortlake. Anzac Day is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices that so many people have made in contributing to the peaceful lives that we enjoy here in Australia. Thank you to Arlo and Remy who laid a wreath on behalf of our school community. This year we particularly remember the people of Ukraine and their struggle. Lest we forget.
Building Update
What a difference two weeks makes! Our 'shed' is now up. Thanks to the hard work of West Vic Sheds over the holidays and the exceptionally good weather, our basketball court is now covered and ready for use. The roof will ensure that we have a space to play in all weather. Planning will now commence to replace the court, although this may take some time.
The footpath in front of the school has aslo made significant progress. Thank you to everyone for your continued patience as this work continues in front of the remainder of the school and towards the parish.
Family Engagement
Thank you to those parents who were able to attend our Learning Walk at the end of term.
Those who attended found the walk very valuable and gained a number of insights into learning at St Colman's. At the conclusion of the walk, Tony asked them to complete the sentence, Learning at St Colman's is.....
Some of the responses included:
- Wholistic
- Modern
- Innovative
- Walking their own path in a community environment
It was a great chance for parents to connect with each other.
Next Monday will be the second phase of our work with Tony Dalton in regards to Family Engagements.
Parents are warmly invited to participate in this day. If you would like to express your interest and find out more please contact Stacey. principal@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au
Awards
Congratulations to our award winners from the last day of term, Millie, Mason, Noah, Arlo, Indi, Nat, Isabella, Leo, Alex, Steff, William, Adia and Charlotte.
RATs
At the conclusion of Term 1, the Victorian Government announced that it is extending the rapid antigen test (RAT) screening program for the first 4 weeks of Term 2.
RATs will be sent home with students today so please check their bags.
The screening recommendations will remain the same next term for students and staff with testing being recommended to take place at home twice a week.
If there is a positive case in your household please contact the school.
NAPLAN
The annual NAPLAN tests will be conducted from May 10. This year they will be held online in the areas of Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Maths.
Each year 3 and 5 child will receive the following flyer. If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN please contact Stacey.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to Charlotte O for today and to Zoe for Friday. We all hope they have a great day.
The Farm
The Farm has had a bit of a tidy up and we are now preparing the raised garden beds for planting. If families have any horse manure or similar that can be used for fertiliser please drop this off at the farm or contact Stacey.
principal@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au
Footy Tipping Competition 2022
Not too much has changed in the Footy Tipping with Stacey, Jenn Finn and Pippa Kate still in the top 4 but watch out for Tommy Dale who has started to make his move. Sharyn Grinter and the Methodical Flame Thrower round out the top 6.
15 tippers tipped 8/9 this weekend. Good job team!
Circle of Security-Learning Opportunity
This 8 week parenting program, supported by Catholic Care Victoria, is an excellent opportunity.
If we have enough parents from St. Thomas’s and St. Colman’s it will run here during the afternoon from 1-3 pm commencing May 21
We do need a minimum number of parents to ensure that it runs. If you are interested, please contact Stacey at school or via email principal@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au
Safety at St Colman's
Paul Brown is the compliance officer at St Colman's, as well as St Patrick's and St Thomas'. We are thankful to Paul for all that he does to ensure that our community is safe, as well as compliant with the many regulations that schools need to adhere too.
Each term Paul creates a safety newsletter. He also awards a staff member and student who help keep to our school safe. This term we congratulate Charlotte and Noah on being these two people. Both Charlotte and Noah consistently look out for other people in our school and through their actions ensure the safety of others.
Key Dates for the Diary
Term 2
25th April Anzac Day
26th April Term 2 commences
29th April- School Cross Country
2nd May- School Closure: Parent Engagement with Tony Dalton
3rd May- District Cross Country
5th May- May Race Day Public Holiday
23rd May- School Closure: Literacy focus
27th May- HCSN Network Day
13th June- Public Holiday
Term 3
1st August- School Closure: Literacy Pedagogy
8th September- School Closure: Liturgy (Religious Education)
TBC: First Aid closure day to update CPR and other First Aid requirements.
Our Schoolzine calendar is now operational so there's numerous dates available on the app.
Parish Bulletin
Mass is celebrated at St Colman's every Sunday at 9am. All welcome.
COVID Reminders
Vaccination
Triple vaccination status will continue to be a requirement for all staff onsite with students and will be required for any volunteers and visiting workers. This will include:
- Parents assisting in classrooms.
- Visiting medical and allied health professionals.
- Visiting speakers, presenters and performers.
- Student teachers.
Parents visiting the school to attend school events (ie sports, performances, classroom visits) will not be required to declare their vaccination status.
Rapid Antigen Tests
Staff and students are invited to continue RATs twice a week. Staff or students who have previously had a positive COVID test are not required to test for 12 weeks after their initial positive result.
Managing a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
As soon as a staff member or student becomes aware of being a suspected case - that is symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste):
- The suspected case is required to leave the school site, or be isolated on-site until they are able to leave.
- The suspected case is required to be tested with a rapid antigen test (if at home). A positive test result must be reported to the Department of Health.
- Positive cases must be isolated for 7 days.
In the event that school receives notification that a staff member or student was infectious while onsite:
- All staff must use a rapid antigen test if they have symptoms.
- All students must use a rapid antigen test if they 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.
If a staff member or student tests positive with a rapid antigen test but does not have symptoms or has not been in contact with a positive case, a PCR test is recommended. If a subsequent PCR shows a negative result the staff member or student can return to school.
Close Contacts
A close contact (a person who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID 19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility) is no longer required to isolate as long as they follow the additional safety measures:
- Notify the school if returning within the 7 day period.
- Undertake RAT testing on school days within the 7 day period (unless the 12 week exemption applies)
- Wear a mask indoors if an adult or a student Yr 3-6.
- Not visit hospitals or care facilities.
- Avoid contact with people at higher risk of infection.
- If symptomatic take a RAT or PCR test.
Masks
Masks are no longer required to be worn by students, staff or visitors. However the wearing of masks continues to be a recommended practice which will still be required in certain circumstances including bus travel or a period of high levels of prolonged transmission.
Any staff of students who are identified as close contacts must wear a mask indoors.
RAT tests will be sent home tomorrow. If you do not wish to receive these please make contact with the school.
NetSetGo is Back for 2022!
The TMFNC NetSetGo program will run in Term 2 for 45 minutes every Thursday. The first session will be Thursday 28th April.
Please note registrations are through a new program called Netball Connect. You will need to create new login details.
Once your child is registered you will receive an email a few days later with instructions on how to access the netsetgo shop to redeem your child’s participant pack (ball and tshirt). For a few extra dollars your child’s tshirt can be personalised.
Registration Link below....
https://netball-registration.
OR See the details below for Woorndoo Mortlake Football Netball Club.
Or See the details below for the Kolora Noorat Football Netball Club.
Auskick
Auskick kicks off in Mortlake on May 1st. Please see the flyer for details on how to register. Contact Jess Dennis on 0422 808107 for details.