Term 4 Week 4 Monday 23rd October 2023

Our Weekly Prayer

From the Principal

Key dates for the Diary

Term 4

Monday October 23rd: Visit to Marie Varley's garden

Tuesday October 24th- Grandparent's Day

30th October- 3rd November- Meals on Wheels 

                                                           - Shandell on Carers Leave 

Tuesday November 7th- Whole school Mass for Eucharistic candidates

Friday November 10th- RE SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY

Friday November 17th - Kinder Transition Day 1

                                                - St Colman's Feast Day celebrations

November 22-24 - Year 5/6 Camp to Melbourne 

Friday November 24th  - Kinder Transition Day 2

Sunday November 26th- Sacrament of Eucharist

Tuesday November 28th - Instrumental students' Music Performance for families @ 5:15pm

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 

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', however, as of this week we will be implementing 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.

Staffing Announcements

Last week we conducted interviews for the advertised classroom teaching position for the 2024 school year. We are pleased to advise you that Anna Bourke has accepted the position. We look forward to working with Anna again next year and know that she will continue to provide consistency and positivity to her role as Senior room teacher.

Bridget Van Den Broek and Mikayla Owen have informed us of their intention to not return to St Colman's next year. Bridget has accepted a position as STEM teacher at St Patrick's Koroit and Mikayla will seek employment opportunities closer to home. We wish both ladies best wishes for their future endeavours and will formally thank them for their many years of service at our end of year celebrations on December 12^th.

We will also be advertising for a Health/PE teaching position in the coming days. This will again be advertised as a joint position with St Thomas’ Terang, one day at each school.

In addition to that, we will also be advertising for an LSO to work 0.6 (3 days per week) in the Senior room. If you know anyone who you think would be a perfect fit for our staff and the commuity of St Colman’s, in either of these positions, please encourage them to apply.

Term 4 Classroom information

5/6 Camp to Melbourne

Late last week, 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.

Junior Excursion

Last Friday, our Foundation to Year 2 students enjoyed a fantastic excursion to Bounce in Geelong and then McDonald's lunch and play at Bunjil's Nest Playground. They used up some of their endless energy jumping, running, bouncing and playing all day and some even managed to stay awake for the bus trip home.

Thanks to Mrs Moloney, Mrs O'Connor, Miss Stape and Olivia for organising a a memorable experience for our junior students.

Junior Excusrion 20/10/23

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Peace Poster Competiton

We congratulate Billie Carmody on being this year's winner in the annual Lions International Peace Poster contest. Heather Rowe from the Mortlake Lions Club presented Billie with her certificate and prize. Billie's artwork now goes to the next level of  judging and we wish her all the best.

Meals On Wheels

St Colman's is rostered on to do community Meals on Wheels everyday next week and we are seeking volunteers to help. This involves calling in to school at about 11:45 to collect the students who will be helping you on that day. You then go to Mortlake Health Services to receive the meals and directions for the day. It takes no more than an hour each day. If you are able to help on one of the days, please contact the office. Thank you!

Zooper Doopers

Our Senior students will again be selling Zooper Doopers at lunchtime each day. They are 50c each and all money raised goes towards the Vinnies Christmas Appeal to help ensure that families less fortunate than our own receive some happiness this Christmas. As part of our RE program and commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, we will also be doing something else to support this Appeal. More details to come shortly.

Instrumental Students

At St Colman's, we offer access to weekly instrumental lessons with Melanie Pocknall in our Arts room. This year, 14 students have been enjoying weekly lessons. These children will present their annual instrumental concert to their family and friends on Tuesday November 28th at 5:15pm in the Arts Room at school. 

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.

School Fees Reminder

Weekly Award Winners

Congratulations to all of our students for completing another week of hard work.

We didn't have an assembly this week due to the Junior Excursion.

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 next 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 anyone in our school community who is celebrating a birthday this week. We wish them a very happy day!

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

Please note that Father Gary is on leave for three weeks, therefore, there will be no Mass celebrated on Saturday evening in Terang whilst he is away.

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 6 - People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

At St Colman’s we can see this standard in action in a variety of ways. As part of Child Safety, any volunteers coming in to work with our children must be vetted and hold a valid Working With Children’s Check (WWCC) Parent helpers for school activities, such as camps, excursions or our swimming program, are required to hold a current WWCC. All staff and School Advisory Council members are asked to read and sign a Code of Conduct and any new CRT’s that start at St Colman’s through our policies and procedures here at St Colman's, particularly in the area of Child Safety. All adults working with our students must hold either registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) or a valid WWCC.

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 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.