Term 2 Week 2 Monday 22nd April 2024
- Acknowledgement of Country
- From the Principal
- Important Dates:
- MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 61st WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS [21 April 2024]
- 2024 Sacramental Program
- Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey
- Our Lady of Mercy Parish News
- GRIP Student Leadership Conference
- St Colman's Cross Country
- Specialist Timetable for Term 2
- Mother's Day Breakfast
- ANZAC Day service
- Free to a good home
- School Advisory Council (SAC)
- Playgroup at St Colman's
- Australian Early Development Census
- School Wide Positive Behaviour Support
- SchoolTV Wellbeing Platform
- Birthday Wishes
- St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community
- Camperdown Theatre Company
- Australian Govt Mobile Service Centres
- Toastie Tuesday
- Lunch Orders
- Out of School Care
- AngliCare Energy Assistance
- NCCD
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.
From the Principal
Dear St Colman's community,
Welcome to week 2, which is going to be a short but busy week for our school community.
Our school's Cross Country is this Wednesday commencing at 11:30. Further details can be found in this newsletter.
This week on ANZAC Day, we will very proudly gather as a school to participate in the Mortlake community march and ceremony. We hope that as many families as possible will be able to join us to honour the Veterans who sacrificed so much to help provide a brighter future for generations to come.
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 wonderful week.
Kind regards,
Janet
Important Dates:
Term 2 2024
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
Wednesday 1st May- SAC Meeting @ 6:30
Thursday 2nd May- Warrnambool Cup Public Hioliday
Friday 3rd May- Division Aths (Warrnambool)
Monday 6th May- Friday 10th May- Meals on Wheels week
Monday 6th May- HSCN Network Day
Wednesday 8th May- Mother's Day Breakfast from 7:30am
Friday 10th May- District Cross Country @ Noorat
Monday 13th May- Jane returns for leave
Friday 17th May-Division Cross Country
Sunday 19th May- St Colman's Parish Confirmation
2024 School Camps (with St Thomas’ Terang)
Sept 2nd-3rd: Year 3/4 Warra Gnan Coastal Camp, Warrnambool
Nov 13th-15th: Year 5/6 Dunkeld Adventure Camp
School Closure Days for 2024
Term 2: Friday 26th April- Wellbeing
Thursday 2nd May- Warrnambool Cup Public Hioliday
Term 3: Monday 15th July- Religious Education; Re-contextualising the Scriptures.
Tuesday 16th July- Structured Literacy
Catholic Identity
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 61st WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS [21 April 2024]
Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace
Dear brothers and sisters!
Each year, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations invites us to reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to each of us, as members of his faithful pilgrim people, to participate in his loving plan and to embody the beauty of the Gospel in different states of life. Hearing that divine call, which is far from being an imposed duty – even in the name of a religious ideal – is the surest way for us to fulfil our deepest desire for happiness. Our life finds fulfilment when we discover who we are, what our gifts are, where we can make them bear fruit, and what path we can follow in order to become signs and instruments of love, generous acceptance, beauty and peace, wherever we find ourselves.
The rest of Pope Francis' letter can be read below
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.
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.
Sacramental Program
Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey
Thank you to all the parents and students who have completed this survey. If you have not yet done so, please note that this FRIDAY, April 26th is the final day to do so.
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
Learning and Teaching
GRIP Student Leadership Conference
On April 29th, 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.
St Colman's Cross Country
Our annual Cross Country will take place this Wednesday. Everyone is invited to come and cheer our students on. Children are asked to wear a top in their house colour. A schedule is below (please note, times are approximate as they depend on the length of each race).
11:30- Children assemble in the Undercover Area.
11:45- Race 1- 11/12/13 yo boys and girls (5 laps of the block)
Race 2- 10 yo boys and girls ( 1 lap of the oval + 3 laps of the block)
Race 3- 9 yo boys and girls (2 laps of the block)
Race 4- 5/6/7/8 yo boys and girls (2 laps of the oval).
12:45- Presentation of medals.
If you are able to assist with supervising at a corner during the block events, please let the office know by Tuesday afternoon.
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
Health/Phys Ed (Ms. Moulden) | STEAM (Ms. Moulden) | LOTE/Library (Ms. Cain and Miss Stape) | |
Juniors | Wed 11:30-1pm | Tues 1:45-3:15 | Wed 2:15- 3:15 |
Middles | Wed 9:30- 11am | Tues 11:30-1pm | Wed 12:30, 1:45-2:15 |
Seniors | Wed 1:45-3:15 | Tues 9:30- 11am | Wed 11:30-12:30 |
Community Engagement
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.
Mother's Day Breakfast
We would love to see all of our mums and special people at our annual Mother's Day Breakfast. It is being held on a Wednesday morning this year starting at 7:30. Please RSVP by Monday May 6th.
Mothers Day RSVP Attendance
ANZAC Day service
All students are encouraged to represent our school community at the local ANZAC Day commemorative service next Thursday, April 25th. 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 to a good home
In addition to the two white wardrobes advertised on the newsletter last week, we now have three red sofas to give away.
We are upgrading the couches in our staffroom, one 3 seater and two 2.5 seaters. These have been well used and are showing signs of wear and tear. However they are still very sturdy couches that would be great in a toy room, men's cave etc.
If you are interested, please contact the school office.
Free wardrobes
Sofas
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 next week, Friday May 3rd.
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.
WELLLBEING
Australian Early Development Census
Foundation families will today receive a letter providing information about the Australian Early Development Census. The AEDC is a national census conducted every three years by the Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments.
The purpose of the AEDC is to measure how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school, and it is a voluntary and confidential process.
At St.Colman's, this process will take place in early May. To provide consent for the collection of your child's information, you do not need to do anything. However, if you do not consent, please contact Janet Cain or Shandell Moloney before the 1st of May.
Please click on the link below to go to the AEDC for futher information.
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
Explaining Traumatic Events
In the wake of the recent tragic events in Bondi, we thought it important to share this video on "Explaining Traumatic Events to Young Children and Teens" with families. While the event referred to in the video is in Las Vegas, the content is relevant to children here in Australia at this time.
In addition, BTN have a good article on upsetting news.
Birthday Wishes
No student birthdays this week however we 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 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 5 St Colman's must, at a minimum, ensure:
5.1 The organisation, including staff and volunteers, understands children and young people’s diverse circumstances, and provides support and responds to those who are vulnerable.
5.2 Children and young people have access to information, support and complaints processes in ways that are culturally safe, accessible and easy to understand.
5.3 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of children and young people with disability, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and young people.
5.4 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal children and young people and provides/promotes a culturally safe environment for them.
How are we implementing this at St Colman's (SCM)?
- Diversity and Equity Policy implemented and has communicated to the SAC and is available on the school website/SIMON portal for staff.
- SCM use staff meetings to discuss any wellbeing issues that arise and how we can best support the children and staff. We keep in close contact with the families of students who may need extra support
- SCM hold termly meetings for students who have a personal learning plan to discuss their progress and goals.
- SCM have a Wellbeing team that discusses wellbeing matters weekly at our staff meetings and as a small school we are lucky to have all classroom teachers on this team.
- The school develops Individual Learning Plans and regularly schedules Parent Support Group (PSG) meetings.
- The school links other cultures through Religious Education.
- The school implements the RRRR.
- The school has a designated Pastoral Care & Wellbeing officer to support students with regards to sexuality and gender queries etc.
- Staff participated in a training on 29/1/2024 in relation to Standard 5.
- SAC have Child Safety as a standard agenda item.
- All new policies are provided to the SAC for comment and review.
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.
LEADERSHIP & STEWARDSHIP
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:
- The first is by far the simplest. Just return your empty eligible containers to the tubs in the corridors at school.
- 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
Australian Govt Mobile Service Centres
Australian Government Mobile Service Centres travel extensively throughout rural and regional Australia. A Mobile Service Centre will be visiting Mortlake on Tuesday May 2nd.
Staff from Services Australia travel with the Mobile Service Centres and can assist people with Centrelink and Medicare payments and services. Information about Department of Veterans’ Affairs programs and support services for veterans and their families is also available.
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 we continue to have access to Out of School Care in 2024, 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.