Dear Families,

Week 7 is screen awareness week. It is a time to stop and check-in regarding our screen time use and talk with our children about safe practices when using online platforms. With the fast advancement of technology it is key that we stay alert to what is happening and if in doubt seek assistance before we find ourselves involved in a scam or communicating with unwanted people. AI is going to provide some great applications that will change the way we work however like all things there can be disadvantages and dangers. It is essential that we monitor what our children are doing and saying online. Online tools are fantastic for communicating with each other but they do not replace the need for human connection. For human connection to be real it needs to be in each other's company where we can interact and observe each other's behaviours in order to fully understand where the other person is coming from. Online platforms allow children to say and do things that they know they wouldn’t normally do face to face. Please take the time this week to commit to talking with your children about the importance of digital citizenship and why it is necessary.

In the words of Pope Francis: “The memory of people is not a computer but a heart. People, like Mary, keep things in their hearts.”

May God bless you and keep you safe during this windy weather.

School Uniform

The current correct uniform is the Winter uniform. It has not reached temperatures warm enough yet to warrant a change of uniform. It is important that children wear the correct uniform and not a combination of the Winter and Summer uniform. Should we have a change in temperatures we will inform you of the change. As a general rule for the two weeks either side of the school holidays the children may wear one uniform or the other but not a combination of the two. Therefore if it is particularly hot in the last two weeks of term the children may wear the Summer uniform in place of the Winter uniform. If it is still very cold when we return from holidays the children may wear the Winter uniform but not half and half,  i.e., not a long sleeve shirt and tie with shorts or the Summer dress with Winter stockings. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our students always wear their uniform with pride.

Great review from Symbio

Year 1 and 2 attended Symbio Wildlife park for an excursion. We received a lovely letter from the Rangers at Symbio praising our students for the way in which they attended the zoo and participated. This is wonderful feedback from the rangers and demonstrates that the work we are doing is helping us to aspire to our mission of being respectful of each person's dignity and committed to growth in faith, learning and wellbeing.

Congratulations Year 1 and 2.

Caritas Mission Month

Next week Mrs Browne will travel to Thirroul with two Year 6 leaders to attend the diocesian launch for Catholic Caritas Mission Month. Last week Mr Falco and Isaac spoke about the footy boot drive seeking donations of old boots and shin pads that can be taken over to Tonga.  This is the type of initiative that supports the premise of Mission month. Thank you to the Falco family for offering to coordinate this program and thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

Out of School Hours Care - OOSH

Catholic Care is seeking an expression of interest regarding holding an OOSH program at St Paul’s in the school Hall. Catholic Care has first rights to provide an OOSH program in schools which is a decision of the Bishop in the Wollongong diocese.  Naturally they can only do this if they have enough interest to make the service viable and maintain its viability. If this is something that interests you then please complete the survey.

https://forms.microsoft.com/r/FRSNKmsYJs

Whooping Cough

Please refer to the NSW Health link with details of what to do if your child contracts Whooping cough. Whooping cough can be spread to others for up to three weeks if infectious. We currently have many children with a range of illnesses in the community. It is essential that if your child is unwell that they stay home until they are fully recovered. We thank you for your cooperation with this.

Screen Time

As educators, we often get asked by parents for advice about screen time. How long should they spend on their device? What time should they turn it off? etc. These questions do not come with a hard and fast answer unfortunately and are for you as a family to decide what works for you. The eSafety Commissioner website gives the following advice for parents.

How much is too much?

There is no magic figure. The right amount of screen time can depend on a range of factors like your child’s age and maturity, the kind of content they are consuming, their learning needs and your family routine. 

It can be easy to focus only on the clock, but the quality and nature of what they are doing online, and your involvement, are just as important.

Consider your child’s screen use in the context of their overall health and wellbeing. For example, is online time getting in the way of their sleep and exercise? Is it impacting on their face-to-face connections with family and friends? The answers to these questions will guide you and help strike the right balance of online and offline activities for your child.

Signs to watch for

Signs that your child’s online activity may be having a negative impact on them or on your family include: 

• less interest in social activities like meeting friends or playing sport
• not doing so well at school
• tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches, eye strain 
• changes in eating patterns
• reduced personal hygiene
• obsession with particular websites or games
• extreme anger when being asked to take a break from online activity
• appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer
• becoming withdrawn from friends and family

Thank you,

Only medication that is prescribed by a doctor is permitted to be dispensed at School upon completion of a “Consent to Dispense Medication” form which is available from the office.  The form and the medication are to be given to the office staff in the original packaging with the student’s name and dosage.  We are not permitted to administer Panadol unless prescribed by a doctor and the necessary form completed.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

If your child is Asthmatic or Anaphylactic please ensure the necessary plan has been forwarded to the office along with any medication so that it can be processed.  We also need a "Consent to Dispense Medication" form to be completed.

Student Injuries

If a student has sustained an injury please inform the school office as we have to do a care plan and risk assessment.  Please also forward any ED report or doctor letter as well.

Withdrawal

If you intend to withdraw your child from the school, the withdrawal form is available from the office.  We currently have a waitlist, so advance notification would be appreciated.

Students on Visas and Residency

You also need to inform the school office if your child has gone from a Temporary to Permanent Resident of Australia or if they have become a Citizen (we do require a copy of the Citizenship Certificate).

Maths Brain Busters 

 PARIS PARAlympics 2024

Greetings Brain Busters,

This term gives us the opportunity to bust our brains with the OLYMPIC theme for 2024.

Continuing this weeks we focus on the PARALYMPICS!!!!!

Enjoy creating the Maths representations with family and friends.

Mary Lou Claremont

Diverse Learning Support and Instructional Coach