Newsletter Week 8 Term 1 2021

Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

John 11: 44

(from the Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B)

Dear parents and carers,

The Gospel for this weekend is the familiar story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This is a richly significant story. It tells of a man (Lazarus) who was dead. All life and hope had left him. He was in his tomb. Through the actions of Jesus and His divine message of hope, love and faith, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. Lazarus was revitalised! 

The significance of this scripture passage is for us to reflect upon those areas of our lives that have lost life, hope or vitality. We ask how by opening ourselves to God’s presence we can “back to life” those parts of our life that have been otherwise lifeless. 

The great message of Jesus’s ministry is that we are always loved by God, whether by human standards we deserve it or not. Human standards are not God’s standards. There is always hope for renewal and starting again.

NAPLAN OMNIBUS TESTING for Year 3 and Year 5- Thursday 25 March

We have been informed that on Thursday 25 March, our Year 3 and Year 5 children will participate in NAPLAN omnibus testing. Naplan is now an online test, with the exception of the Year 3 writing Assessment (which remains a pen and paper assessment). The purpose of the omnibus testing is to confirm the readiness of our local and national network readiness for NAPLAN. The children will complete a short literacy and numeracy style test. These brief assessment's are not marked and no feedback is provided. Significantly, the children will have a real time experience of using the NAPLAN browser app that they will use for NAPLAN proper. 

In preparation for the omnibus test, children who have a school managed devices will have the NAPbrowser app installed and updated by the school. Children who have their own device will need to ensure that their iPad is updated with the latest IOS and have the latest version of the NAPbrowser downloaded and installed. All children in Year 3 and Year 5 will need headphones for both the omnibus test and for NAPLAN in May.

The omnibus bus test is a practice in using an online testing platform. If there are problems with our local network or with the network across Australia, they will be identified in time to be corrected before NAPLAN. NAPLAN will be conducted with Year 3 and Year 5 between 11 and 14 May commencing with writing. Here is a link to a video that explains NAPLAN Online.

CROSS COUNTRY CHANGE OF DATE- now 31 March 2021

Due to the NAPLAN omnibus testing, we have had to reschedule our cross country carnival to Wednesday 31 March. The cross country will be held at school. Parents and community members are welcome to attend. The children love to be cheered on and encouraged!

PERSONAL PLANNING (PP) MEETINGS

Today we concluded our first round of PP meetings for 2021. It has been wonderful to meet with families to discuss your child’s learning and support needs. The student voice element of each PP has been a particular highlight. The family and child are included in all PP planning. This is an important and practical way in which we can enact the partnership between home and school in the best interests of your child. Thank you for prioritising these meetings.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS FOR LEARNING (PB4L)

PB4L is our school wide system for teaching and rewarding behaviour expectations for children in all settings across our school. The Code 5 rules the children are taught are a tangible expression of these expectations. The children are affirmed and rewarded for observing the expectations we set for them. PB4L is premised on some basic rights and related responsibilities for all children. It is an operating assumption that all rights carry with them responsibilities. You can not have one without the other. I have included a copy of the Rights_and_Responsibilities.docx document for your consideration. This document attempts to define the rights and responsibilities all children have whilst at school. Please take a moment to review and discuss these with your child. 

COVID-19 updated advice

As advised last week, the restrictions around COVID-19 management for schools have been relaxed. The advisory we received reminds us that ‘Whilst this is a relaxing of requirements, we must all remain vigilant and maintain our personal hygiene procedures at this point in time, and especially as we approach the winter season.’

The implications for these relaxed restrictions for our school are as follows:

Morning Assembly: We will continue with the morning arrangements that we have had in place for the last twelve months. There will be no morning assembly. Children will continue to line up in their designated spots, wash hands, go into class and pray the school prayer and get down to work. 

Morning Announcements: Will continue at 10:50am whilst the children are eating inside. We will celebrate birthdays, make announcements and award the “secret spotter” uniform award.

Weekly School Assembly: We are pleased to welcome to parents and community members to join us at our weekly school assembly at 2:15pm each Thursday. You will notice that all children are seated on chairs as part of the social distancing requirements that are still in place. We ask that parents sit at the back of the school hall. Children will return to class after assembly to collect their bags. Normal afternoon dismissal procedures will be followed.

Parents and community attendance at the cross country (Wednesday 31 March):  We are pleased to announce that parents and community members can now attend the school cross country in Week 10.

Click here for the  current COVID- 19 guidelines for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong. 

DROP OFF ZONE and BUS ZONE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL

At our Garrett Street entrance to the school we have designated P2 Drop Off zone as well as a bus zone. Both these designated zones are strictly NO PARKING zones.

When using the Drop Off zone you should stop, allow your child to get out of the car and then immediately leave. In doing so, you free up a stopping spot for the next family which makes the system flow smoothly. Please DO NOT get out of your car and/or walk your child into school. You are not permitted to stay in the Drop Off zone for more than two minutes. If you want to escort your child into school, please park further down Garrett Street or in the vacant lot opposite the school. You can walk your child into school at your leisure.

Please note that it is both illegal and very dangerous to make a U-turn in front of the school.

The bus zones need to be kept clear at all times. Buses arrive throughout the morning to drop children at school. They run to a tight schedule in order to get all children using their service to schools on time. It is important that the buses are not obstructed by illegally parked cars.

ALLERGY AWARE SCHOOL

St Paul’s is an “allergy aware school”. We have several children in our school community who have serious allergies and are at risk of anaphylactic shock. We work closely with the families to ensure we have systems in place to manage each child’s safety. Children with allergies are taught to be both aware of their environment in order to avoid their allergens as well what to do if an exposure to an allergen should occur. Our recent staff First Aid training had an emphasis on anaphylaxis management and response. We have implemented regular handing washing, teaching all children to be allergy aware and not sharing food at school. 

As a community we all have a role to play in keeping all children safe. We discourage bringing nuts and nut products to school. I have linked a fact sheet regarding allergy aware schools for "Allergies and Anaphylaxis Australia" for your information. We ask that you are mindful of this when packing your child’s lunchbox. 

Sport Uniforms

Sport uniforms are to be worn on the following days for each class:

Monday 22nd March will be a make up lesson for Gymnastrix so sports uniform will need to be worn.

Kindergarten – Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Year 1 – Monday & Friday

Year 2 – Monday & Friday

Year 3 – Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Year 4 - Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Year 5 - Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Year 6 - Monday, Wednesday & Friday

School Terms for 2021

Sacramental Program

Please continue to pray for the students who are preparing for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

 St Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, feast day (March 17) of St.Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

Students and teachers at St Paul’s celebrated St Patrick’s day by wearing green and participating in classroom activities to learn about St Patrick.

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

What is “Reflection”?

We teach and reinforce positive behaviour expectations to our children. We want to set up all our children for success at school. Sometimes, things go wrong. Our school escalation sequence manages children who are making poor choices and decisions. The card system is a key part of this escalation process. Escalation sequence includes a “Reflection” as a consequence of a Red Card behaviour. We have had some questions and misconceptions about what “Reflection” means and what it looks like should your child find him or herself in this position.

Reflection is a calm, formal timeout during break time for students who have received a Red Card. During Reflection Time, the student comes to Leadership (usually Mrs Browne or sometimes another designated staff member). 

Reflection is a teaching opportunity as well as a consequence. The child is asked to reflect on the reasons why he or she received the red card. This includes a review of the steps that preceded receiving the Red Card and the choices the child made. The Reflection is structured using the Reflection Sheet. Children have the option to write or draw their response. The children are asked to think about and respond to the following questions;

1. Why are you on reflection?
2. Which Code 5 rules did you break?
3. How do the other people feel?
4. What can you do to make up? 
5. What can you do differently next time? 

This last reflection question is the most important part of the process. This is where we ask the child to think about alternative ways they could deal with a situation in a better way in the future. Our aim to have the child take responsibility for his or her actions and we help them to make better choices in the future. 

For example, after a hands on incident a child may tell us they were angry because of a situation that has occurred between friends. We talk to the child about what made them angry in the first place and what we could do about that. We listen to the child and ask them to think about the impact of his or her actions on others. We acknowledge that it is OK to feel angry. It is the choices we make when we are angry that is important. 

Another example would be when a child says they thought they were joking or just offering an opinion that has caused significant hurt or upset to others. We talk about what is considered a joke and when a joke is going too far. We talk about how words can hurt and how considering the feelings of others is important. We practice alternative ways of expressing our feelings or opinions that show respect and consideration to others.

There are times when children don’t know or understand why they reacted the way they did in a particular situation. We talk about the signs that might indicate that they are not OK and their emotions are getting out of control. We teach the children that these signs are a clue to walk away and seek the help of a teacher. 

Once the child has completed the Reflection Sheet they wait until the break is finished. We always make sure the child has time to go to the toilet and get a drink before returning to class.

A reflection letter will be sent home with your child. There is a section at the bottom for you to sign and return to school. When your child presents you with the letter ask your child what happened and what they were able to work out during reflection. Reflection is a learning opportunity for the student to think  about their behaviour choices. It is about giving them options and skills in how to make better behaviour choices in the future. 

Southern Highlands News Kindy Kids Feature 2021...

The School Photographer

PHOTO DAY Tuesday 23rd March 2021

How to order:

Each student must hand in their own completed envelope which has their own UNIQUE CODE.

Sibling Envelopes are available at the school office.

Payment Methods:

Cash enclosed in envelope and bring to the school. NO CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN.

Online Credit Card Payments can be made via www.theschoolphotographer.com.au and follow the prompts. Make sure you write the receipt number on the envelope and bring to school.

Book Club Due TODAY 18th March 2021

How to Pay:

Orders can still be placed up until midnight tonight 18th March 2021

The school will no longer be accepting cash payments for book club orders.

Please visit scholastic.com.au/LOOP to pay via Credit Card.

You can also download the LOOP app to make payments.

Your order will be electronically linked to the rest of our school's order. You do not need to complete the order form on the back of the book club catalogue.

A cyclone brand hand trowel was found in the garden that was left by someone last Friday 5th March during our working bee. If you are missing a hand trowel please phone the office.