Community Update #17 Time to rest and stay safe and well

Thank you

Thanks to all of our staff for their hard work during this challenging term. Thanks to our parents and carers for their willingness to support the remote learning programme and the adjustments we have made to drop off and pick up times. Most of all, thank you to our children who have shown their resilience and adapted so well to change this term.

We wish every family a safe holiday period and look forward to seeing you all next term. I will share another community update at the end of the holidays to prepare for Term 3.

Another principal morning tea !

Parents & Friends Association Update

Given the uncertainty in relation to health restrictions and impact on planning for events, the P&F have met with Jenny Hawkins to revise our focus for the remainder of the year.

• The P&F priority for the remainder of 2020 will be our support / pastoral function with a focus on supporting PatCare.
• At this stage, we plan to hold future P&F Committee meetings online. The next meeting will be open to all parents/ guardians (as usual), and will be held on Tuesday 21-Jul-2020 at 7.30pm.
• There will be no dedicated events fundraising for the remainder of the year, although we are hoping to facilitate a small number of children-focused events in Term 3 and 4, such as:

Term 3

• Friday 04-Sep: Fathers' / Special Friends' Day stall
• Friday 18-Sep: Football & Fairies Day
• We are also looking to appreciate all Mothers in Term 3

Term 4

• We are looking into ways our children can safely celebrate our Grandparents and other special friends
• Saturday 21-Nov:  School Fete celebrating 'Hooked on a feeling of Hope'
• Grade 6 Graduation celebrations

There will be more information forthcoming in Term 3 - we are really looking forward to supporting our school and community in the second half of the year.

Jenny Jones, Kim Johnston & the committee.

Term Dates
Please note that the sacraments of reconciliation, communion and confirmation are currently on hold until we hear more from the Archdiocese. 
We will receive an update about inter school sports early next term.

Monday 13th July - Beginning of Term 3
Tuesday 21st July  - Parents and Friends Meeting 7:30 online
Wednesday 22nd July - Prep 100 days,  Parish Education Board 7pm online
Friday 28th August - Daffodil Day

Community Update #16 School Report Information & Unwell Students

Report Letter Semester 1 2020
22 June 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am pleased to offer our mid-year report as feedback on your child’s learning for Semester 1. As our school moved to remote learning as a result of COVID-19, our usual ways of working and engaging with students have looked different in Term 2. Included in this change has been how we assess and report on student learning. Our school, teachers, students and families have all had to adapt, change and respond to the landscape – sometimes on a daily basis. There have been countless positive opportunities and new learning, but there have also been challenges and we have each responded as best we can on a weekly basis.

I thank your child for all they have achieved and all they have contributed – they should be proud of their efforts, even in the challenging moments. I also thank each parent, carer and family member for your encouragement, feedback, patience and willingness to engage with us to support your child’s ongoing wellbeing and learning.

I would ask you to appreciate that the content on which we report is reduced, as the usual assessments undertaken in the everyday classroom have not been possible this term.

Teachers have used a broad evidence-base to make their own balanced assessments of your child’s progress at this point in time. Such evidence includes student-led conversations and teacher observations, Term 1 assessments, notes and work samples. Where providing evidence (via SeeSaw or Google classroom) was problematic, students were given additional opportunities to show their understanding once back at school.

The end of year report (December) will provide a more comprehensive view of the year’s learning across all usual curriculum areas.

Usually at this time, we offer Parent/Teacher Meetings. Because of the inability to gather in large groups, these will be deferred until third term. Similarly, most PSG (Program Support Meetings) will be deferred until early third term. We will potentially hold Zoom parent/carer meetings.

In response to parent feedback from Home Learning, we have continued the practice of uploading our Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for Reading, Writing, Spelling, Maths and Inquiry on the Learning Community Site under each class or specialist area’s tab. This will be uploaded on Monday of each week.

As always feel free to email me or your classroom teacher with any concerns or clarification as needed.

I thank you for understanding the variations in this Semester 1 report, as impacted by the change in learning environments this term, and the approach our school has taken.

The instructions for accessing the PAM (Parent Access Module) portal for the online school reports are below.

Yours sincerely,
Jenny Hawkins
Principal



PAM Access Instructions:

The easiest way to access PAM is via the quicklink on Flexibuzz or via the school website tab - Parent Information and scroll down to the PAM link.

Importantly whilst in PAM please also complete/update your children's medical records.

New parents and Prep parents should have received instructions directly to their email addresses.

Only one email address can be assigned per family so if at first you don't succeed, please work through any other email addresses you may have provided. If you still don't succeed, or you know that your email has changed, then please email the office office@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au from the current email address you wish to use. We will update the details and you will receive new instructions. (Please do not phone because we need the email address).

It is also worth noting that if you are having issues accessing the reports on your device, try opening PAM on a computer via our website.

Unwell Students at School

As you are aware, we need to continue to keep our school as safe as possible for our community. It is vital that if your child has a cold and they are coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose, they must stay at home.

If any children come to school and are unwell, we will contact you to collect your child and take them home for possibly one or two days until the symptoms clear.

If you take your child for COVID testing, please notify the school office for our records.

We only have a few more days left until the end of term. Let's all work together to keep our community safe and well.

Community Update #15 Preparing for the end of Term 2

Entry and Exit Times and Gates
We will continue with the same times and gates as for last week.
Thank you for supporting us to keep everyone safe.

Virtual Assembly #5 
Here is the link to the virtual assembly.

You can find out about the award winners and the house point draw.
How does the house point draw work ?
Children who demonstrate the core values during class or outside in the playground are awarded with a card. The teacher ticks the value or values the children are demonstrating and then they can put the card into their house box in the front office.

If their name is drawn out, they can choose from the following privileges:

House Award Choices

*Casual Clothes for the day 

*Extra sport for the whole class (class teacher)

*Morning tea with principal in the staff room

*Bring favourite toy / pet show and tell 

*Choice of equipment from sport shed at break time

During the week, I enjoyed morning tea with Luca from 3D.

Reports
School reports for Semester One will be available in the PAM (Parent Access Module) portal on Monday afternoon.
Instructions:
The easiest way to access PAM is via the quicklink on Flexibuzz or via the school website tab - Parent Information. Importantly whilst in PAM please also complete/update your children's medical records.

New parents and Prep parents should have received instructions this afternoon directly to their email addresses. The generic password new families will require is 2020.  Please log on and then reset your password.

Only one email address can be assigned per family so if at first you don't succeed, please work through any other email addresses you may have provided.   If you still don't succeed, or you know that your email has changed, then please email the office office@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au on Tuesday morning from the current email address you wish to use.  We will update the details and you will receive new instructions. (Please do not phone because we need the email address.)
It is also worth noting that if you are having issues accessing the reports on your device, try opening PAM on a computer via our website.

Message from our office

An amount of $3601.00 was deposited into the school account on 8/6/2020, with a name that does not match anyone in our school community. If you or someone that you know has deposited this amount on your behalf on the 8/6/2020, could you please contact Kellie in the office so we know who the fee payment belongs to kmascaro@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Also a reminder that all CSEF applications must be handed into the office by Wednesday 24th June to ensure your application can be processed. Application form and flyer are attached.

Term Dates:

Monday 22 June -  Reports : End of Semester One reports available through the school portal in the afternoon.

Friday 26 June -    End of Term 2. School will finish at 12pm.

Monday 13th July - Beginning of Term 3
NB: The Parent /Teacher meeting afternoon originally planned for Wednesday 17th June has been cancelled. Further details will be shared with the reports at the end of this term.

Community Update #14 Pick Up Safety Message - 5 Key Reminders

Home time Safety Message for the Front Yard

Thank you for keeping our children safe by not entering the school grounds.

The one exception is the pick up time at the end of the day. You cannot wait in the grounds but enter when you see your child.

Parents collecting Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 children from the front yard must enter the grounds through the front gate when they see their children and exit through the church gate.

Now that all of the classes are finishing at the same time, it is vital that you follow this process to prevent the congestion of children and parents at the front gate.

Unfortunately when we trialled opening the large front gate, it proved a safety hazard due its proximity to the crossing. This is no longer an option.

Please don't call your children to come out and meet you through the front gate. You must enter, collect your child and then exit with the children through the church gate to prevent congestion around the front gate.

5 Key Reminders

1. The front gate is only an entry point at home time
2. The church gate is the exit point at home time.
3. Parents/carers only enter the front yard when they see their child
4. The children will not be able to exit the front yard until you come in through the gate.
5. Siblings collecting younger family members must also exit through the church gate.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to keep our community safe.

Drop Off Time - Sign in I-pad if late

Just a reminder that the backyard gates will be locked at 9am. If your child arrives after this time, they will need to enter through the front gate and sign in at the front office and collect a late pass.

Community Update #13 Transition to Regular Start and Finish Times

The first week back for the whole school together has gone extremely well.  Everyone has enjoyed being back and reconnecting with each other.

A reminder to please keep your child at home if they are unwell.

Transition to Regular Start and Finish Times
Thank you to all parents and carers for supporting the staggered start and finish times at school.

Starting from Monday 15th June we will move to the following times and entry/exit points:

Virtual Assembly #4
Here is a link to this week's assembly with the announcement of awards and house points.
Find out who received an award this week.

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
Although Home Learning has finished, the teachers will continue to share weekly learning intentions and success criteria for all year levels including specialist subjects. You can access these on the Learning Community Site under the Weekly Learning tab which has replaced the Home Learning tab. Keep up to date with your children's learning at school.

This is an example of the weekly learning overviews that all teachers will continue to provide.

Lunch Orders
This is a reminder that lunch orders are back to normal. They are available on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. The menu is on the Flexi Buzz app.

Prep Enrolments for 2021
We wish to advise new families of their successful Prep enrolment at St Patrick's for 2021. Therefore if you haven't lodged your sibling enrolment form yet, it would appreciated if this could be done no later than next Friday 18th June.

End of Term 2 dismissal.
Children will be dismissed at 12pm on the last day of term, Friday 26th June.  Children will return for Term 3 on Monday 14th July.

Lost Property
Over the past week, the cold mornings but sunny days have led to children discarding their jumpers and jackets in the yard.  Please help us to return them to their rightful owner by marking sure they are CLEARLY named.

Community Surveillance
Since letters to the neighbourhood were distributed along with the notification to the school community, the weekend trespassing and vandalism has stopped.  Perhaps the vigilance is working.  Thank you and keep up the good work.

Team Kids Virtual Newsletter #2
Last week we included the Team Kids virtual newsletter in our assembly video.
Here is a link to this week's Team Kids' virtual newsletter.

Term Dates:

Monday 22 June -  Reports : End of Semester One reports available through the school portal.

Friday 26 June -    End of Term 2. School will finish at 12pm.

Monday 13th July - Beginning of Term 3

NB: The Parent /Teacher meeting afternoon originally planned for Wednesday 17th June has been cancelled. Further details will be shared with the reports at the end of this term.

Community Update #12 Welcome Back to Year 3,4,5 6

Thank you 

Thank you to all parents and carers for your support of the Home Learning programme and for ensuring the children transition back to school well. Our Preps, 1 and 2 children have got off to a great start back at school. Thanks to our teachers who have supported the transition so well.

On Tuesday 9th June, we welcome back our Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children. The onsite SRC reps have prepared a short video with a few safety tips. It's important that you watch this video and talk about the safety tips with your children. It's also important that you understand the staggered start times and different entry points for all children to ensure we all keep safe and well.

SRC #6  Safety Tips for Everyone at School

Staggered Start Times

The staggered start times will continue. Please note that the Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children must not enter or exit through the front gates. They must use the back yard. The gates will be opened in the morning and the afternoon.  Year 3 and 4 children enter the grounds at 8:45am and finish at 3:15pm. The Year 5 and 6 children enter at 9am and finish at 3:30pm. Alternatively, the children enter at the same time as their youngest sibling through the gates for their year group. All gates will be labelled.

All children will enter the grounds and proceed straight inside to their classrooms.

Parents are asked not to linger on the footpath to prevent congestion for other families especially around the entrance gates.

Children arriving via scooters or bikes can enter on their own through the church gate.
Reminder to Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 parents/carers:
The front gate is very narrow. Please collect the children through the front gate and exit through the church gate to prevent congestion at the entrance of the school.
Thank you for your understanding and support.

School Cleaning

As well as the normal school cleaning that takes place after school, we have extra cleaning for four hours during the day. All of the high touch surfaces including table tops, seats, door handles, bathrooms and hand rails are sanitised twice daily. The play equipment is cleaned on a daily basis. 

Virtual Assembly #3
Watch this video to see which children received awards this week and a special message from Team Kids too.

SRC #5
In this video the SRC students share what they are looking forward to when they return to school.
What are you looking forward to ?

School Fee Assistance

As mentioned in the school newsletter - Mid Holiday Community Update April 4th 2020 fee relief is available for families who need it. You can access the message through this link.

New facts about school fee assistance for Catholic school families in Victorian schools:
Families on JobKeeper are able to apply for a Health Care Card which then provides opportunity for fee relief - must apply before the end of Term 2.
Families on a Health Care Card and CDF assistance receive discounts on excursions, camps and sporting activities.
For further information, contact your school to find out if you might be eligible for fee assistance. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these arrangements or any further support with regards to school fees, please do not hesitate to contact our principal.

Term Dates:

Monday 8  June -   Queen's Birthday - school closed

Tuesday 9  June -   Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 return to learning at school learning.

Monday 22 June -  Reports : End of Semester One reports available 

Friday 26 June -    End of Term 2

NB: The Parent /Teacher meeting afternoon originally planned for Wednesday 17th June has been cancelled. Further details will be shared with the reports at the end of this term.