Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Community Update #1.6 Tuesday Zoom Meetings & P& F Update

A HUGE THANK YOU to our families, children and staff for supporting each other to get off to a great start yesterday with Flexible Learning for 2021. Teachers were pleased to see the faces of nearly all children from Year 1 - Year 6 at the first Zoom meetings of the day.

Now that we are successfully up and running, this is a reminder that the first Zoom meeting today is at 9am. The second Zoom meetings is at 12:10 and the final one for the day at 2:30pm. These meetings are a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the class, check attendance, share learning and an opportunity for children to ask questions and be supported by their teacher and classmates.

Instructions for learning activities are accessible on the Flexible Learning tab for all year levels and specialist teachers on the Learning Community Site at this link.

Please email principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au or lizh@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au with any questions or queries about Flexible Learning.

Jenny Hawkins

Principal


St Patrick's Parents & Friends (P&F) Update

All welcome to join our first P&F meeting - Wednesday 17th Feb at 7.30pm via Zoom
Unfortunately due to the current COVID lockdown, our first P&F meeting cannot occur at school, and will be held via Zoom only. All parents are welcome to join the meeting and contribute to our plans for the year ahead. There is no requirement to be a P&F class rep or part of the committee to be involved.

Parents can join via the link or meeting details below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85424431070?pwd=Yk00L1JwdUI0NnJMZzExVFBMM1ZIdz09

Date: Wednesday 17th February 2021
Time: 7.30pm
Meeting ID: 854 2443 1070
Passcode: 856555

Pink List - We are waiting to hear from our last few families!!

The Pink List is a St Patrick's P&F grand tradition, providing families with details of parents and children in each class and grade in the school. It makes arranging playdates a breeze, and helps with learning parents' names and matching children to their parents.

Emails asking you to confirm your contact details have been sent to all families we have contact details for. If you have not received an email from our Pink List coordinator Christie Alexander (christiemalexander@gmail.com) please email her as we are missing your details. You can choose not to have your contact details included if you prefer. When school re-opens we will be sending notices home to the last few families we haven't yet heard from. Thankyou to all families who have responded - we hope to have the Pink List printed and available in the coming week or two.

Pink List Community Pages - Promote your business

The 2021 Pink List will include a list of businesses associated with our school community. We'd love to support you! Thankyou to those families who have responded so far. If you would like to promote your business for free, please send an email with details of your business to pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Icypoles still available each Thursday - payment via CDF Pay

If you missed the cut-off for icypoles last week, you can still pay for the remaining weeks in Term 1 ($3.00) per child using our cashless payment system: CDF Pay. Payments must be received by Wednesday 5pm to be counted for Thursday.





Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, 14 February 2021

Community Update #1.5 Flexible Learning During Snap Lockdown

Plans for Monday 15th, Tuesday 16th and  Wednesday 17th February


Foundation Classes

In order for the teachers to prepare learning packs for the children at home, the normal Wednesday rest day has been changed to Monday for this week.

On Monday afternoon, families will be able to pick up learning packs from school for the Prep children. The learning packs will be for Tuesday and Wednesday. The packs will be available under the portico and will be named. A Flexischools message will be sent to you with further details once the packs are ready.


Years 1-6

Fortunately, this year with devices for all Year 1-6 children, families will be able to have better access to face to face sessions with their teachers. We anticipate that our senior children will be experts already. We also anticipate that for some of our juniors, getting online may not be successful this week.

Don’t worry, the learning will still be accessible on the Flexible Learning page of the Learning Community Site and your children can complete what they can to the best of their ability. It is a start for us all. 

Please email Jenny (principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au or Liz Hills ( lizh @spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au ) for help or support at any time.

Zoom Meetings

With the understanding that the devices are very new for some of the junior children, teachers will set up Zoom meetings to connect with classes and share learning activities.

We encourage the children to wear their school uniform to help get them into the learning mode.

The Zoom link for each year level will be published before 10:30am on Monday morning on the Flexible Learning page on the Learning Community Site under the Year Levels tab. Choose the Year level, click on the arrow and you will find the drop down box and see Flexible Learning.



Having the lockdown at such short notice is a challenge for everyone. However, with our experiences from last year, we know that we can all adapt and be flexible. We also know that we can try and connect online and do our best and if for some reason, it is too difficult, we can all support each other. Myself and my leadership team are only a phone call or email away.


With all of that in mind, we are taking the attitude that snap lockdowns are possibly the new norm and we are going to provide continuity of education for your children in the best way possible.


This week, the learning for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be published one day at a time. The learning activities will link to the current level work plans and will be adapted to suit the online environment as best as possible.


Monday

In the morning, teachers will prepare and share Zoom links and learning activities on the Flexible Learning page for year groups and specialists. We hope that teachers will be able to connect with the children via Zoom and can explain an outline of the learning tasks with them during the course of the day. The Zoom link and the learning pages will be up by 10:30. Monday’s first Zoom meeting will commence at 10:30am.

  • 10:30 Roll Call 1:  Zoom Teachers will talk to whole group about learning activities and the learning will be shared on the Flexible Learning page of the Learning Community Site

  • Follow normal daily timetable, break at 11:30

  • 12:10 Roll Call 2:  Zoom as above, teachers will connect with children as best as is possible and support learning as needed

  • 1:40  Lunchtime

  • 2:30 Roll Call 3: Zoom as above 

  • 3:25 End of day


Roll Calls - These are times during the day to check in and connect with children, talk with the children about their learning, as well as record attendance. 


Tuesday

After school on Monday, the plan for Tuesday will go onto the Flexible Learning pages. Roll call will commence at 9am with a Zoom meeting.

  • 9:00 Roll Call 1:  Zoom, Morning prayers. Teachers will talk to whole group about learning activities and the learning will be shared on the Flexible Learning page of the Learning Community Site

  • Follow normal daily timetable, break at 11:30

  • 12:10 Roll Call 2:  Zoom as above, teachers will connect with children as best as is possible and support learning as needed

  • 1:40  Lunchtime

  • 2:30 Roll Call 3: Zoom as above 

  • 3:25 End of day

Wed
After school on Tuesday, the plan for Wednesday will go onto the Flexible Learning pages. Roll call will commence at 9am with a Zoom meeting and times will be the same as Tuesday.


Specialist Classes

Some children have specialist classes during these days. Their class teachers will let them know when the specialist lessons are and the children can access the learning on the Flexible Learning Pages under the specialist tab on the Learning Community Site.


For all families - A child's absence must be notified via Flexischools as normal.

Onsite Students


  • Children enter the school from 8:45. Please wait on the crosses under the portico.

  • Children wear their school uniform

  • There will be temperature checks at the front office

  • Please bring your devices to school if you have one

  • No lunch orders during lockdown

  • Children will be sent home if unwell


Any further questions, please email Jenny Hawkins principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 12 February 2021

Community Update #1.4

Prayer for Families during Lockdown
Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as busnesses and schools close, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Prompt  parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help children find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.

We will get through this together.


Lockdown Update for School Families

The Victorian Government today announced new directions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
As a result, in line with the directions issued from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, all Victorian schools will move to a period of remote and flexible provision from Monday 15 February to Wednesday 17 February inclusive.
Our school will continue to provide on-site supervision for 
  • vulnerable children (Programme Support Group category)
  • children whose parents are considered essential workers as listed , cannot work from home and where no other supervision arrangements can be made.
During this period, we will, to the extent possible, enable continuity of learning from home. This will include remote and flexible learning and/or the provision of learning materials.
We sent home digital devices for Year 1- Year 6 children and we will prepare a learning pack for our Foundation children on Monday. Teachers will contact you with further details on Monday.
.
Attendance will be recorded daily for those on-site and those learning from home.

Onsite Supervision Guidelines

Please email principal@spmurrumbeena as soon as practical and before 5pm on Sunday 14 February and state the following:

  • Name of child/children
  • Year Level/s
  • Contact phone numbers and name of both parents
  • Occupation of BOTH parents as indicated on the essential worker list 
  • Days or part of days requiring supervision
Team Kids Before and After School Care will be accessible for children that qualify for Onsite supervision.

Swim Trials 
Well done to all those students Year 4-6 who trialled for the Dendy Swim Carnival on Tuesday. It was a great turn out you should all be very proud whether you made the team selection or not. 
Notes have gone home to those students who were selected to attend the carnival at Oakleigh on Monday 22nd Feb.

Dendy Tennis Trials
Today we had two students represent St Patrick's School at the Dendy Tennis Trials held here at St Pats. Lachlan and Mac were selected and displayed outstanding efforts all day, competing against other schools within the district. Both boys played a total of 5 games each and came out undefeated in each of their pools, both progressing through to the semi finals.
Lachlan played hard and strong but unfortunately did not progress through the grand final. Mac won his semi and matched up against a tough opponent in the grand final from St Mary's school. At 3-3 it went to a tie breaker game with Mac coming away with the overall win and 1st place for the day. 
The boys were outstanding and we would like to congratulate them both on their amazing efforts and wish Mac good luck for Beachside Division in March.
Well done boys!

Hockey Roadshow Clinic

It was a fantastic experience having Hockey Victoria recently attend our school as part of their roadshow program. Our students who had PE on Monday, learnt the skills of hockey through exciting game-based activities in an engaging, fun and safe environment.

While the roadshow is over, students can continue their hockey journey by joining a local Hookin2Hockey program at www.hookin2hockey.com.au. With programs starting soon now is the perfect chance to get out on the pitch. 

Hookin2Hockey will allow children to expand on the skills they recently learnt at school, develop fundamental motor skills while making friends and having fun!


Zoom/Telephone Chats (optional )

Parents and carers who indicated that they would like to have a Zoom or telephone catchup with class teachers will be able to do this on the afternoon of Wednesday February 24 between 3:45 - 5pm.

Teachers will be in touch with you to arrange these meetings.

2021 Term Dates

Please note the changes to the end of term dates for Term 1 and Term 2 since last year. This is due to the necessary postponement of the Staff PL days with travel restrictions in place for the facilitators.

Sacrament Dates are published below for your reference.  


Term 1
Staff only return Closure Day                      Jan 27
All children commence                                Jan 28
P& F Meeting                                                 Feb 17 at 7:30pm
Zoom/Telephone Chats (optional)               Feb 24 3:45 - 5pm
Education Board                                           Feb 24 at 7pm
Education Board                                           March 24 at 7pm
End Term 1                                                    March 31 at 1pm

Closure Day Staff PL Day                             April 1

Term 2 
Beginning Term 2                                          April 19
Year 5/6 Camp ADANAC                               April 19-21
Year 5 Reconciliation                                    May 5 10:30am
Year 6 Confirmation                                      May 7 7pm
Year 5 First Communion                               May 9 9am & 5pm
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    June 16 10:30am
End Term 2                                                     June 23 at 1pm
Closure Day Staff PL Day 1                          June 24
Closure Day Staff PL Day 2                          June 25

Term 3
Beginning Term 3                                          July 12
Closure Day  Staff PL Day 4                         Aug 20
Year 3 Reconciliation                                    Sep 8 10:30am                                 
End Term 3                                                     Sep 17

Term 4
Beginning Term 4                                          Oct 4
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    Oct 20 10:30am
Year 4 First Communion                               Oct 24 9am & 5pm
Closure Day Assessment                                Nov 1
Closure Day Planning 2022                          Nov 19
School Swimming                                        Nov 29 - Dec 10
End of term                                                   Dec 15 at 1pm
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 5 February 2021

Community Update #1.3

 Beginning of the Year Commissioning Mass


The whole school attended a special mass to celebrate the beginning of the school year today.

Above is a short video of the children singing.


During the mass, the staff were commissioned to teach at our Catholic school and they shared a special prayer in front of the children.

..... May we grow together as a school community filled with hope and joy and be a place of welcome where everyone feels included and valued.....

Connection Event

Normally we hold a special evening at this time of the year where parents are invited to meet the teachers.

Due to Covid restrictions we are unable to welcome all parents onsite. Instead, we are preparing a special introductory video to share will all families.

The video will be ready to share with you in next week's Shamrock.

Weekly Learning 

Every Monday, you can access the weekly learning intentions and success criteria for class levels and specialist classes on the Learning Community Site at this link. Go to the Year level tab and click on the weekly learning dropdown box.

Covid Safety

The school has a Covid safe plan to ensure that everyone keeps healthy and well onsite at our school.

Please ensure you keep your child at home if they are unwell.

We ask that any parents entering the school building wear a fitted face mask.

Contact our staff

You can access staff emails on our school website at this link.

Our staff are more than happy to receive email communication from parents. From a pastoral perspective for the well being of our staff, they will respond to parent emails between 8am and 5pm during weekdays in a timely manner.

Chromebook Licenses

Our IT technician hopes to complete the licensing of all second hand and non school purchased chromebooks on Tuesday. This is a reminder that if you have purchased one of these devices, you must also purchase a chromebook license directly through the LWT portal on our Learning Community Site as per previous messages.

School Fees 2021

As stated in Community Update #4.7 published on 13 November 2020, there will be no increase in fees and levies for 2021. 

Here is a link to the letter with fee and levy charges for 2021.

St Patrick's Parents & Friends (P & F) News
We hope all families have settled back into their 2021 school routine, and would particularly like to welcome our new families to the school. The circumstances of 2020 meant we missed many opportunities to get to know each other better as a parent community, and hope we can do that more meaningfully in 2021. If you are a new family seeking information from another parent - please feel free to reach out to your P&F class rep. Until the famous Pink List is finalised and you have chosen to provide your information - your class rep may not have your contact details.

Pizza Nights
The P&F and our amazing parent class reps (and other parents) have been busy organising pizza nights for the junior year levels. These nights are always a great evening to get to know other parents, while the kids enjoy a romp in the park. Pizzas are supplied at a cost per family (siblings welcome); each family just brings their own snacks and beverages.

Grade 1 Pizza Night: Friday 12th Feb
Prep Pizza Night: Friday 19th Feb TBC
Grade 2 Pizza Night: Friday 26th Feb
Grade 3 Pizza Night: Friday 26th Feb (apologies to those families who are double booked)
If you haven't received information about these events yet - please contact your P&F rep / parent organiser (details below).

P&F Class Reps
Thankyou to the many parents who have volunteered to be the P&F reps. We are thrilled to have so many this year - thankyou.
We are still seeking a rep from Gr 3L. If you can assist - please email the P&F: pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Prep:
Grade 1:
Grade 2:


Grade 3:
**Still seeking P&F reps for Gr 3L**

Grade 3 Pizza night organiser: dannicentorame@yahoo.com.au

Grade 4:
Grade 5:
Grade 6:
2021 St Patrick’s Pink List – it’s that time of the year!
image.png
A special welcome to all new families joining our St Patrick’s community in 2021. It has been a long tradition that every family receives a full family list, referred to as the ‘Pink List’ that contains every child’s name, class and, with your permission, your contact details.
Over the coming days, you will receive details in various formats about the 2021 Pink Booklet. Please take the 5 minutes to review your current listed details and give your permission, or otherwise, to be included in this highly useful P&F publication. Any questions, please contact christiemalexander@gmail.com

Pink List Community Pages
Thankyou to all the families who have already been in contact to be included in our first Pink List Community Pages. In 2021, the Pink List will include details of businesses associated with our school community, as we know many of us are keen to shop local and support other families where we can. If you have a business big or small to promote - we'd love to include the details.

Second Hand Uniform Shop
Industrious P&F Committee member Kellie Heathcote is running the Second Hand Uniform shop from her home, which is very close to school. If you are seeking items, please contact Kellie: heathcote.kellie@yahoo.com .  Donations are welcome too. Please email Kellie to arrange a drop off.

CDF Pay
CDF Pay (run by the Catholic Development Fund) is an online payment system that St Patrick's started to introduce in Term 1 last year. The P&F will also use this system to accept payments for icypoles, the famous Easter Raffle (details coming soon) and other events through the year. Further communication from the school about how to use this system will be shared via Flexischools. 



P&F Meeting #1
All parents are welcome to attend our first P&F meeting for 2021. It will be held in the school hall on Wednesday 17th Feb-2021 at 7.30pm. The P&F usually meet twice each term and we welcome any parent who'd like to join the committee or just come along as an observer.





2021 Term Dates

Please note the changes to the end of term dates for Term 1 and Term 2 since last year. This is due to the necessary postponement of the Staff PL days with travel restrictions in place for the facilitators.

Sacrament Dates are published below for your reference.  


Term 1
Staff only return Closure Day                      Jan 27
All children commence                                Jan 28
P& F Meeting                                                 Feb 17 at 7:30pm
Zoom/Telephone Chats (optional)               Feb 24 3:45 - 5pm
Education Board                                           Feb 24 at 7pm
Education Board                                           March 24 at 7pm
End Term 1                                                    March 31 at 1pm

Closure Day Staff PL Day                             April 1

Term 2 
Beginning Term 2                                          April 19
Year 5/6 Camp ADANAC                               April 19-21
Year 5 Reconciliation                                    May 5 10:30am
Year 6 Confirmation                                      May 7 7pm
Year 5 First Communion                               May 9 9am & 5pm
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    June 16 10:30am
End Term 2                                                     June 23 at 1pm
Closure Day Staff PL Day 1                          June 24
Closure Day Staff PL Day 2                          June 25

Term 3
Beginning Term 3                                          July 12
Closure Day  Staff PL Day 4                         Aug 20
Year 3 Reconciliation                                    Sep 8 10:30am                                 
End Term 3                                                     Sep 17

Term 4
Beginning Term 4                                          Oct 4
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    Oct 20 10:30am
Year 4 First Communion                               Oct 24 9am & 5pm
Closure Day Assessment                                Nov 1
Closure Day Planning 2022                          Nov 19
School Swimming                                        Nov 29 - Dec 10
End of term                                                   Dec 15 at 1pm


Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)