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St Ita’s Catholic Primary School acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
KEEPING MRS. PATERSON IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Thank you to all those who offered their prayers and kind words of support to Mrs. Paterson as she works through this very tough and emotional time with her family. Mrs Paterson will be taking some leave over the coming weeks.
Kristy's funeral will be at St Ita’s Church Drouin on Saturday, 8th October at 1.30pm.
WELCOME BACK TO TERM 4
A warm welcome back to all our families as we begin the fourth and final term of our 2022 school year. So far this year we have had our school back in a space where we can almost operate as normal, and hopefully we can finish the school year on a positive note without any interuptions. St Ita's will continue to implement measures to keep everyone in our community safe whilst still inviting our families to be involved within our school environment.
During the term holidays, I was alerted by several of our parents that students from St Ita's were trading some pretty nasty comments to one another via the social media app Snapchat. Whilst this matter happened out of school hours, during school holidays, I think it’s important to make all families aware of what is happening via social media apps given that a number of our students have access to these apps via phones, smart watches and computers.
On Monday I met with all our senior students and had an informed conversation in relation to the appropriate use of social media, and the legal repercussions that can follow when laws are broken and people are trolled or bullied online. I spoke to all students about their digital footprint and the damage and consequences that online bullying or hurtful comments can have on individuals, and I am confident the message has been received and understood by the students.
Our school devices (Chromebooks) are a tool to be used specifically for learning. All students have signed a user agreement and are aware that they should not be downloading apps to be used for communication with other students or outsiders. We can monitor all chromebooks at school, and keep a track of communication traffic and any issues that may potentially arise, however we can't monitor student Smart Phones, Smart Watches or other communication devices that are used at home and out socially. This is the responsibility of you the parents, and it’s important that you are aware of the apps your children have access to, who they are communicating with and more importantly how they are communicating.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
It's important to be aware of what your kids do online. But snooping can alienate them and damage the trust you've built together. The key is to stay involved in a way that makes your kids understand that you respect their privacy but want to make sure they're safe.
Tell your kids that it's important to:
- Be nice. Mean behaviour is not OK. Make it clear that you expect your kids to treat others with respect, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages. And ask them to always tell you about any harassing or bullying messages that others post.
- Think twice before hitting "enter." Remind kids that what they post can be used against them. For example, letting the world know that you're off on vacation or posting your home address gives would-be robbers a chance to strike. Kids also should avoid posting specific locations of parties or events, as well as phone numbers.
- Follow the "WWGS?" (What Would Grandma Say?) rule. Teach kids not to share anything on social media that they wouldn't want their teachers, future bosses — and yes, grandma — to see.
- Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important. Go through them together to make sure your kids understand each one. Also, explain that passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft. They should never share them with anyone, even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend.
- Don't "friend" strangers. "If you don't know them, don't friend them." This is a plain, simple — and safe — rule of thumb. Let them know that kids who follow friends are generally happier than those who follow strangers.
Make a Contract
Consider making a "social media agreement" with your kids — a real contract they can sign. In it, they agree to protect their own privacy, consider their reputation, and not give out personal information. They also promise not to use technology to hurt anyone else through bullying or gossip.
In turn, parents agree to respect their kids' privacy while making an effort to be part of the social media world. This means you can "friend" or "follow" them, but don't post embarrassing comments or rants about messy rooms.
Parents also can help keep kids grounded in the real world by putting limits on media use. Keep computers in public areas in the house, avoid laptops and smartphones in bedrooms, and set some rules on the use of technology (such as no devices at the dinner table).
And most importantly, as a parent, don’t forget to set a good example through your own virtual behavior which can go a long way towards helping your kids use social media safely.
ST ITA’S MOBILE PHONE AND SMART WATCH POLICY
At St Ita’s, we aim to empower our students to engage and learn with confidence, courage and empathy by providing an education that inspires them to become global citizens. For the purposes of this policy, ‘communication devices’ refer to mobile phones and smart watches.
The school discourages students from bringing mobile phones and smart watches to school. These communication devices cause disruption in classrooms and on the playground and can be used inappropriately to access call and message, use social media and take photos without permission. This can cause distress and is a breach of the privacy of others.
Parents are always able to contact their children by calling the school phone number (03) 5623 7222 or sending a ClassDojo to your child’s teacher. If necessary, students are also given the opportunity to contact parents from the school’s office phone.
If a parent feels it is necessary for their child to bring a communication device (Mobile Phone or Smart Watch) to school, then the rules for student use of mobile phones and smart watches in the school are listed below:
- Devices brought to and kept at school are used entirely at their owner’s risk. St Ita’s Primary School cannot accept any responsibility for theft, loss or damage of these devices
- Mobile Phones and Smart Watches are to be turned off and handed to the class teacher at the start of each day and collected from the class teacher at the end of each day. Phones or Smart Watches will be stored in a locked safe place in the classroom. (If a smart watch is set up to only be used as a watch during school time, it can remain with the child for the school day. A form will need to be signed off by the child’s parent or guardian stating that the restrictions have been set in place.)
- Mobile Phone and Smart Watch, notification alerts and location must be switched off whilst at school.
- We advise that Mobile Phones and Smart Watches are not to be used to call home in an emergency. This is the duty of the school and the administrator/teacher in charge
- Mobile Phones and Smart Watches are not to be used to call home in the event of a mishap at school or because student belongings have been forgotten unless at a teacher’s discretion and under the supervision of the teacher. In the main, these events are to be dealt with by the school
- Parents will be informed of any events that have or will impact on their child via a phone call, Schoolzine, Class Dojo or PAM
- Mobile Phones and Smart Watches are not to be used in the classroom, playground or incursion/excursion for any of the following purposes; check text messages, access games, the internet, images, the camera or videos
- Mobile Phones and Smart Watches are never to be used to be used to harass, bully or intimidate students or teaching staff
Any use of mobile phones and smart watches by a student, that is in breach of these rules, will lead to the
confiscation of the device. In this instance, parents will be notified and confiscated devices will need to be collected from the Administration office by the student’s parent or guardian at the end of the day.
DEALING WITH ONLINE TROLLS
Online trolling is when someone makes a deliberatively provocative comment or post and waits for people to take the bait.
Trolls may post anonymously or under a fake name, so they feel free to say things without being held responsible. This anonymity can make people feel more powerful and willing to say more provocative things than they would in real life. It also makes it difficult to identify who is making the comments.
Trolling can be damaging and harmful to individuals. A post or comment might target a person because of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability, or be discriminatory in other ways.
Here are some tips for how to deal with online trolls.
What to do
Don’t feed the trolls
Resist the urge to respond. As tempting as it will be, by replying, you will just be giving the troll what they want. Not responding is the best response.
Screenshot evidence
Make sure to take a screenshot before you report, block or delete. If you have seen or been the target of mean or nasty stuff online, your immediate reaction might be to make it disappear. But keeping evidence is really important in case it continues and you need to report it to the app, site or eSafety.
Report and block
If it spills over into online hate or cyberbullying, your best course of action is to report the abuse to the site or app and block the abuser. Most have rules against abusive online behaviour and tools that allow you to report any comments or accounts. For more information about a specific site or service, see The eSafety Guide.
Report to eSafety
If it’s getting serious and the site or app doesn't help, you can report it to eSafety. We can help take any abusive content down and point you in the right direction if you need other help. If you are over 18, you can make an adult cyber abuse complaint.
Talk to someone or get help
Talk to a trusted adult and get support from friends or your parent or carer. There are also many online counselling services with trained professionals who are ready to hear you out.
SCHOOL HATS
As a part of our Sun Smart Policy all students are required to wear a hat while playing outside during Term 1 & Term 4.
Please ensure that all children have a St Ita's hat as a part of their school uniform, and that they are bringing their hat to school daily. If children do not bring a hat to school they will be only be able to play outside in the shaded areas during outside play times.
2022 CLASS STRUCTURES
Each year when we begin the process of setting class lists for the following year we invite parents to let us know if there are particular educational needs their child has which might impact class placement. Over the past few years the majority of requests we receive are regarding the child's social group or a parent preference for a particular teacher.
School is the formative place for young people to begin to explore a world beyond the home. They begin to discover the differences between being friends and being friendly, how to work with people that might have different views and skills, how to develop positive, respectful relationships with a broader range of people and how to deal with change.
The hope for all parents and educators is that we can best equip our young people for a world where they can be effective and affective, can work to bring change in the world and demonstrate a respect and care for all. They will move into a variety of working lives and research shows that each is likely to have a much larger number of jobs and job types than their parents.
For a child changing classes at the end of the year brings uncertainty, a little reluctance, a little excitement, a little nervousness and a little anxiety. It also brings opportunity to practice the skills they will need to enter a new workplace and form effective working relationships with co-workers.
As adults we are aware that a change of workplace means leaving those friendships we have developed in our work life. Some friendships are strong and continue outside of our work life and are nurtured and maintained in our social life. Others are replaced by new working friendships which support and engage us in our new workplace but may or may not last beyond that placement.
This is exactly what children have an opportunity to learn as they change class. Being kept with only the same group, or the same teacher robs them of the learning about how to experience change, to grow relationships, to become more quickly comfortable in new situations and to take control of what is possible in their environment.
We hope that our parents trust that we know our students well; both individually and collectively. We plan classes with great care and discussion balancing the wellbeing, learning and social aspects of each child and class. We consider teacher skills and styles, support requirements and opportunities as well as the requests of the children as to their preferences for peers in their new class.
When the conversations in your house turn to next year please look at the opportunity given to you to discuss how changing workplaces is a reality and how we grow as people each time we form new working relationships with peers and bosses. Talk to them about your experiences, about the things that worked well and please avoid tales of woe!
2022 CLASS REQUESTS
Class requests for the 2023 can be completed on the following google form. Please do not make assumptions that previous years requests will be honoured. It is best to put everything in writing again. Please understand that these requests are not guaranteed.
SCHOOL FEES & CONCESSIONS
A reminder to all families that all outstanding fees must be finalised by the end of Term 4. All school fees should be finalised in the year they are billed, if you are experiencing difficulty, or feel you will not be able to finalising payment please make contact with Beck at the Admin Office as soon as possible either by phone (03) 5623 7222 or via email admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
If any families would like to set up a weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit schedules for school fees, please complete the Direct Debit Form below and return to the school office.
Little Learners Love Literacy
We have seen some amazing success with our grade one students who have been working with the Little Learners Love Literacy. This program has been introduced across our junior school and we are seeing some wonderful results of improved reading skills. Mrs Lewry who has been assisting with the reading in grade 1 classes has been so impressed with the growth of all students. Current Grade 1 teacher Miss Baker completed an outstanding VIT project that used the LLLL data to show significant growth and improvement across the sample students.
LIBRARY NEWS
Teacher: Mrs Catherine McKenna
Email: cmckenna@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
Orders close Monday 24th October for free delivery back to school.
You also have the home delivery option with an addition fee of $7.50
PARISH NEWS
SAMARITANS
Samaritans pop up a number of times in the gospels. Unlike their appearance elsewhere, the gospels often portray them as the good guys, rather than the despised outsiders of Jewish tradition. Modern scholarship indicates they are a separated branch of Israelites. A bit like Protestant v Catholic separation, they drifted further apart over the centuries and the relationship became poisonous. Jesus, as a neighbouring Galilean, understood that culture and those prejudices.
Hatred and mistrust percolated for many years across the racial, ethnic and religious barriers between the Jews and their near neighbours, the Samaritans. As an earlier gospel mildly puts it, “Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” Jesus rises above such prejudices, highlighting good and faithful Samaritans. We are all familiar with the “Good Samaritan” parable and the Samaritan woman at the well and here we have the Samaritan leper who alone of the ten who were cured returns to thank Jesus.
As with last week’s gospel, Jesus highlights the power of faith to cut across division and enmity. Ten lepers plead for Jesus help and are cured, but only this one faithfully and wholly gives himself to Jesus (Luke 17:11-19).
What is Jesus’ message for us here? Maybe it becomes clearer if we substitute “white bread Aussies” for observant Jews and then “refugees, migrants, Africans, Muslims, others” for Samaritans. Perhaps all are equally beloved. Perhaps too, others can be equally faithful.
Can we learn from those with whom we “don’t associate”? Asking Jesus to fix our immediate problems, is one thing, offering ourselves, as the Samaritan leper does, in recognition that Jesus himself is the true source of our wholeness, is another.
We too are called to sit at Jesus feet in wondrous gratitude, recognising that the bounty he offers me is offered to all his children, precious to him whatever their race, ethnicity or religion.
Deacon Mark Kelly
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION GRADE 4 2022IMPORTANT DATES TO MARK IN YOUR DIARYPlease note there an invitation letter was sent home to all Grade 4 families last week with details of next term’s First Holy Communion preparation. We are looking forward to sharing this very special time in your child’s faith journey. Please remember to check your children’s bags for this letter. Many thanks. For more enquires please contact Thérèse on 0439 306 642 |
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INFORMATION MEETING Wednesday 19th October at St Ita’s Church (Drouin) at 7pm OR Thursday 20th October at St Joseph’s Church, in the Marian Room (Warragul) at 7pm. |
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COMMITMENT MASSES St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Saturday 22nd October, 7pm or Sunday 23rd October, 9am St Ita’s Church, Drouin Sunday 23rd October, 10:30am or Sunday 30th October, 10.30am |
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PARENT WORKSHOP 1 (Liturgy of The Word) Drouin: (St Ita’s Church): Wednesday 2nd November, 7pm Warragul: Marian Room (St Joseph’s Church): Thursday 3rd November, 4pm or 7pm SPECIAL TEACHING MASSES INVOLVING THE CHILDREN Teaching Mass 1: (Liturgy of The Word) St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Saturday 12th November, 7pm or Sunday 13th November, 9am St Ita’s Church, Drouin Sunday 13th November, 10:30am |
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PARENT & CHILD WORKSHOP 2 (Liturgy of The Eucharist) Drouin: (St Ita’s Church): Wednesday 16th November, 7pm Warragul: Marian Room (St Joseph’s Church): Thursday 17th November, 4pm OR 7pm Teaching Mass 2: (Liturgy of The Eucharist) St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Saturday 19th November, 7pm Or Sunday 20th November, 9am St Ita’s Church, Drouin Sunday 20th November, 10:30am |
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2nd RITE OF RECONCILIATION: (Preparation for First Communion) St Ita’s Church, Drouin Wednesday 30th November, at 7pm St Joseph’s Church, Warragul Thursday 1st December, at 7pm |
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES
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PARISH SACRAMENT ENQUIRIES
Sacrament Enquiries: Mrs Therese Meggetto
Mobile: 0439 306 642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
