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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.
It was great to get through a full term without any issues relating to COVID-19, our kids have done a great job transitioning back into mainstream schooling. Whilst we still have some kids struggling to engage with curriculum on a daily basis, we are slowly getting back to what I call the norm. Term 1 has been a big term at St Ita's with a number of significant activities occuring for all of our children, earning everyone a well-deserved Easter Break.
Thanks to everyone in our school community who contribute to the Giant Easter Raffle, it is a great way to build community and we have managed to bundle up an enormous 94 Easter hampers to draw at our final whole school assembly tomorrow, which starts at 12.15pm in the multi-purpose hall. At this stage, we have raised in excess of $3,000.00 which will go towards the redevelopment of our junior school playground.
A big shout out to Claire Garner, Kylie Morris, Maree Bordanaro and Christina Brown for putting together all of the Easter raffle hampers, on behalf of everyone in the St Ita’s community, we appreciate support.
TERM 2 COMMENCEMENT
Please be aware that Term 2 will commence on Wednesday 26th April which follows on from the Anzac Day public holiday on Tuesday 25th April.
I wish everyone in our community a safe, happy and holy Easter, and we look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready to go when we return back from our term break.
EASTER MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Andrew Osler
St Ita's Principal
LAST DAY OF TERM 1
A reminder to all families that the last day of Term 1 will be Thursday 6th April, with an early finish time of 2.20pm. On this day we will be having a whole school liturgy in the church at 11.30am to celebrate the Stations of the Cross, which will be presented by our Grade 6 students. This will be followed by a short assembly. Parents who would like to take their children home after the assembly are welcome to do so, please ensure that you Dojo your childs teacher to let them know they will be leaving early.
IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday 6th April 2023 - Last day of Term 1, 2.20pm finish
Monday 24th April 2023 - School Closure Day - no students on site
Tuesday 16th May 2023 - RE Closure Day - no students on site
PARENT INFORMATION PRESENTATIONS
Please find below a QR code and website link to 2023 Parent Information Presentations. The information presentations will help to give you an understanding of what your child is learning in the class during Term 1. Please use these links to explore what your child is learning and if you have any questions, feel free to contact your childs' classroom teacher for further information.
Here is web link if preferred- CLICK HERE
SCHOOL FEE CONCESSIONS
2023 School Fees Concession Program Financial Hardship
Eligible Centrelink Concession Card (CCC) Holder
Information for Applicants
Aim: To assist school families experiencing financial hardship in accessing a Catholic Primary education for their child/ren.
Confidentiality: At all times, the dignity and privacy of those seeking a fee concession will be respected.
Level of Concession: School office staff can advise applicants of the concessional fee to be charged. This concessional fee is fixed annually by Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited. Approved applicants will be charged only the concessional fee which will cover all standard school fees and levies including any charges remaining for camps, sports and excursions after the application of the Camps, Sports, Excursion Fund (CSEF) benefit.
Eligible Concession Cards: Centrelink issues a number of concession cards for a variety of reasons. Some cards have a generous or no income test and therefore holders of these cards are ineligible for a fee concession under Category One. Only CCC’s that are eligible for CSEF are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program.
The following CCC’s are the most common cards that are eligible for CSEF. The CCC type is specified as a two or three letter code printed on the concession card.
- YA or YAL – Youth Allowance
- PPS – Parenting Payment Single
- PPP – Parenting Payment Partnered
- DSP – Disability Support Pension
- NSA – New Start Allowance
- LI – Low Income
- FA – Family Tax Benefit
- SA or SKA - Sickness Allowance
- CAR - Carer Allowance
- ABA or ABY - Schooling Applicant
- AGE - Age Pension
- AUS - Austudy
- HCC - Health Care Card
- PTA - Partnered Allowance
- SPL - Special Benefit
- WID or WFD or WFA – Widow Allowance/Pension
- The CCC must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for which the concession is to be applied.
- The expiry date of the card must be on or after 1 January of the year (2023) for which the concession is to be applied.
- If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year.
- If a family becomes eligible during the course of a school year, then a pro-rata concession may be granted.
Lodgement of Application: Applications for 2023 close on Friday 23rd June 2023, please lodge your application immediately for your card to be checked and a pro-rata concession to be applied if applicable.
The following application forms must be completed and are available from the school office:
- Complete the school’s application form & the Direct Debit Request (DDR) Service Agreement (or Centrepay application form)
- Submit the completed forms and present a valid CCC for verifying and copying.
- Complete and return the CSEF application form immediately after receiving it from the school.
Important Notes:
- The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian responsible for the school fees, who holds an eligible CCC.
- Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a DDR Service Agreement or CentrePay arrangement for a regular payment plan of remaining fees (either weekly or fortnightly payments preferred). Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.
- The Direct Debit form is available from the school office or alternatively the CentrePay application form is available online at https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/forms/sa325.
- A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.
- A new application must be made for each school year.
- Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.
- All families requesting, or receiving, a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered or if cards are cancelled.
Please complete the below concession request forms and return to admin together with a copy of your valid concession card before Friday 23rd June 2023.
CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE
Eligibility:
An application on behalf of a student may be submitted if the student is:
- a Victorian resident;
- school aged and enrolled (3) three or more days per week at a school; and
A student who meets the above requirements may be eligible if they:
- attend their nearest appropriate non-government school/campus
- reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from the school attended
Note: Eligibility is assessed when the School completes your child’s application on the Student Conveyance Allowance System
(SCAS). If approved, the allowance payable is based on the one-way distance to make the journey to and from school.
If you are eligible and wish to apply for this allowance, please click the link to the Conveyance Allowance Application Form, which must be printed and completed and returned to the school office by Friday 10th March, 2023. Late claims cannot be accepted.
Teacher: Mrs Catherine McKenna
Email: cmckenna@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Reviewers Wanted
For the last two years we have been fortunate enough to be chosen to review books for the Herald Sun and now the Geelong Advertiser. The books we are given to review are mostly suitable for grade 3-6 students.
I currently have 4 books that need to be read and reviewed. This can be in partnership as parent/student; or students may be able to work independently. It is also something that needs to be completed in a reasonable timeframe and at home. Book reviews need to be typed and 100 words. If your child is interested in being a book reviewer this year, please email me and I will keep them in mind if a suitable book comes in.
Story Box Library
Just a reminder to parents and new families that we have a subscription to Story Box Library. There is a link to the website below, or you can download the app. I encourage you to try it out.
Audiobooks
If your child isn’t into reading, or if they haven’t found the genre that they love yet, get them listening to audio books. Also known as ear-reading, it’s a great way for our students to explore and develop a love of story. I use the app BorrowBox which is free through the Local Community Library-Myli.
SPORTS NEWS
Sports Teacher/Co-Ordinator: Hayley Roberts
Email: hroberts@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
T-Ball Grade 3-6
For the past 3 weeks, students in Grades 3-6 have taken part in a t-ball program thanks to DS Sports. Coach Jessie has been at St Ita’s for the past 3 weeks teaching students how to bat, field, catch with a glove, run between bases and score home runs! The kids had a fantastic time and learnt a lot about baseball & T-Ball.
IMPORTANT DATES 2023
Whole school cross country - Friday 5th May
CAMP AUSTRALIA
Camp Australia Co-Ordinator: Carmelina De Cesari
Contact Number: 1300 105 343
Website: www.campaustralia.com.au
PARISH NEWS
Old Testament Promises
Easter Week is the most profoundly moving and intense season of the Church year. If we immerse ourselves in Holy Week, if we have been swept up in the timeless beauty and relevance of scripture and liturgy, symbol and sacrifice, then we can re-live those events of 2000 years ago. That is why the Church in her wisdom has long made this a rich celebration above all others.
Beginning with Palm Sunday, replete with symbolism of the palm branches, the blessing of the holy oils at Chrism Mass on Tuesday, washing of feet and stripping of the tabernacle and altar on Holy Thursday, recounting the Passion story and reverencing of the Cross in the stark church on Good Friday and finally and wonderfully the eruption of light and joy in the Easter Vigil Mass on Easter eve. Full participation enables full engagement of the senses in the sacred experience.
The relevant gospels (Matt 27:11-54; John 18:1-19 ) have been at the centre of our celebration of the Word, but hopefully we have reflected too on the many Old Testament readings, particularly from Isaiah, which point towards our Easter joy.
Following Christ through the darkness of Good Friday, we reflect on Isaiah Chapter 52 and 53, thinking, “I recognise this! The suffering servant of God who takes all the sins of humanity upon his shoulders, who comes for the salvation of the Israelites (and of us).” Is this foretelling, many centuries before, the Good News of Jesus, the Son of God who does just that? And Chapters 54 and 55 of Isaiah gives us glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel, of promise, cause for confidence and rejoicing. These lead seamlessly to the pinnacle of the Easter story. In glorious fulfilment of the ancient promises, Jesus is victorious over death itself!! (Matt 28:1-10) Alleluia, alleluia!
Happy Easter indeed!
Deacon Mark Kelly
RCIA. Becoming Catholic
Congratulations and welcome to: Phillip Johnston, Anthony Jones who will be baptised next Saturday at the Easter Vigil 8th April 7.30pm St. Joseph’s Church, along with Nicole McCormack, Geoff Rankins our candidates who will be welcomed into the Church and our baptised Catholic Belinda Thompson who will complete her sacraments of Initiation. All parishioners are welcome and invited to come into the Marian Room after Mass to celebrate with them. Could you please bring a plate of supper to share.
If you are interested and would like more information about the Catholic faith you can contact Joan Robertson or Fr. Confidence at the Parish Office: 56231642, or Deacon Mark Kelly: 0427748646.
PARISH SACRAMENT ENQUIRIES
Phone: (03) 5623 1642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
PUBLIC NOTICES
