St Ita's Primary School Drouin
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50 Victoria Street
Drouin VIC 3818
Subscribe: https://stidrouin.catholic.edu.au/subscribe

Email: admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 03 5623 7222

T4 W11 2023 Newsletter

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T4 W11 2023 Newsletter

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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. 

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    Wishing you all a safe, happy and Holy Christmas

    Thanks to everyone in our school community who have worked so hard to make St Ita’s a truly wonderful learning environment.

    Each year we grow bigger in terms of student population and with this growth, the dynamics of our school change immensely. I thank all those in our learning community who are able to embrace the changing dynamic of St Ita’s and work hard to make it a place where all students are nurtured academically, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

    Thank you to all our students for the application they put into their studies and for the way that they endeavour to live the Gospel values in their day to day schooling. All your efforts are to be commended.

    Thank you to our wonderful teaching staff for their enthusiasm, dedication and ongoing commitment to being great role models of life-long learners. We are blessed to have such a professional staff who constantly give above and beyond to make sure your children are loved, respected and cared for on their learning journey.

    Finally, I would like to thank Father Confidence for his spiritual leadership, his wisdom and his ongoing support to all in our school community.

    To all in the St Ita’s community I wish you a safe, happy and Holy Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the new 2024 school year.

    SCHOOL BOARD / PARENTS AND FRIENDS

    Could I take this time to thank both the School Board and our Parents and Friends reps for their collective efforts during the year. The people who take on positions for these two groups do it voluntarily and the work that they do is truly valued by the students and staff of St Ita’s. On behalf of all, a big heart felt thank you.

    CHRISTMAS IN A SHOE BOX

    Thanks to all those in our school community who have supported this year’s St Vinnies Christmas in a shoebox. Once again the school community got behind this wonderful group and it’s great to know that these presents will be distributed to those in our local community who are in need.

    MESSAGE TO GRADUATING GRADE 6 STUDENTS

    The end of this year marks the end of the Primary school journey for our graduating Grade 6 class and the beginning of their secondary phase.

    The step into Secondary school is a big one and I know through talking with many of the graduating kids, there have been times where you have experienced elements of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, excitement and plenty of wondering relating to what next year will look like.

    Here is my promise to you. “Everything will be ok.”

    Before our graduating students finish up this year, please take the time to say thanks to your parents and say thanks to your teachers. They have walked with you on the journey and have always been there for you along the way.

    A few weeks back, I was invited to a Principal’s forum by the Member for Narracan, Wayne Farnham and Shadow Minister for Education, Jess Wilson to talk about a number of issues relating to Education within our electorate.

    The meeting gave us all the opportunity to talk about the topics of concern such as the short fall in government school funding, students returning to school from home schooling, children dealing with trauma in their lives, the impact of inclusive education, state wide teacher shortages and building respectful and harmonious school communities.

    One of the key strengths of our school is its strong sense of community which we have worked really hard to foster over a long period of time. In the last 6 years we have developed our WSAPB (Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviours) At St Ita’s we, the students, teachers and parents are a community that is compassionate, inclusive, respectful, resilient and we work in effective teams.

    We have spent significant time developing and promoting a school culture that encourages and celebrates student success, as well as builds high standards of positive student interactions.

    We have high expectations for all our students within our learning community. This is a key ingredient of our success as a school. We are an aspirational community, which engenders a culture of high expectations and high achievement.

    We have behaviour expectations for all our students and our school is a place where daily interactions between students, parents and teachers are respectful, inclusive and courteous.

    Now you could call me bias but I really respect and admire the commitment of the St Ita’s teaching staff. I hope you all feel appreciated, valued and respected. You have all done an amazing job working with our graduating students here tonight.

    Something I really want our graduation students to take away from their years at St Ita’s, is to not only understand but to enact on the 5 pillars of our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviours, which are at the core of everything we are as an effective learning community.

    Genuine Inclusiveness

    Inclusion is the act of embracing all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, religious beliefs, education or national origin. Inclusion is about giving equal access to opportunities, eliminating discrimination and removing barriers. Inclusion empowers people by valuing and respecting what makes them different.

    Genuine Compassion

    Compassion connects us with the object of our concern. Compassion includes respect, honouring the other’s person dignity as a fellow human being. Our concern, if it comes from genuine compassion, is based on the recognition that, just like I do, this other person wishes to be free from suffering”

    Genuine Respect

    Respect is like air. We take it for granted until we run out of it. It is one of the most important communal based traits. It’s the foundation of trust. Without a respectful culture, you can’t win the hearts of people.

    Genuine Resilience

    Resilience refers to both the process and the outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences. It’s your ability to withstand adversity and bounce back and grow despite life’s downturns,”

    Being resilient does not mean that people don’t experience stress, emotional upheaval, and suffering. Demonstrating resilience is about working through emotional pain and suffering.

    Genuine Teamwork

    Working well in a team means working with a group to achieve a shared common goal in an effective way. We do this by actively listening to one another other, supporting and assisting those struggling or uncertain. Approaching teamwork with a positive mindset and attitude can produce amazing results and our focus is always working for the good of the group as a whole.

    So yes, I concur …. there are some really tough challenges relating to and facing education at the moment. But after last week’s meeting and conversations that came from it, I feel really proud that St Ita’s is seen as a positive learning community that provides support, encouragement and growth opportunities for all.

    To all our Graduating students, you leave St Ita’s knowing that you are unique, you are valued and you are loved. And most importantly, God will always be with you on the many journeys you take. 

    Remember the past with gratitude, Live the present with enthusiasm and look forward to the future with confidence.”

    Andrew Osler

    St Ita's Principal

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    IMPORTANT DATES

    Tuesday 30th January 2024 - School Returns for 2024
    Monday 5th February 2024 - Lunch Orders recommence
    Thursday 8th February - Parent only Information Session for Reconciliation

    CANTEEN/LUNCH ORDERS

    A reminder to all families that the canteen will recommence lunch orders Week 2, Monday 5th February 2024.

    SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS 

    All fees are due and payable now, please ensure your account is finalised as soon as possible.

    School Fee statements have been forwarded to all families via Email. If you have not received your statement, or you need to speak with us regarding payment options for your account, please contact School Admin.

    Direct Debit and Credit Card payments can be set up at any time, please contact School Admin to assist with putting these options in place. 

    Contact: admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au or (03) 5623 7222

    ANGLICARE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ONSITE ON THURSDAY

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    Every family needs a little help from time to time. Are finances stressing you out?  Is parenting feeling a little too hard some days? Your children’s emotions difficult to manage? Is their behaviour disrupting the whole household and impacting their time at school? Anglicare Victoria Family Services are now located on site every Thursday to provide support in these areas, or even if you just need to have a chat.

    Completely confidential, non judgemental, we are here to support you and your family.  Contact Heath on 0499 007 031 or ask for Heath at the office any time on Thursday.

    SIMON EVERYWHERE

    STUDENT ABSENCES

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    CLASS AWARDS

    The winners of this weeks class awards are below.

    Foundation C Week 1-2 Paige Johnston Sol Pater
    Foundation C Week 3-4 Caylee Parker Zacarias Martinez-Villalobos
    Foundation HN Week 1-2 Mia Dunscombe Xavier Fowler
    Foundation HN Week 3-4 Luna Love Matilda Hudgell
    Foundation K Week 1-2 Airlie Timson Oakley Gleeson
    Foundation K Week 3-4 Oscar Proctor Darcy Dore
    Grade 1CW Week 1-2 Chase Blencowe Harlow Minihan
    Grade 1CW Week 3-4 Mahli Robley Ben Saunders
    Grade 1G Week 1-2 Ivy Bennetto Nathan Hately
    Grade 1G Week 3-4 Nathan Hateley Ivy Bennetto
    Grade 1G Week 3-4 Taleah Proctor Hunter Karlis
    Grade 1ST Week 1-2 Jake Schembri Milla Buxton
    Grade 1ST Week 3-4 Ricardo Palombieri Hazel Ablett
    Grade 2AK Week 3-4 Jasmine Lord Elsie Drissen
    Grade 2BC Week 3-4 Elias Martinez-Villalobos Evelyn Onus
    Grade 2MW Week 3-4 Charlotte Hartcher Audrey Smythe
    Grade 3/4D Week 1-2 Beau Beechey Annabelle Lyall
    Grade 3/4GP Week 1-2 Noa Welch Kai Aitken
    Grade 3/4GP Week 3-4 Hayden Nooy Eliza Biorchi
    Grade 3/4I Week 1-2 Kailey Huglin Hunter Vann
    Grade 3/4I Week 3-4 Amalia Masterson Laken Backman
    Grade 3/4JW Week 1-2 Miles Robinson Scarlett Sedgwick
    Grade 3/4JW Week 3-4 Adrian Marki Rose Robbins
    Grade 3/4WR Week 1-2 Austin Ferris Skyla Crimmins
    Grade 3/4WR Week 1-2 Nardya Hart Lachlan Hynd
    Grade 3/4WR Week 3-4 Imogen Quinn
    Grade 5/6 L Week 1-2 Tia Stoll Nate Blaney
    Grade 5/6 L Week 3-4 Jett McGibney Theia Wells
    Grade 5/6B Week 1-2 Reb Kensley Isaac Taylor
    Grade 5/6B Week 3-4 Angus Maling Ivy Marshall
    Grade 5/6LM Week 3-4 Eli Spargo Caiden Perera
    Grade 5/6TM Week 1-2 Sebastian McDonald Grace Rushbury
    Grade 5/6TM Week 3-4 Summer Veale Ashton Smethurst

    GRADE 1 EXCURSION - MYUNA FARM

    On Thursday 16th November, our Grade 1 students went to Myuna Farm in Doveton for the day.  These are the recounts of what they did and learned at the farm.
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    Japanese Teacher: Nicholas Gregory     

    Email:  ngregory@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au

    JAPANESE ROOM NEWS

    Japanese Lunch for Grade 6 Students

    On Friday 1st December, the Grade 6 students enjoyed a Japanese lunch to celebrate their graduation.

    Students had a chance to try green tea and eat a sushi bento with chopsticks. They had four different options, but the “Chicken Combo” was by far the most popular choice!

    Students were encouraged to use Japanese to ask for the food and drinks and also give thanks before and after the meal. They also played a range of games including “Sushi Bingo”, the “Ninja Competition” and the “Sushi Limbo” and had a chance to win some great prizes from Japan!

    Although the majority of students will continue learning Japanese at local secondary schools, we hope they will have the opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures from around the world in the future too.

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    SPORTS NEWS

    Sports Teacher/Co-Ordinator: Hayley Roberts     

    Email:  hroberts@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au 

    GRADE 3-6 TRIATHLON

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    GRADE 5-6 TENNIS

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    CAMP AUSTRALIA

    Camp Australia Co-Ordinator: Carmelina De Cesari

    Contact Number: 1300 105 343

    Website: www.campaustralia.com.au

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    PARISH NEWS

    Alert Against Sin

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    Right at the beginning of the Bible we are told that every human is an image of God, a sacred being who represents the Creator and is worthy of respect. So, sin is a failure to love our Creator and humanity and all creation as directed.

    Many of us hear today’s gospel (Mk 13:33-37) and we think, too right! It is warning those (other) sinners, not to defy God, not to misbehave. Hazardously though, we might just relax in the comforting thought that we aren’t like that. We’re unlike those murderers, thieves, adulterers and blasphemers we see on the News and in popular media. We are above all that. We are alert and awake, we won’t make those mistakes! Hmmm!

    Hopefully that is so, but sadly we then admit we might commit some minor sins, just “little white lies”, or cheating the tax man. “Just the things that everyone else is doing ….. so they must be ok. But those “small” sins are the ones that get past when our attention is distracted. When we are busy playing cool; being caught up in “what’s happening now?”, keeping up with the Joneses, avoiding ridicule rather than standing up to poor behaviour, going along with inappropriate banter, allowing injustice to prevail without trying to prevent it. The more we tolerate and justify our own “small” sins, the closer we are to “big” sins.

    Advent is about preparation for Christ’s coming, about late spring-cleaning of our spiritual houses. Under the guidance of Mark’s gospel, Advent is an opportunity to reflect on our inner lives, to look beyond the commercial rubbish that threatens to overtake Christmas and to re-commit ourselves to faithfully and watchfully waiting for Jesus coming. Advent is a chance to get our lives back on track, to refocus on allowing Jesus into our hearts, to make us the people He calls us to be.

    Deacon Mark Kelly

    FIRST RECONCILIATION

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    Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will begin at the very beginning of the new school year. If your child is in Grade Three or above, is baptised, and would like to prepare to receive this sacrament of Reconciliation, please come along to a Parent only Information Meeting on Thursday 8th February at 7pm in the Marian Room, St Joseph’s Church, Warragul.

    Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Fr. Elio Capra, SDB. He is a knowledgeable and engaging presenter. Information packages with enrolment details will be given out on this night.  Dates for the Enrolment Masses and other sessions are yet to be finalised. For further enquiries feel free to contact Liz 

    EmailWarragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au    

    Ph: 03 5623 1642

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    PARISH SACRAMENT ENQUIRIES

    Phone: (03) 5623 1642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

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    Check out our Catholic Parishes of Warragul & Drouin Facebook presence.

    PUBLIC NOTICES

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