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We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are situated and remind you that we are gathered on Aboriginal land.
We acknowledge the Elders of this land both past and present.
Can’t Escape Taxes!
Jesus is not about to get sucked into an either/or dispute about civic duties vs duties to God. Though not in favour of the excessive taxation imposed by the Roman overlords, he has bigger issues to deal with. His whole purpose is to proclaim the Kingdom of God’s love for all, hearing the cry of the poor, and working tirelessly to champion the cause of the destitute.
The Kingdom of God is a new deal for all but always Jesus seeks change by peaceful means, turning the other cheek to violence. Rather, by courage, strength, wit and wisdom (Matt 22:15-21) Jesus beats his enemies at their own game, bravely calling out their hypocritical attempt to wedge him on taxation. And he gives them something to think about and maybe shifts their hard hearts a little to his perspective. Rather than a choice between living in the real world and living religious practice and identity, Jesus answer is both! Caesar has a claim but, in any case, nothing really lies outside God’s authority. God works through all human systems and institutions to build his Kingdom.
For us today, serving God’s Kingdom and being good citizens in the community are usually not contradictory roles. Part of citizenship is paying taxes to the government to properly run the state and, even though taxation is sometimes spent in ways we disapprove, in our mostly benign pluralist democratic society we accept decisions and aspirations which are not our own. Jesus reminds us all in his response that we have dual responsibilities, first to God, but also to his people in wider society. Our taxes help address our responsibilities to our fellow citizens. On the occasions where we find our loyalties in conflict then, both as God’s people and as tax paying citizens we do need to speak up courageously against Government neglect, omission, inequity or injustice.
Deacon Mark Kelly
It has been great to see our children adapting back into the normalities of school life during the first week back. They have done a terrific job getting back into the routines and have come back full of enthusiasm. I have been impressed with the amount of children who adapted in a positive manner to Remote Learning the second time around. So many teachers have shared stories of children in their grades who have grown in both maturity and resilience during remote learning. I am proud of each and every one of you.
As a learning community, we are mindful that many of you will need time to transition back into the norms of day-to-day schooling. If you see a schoolmate struggling at school, make sure you help them out. If you see someone left out and lonely, make sure you bring them into your group. Make them feel included and connected.
We have one term of learning for the year and a lot to get through. I am very conscious of children staying focused with their learning and trying hard not to disrupt or distract other children from their learning. If you are finding it difficult to engage or get motivated with your learning, please speak with your teacher who will help and guide you back on track with your learning.
It is also vitally important that we continue to follow strict hygiene conditions and requirements relating to the Covid-19 virus. Whilst our classrooms, toilets and play areas will be sanitized daily, we must also remember to apply correct social distancing norms, washing our hands and sanitizing regularly and bringing our personal drink bottles to school each day.
A reminder that our school finish time is back to the normal time of 3.20pm. Parents please remember to social distance where possible if walking up to the Admin gate whilst waiting to pick up your children after school.
Keep up the great work and continue to look after and support each other at school.
Water bottles required daily
SENDING STUDENTS TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE SICK
Over the last two week’s we have had a number of children presenting to sickbay with gastro like symptoms. When talking to the children about how they are feeling, we always ask if they let mum and dad know they were feeling unwell. On many occasions, the response is, “yes, I told them, but they said I had to go to school”. Could I please ask all parents to be vigilant in making sure children stay at home if they are feeling un-well. Please keep your child at home if they are running a fever, have colds or flu or if they are displaying any signs of gastro. Please keep them at home until the illness has cleared for at least 24 hours. Now more than ever, it is important that we work together to keep everyone in our learning community safe and free from illness during this Covid phase of return to school.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
This term the school will be closed on the Grand Final Day Eve Public Holiday & the Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday as well as a school closure day for report writing on Monday 2nd November, the day prior to Melbourne Cup Day. Students do not attend school on these days as the school will be closed.
STUDENT AWARDS FROM GOOGLE ASSEMBLY
Congratulations to all our students who received awards at last week’s Google Assembly. The video of the Google Assembly has been posted on our school website for parents to view. Our award winners are outlined below.
STUDENT OF THE WEEK AWARDS
Olivia Jinks: Grade 5/6M
Lola Proctor: Grade 1G
Oscar Walton: Grade 1G
Caleb Kleeven: Grade 5/6A
Remy Butler: Grade 4L
SPORTS AWARD
Elijah Robinson: Grade 2S/B
LIBRARY AWARDS
Mischa Crimmins: Grade 3N
Nick Parkyn: Grade 3O
Sophie Gooley: Grade 4M
Aidan Noonan: Grade 4M
Holly Perry: Grade 4L
All of Foundation Ablett / Noonan
MANAGING YOUR CHILD’S TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL
With schools returning to on-site learning, Professor Brett McDermott, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, provides advice for parents and carers on how to best support their child through the transition, with a focus on those caring for primary school-aged children.
As a parent, it’s natural to feel apprehensive about how well your child is going to transition after spending so much time at home. Many children will have enjoyed remote learning, and some will be feeling anxious about returning to school.
McDermott says it’s important to keep in mind that it’s natural for children to be unsettled by the thought of another big change.
“Feelings of anxiety and sadness are completely normal right now. For many children, it’s like the first day of school all over again. They’ve also just had all this time at home with mum and dad (or caregivers), so it’s tough for that to come to an end,” says McDermott.
AVOID OVERSHARING WITH YOUR CHILDREN
To help lower your child’s feelings of anxiety around going back to school, McDermott says “parents need to try and remember that anxiety can be contagious. Understandably, parental anxiety is high right now, but children need to be shielded from their parent’s worries as much as possible. So, save adult conversations for adult time.”
According to McDermott, children aged between 10-13 years-old are the most anxious after things such as a natural disaster, primarily because they tend to be – albeit unwittingly – exposed to too much information.
“Little ones tend to be protected from things as parents will avoid talking about important issues in front of them. By those middle years this often changes. Not only to they tend to be more exposed to the news, social media, and adults chatting more openly in their presence, they also have very good imaginations, so they can envisage bad outcomes.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Fortunately, there’s plenty parents and carers can do to help their children feel less anxious about going back to school.
Discuss plans as early as possible. McDermott suggests openly discussing the return to school early on, including why and how it might feel different to normal. In doing so, he advises you to be upbeat but matter of fact.
“Getting across that it’s business as usual and modelling this with positive words and behaviour will help set the tone,” says McDermott.
Get back into the usual routine. When you have a return date set, planning to get back into your usual school routine as swiftly as possible is likely to help.
If your child is not already back at school, McDermott recommends starting getting ready for normal school days anyway, including setting the alarm, eating breakfast together, dressing in school uniform or doing whatever you would normally do.
Use incentives and highlight the positives of returning to the school grounds. For example, you might organise for a school friend to come by in the morning on the first day back so they can go in together, or arrange a playdate after school with their best friend/s.
Tell them you’re confident in them.
Remind your child that they’ve already shown great resilience and adaptability during this challenging time, and that you have full confidence in their ability to do it again.
Regularly check in with your child
Ask them how they’re feeling, what they’re enjoying, and what might not be working so well. Help your child find solutions to any issues they might be having. Supporting your child in becoming confident in problem-solving will help them build resilience.
Schools and educators are there to help
Remember that the school and its educators are there to support your child’s transition.
“Linking up closely with your child’s school and talking to their teacher is a great idea. They may also have a school counsellor or psychologist, as well as many other wonderful resources,” he says, adding that if your child needs further help to overcome their anxiety, to contact your GP.
To assist with their confidence, ensure your child knows who to go to at school if they need support, and encourage them to recognise and name their feelings.
Children with existing mental health conditions
Adjusting to ‘normal’ life once school has resumed may be particularly challenging if your child has an existing mental health condition. Staying at home may have been a safe bubble for them, and they may understandably, feel very reluctant to leave it.
In this case, McDermott suggests paying close attention to them during the transition back to school.
“Whether they need to see their counsellor or psychologist regularly during this time, or go back and talk to their GP to establish next steps, the key thing is to avoid a relapse or the worsening of an existing condition.”
This content is proudly funded by one of Beyond Blue’s Major Partners, Future Generation Global Investment Company.
FRIDAY: SOCKTOBER
This Friday 16th October is
SOCK IT to POVERTY DAY at St Ita's.
Students are requested to:
- bring a Gold coin donation
- & come to school dressed in their uniform with crazy socks.
Money raised will go to Catholic Mission in support of children in need.
MONDAY: BOOK WEEK DRESS UP DAY
We will be celebrating Book Week this coming Monday October 19th
This year we won’t be having a Book Week assembly or parade, but rather activities in the classroom.
SCHOOL CANTEEN - new Summer Menu Items
Take a look at the new yummy canteen items added to the summer menu, try either a Bento Box or a Chicken & Avocado Salad Bowl. You will find them under "Cold food" on Flexischools.
The canteen is open for recess and lunch orders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please order via Flexischools.
SPORTS DAY LUNCH TREAT & FREE DRESS DAY
The canteen are offering a special Sports Day Lunch Treat on Thursday 22nd October to coincide with our Footy Colours/Sports team free dress day to celebrate the AFL Grand Final.
For $5: choose either a Hot Dog & Juice or Pie & Juice. Please order via Flexischools & look for the Sports Day Lunch Treat Order Box on the Home Page under Food. You may need to scroll across to find the order box.
All students are invited to wear to school their favourite footy team colours/sports team on Thursday 22nd October instead of their school uniform.
(Please note the school is closed on Friday 23rd October for the AFL Grand Final Day Eve/Thank You Day Public Holiday.)
SCHOOL NURSE
The Department of Education & Training Primary School Nursing Program offers a health assessment to all students in their first year of school. The Health nurse, Sarah Howes will be visiting our Foundation students later this term. Parents with a student in Foundation this year would have received last week a Questionaire to complete and return to school. Please return all forms to their classroom teacher or the school office by Friday 16th October.
HEAD LICE
We have had several cases of head lice reported within the school. Please check your children's hair regularly and if head lice are detected, please treat your child's hair before returning to school. We recommend a follow-up treatment within 7-14 days. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/head-lice-nits
CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE
The Conveyance Allowance application is now open for term 4 for any families that have not already completed an application for this year and they qualify for the travel allowance as per the criteria below.
You may apply to claim this Government Allowance if:
- You live more than 4.8 kilometres by the shortest practical route from our school and we are the closest Catholic school to your place of residence.
- You live more than 4.8 kilometres from our school and you cannot access a bus.
- You access a bus and live more than 4.8 kilometres from the bus stop.
You must lodge a new application each year. If you have already completed an application for 2020 you do not need to apply again for this year unless your details have changed.
Eligibility is assessed when the School completes your child’s application on the Government 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. No private car allowance is payable if the journey to and from school could be made using a public transport service or contract school bus. For further information regarding the Conveyance Allowance Program see: www.education.vic.gov.au/travellingtoschool
Please complete the Conveyance Allowance application form and return to the school office by Friday 16th October 2020. Late claims cannot be accepted.
CAMP, SPORT & EXCURSION FUND
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:
- school camps or trips
- swimming and school-organised sport programs
- outdoor education programs
- excursions and incursions.
From 2020, the Victorian Government is investing an additional $160.9 million for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund over the next four years. This funding will help ensure more than 220,000 government and non-government students from lower-income families are able to participate in camps, sports and excursions each year.
Who can apply
Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply.
For any families that have recently received a Government means-tested health care concession card, please forward a copy of your card to the office to check your eligibility, as the CSEF & a fee concession may apply. The card must be in the name of the parent/fee payer with the student listed on the card, for a fee concession to apply.
If you have already notified the office of your Concession Card this year, you do not need to apply again - unless your details or circumstances have changed.
New applications - please complete the CSEF application form and return to the school office along with a copy of your Concession Card by Friday 16th October.
SCHOOL FEES
Term 4 school fees are now due & payable by Friday 30th October. For all families on a direct debit plan, all 2020 school fees must be paid in full by December 2020. If you are on a direct debit plan, please use this statement as a reference only and contact the office if you require any amendments to your plan.
The 2021 school fee schedule is also available on Care Monkey.
If any families would like to set up a weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit schedule for next year, please complete the Direct Debit Form and return to the school office at your earliest convenience or prior to 01 December 2020. Please calculate the total fees payable by the number of weeks/payments required. For any assistance please contact the school Admin office via email on: admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
For any families that have recently received a Government means-tested health care concession card, please forward a copy of your card to the office to check your eligibility, as a fee concession may apply. The card must be in the name of the parent/fee payer for a fee concession to apply.
If your current Health Care card is due to expire this year and your card is re-issued, please send a copy of your new card details to the office as soon as possible for the concession to be checked and applied for next year's fees, if not already done so.
For any families impacted financially by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and/or have concerns about your financial situation regarding school fees, please contact Mr Andrew Osler on 5623 7222 during the hours of 9am-3pm Monday to Friday, or via email: principal@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au so that he can explore confidential financial support arrangements with you.
SCHOOLPIX SCHOOL PHOTOS
The Schoolpix School Photos will take place on Wednesday 18th November.
Please make sure all students are neatly presented, wearing their full summer uniform with black school shoes and school jumpers. Grade 6 students are required to wear their bomber jacket in place of the jumper. All students with long hair must tie their hair neatly back using our school colours: red, white, blue or black.
TERM 4 UNIFORM
The wearing of the St Ita's Summer Uniform commences in Term 4.
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions during October & due to the shortage of some uniform supplies from Beleza, either the full Summer or full Winter uniform is permitted to be worn during the start of Term 4. (please do not mix and match). All students must be in full summer uniform for our school photo day on Wednesday 18th November.
Please make sure all students are wearing black school shoes daily (with no visible/colourful logos) except for your child's class PE day, when the Sport Uniform with white socks and runners are to be worn instead.
All students must wear a school hat with logo to/from school and during outside activities, no matter which uniform is worn, during term 4. All students with long hair must tie their hair neatly back using our school colours: red, white, blue or black.
If your child is to be out of uniform, please send a note or dojo to the class teacher advising a reason why.
The school office does have some second-hand uniform items for sale. Please enquire via email. admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
| Girls Summer Uniform | Boys Uniform |
|
Red and white gingham dress |
Dark grey trousers or dark grey shorts |
|
White socks - long or ankle (not low cut socks) |
Royal blue polo shirt with school logo |
|
Royal blue jumper with school logo |
Grey socks (not low cut) |
|
Black lace-up or buckle, leather shoes (no visible/colourful logos) |
Royal blue jumper with school logo |
|
Long hair neatly tied back using school colours: red, white, blue or black |
Black lace-up or buckle, leather shoes or boots (no visible/colourful logos) |
| Royal blue hat with school logo | Long hair neatly tied back using school colours: red, white, blue or black |
| Grade 6 only - Navy blue bomber jacket with school logo |
Royal blue hat with school logo (Term 1 & 4) |
| Grade 6 only - Navy blue bomber jacket with school logo |
by Cath McKenna
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Book week dress up is next Monday - 19th October.
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Borrowing: Every book is cleaned before going back into circulation.
- Many students, especially in the Juniors borrow short chapter books above their reading level. The students tell me that their parents read them to them. I love this! You can even jump on our webpage and choose a book together.
https://stidrouin.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/home/browse/list
Children love to be read to, even once they read fluently themselves. As Dr. Seuss wisely penned, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’ Reading for pleasure is a skill that will safely carry your child to success well into their adult life, broadening their horizons and opportunities.
But what about those times when you're really struggling to find opportunities to read aloud? Here are a few ideas that are particularly useful for those busy occasions.
- Look for snippets of time in your family routine.
Storytime doesn’t have to happen at bedtime. Choose a time that suits your family. - Share interesting magazine articles or news stories.
Reading these at the dinner table can spark insightful discussions about local or societal issues with older children, allowing you the opportunity to find out what your children think and feel about topics that matter. - Take advantage of waiting times.
Carry a book in your handbag or keep a small collection in the car so you can always take advantage of waiting times. You might read to your younger children while waiting to pick up an older child from school or read in the doctor’s waiting room or while waiting for your order at a restaurant. - Invite older children to read.
On those days when you simply have to get things done, invite an older brother or sister to read to your younger ones. This fosters a connection between siblings and provides your older child with valuable read-aloud practice.
