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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.
Can I please ask everyone in our school community to keep the Joseph Family in their thoughts and our prayers, as they try to come to terms with a terrible Family loss.
RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR
Today I met with all Grade 5-6 students and talked to them about being respectful, and compassionate of each other in relation to the new Covid-19 vaccination requirements, that state children 12 years and 2 months can now be vaccinated.
Earlier this week, children were participating in conversations relating to their vaccination status, their vaccination intent, and the impact that non-vaccinated students would have on the schools ability to run the Grade 6 Big Day Out, and the Grade 6 Graduation. These conversations should not be taking place at school, these types of conversations can place children in really awkward situations without the sufficient skills to navigate the conversation. These sorts of conversations are invasive and are not respectful of the dignity of each individual.
Our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour has 5 pillars (Compassion, Team Work, Respect, Resilience and Inclusiveness) that are their for all in our learning community to follow. It’s during these challenging COVID times that we need to remind ourselves of the importance of respect, compassion, resilience and inclusiveness.
Please continue to pray for those who are unwell with COVID-19 in our community, respect their privacy, and continue to treat them with the dignity they deserve. Stay safe and stay well.
BAW BAW SHIRE
There are currently 65 active COVID-19 cases in Baw Baw being managed by the GRPHU.
Testing opportunities in Baw Baw include;
Lardner Park, drive through, Warragul. 8am – 3pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Pre-fill your details using the Testing Registration form https://testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill
Warragul Respiratory Clinic, 9am – 5pm weekdays. By appointment for bookings go to:
https://bit.ly/3Fbd8eH
CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 CASES AND CLOSE CONTACTS IN SCHOOLS
The Victorian Government has announced important changes to the management of COVID-19 cases and close contacts in schools and other settings effective from 11.59 pm on 18th November 2021.
The most important change is that non-household contacts will now only be required to quarantine until they complete a standard (PCR) test and receive a negative result. The Department of Health (DH) will no longer send a text message to confirm the quarantine requirements of contacts.
This applies to all students and staff who are identified as a school-based contact (formerly primary close contacts or PCCs) and listed on the spreadsheet completed and returned to the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) Secretariat following notification of a confirmed case at your school.
All school-based contacts (staff and students) can return to school after they have provided evidence of a negative PCR test to their school.
All contacts should follow the strong recommendation that they complete five days of rapid antigen testing each morning before attending school.
Schools will not distribute rapid antigen testing kits. Instead, these will be available for collection from PCR testing centres at the time a student or staff member attends for the PCR test. Contacts will receive a pack of five rapid antigen tests and should take the test each day before school until they run out.
Any student or staff member who returns a positive rapid antigen test result must notify the school and immediately get a PCR test and remain isolated until they receive a negative result.
In exceptional circumstances, DH may determine that contacts in significant school outbreaks are still required to quarantine for seven days. In this scenario, parents, guardians and carers will be notified directly of any additional quarantine arrangements that apply to their child (ren).
For schools with students and staff who are currently under existing quarantine requirements, the above arrangements apply and they will be able to return to school immediately with evidence of a negative PCR test.
If you have any queries or concerns related to the information above please contact School Admin on (03) 5623 7222 or via email admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
STUDENT VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES HELD AT EXTERNAL PREMISES
Clarification has been provided by the Victorian Government regarding the participation of students aged between 12 and 15 who are not fully vaccinated in school activities held at external premises.
Students aged between 12 and 15 who are not fully vaccinated can attend if the premises is being operated only for the purpose of one school using the premises exclusively.
In addition, students aged between 12 and 15 who are not fully vaccinated will be able to attend camps, excursions, graduations and other school activities held at open premises that are also used by other schools or patrons from Tuesday 23 November 2021.
The Open Premises Directions will be amended to reflect this and will be in place from Tuesday 23 November 2021. If you are engaging with venues, you will be able to advise them of these directions.
This exception to the current directions will apply only to school-organised activities when at least one teacher is present.
RAINBOWS FOR ROSE
Thanks to everyone in our school community who supported “Rainbows for Rose”, and helped celebrate this beautiful little life. We raised an amazing $876.00, which will go towards the purchase of a special friendship bench/seat, that will be located under the big oak tree which is a very special gathering spot for our children.
SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
There will be no assembly this week as Grade 3-4 are having their workshop in the multi-purpose hall all day.
PARENT CLASS REQUESTS FOR 2022 CLOSE THIS FRIDAY
Parent requests which are specific to the needs their child are now closed. Any request received after close of business Friday 19th Nov will not be put in place. A reminder to all parents, that the lodgement of a request doesn’t mean it will be acted upon and put in place. There are many factors to be considered before finalising our grades for 2021.
Once groupings have been decided and grades have been announced mid-December, there will be no changes made as it creates a domino effect across the level.
ST ITA’S JUNIOR SCHOOL ATHLETICS DAY
On Friday 26th of November the Foundation, and Grade 1 & 2 students will get the chance to showcase their Athletics skills they have been learning in PE with Mrs Kittelty during Term 4.
The main theme for the Athletics Day is participation and sportsmanship, so all students are encouraged to dress up in their house colours, and 'have a go' at all of the events! The event will take place onsite from 9:30am and our 2021 Grade 6 student leaders will assist the junior students with each event.
Please note this is a SunSmart event so a hat, sunscreen and drink bottle are a must!
It is with much pleasure that we are able invite Parents to be a part of this event. This day is all about the kids in our junior grades having a bit of fun and participating. These are not our annual athletics sports and will not count towards house points.
Entry for all adults will be via Drouin Rec Reserve gate, parents must QR code in and show their double vaccination or exception status upon entry. Once inside all parents will be expected to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines.
LOST & FOUND UNIFORM
There will be a table outside of the Admin Building over the next week (29th Nov - 3rd Dec), that will have lost and found items that are unlabelled, and we have been unable to return to students. If you have lost any uniform items we encourage you to have a look and see if we have anything that belongs to you.
CANTEEN CLOSURE
Please note that the School Canteen will be closing for the year on Friday 3rd December, this will also be the last day for lunch orders.
CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG
GRADE 6 GRADUATION / BIG DAY OUT
We are currently looking into the options that are available for our Grade 6 Graduation and our Grade 6 Big Day Out celebrations.
The challenge we face with Graduation, is that all venues currently have density limits, which limits the options available to us. In the event that we can source a venue, it will most likely be a children and staff event, and parents may be required do drop off and pick up.
Either way we’ll do our best to get families back into our school in some capacity over the last weeks of term to see our Grade 6 students graduate.
GRADE 6 GRADUATION MASS & DINNER
TERM 4 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
A reminder to all families that the final day of school for students this year will be;
Tuesday 14th December @ 3.30pm
Staff will remain onsite until 17th December, to complete training, and planning for the 2022 school year, these will be student free days.
YEAR 7 TRANSITION DATES
The below dates have been scheduled for Grade 6 students who are transitioning into Secondary School in 2022;
Drouin Secondary College
Transition Day 1 - Tuesday 7th December
Transition Day 2 - Friday 10th December
Marist-Sion College
Orientation Day - Tuesday 30th November
FAMILIES LEAVING THE ST ITA'S COMMUNITY IN 2022
If there are any families that know they will be moving on from St Ita’s in the 2022 school year, it is important that we are informed of your intentions so places can be offered to those families who are currently on waiting lists. Please contact our School Admin if you are moving on 03 5623 7222 or admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
CHRISTMAS IN A SHOE BOX - 2 WEEKS LEFT
The St Ita's & St Vinnies Drouin “Christmas in a Shoe Box” gift exchange, in conjunction with Toyworld Warragul closes on Friday 3rd December.
Please visit Toyworld Warragul in the next week, advise you are from St Ita's and are choosing a gift or are donating money to our wonderful local St Vinnies for those in need this Christmas.
It is preferred where possible for you and your children to select the gift, to give children the important lesson of the joy of giving to others. Please leave your gift with Toyworld Warragul as they are storing and delivering to St Vinnies to assist in keeping everyone COVID safe.
Thank you for your continued support.
COVID-19 FINANCIAL SUPPORT - SCHOOL FEE CONCESSIONS
SCHOOL FEES & FEE CONCESSION
School Fees for 2021 are now due and payable
BPay details are available on your school fee statement. All school fees are now due and payable and all accounts must be finalised by the end of the school year they are due, December 2021.
Direct Debits can be implemented at any time, if any families would like to pay their fees by instalment weekly, fortnightly or monthly, please complete the below Direct Debit Form and returning to the school office at your earliest convenience. Please calculate the total fees payable by the number of weeks/payments required for your fees to be paid by December 2021. 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 and have not already advised the school office, 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 with the student details listed on the card. A CSEF (Camp, Sport & Excursion Fund) form must also be completed. Application forms must be completed each year.
If your current Health Care Concession Card has expired, or is due to expire and your card is re-issued or any details have changed, please send a copy of your new card details to the office as soon as possible for the concession to be checked and applied to your fees.
RAINBOWS FOR ROSE
All of our students in Foundation and Grade 1 have put together a beautiful rainbow as a part of the celebration of Rainbows for Rose Day on 17th November 2021. The Rainbow is currently on display in our Admin Building.
TENNIS LESSONS
CONGRATULATIONS - TAYLAH WASSENBERG
Taylah Wassenberg (Grade 5TM) recently participated in the Lions District Junior Public Speaking Competition, and placed second in a field of 6 competitors from as far away as Sale.
All other participating students were in Grade 6, and the Drouin Lions were very proud of Taylah saying they were extremely proud of her and the way she represented them, her school and herself.
LIBRARY NEWS
by Mrs Catherine McKenna, Library Teacher
Email: cmckenna@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
OVERDUE LOANS
Dear parents and carers, as we come closer to the end of the school year we need to start the process of returning all books to the library. Overdue notices were sent out last Wednesday afternoon (November 17th). Please assist your students in looking for these books if they are overdue.
BORROWING
This week in library classes will be the last chance for borrowing.
All books are due back December 1st
BOOK REVIWERS
We have been given another opportunity to read and review books. We have teamed up with the Geelong Advertiser and the Drouin Library. We have quite a few books that are looking for someone to read and write a review. Reviews are 100 words which needs to explain briefly about the story and what the child personally thought about it. We are sent mostly chapter books so they are suited to Grade 3-6. You are also welcome to read it with your child as a joint venture. What a great experience!! If you think your child is interested in this opportunity please get in touch with myself or with Mandy Butner.
We have had many superstar reviewers this year. Some students have been published several times in the Herald Sun. More about these students next time ?
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB - ISSUE 8
Thanks to everyone who has supported Book Club this year. Scholastic have had so many great books available to buy and the commission earnt has gone towards purchasing new books for our library.
The last issue for the year is currently open.
Orders close Friday 3rd December for free delivery back to school.
You also have the home delivery option with an addition fee of $7.50
PARISH NEWS
STABLE IN THE SWIRL
Astonishing, rapidly changing and challenging though the world is, Jesus teaches us to get it all into perspective. (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36) If we stay awake and watch ourselves as he urges us in the gospel, lest our hearts “be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life”(Luke 21:34), standing erect with our heads held high, confidently facing whatever challenges we encounter, we thrive! The First Sunday of Advent readings are about stepping off into the unknown, not fearfully, but in eager anticipation of God, who delights in the faith and love we do have, incomplete though it may be. Advent is our opportunity to journey even deeper into his love and his presence.
We journey, wide awake, through both spiritual and earthly dangers and the evils of the world, aware that Christian faithfulness lifts us above them all. Last week graduating 18 year olds, who have experienced a VCE like no other, were encouraged to confidently take on the world, but the principle applies to us all. Enjoy the world we find ourselves in; the Creator’s gift to us! Throw ourselves into it enthusiastically; meet and relate to an amazing variety of people; discover and become passionate about all manner of fascinations and make vital contributions to the world; make it a better place!
Always, the world is going to be a bit crazy (and rarely as crazy as it is at present), but if we pause to reflect prayerfully on God, the centre of the universe, of which we are but a tiny part, who knows and loves each and every one of us absolutely, infinitely and intimately, we get it into perspective. Jesus should be our constant, our centre point, our stillness, our stability in the midst of the fast paced world that seems to swirl around us.
Deacon Mark Kelly
CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
We pray for our Gr 6 Confirmation candidates who are making their Confirmation over this weekend and future weekends, may they be filled with the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Asher Burton, Christian Dorian, Mia Eccles-Unstead, Jenna Garner, Annika Hall, Emmersyn Kneebone, Indie Macdonald, Bailey Melsen, Scarlet Orton, Ethan Redenbach, Jacob Rushbury, Willow Welch, Paige Cantwell and Austin Driscoll
REMINDER OF CONFIRMATION DATES
If your child is in Grade 6 and is still wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, please note a letter has been sent out informing parents of our way forward. We have finally found dates to fit in with accommodating numbers. The arrangements are not ideal but under the circumstances of the Victorian Roadmap it is the best we can do. We sincerely thank all our Confirmation families for showing great patience and resilience in these tough times.
If you have not received a letter by email as yet please let Therese Meggetto know ASAP at the following email address: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au and one will be forward to you.
We ask everyone to keep these families in your prayers at this very special time.
Please note our Confirmation dates are as follows:
Reconciliation in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation:
St Ita’s Church, Drouin - Wednesday, November 24th 7:00pm
St Joseph’s Church, Warragul - Thursday, November 25th 7:00pm
Please bring your child’s Saint Project on the night you choose for Reconciliation.
Sacrament of Confirmation:
St Ita’s Church, Drouin - Friday, November 26th 7:00pm
St Joseph’s Church, Warragul - Saturday, November 27th 7:00pm
Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
For further inquiries please contact Thérèse on M: 0499 116 428
PUBLIC NOTICES
GIPPSLAND REGIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT
CAMP AUSTRALIA
PIANO & SINGING LESSONS
DRUM AND GUITAR LESSONS
DROUIN TENNIS CLUB