Issue 2, 11th February
As you know, our newsletter is published every second week. Last week we put out a special newsletter, as there was a great deal of information to get our year started. This week is the second newsletter for the year, but the first of our fortnightly publications.
On Tuesday afternoon we held our Parent Information Sessions. It was wonderful to see those of you who were able to be here with your children. Children love showing their work and their classroom to parents. It was also a great opportunity for parents to discuss with teachers the classroom routines, rules and expectations. If you were not able to make it, the teacher can arrange for this information to be sent home. A huge thank you to our teachers for the work they did to prepare for the afternoon.
A positive and active family-school partnership has a significant impact on a child’s success at school. There is substantial evidence to show that a connection between home and school has many benefits for students: increased academic achievement; higher motivation for learning, constructive behavior, regular attendance, and a positive attitude about homework and school in general. When parents, carers and teachers work together to establish a thriving learning environment, the effect on students is profound.
For family-school partnerships to be successful, the following should be identified:
- Parents and carers are equal partners with the school
- Regular and clear communication occurs between parents/carers and school staff about expectations and learning.
- Parents and carers are provided with opportunities to learn about how they can support their children's learning.
- Parents, carers and school staff, as a united school community, celebrates its successes.
We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with you so that your children, our students, know that they are surrounded by adults who love them, who support them and who want them to be the best that they can be.
Creator God
This is our school.
Let peace be found here,
May the rooms be full of happiness,
Let love abide here.
Love of one another,
Love of life,
Love of God.
Let us remember,
As many hands make a house,
Many hearts make a school
Amen
We ask that families please continue to use the following options of communication with the school rather than face-to-face as follows:
- Calling on 6452 1431
- Emailing spc@catholic.tas.edu.au
- Writing messages in your child’s diary
- Contacting teachers via SeeSaw or email
For Assemblies, we ask that people please enter via the front office and use the hand sanitiser upon entry and sign in which is a Government requirement. Please adhere to the 1.5m social distancing and refrain from entering the school if you are unwell.
QR Code to use for school events. Link here for instructions on how to download the app
The school urges parents to support road safety by obeying signage or staff on duty requests. And asks that you remind your child(ren) to be very aware of potential traffic related dangers around the school.
Sometimes for example, pedestrians or motorists take short cuts, and if students are crossing inappropriately (with or without you), or just not aware of their surroundings by always looking either way, we could have an accident.
The education and care of our students is a partnership between the staff and parents and we all need to play our part, even if only to demonstrate your support to any children watching.
Please find information via this link regarding free e-safety webinars for Parents and Carers which are being offered in February and March 2021.
If you hold one of the following valid concession cards, you may be eligible for a discount on your fees. You must be the person responsible for paying the fees and your child must be listed on the card. If you are not sure if the discount applies to you, please contact us. If you would prefer to make a confidential appointment with the Principal, you are most welcome to do so.
- CP/CAR (Carer Payment)
- FA (Family Allowance)
- LI/LIC (Low Income)
- FTB (Family Tax Benefit Part A max rate)
- PA (Partner Allowance)
- FH/LHS (Farm Household Allowance)
- PP/PPP (Parenting Payment) (partnered)
- PPS (Parenting Payment Single)
- JSP/JS (Job Seeker Payment) includes old codes NS/NA/SA/NSA (New Start & Sick Allowance)
- SL/SpB (Special Benefit)
- YA (Youth Allowance)
- WA (Widow Allowance)
- DSP (Disability Support Pension) single only
- AU (Austudy)
Last Thursday we had our Welcome and Commissioning Mass with Fr. Crisanto in our Church. The children were fantastic with their engagement and participation!
A Commissioning Mass is where new and familiar staff read a blessing prayer which promises to diligently fulfill their roles by witnessing to the teachings of the Gospel, committing to serving the needs of the students in their care, and seeking to contribute to the wellbeing of all who belong to the school community. Thank you to all staff who will carry out being the face of Jesus in our St. Peter Chanel Catholic School Community.
At SPC it is easy to remember how to live out Christ’s values when we have solid reminders with visual images AND seeing Christ’s values in students’ and staff interactions.
How is the weather today? Sunny? Rainy? Windy? Freezing? Will it be the same tomorrow? Probably not. And neither will our mood. Our emotions come and go. Sometimes it is super easy to let our strong emotions like anxiety or anger be the boss of us, instead of the other way round. One way to be the boss of our emotions (which means we make an active choice in the best way to respond) is to tap into our internal weather. How do you do this?
- Stop and breathe. What am I feeling and where in my body am I feeling?
- If there is a storm raging what can I do to calm it down a little?
- Take three deep breaths and remind yourself this moment won’t last!
Donna Porteus - Chaplain
Our school photo day will be on the 25th, February. Students are required to be in full summer uniform.
Photos are now available to be ordered through the Compass App.
For acess to Compass, User name and passwords were sent home last year. Please contact the school office if you require these to be sent home again.
School Banking is back. School Banking Day will be Tuesday each week.
For each weekly deposit made at school, students will receive a Dollarmites token. Once they collect 10 tokens, they can redeem them for a School Banking reward.
If your child has previously participated in School Banking, or has an existing Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account, they can start banking straight away by bringing their Dollarmites deposit wallet to school on School Banking day.
If you would like to know more about School Banking, please ask for a 2021 School Banking program parent guide from the school office or visit www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking
Our Swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday, 3rd March for our Grade 3 - Grade 6 students. The Carnival will run from 12 - 2:15pm. Classes will walk to SWIRL. Families are welcome to come along. If you would like to take students home from the pool please advise the class teacher. A Timetable of events will be sent home closer to the Carnival. Permisson for this Carnival can be made via the Compass App.
Issue 1 of this years Book Club has been sent home. If students would like to place an order please have them returned to the office by Thursday, 18th February or you can order online.
Our Parents and Friends committee welcome all new and old families as we return for 2021. Everyone is welcome to come to our their next meeting which will be held on Thursday, 25th February commencing at 3pm in the Library.
Alternatively, if you would be willing to assist without joining the committee we would value your help. It may be that you could bake a cake for the fortnightly raffles held, or help with the occasional event. If you would like to assist, please contact the office.
This week students will vote for their Class Captains. These will be announced on Friday, 12th February and Class Cpatains will be presented with their badges at our next assembly. Parents of these students will be notified and are welcomed to come to assembly next Thursday, 18th February.