Issue 5, 24th March
-
From the Acting Principal
-
Covid-19
-
Check in TAS App
-
Cold and Flu Season
-
Aiming High Awards
-
Religious Education News
-
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
-
Parents and Friends
-
School Fees
-
Parental Leave
-
Mother's Day Stall
-
Term Break
-
Casual Clothes Day
-
Uniform Transition
-
Excursions
-
Borrowed Clothes
-
NW Swimming Carnival
-
Policeman Will and Police Dog Quinn
-
Soccer
-
Feast Day
-
Reaching Out for Better Outcomes
-
Move Well Eat Well
-
Compassion boxes
-
Autism Parent Workshop
-
Smithton Saints Basketball
-
Fairy Godmothers
-
Riverbend Day Camp
-
HIPPY Program Open Day
-
Read Write Inc Parent Session
-
Kites
-
NAPLAN facts sheet for Parents
This is the final newsletter for Term 1. Next Thursday we enter a three week holiday break. It’s hard to believe that we have reached the end of term already! This time last year, we were managing strict COVID-19 restrictions and the learning-at-home environment. Twelve months on, we in Tasmania, in comparison to other countries and even other states, have fewer restrictions and are closer to normal. One restriction still in place is no interstate excursions, which has meant that our Year 5 and Year 6 students are not able to travel to Canberra. Whilst this is disappointing, we are working to ensure that their trip to Hobart is memorable. We are very grateful to students and families for your continued support and understanding of these circumstances that are beyond our control.
Many may know that Brooke Lardner, our Student Support Coordinator, is pregnant. Brooke will be taking Parental Leave at the end of term, for the remainder of the year, and early into 2022. I hope to soon be able to let you know of the plans for Brooke’s replacement, however, at this stage we are still in the process of finalising staffing. I will let you know as soon as all is in place. We wish Brooke and Leigh all the very best as they excitedly plan for the arrival of their baby, and embark on their parenting journey.
‘Reaching Out For Better Outcomes’: Next Wednesday a working group from Marist Regional College is coming to Smithton to consult with community members about the possibility of having a campus of the College here in Smithton, with the notion that the students of Circular Head could learn from this campus for one day each week, meaning a rest from travel to and from Burnie. If you are contemplating a Catholic Secondary education for your child, at MRC, I encourage you to attend one of the sessions, regardless of the age of your child, to have your say about the benefits of this initiative for your family and for our community. For more information regarding the sessions, see the flyer attached to this newsletter.
Thank you to every member of our beautiful school community for making our first term so happy and productive. I feel privileged to be part of the fabulous staff working with your children every day. I love greeting your children every day, and the connections I am making with you, the parents, grandparents and guardians of our students. May you have a holy and happy Easter and we look forward to seeing you again for the commencement of Term 2.
Easter Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for making all things new,
for the joy we find in new opportunities,
for the growth we experience through hardship,
for the life that springs from being surrounded by love and support.
At Easter time, renew our hearts and minds and let us find strength in your word.
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
From 1st May, 2021 Tasmanians and visitors will be required to use the Check in TAS app when they visit a range of business, organisations and events. This app enables you to check-in and have your data stored securely with the Tasmanian Department of Health in the event contact tracing is needed due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the community.
With the cold and flu season approaching, please be advised that students should not attend school if they feel unwell and are presenting with a combination of cold or flu-like symptoms:
- fever
- runny nose (green/yellow fluid)
- cough, sore throat or
- shortness of breath
- diarrhea/vomiting
Parents/Carers are asked to use their discretion regarding their child's symptoms. Illness of more than 2 days should be certified by a medical practitioner and the Public Health Hotline: 1800 671 738 can be contacted for a referral to be tested for COVID-19.
Congratulations to the following students who were presented with Aiming High awards at assembly last week:
Kinder - Tilly & Macklen
Prep - Nash & Finn
Grade 1 - Olivia & Kaley
Grade 2 - Airelle & Chayse H
Grade 3 - Harper & Jaiden
Grade 4 - Lilly & Lara
Grade 5 - Caitlin & Samuel
Grade 6 - Tait & Lillama
Our PBS focus for this and Week 9 is: Use resources, school spaces and equipment responsibly.
On Friday, 19th March I was fortunate enough to attend a Making Jesus Real get together in Hobart. This was to enable RE co-ordinators and MJR ambassadors in our state’s Catholic schools, to share how we are living the Good News in our school communities. As you are no doubt aware, we have a strong MJR focus here at St. Peter Chanel and that’s because we want our students to have Jesus in their hearts and continue to build upon our welcoming and respectful environment and be like Jesus with all we come into contact with in society.
Our Grade 6 Daily PE leaders acknowledge students from each grade on a daily basis, who they have witnessed to be the Spirit of Jesus (SOJ). Reinforcing this recognition helps others to strive to be the best person they can be and signifies how we value students for their efforts and behaviour. This in turn, supports students’ self worth and further develops their ability to manage their emotions.
Pope Francis emphasises that living out the Gospel values “means learning to look at others and things with the very eyes of Jesus… [and that from the] Gospel comes a more beautiful and just world, in which the diversity of others is not a reason for division, but for growth and mutual help.”
May Holy Week see us clear our schedules of unnecessary activities and enable our minds and hearts to be fixed on Jesus and what He did for us.
Let us bear the Cross so that we may be worthy of wearing the crown He wore.
Pax Tecum,
Mrs Andrea Jaffray Morf
Deputy Principal
What is Harmony Week? A time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. The message of Harmony Week is everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
Did you know?
- Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.
- We identify with over 300 ancestries.
- Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia.
- 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia.
- Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi.
- More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia
Harmony Week is a time to reflect on the importance of respecting each other and our differences. Our shared Australian values of respect, equality and freedom go beyond our different cultures, and are what makes Australia such a great place to live. The message of respect and belonging can be lived by each of us, every day, not just during Harmony Week.
Parents and Friends will hold their next meeting on the 29th April at 3pm on the school library. All new and current members welcome.
EASTER RAFFLE
This years Easter Raffle is looking amazing! Lots of prizes to be won. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and can also be purchased via the Qrk! app. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday, 1st April at the whole school assembly. If all books, sold or not, could be returned by Wednesday, 31st March to the office please.
A big thank you to everyone who has donated towards this raffle.
Congratulations to last week's cake raffle winner, Thalia!!
Just a reminder to all families any fee paid in full by March 31st will receive a 5% discount.
At the end of Term 1, Mrs Brooke Lardner will be starting parental leave. We wish Brooke and Leigh all the very best as they excitedly plan for the arrival of their baby, and embark on their parenting journey.
On Thursday, 6th May the Grade 5 and Grade 6 students will be holding a Mother's Day Stall. They will be providing home cooked goodies and craft items for students to purchase. Funds raised from this stall will go towards their Hobart Trip later in the year.
Term 1 - concludes Thursday, 1st April.
Term 2 - commences Monday, 26th April
This includes an Easter break from Friday, 2nd April until Tuesday, 6th April.
Wednesday, 31st March will be our last Canteen day for the term.
Thursday, 1st April will be our last day for Term 1. Students are allowed to wear casual clothes to school for a gold coin donation, which will go to the Samaritan Fund. Students will participate in a small parade showing off their Easter hats they have been working on.
Term 2 and Term 3 will see students wearing their winter uniform. Students will have a 2 week transitioning period for uniform change over. They are not allowed to mix and match the summer and winter uniform. New uniform items can be purchased via the Qkr! app. We also have a number of second hand items for sale. Please contact the office to make an appointment if you would like to have a look at these.
Excursion notices will no longer be sent home. All excursions will now be placed on Compass under Events. Notifications will be sent out to all parents. All the information parents require will still be available. This will show where the students will be going, how they are travelling, what the dress code is and if consent is required.
Information for upcoming and past events can be found on Compass when selecting the three lines at the top left, clicking on events and selecting the event you wish to look at.
If parents have any questions about Compass please contact the office.
Upcoming Events
Friday, 26th March
Grade 6 STEAM
Where: Woolnorth
Time: 9am-12.45pm
Dress code: PE Uniform
Students will need a packed recess and their drink bottle. Students will still be able to order lunch from canteen for this day
Monday, 29th March
Prep
Where: Makers Workshop Burnie
Time: 9:00 - 2:30pm
Dress Code: PE Uniform
Students will need a packed recess and lunch as well as their drink bottle.
Tuesday, 30th March
Grade 2
Where: Stanley
Time: 9:00 - 2:30pm
Dress Code: Sports Uniform
Students will need a packed recess and lunch as well as their drink bottle.
Any students who have borrowed clothes from the office can they please be returned before the end of term.
Thirty students from Grades 3-6 proudly represented SPC at the BIG swimming carnival held in Burnie on Thursday, 18th March. The effort and willingness to have a go was outstanding!
Our students held their own against seven other NW Catholic schools.
Thank you to families for supporting your children with a “have a go” attitude and being the best they could be.
Our students behaviour when not swimming was also one of respect and excellent conduct. A big thank you to Mrs Lisa Fraser who assisted our students with their swimming skills by running some training sessions after school and accompanying us at the carnival.
We had a very exciting visit on Tuesday from policeman Will and his special colleague, Quinn. Will has a special position within Tasmania Police and Quinn is apparently an excellent assistant.
The children in every grade had the opportunity to listen to Will share information on how Quinn assists him and how she is rewarded for her work.
Please ask you child/children what they learnt from Will and how Quinn helps him.
Some lucky students were chosen to help Policeman Will and Quinn, demonstrate what they do when they work together. There were many questions posed and Will was very obliging to allow some pats for Quinn, which she absolutely loved. This was a valuable opportunity to experience how police help keep our communities safe and how their work reflects community values.
St Peter Chanel will be hosting a soccer roster in Term 2 for students in Grades 3-6 commencing Wednesday, 12 May for six weeks. A fee of $10 will need to be paid before the end of the roster. This can be done at the office or via the Qkr! app. Students who would like to play, signed forms need to be returned to the office by Wednesday, 31st March.
Consent to play will be required via the Compass app prior to commencement of the roster.
This year we will be celebrating Feast Day on Wednesday, 28th April which is our first week back in Term 2. Feast Day will be celebrated with a roast meal for students and teachers. The cost is $5 per person. The meal will consist of Roast Pork, Lamb, gravy and vegetables followed by stewed apple and custard.
Please note as this is a Canteen day, normal canteen will not be available. Meals can be purchased via the Qrk! app or at the front office. Orders will need to be done by Tuesday, 27th April.
The proceeds from this day will go towards the 2021 Hobart Trip for our current Grade 5 and Grade 6 cohort.
We are very pleased to advise that St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School has been successful in renewing its Move Well Eat Well Award! Our school has demonstrated its commitment to embed healthy eating and physical activity into daily school life so that it becomes a normal, positive part of every child's day.
All families received Project Compassion boxes this term. These are due to be returned back to school before the end of term.
Autism Tasmania are pleased to let you know that they have an upcoming parent information session and registrations are now open.
‘Welcome to Autism’ is an introductory workshop for parents of newly diagnosed children or children who are suspected of being autistic and are not yet diagnosed.
This workshop explores the characteristics strengths and challenges of autism and provides parents and family members who are new to autism with a welcoming introduction to useful resources and supports.
Who Should Attend?
These sessions are for parents and unpaid family carers of children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum, or who show autistic characteristics. A confirmed diagnosis of autism is not needed.
Cost: Free for parents and unpaid family carers
When: Date – Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Time: – 10:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Burnie Arts and Function Centre – Braddon Hall 77-79 Wilmot Street Burnie
Registration: Registration is essential. Parents / Family members can register through TryBooking via this link: Book now