News from Around the School
QoP says, "Thank you very mulch" to Hobsons Bay City Council
I received a great lesson in G.S.D. (getting stuff done) from the Grade 5 Green Team this week.
The Green Team are a group of concerned students who are hoping to combat climate change by planting more trees and shrubs in the grounds of Queen of Peace. However, new plants need mulching. The students and I were disheartened to find that mulch is expensive – at least $40 per cubic metre. A mulch purchase would have emptied our projected purse in one hit.
In my role as mentor to the Green Team, I suggested that somebody hop online, look up Hobsons Bay Council, find their contact details and write a letter outlining our difficulty. Pippa C said, "I’m just going to live chat". Five minutes later Hobsons Bay had donated more than a hundred dollars of mulch to our excited group!
So I say thank you very much to Hobsons Bay for supporting our students’ important work, and THANK YOU to the Grade 5s for showing an old teacher a new trick.
PS The Green Team are holding a Free Clothes Day fundraiser first week of next term when donations will be gratefully accepted.
- Susie Gerraty
Number Intervention Specialist
Mini Vinnies
As part of our Feast of the Sacred Heart at the end of term, the Mini Vinnies organised a collection of items for our local St Vincent de Paul Society. Once again there has been a tremendous amount of goods donated and we thank all our QoP families for your generosity. Prep B proudly shows off some warm and bright beanies
Congratulations Mia!
Well done Mia M (4B) who was recently presented with a special award by Metro West Swimming Association.
Assistance Dog at work
You will see Smart Pup 'Piper' working in the school ground. She’s a fully certified Assistance dog. Although Piper is cute please respect that while in her coat she is working, so please refrain from touching or talking to her.
Lost Property
Is your child missing any items of uniform? There are many unnamed jumpers, jackets, drink bottles and hats in the Lost Property box located in the walkway behind the Music Room. Please encourage your child to check the box for any missing goodies. If your item is clearly named (surname preferred!) it can be returned. In the last week of term we will clear out the Lost Property box, anything unclaimed will either be donated to charity or disposed of.
Unwell children
There are many children not feeling fantastic at the moment, bugs going around and plenty of runny noses. Please don't send your child to school if they're not up to it e.g. have vomited that morning or have been up during the night and feeling too sick and lethargic to function at school. It's lovely to share, but not lovely to share illnesses with others!
Places available at QoP
We have limited places available for immediate enrolment. Encourage family, friends and those interested to contact Cathy C in the office on 9369 2581.
Story Time for pre-schoolers
Please meet in the Hall foyer (the Library has been relocated in preparation for new building works). Every Thursday during school terms, from 9:00am. Come along for some stories, singing and fun activities with Mrs Favata.
A message from the Office
To avoid disruption to classrooms, if children need to be collected early they should be picked up at the lunch break (at 1:30pm Monday or 1:40pm Tuesday-Friday). It is also very disruptive for classes and the office to by passing on messages to children in the afternoons. It would be appreciated if these interruptions could be kept to a minimum.
Canteen
Thank you to the following volunteers for giving up their time to help Antoinette & Michelle in the canteen:
Mon 15 July: STUDENT FREE DAY
Tues 16 July: Alyson S
Weds 17 July: Sarah C, Michelle R
Thurs 18 July: Sarah C, Michelle R
Fri 19 July: Fay F
Mon 22 July: Bridget H
Tues 23 July: Deb H
Weds 24 July: Sarah C, Michelle R
Thurs 25 July: Sarah C, Michelle R
Fri 26 July: Michelle R
Can you spare time to help Antoinette in the canteen? See attached request form with details. All volunteers must have a current Working with Children Check registered with the school office. Approximate times 10am - 2pm. Please contact the school office if you are unable to help out on your rostered day. To volunteer, please fill out the following form and return to the school office.
The current canteen menu is attached below.
Uniform Shop
The usual shop opening time is Friday 2:30-3:30pm (*last day of school term 28 June it will open from 12:30-1:30pm). Please always check the latest newsletter and FlexiBuzz for any changes. Orders can be left with the office if you are unable to attend at this time. CLICK HERE to print out an order form. As we no longer have plastic bags, when placing orders could you please supply a plastic bag for us to return the protected item. CLICK HERE to read the Uniform Policy or refer to the STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019.
Early Arrival & Supervision
Parents are strongly encouraged to ensure their child is at school in plenty of time to begin class at 8:50am. Our aim is to have all children arrive between 8:30 am and 8:45 am. It is very inconvenient for children to be arriving at the classroom after the bell. Yard Duty supervision of children begins at 8:30am when the gate beside the Visual Arts Space is opened. For their own safety, children are not permitted on the school grounds unsupervised before 8:30am. If parents wish to leave children at school earlier than 8:30am, children must be registered and booked into the Before School Care program. This service is provided by OSHclub. Further information can be found by calling OSHclub head office 8564 9000 or at www.oshclub.com.au
Only children attending Before School Care should enter the school via the Before School Care door (near Office).
Exiting the car park
A local resident has called to ask QoP parents to request they slowly and more carefully exit the car park and turn into Everingham Road. She is concerned that not enough care is being taken to stop, look out for pedestrians and give way to oncoming cars. We also ask our families to please slow down (watch out for runaway toddlers and bikers), obey the car park rules and directions of staff on duty. Please be courteous to our neighbours, the wider community and we trust you will all take care on the roads over the school holidays too. We look forward to seeing you all return to school, safe and sound next term!