Messages

Dear Families,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for once again embracing our new normal during our the first week back at school after the latest Victorian Lockdown. Thank you for joining our live streamed Assembly, for using the QR code check in system, for following the protocols during morning drop off and afternoon pick-up, for being flexible with the many cancelled and postponed events and for agreeing to meet teachers virtually where possible. 

We understand the importance of following the COVID-19 restrictions in order to maintain the safety of everyone within our community but do miss seeing you and we look forward to the day that we can welcome our entire community back onsite. 

Family Literacy Night

We are very excited to invite all families to our Family Literacy Night. This is a great opportunity for you to come in and hear about the VCOP Writing program whilst playing some interactive games with your children.

When: Thursday 26th August

Time: 5-6pm

Location: Your child’s classroom*

*If you have more than one child, you will move around as a family and there will be an opportunity for you to visit more than one classroom throughout the evening.

We will also have the book fair open from 3.30pm - 5.40pm in the Hall Foyer. 

Wellbeing

The Group Plan

Understanding what it means to be part of a group is a fundamental social concept to develop in young learners. It’s a precursor to so many other aspects of our social lives: having friends, working in a classroom, having a successful career and being part of a community.

This week in our Wellbeing classes, our focus is the group plan:  when everyone is thinking about and doing the same thing, which is different from following one’s own plan. When everyone is following the plan, we are thinking of each other. This in turn makes everyone feel calm and comfortable. When people follow their own plan, others might have uncomfortable feelings and thoughts.

We can use the language of ‘group plan’ and ‘own plan’ at home as well as at school. I encourage families to use the language of ‘group plan’ and ‘own plan’ to reinforce the learning we are doing at school. For example, 

‘Our (family) group plan is to have dinner together and then wash up. Each of us needs to follow the group plan so that we can have some relaxing family time before bed.’

This common language will help our young ones create the mental and emotional connections needed for social communication and social awareness. I look forward to hearing all of our children engaging in our whole school group plan! Feel free to email me your success stories/photos at jferris@gsm.vic.edu.au and I'll share them in next week's bulletin!

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

Each year, schools are mandated to complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on Students with a Disability. The NCCD counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or 'help' at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps the government to plan for the needs of students with disability. For more information, see the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HGVJSm1CmGS1TmYfR3SAetj9TG6PklS-&usp=gmail

Book Week - August 23-27 

Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds

Book Week 2021 is going to be lots of fun.

We have an illustrator coming to visit us, a book week incursion, an author visit, dress up day, class Read-A-Thons and plenty of wonderful activities based on the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) shortlisted books for 2021.

Dress up day Thursday 26th August. Come to school dressed up as your favourite book character.

We will be having a competition for the best book review. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks!  

Hoop Time Basketball 

Hoop Time Basketball Competitions have been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions and density limits. Hoop Time Competitions will now take in Term 4. This will give us longer to plan, prepare and organise ourselves for the competition. 

Galilee Second Hand Uniform

Donations accepted out the front of Galilee on Wednesday 11th August from 8.35am until 8.50am.  After this day, donations accepted at the shop. The Second Hand Uniform shop will be open on Wednesday 25th August from 9-9.30am. 

Clean and in good condition uniforms accepted.  All older style uniforms that students can no longer wear post 2022 will be donated to a charity that will send them overseas.

COVID-19 Restrictions

As you would be aware we are operating under COVID-19 restrictions as directed by the Department of Health and Melbourne Archdioceses of Catholic Schools. Under the current restrictions we have had to cancel or postpone a number of events:

• Hoop Time has been postponed and will now take place in Term 4.
• Seeds and Sprouts Sessions have been cancelled until further notice.
• Our first 2022 Prep Transition Session has been cancelled.
• Assemblies will be live streamed until further notice.
• Open Mornings have been cancelled until further notice.
• Winter Warmers have been cancelled until further notice.

Found!

An earring was found in the yard last week. If this is your earring, see Tegan at the office.

Grandparent’s Day Mass

At this stage we are planning to go ahead with the Grandparent’s Day Mass on Friday, 20th August for students only. Parents and Grandparents will be able watch the Mass using a live stream link that will be on the Parent Calendar. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we anticipate that Grandparents will not be able to come into our classrooms this year. On Friday 20th August, we would like to encourage Grandparents to collect students at the end of the day so that they can spend the afternoon together. We are sad that our usual Grandparent's Day Celebrations have been interrupted again this year. We hope to be able to welcome all of our Grandparent's at our 2022 Grandparent's Day.

Confirmation Information Night 

It was wonderful to see so many Year Six  families at the Confirmation Information Night on Wednesday evening at Saint Peter and Paul’s church.

The families were introduced to the sacrament and given an overview of expectations at the respective parishes. 

Please note that if you were not able to attend and would like your child to be confirmed, an enrolment form needs to be completed and sent to the respective parish.

The home activity booklet and white card can be collected from your child’s teacher.

We look forward to a successful preparation and celebration of this sacrament!

A Prayer for our First Eucharist Candidates

As you prepare for your First Eucharist we pray for you. May your First Communion celebrate your friendship with Jesus.

As you grow in this friendship may your words be gentle and your touch be kind.

May you hear whispers of Love in your heart each day.

May you have fun in discovering God hidden everywhere!

And, may you remember to thank God often for the gift of life.

Sacramental Dates 2021

Eucharist 

OLMC - Saturday 7th August

*First Eucharist at StsPP - TBC when restrictions are lifted for greater numbers to attend churches.

Sacrament of Reconciliation  

OLMC - Wednesday 25th  August 7pm

Confirmation

StsPP- Thursday 19th August 7pm

OLMC -  Wednesday 18th August 7pm

A reminder to check the Parent Calendar (http://www.gsmelbournesth.catholic.edu.au/page/179/Calendar) often for important dates like our school closure day on Friday 27th August.

Best wishes,

Simon Millar (Principal)