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Live Love Learn

Dear Families,

This week is Catholic Education Week. Catholic Education Week highlights the education that Catholic schools offer to families and to the community.

As part of Catholic Education Week at Galilee, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day today. St. Patrick's Day is special in Melbourne as St, Patrick is our patron saint.

St Patrick is widely known as one of the most influential missionaries in the Church’s history. He was sent to Ireland in the fifth century, becoming the country’s second bishop. A man of deep faith, Patrick spread the Word of Jesus and breathed new life into existing local churches.

St Patrick’s legacy was palpable in the early days of the Catholic Church in Melbourne. Melbourne's Cathedral was built and named after St. Patrick—a testament to the rich Irish culture present at the time.

As an Archdiocese, we continue to celebrate St Patrick for all he has brought to our city. It is his missionary example that we are called to imitate—by going out into the streets of Melbourne. As St Patrick travelled, he carried with him a fire to light the way. We too are called to let Christ to light our way.

Today, students were involved in activities that Miss Greenan one of our Irish teachers organised. It was wonderful to see so many students wear a touch of green and get involved in the large variety of activities that were happening at school today.

Harmony Day at Galilee

On Monday 21st March we are celebrating Harmony Day at Galilee.

On Monday 21st March students are encouraged to wear clothing from their families’ cultural background, a culture you relate to or the colour orange.

On the day, students will be involved in special Harmony Day activities in their classrooms.

Harmony Day is an opportunity 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.

Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united.

We look forward to making this important day at Galilee next week.

Galilee Parent App

We’re very pleased to inform you that our school is implementing a phone app called Updat-ed that will make connecting with you so much more convenient. The app will be launched in Term 2 but you can download it now. To download the app just visit the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android’s. Search for Updat-ed by sponsor-ed and from the menu select our school. We’ll receive your registration request and will need to approve you before your app is up and running.

So what will the app do?

The app’s great for sending out alerts and reminders with one of its best features being the ability to save events directly into your phone’s calendar. Letters will be stored for easy access ata later date.

School Advisory Council (SAC)

From 1 January 2021, the Board of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) has responsibility for the strategic direction and oversight of the operation and management of MACS Catholic schools, including Galilee. Clear lines of authority, reporting and delegation have been established which delegate the day-to-day operational management of Galilee to the principal.

In keeping with the objects of the MACS Constitution, which states “The good work of educating the young, undertaken in the light of the Gospel, is a co-responsible task led by every member of the Catholic school community”, the School Advisory Council (SAC) provides a crucial point of connection between the wider school community and school leaders. While the School Advisory Council does not have a decision-making authority, it informs, advises and supports the principal and school leadership.

The School Advisory Council (SAC) provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent/guardian voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the principal and leadership team for the good of school where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount.

School Advisory Councils do not have a legal identity and do not become involved in the day-to-day management of the school.

SAC members understand that their role is to give consideration to, and advice on, important school matters in order to support the principal in the context of the MACS governance arrangements. The School Advisory Council acts within the parameters of the Terms of Reference which are published on our website.

I would like to introduce you to our School Advisory Council for 2022:

Principal - Simon Millar

Deputy Principal - Amy Burns

Deputy Principal - Carlo Martello

Chair - Athena Romic (Peter 4G/ Nikolas 4R/ Paul 4R)

Deputy Chair - Carlo Pizzini (Francesca 3G/ Edoardo Prep M)

Secretary - Tegan Stuart

Member - Darren Catherall (Ailish Prep 2023)

Member - David Gloag (Maxwell 3L & Annabelle 6M)

Member - Bernard Mandile (Lorenzo 2W)

Member - Nicole Loriente (Matteo 4G/ Alessandro 3G)

Member - Tim Anderson (Alexis 5R)

Our key objectives for 2022 will be published shortly together with providing updates of action during the year.

Simon Millar

See below for our Terms of Reference:

https://www.gsmelbournesth.catholic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/galilee_sac_tor_1.pdf

Wellbeing

Engagement and Mindfulness

By understanding why you don't engage with certain things you need to do, you will be able to use your strengths to apply yourself to get started. When you feel that you are about to put off starting something, takeoff on it for five minutes writing, scribbling or drawing. Then spend the next five minutes improving what you have just done. You can overcome not engaging by using the five-minute takeoff process time after time.

Year 6 Lawn Bowls Trial

Galilee School Community 2022 Welcome Picnic

Sunday 20th March

2:00- 4:00pm

Edwards Park (in and around Trugo Club)

219 Esplanade East, Port Melbourne

BYO food, drink, picnic rug/chairs

*Zooper doopers, small pkt’s of chips and lolly bags for sale.

Please join us to celebrate and welcome the 2022 school year. A great opportunity to get together with our school community (finally).

Easter Raffle & Hamper

Easter Hamper Donations

Easter Hamper prizes will be given out on the last day of Term 1 to the lucky winners of our Easter Raffle!

We are hoping to give out at least 1 hamper prize per class so we are asking for donations of Easter bunnies and Easter eggs

(We recognise some children have food allergies, we will try to accommodate this where possible).

Please drop donations in the tub outside school each morning or to the office by Friday 1st April.

Raffle will be drawn during school hours on the final day of Term 1.

Easter Raffle Tickets

You should have received raffle tickets in an envelope in your child’s school bag. This is an Easter Fundraising event to raise money for our school.

*Tickets - $2 each or 3 for $5

Please clearly label each purchased ticket with your child’s name and class.

These envelopes can be returned to class teacher or the school office by

Tuesday 5th April.

*Additional raffle tickets will be available at the school office if you wish to purchase more.

There is no obligation to purchase tickets.

Hot Cross Bun Drive at Galilee

This Easter we are running a super delicious fundraiser with Bakers Delight, and we are egg-cited!

On Monday 21st March, families will receive information about how to order Traditional, Apple & Cinnamon or Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns at $8.50 per 6-pack. $2.00 from every 6-pack sold will be donated back to Galilee Primary School.

Orders will be due on Wednesday 30th March and students will be sent home with the Hot Cross Buns they ordered on Wednesday 6th April.

Uniform Transition

A reminder that all students from Prep to Year 5 will need to be fully transitioned into the new Winter Uniform from the beginning of Term Two.

Second Hand Uniform

Second Hand Uniform shop at 228 Bank St, South Melbourne, will be open on Wednesday 6th April from 9-9.30am. A reminder that

the woollen jumper, rugby top and school bag can be worn/used for the duration of its lifetime as it is similar to the new item.

Term 2

Wednesday 27th April - LAST collection day for older style uniforms out the front of the school 8.35-8.50am.

First Aid Training for Staff

On Tuesday 15th March, all Galilee Staff completed First Aid Training. The full day course included theory and practical training and all staff received a Level 1 Certificate in First Aid. All staff updated their CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis training and updated training in dealing with a range of issues including snake bites, stokes, broken bones, burns etc.

We feel lucky at Galilee to have all staff trained in Level 1 First Aid, ready and willing to assist with any first aid issue that may arise with students, parents or staff onsite.

Parent Helpers in the Classrooms

It is with great excitement that we will be able to welcome Parent Helpers back into the classroom in early Term 2 to assist with student learning from Prep to Year 6.

We are holding Parent Helpers’ Workshops in the second last week of term for parents who are new to helping in the classroom at Galilee. We are offering the Workshops on Monday 28th March at 4pm and will repeat the session on Friday 1st April at 1.30pm. You will only need to attend one of these workshops. Both workshops will be online. The link to the online workshops are on the Parent Calendar. You will be required to attend one of these workshops, if you have not attended a Parent Helper course in the past and if you are interested in assisting in the classroom this year. The workshop will go for approximately half and hour.

You will need a current Working With Children’s Check, triple vaccination certificate and an availability to assist at a set time once a week or once per fortnight. For example, every Tuesday morning or every second Thursday between 10-11am. This will help teachers with forming a roster and knowing who will be helping on particular days. A committed time once a week is usually preferable as it allows both the teacher and the Parent Helper to develop a professional relationship to support all the students in the class. It also allows the Parent Helper to develop skills by working at regular times and thus knowing the routines and expectations of the class. If you are only able to help in the classroom occasionally, this is fine too.

If you have attend the Parent Helper Course in previous years, hold a current Working with Children's Check, a triple COVID-19 vaccination certificate and are interested in helping in the classrooms again this year, we will be seeking your availability in early Term 2.

We continue to value all the support and assistance from Parent Helpers and thank you in anticipation.

Simonds Catholic College

We are extremely excited to announce our partnership with Simonds Catholic College. We have been able to secure a ‘feeder school’ status with Simonds Catholic College, offering our boys at Galilee a wonderful pathway to continue their Catholic Education at a school that is located approximately 5km from Galilee.

Peter Riordan, the Principal at Simonds, has been out to speak to our boys in Year 4-6 and Simon Millar and Amy Burns have been to visit Simonds College to gain a better understanding of the education that they offer.

After hearing from Peter Riordan, our boys felt excited and energised by the opportunities that Simon’s College has to offer and equally Simon and Amy were also impressed by the education Simonds offer boys in our local area.

From 2023, Simonds College will operate on one site in West Melbourne. Simon and Amy toured the new facilities and were impressed by the sound of the proposed STEM center that will be opened in 2023, access boys have to local sporting facilities, music program, wood work program, home economics as well as the high standards in English and Mathematics.

In touring the school, we got the sense that every boy mattered. Peter knew every boy he passed, by name and the teachers could passionately speak about their students.

We encourage our boys at Galilee to enquire into Simmonds College when considering Secondary Schools.

Book Club Orders

Issue 2 of Book Club is out now. Please place your order on the Loop App by this Monday 21st March.

Royal Children’s Hospital Baby Items

Hi Galilee Community,

I’m currently running a baby blanket collection for The Royal Children’s Hospital. The ward I work on are really short of baby blankets and muslin wraps. We use them to swaddle the babies to keep them calm and stop them from pulling on all the various wires and tubes. It’s also helps to brighten up the environment and make it less scary looking for families and older children.

Does anyone have any they no longer use and would like to donate?

I’m able to except the following used (or new) items.

- muslin wraps

- baby blankets

- any other baby wraps/swaddles

- cot sheets

- booties, hats and socks in all sizes.

If you would like to contribute could you please bring the items to the office by the end of term one so I can take them in. They will then be sanitised and labelled before being put to good use.

Thanks in advance!

Emma (Parent in Yr. 4 & 6)