Skoolbag App

Please ensure that you have this set up on your device. It is very important that we have all parents receiving communication at this time and Skoolbag is the spot where all letters and newsletters will be sent more and more. You should have the App on your device and you should be receiving emails. If you are not please download the app and follow the instructions to register.

Getting to Know you Conversations

Parent getting to know you conversations with your child's teacher will be held on: Tuesday 2nd March from 2.00pm-5.30pm and again from 6.00pm-7.30pm. Wednesday 3rd March from 3.30-5.00pm.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SCHOOL WILL FINISH AT 1.00PM ON TUESDAY 2ND MARCH

Interviews are strictly 10 minutes and spaces are limited. The purpose of these interviews is to get to know you, your child and your hopes and dreams for your child's learning in 2021. Given the year that we had last year and several new members to the teaching team, we feel these sessions will enable you to get to know your child's teacher and classroom expectations. If you require more time with a particular teacher, please arrange a separate meeting by telephoning the school or emailing the teacher. Please see the link to the booking site for interviews online below. If we are unable to meet face to face, we will schedule to the same interview times online through Whereby.

Booking link here: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/

Code: nhehd

NAPLAN 2021

NAPLAN is scheduled for May this year and we are once again online (except for Year 3 writing). The dates for NAPLAN are: 11-21st May, with the majority of our testing occurring between the 11-13th May.

ACARA portal

Refurbishment of 3/4 rooms

Over the past 4 weeks I have been working with the 3/4 teams and students to design and upgrade their spaces with functional, collaborative and comfortable seating and working options. Over the next 2 years a plan is in place to do the same in all levels. We are excited to be exploring some great flexible furniture that will ensure comfort and choice for our students and enable staff and students to work effectively in small focus groups.

Here is where we are at. We are seeking student feedback to improve and so that they have a say in their classroom design. It is important that we get this just right. These systems click together and apart so that the space can change with the activity and it is fun!!! Watch this space.

3D view of 3/4 classrooms

Every day counts

Each day of school missed makes a difference, with the effect on learning accumulating over time. From an early age, if children are taught that they need to 'show up' for school and make a commitment, this positive mentality aids academic and career success and brings benefits in adulthood.

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the school office on 5950 0400 by 9.00am. Alternatively, you can email the school to notify of your child's absence at info@fatimarosebud.catholic.edu.au or complete an absentee form in the Skoolbag app. If we do not receive notification of an absence by 9.30am we are required under regulations to message you at home or work to follow up the absence. Please notify the school of all absences. Please note that prolonged absences without notification will be followed up. Many days absent from school do impact on student learning and programs designed to support students.

Updating Contact Details

Please ensure that you contact Sue in the office if you have any changes to address, phone, emergency contacts, video/photo permissions or email contacts. info@fatimarosebud.catholic.edu.au

School Photos

School photo day is Monday 1st March. The student photo order forms will be sent home with every child tomorrow. Each form is named and printed with your child's personal code. This code is required to order your photos. SchoolPix is now a cashless transaction.

No Dogs Allowed

No dogs are allowed on school grounds even if you are holding/carrying then. You are very welcome to walk your dog to school and tie your dog up outside the school grounds. Sorry for the inconvenience.

School Fees

The payment of school fees is crucial to the running of the school. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to this. If you know your fees are a little behind, it is important to make a time with Patrika to put a plan in place.

OLOF is always operating at full capacity, our teachers are working harder than ever to deliver learning programs with rigour and to maintain good, consistent communication with our families at all times and we want to continue to offer great experiences and programs for our children. Given this, the payment of school fees is still a requirement and enables the school to continue paying salaries and ongoing expenses and utilities to keep the school running. When families accept enrolment at OLOF, they enter into an agreement to pay school fees and keep up to date with payments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented its own set of challenges and because of this, in 2020 the offer of fee relief based on individual circumstances was offered. It is very important that all families meet payment obligations. Paying back primary school fee debt on top of secondary school fees would be a difficult situation and one I would not wish on any of our families.

Please ensure that your payment is factored into your budget. There are many options for payment and many discounts available for those who are eligible. Accounts will be issued to all families next week. Those wishing to set up a Direct Debit authority are asked to contact the office and complete the form authorising regular payments on fortnightly or monthly basis. These can be automatically deducted from your bank or Centrelink payment. If making payment directly into the school account; be sure to note your eldest child's full name. If you need to make any changes to your Direct Debit or Credit Card payment details please collect a form from the school office as soon as possible or email the office and one will be sent to you. Please make sure you update any credit card expiry date details when needed. If you are experiencing any difficulties with the payment of fees please make a time to speak with me to arrange suitable plans and support. Every family deserves a Catholic education and support is always available. It is important that everyone contributes. Listed are our payment options:

Via the school office:- Eftpos, Credit Card, Cheque or Cash.
Credit Card payments over the phone.
Online: Internet online payments.
Direct Debit through Centre Link.

Any queries please contact Leanne or Sue in the school office and they will be happy to assist with anything, phone 5950 0400 or email accounts@fatimarosebud.catholic.edu.au

These discounts might apply to you, please read. Government Allowances; Are you eligible?

Conveyance Allowance Do you live more than 4.8 kms from Fatima? If so you may be eligible for the State Government Conveyance Allowance (travel allowance). No need to re apply if you received this payment in 2020. All applications must be submitted to the office no later than Friday 5th March 2021. Application Forms are available from the office or email office@fatimarosebd.catholic.edu.au to receive a copy.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) 2021 CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card/health care card you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. The annual CSEF amount per student is $125 for primary school students. Applications are available from the office or via email office@fatimarosebud.catholic.edu.au and close on Friday 5th March 2021. If you received this payment last year and you still have a valid concession card you do not have to reapply. Below is the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund) To be eligible for the fund, a parent or legal guardian of a student must: On the first day of Term one 2021 or on the first day of Term two 2021; Be a holder of a Veterans Affairs gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card holder (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR Be a temporary foster parent if you have a healthcare/pensioner card and have not already submitted your CSEF form, please collect one from the offer and return it as soon as possible. Parents who only receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF. For more information visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

School fees and levies for 2021 are listed as follows:

STEM Update

'Tapping into student curiosity and allowing them to create, test and re-create.'