Student Wellbeing 

Family Engagement - Leanne Wenckowski

This week on Wednesday 5th May, Joe Frazzetto is taking a group of six students to Doris Blackburn Kindergarten to showcase some of the amazing things that are happening in our school during our STEM classes each week.

I have organised a special surprise for all the St Fidelis mums this week. Make sure you check your eldest child’s bag on Friday to receive your surprise!

Wishing all the mothers, carers, aunties grandmothers and other important women in our children’s lives a very Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. You all do an amazing job with your children so I hope your children reward you with a lovely day.

Next Friday 14th May you are invited to participate in the Walk Safely to School Day. Looking forward to a fun and healthy way to begin school next Friday. Further details regarding this event are included in the newsletter.

LEARNING DIVERSITY - Sally Lentini

EVERYDAY COUNTS

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.

Why it’s important

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day. If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of school. There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes. Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading. 

Getting in early 

Attendance patterns are established early – a child regularly missing days in kindergarten or in the early years of school will often continue to miss classes in the later years, and receive lower test scores than their classmates. It’s vital that students go to school every day – even in the early years of primary school. 

What we can do 

The main reasons for absence are: 

Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and setting good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference. It's vital that holidays are planned during school holidays where possible, and not during the term if it can be avoided. 

“Day off” – Think twice before letting your child have a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts. 

Truancy – This is when students choose not to go to school without their parent’s permission. There can be many reasons for truancy. The best way to address this is for schools and parents to work together. If for any reason your child must miss school, there are things you can do with your school to ensure they don’t fall behind:

 • Speak with your classroom teacher and find out what work your child needs to do to keep up. 

• Develop an absence learning plan with your teacher and ensure your child completes the plan. 

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible. Openly communicating with your child's school about all absences is a good way to prevent attendance issues being escalated to a School Attendance Officer. A School Attendance Officer is a Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Regional Director who has authority to follow up attendance issues. Attendance issues that are escalated can lead to an Infringement Notice. If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day. 

Victoria State Government - Education and training

STUDENT WELLBEING - Sally Lentini

National Walk Safely to School Day

Now in its 22nd year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event when all Primary School children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment. All information can found at: walk.com.au

The event will be held throughout Australia on Friday 14 May 2021-put the date in your diary.

The objectives of WSTSD are:

• To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
• To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
• To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
• To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
• To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
• To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
• To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

Background and Details of the Event

WSTSD is an opportunity for parents and carers of Primary School aged children to promote safe pedestrian behaviour.

WSTSD will inform parents and carers that they need to closely supervise their young children, particularly those under 10 years of age, in all road environments, holding hands when near or crossing the road.

WSTSD will promote and inform parents, carers, teachers and children of the significant physical, mental and social health benefits which can be achieved through regular walking.

The event is supported by the Australian Government, all State, Territory Governments and Local Governments.

How our school is going to be involved?

On Friday 14 May 2021, we want you to participate in Walk Safely to School Day. We want to encourage all parents, carers and teachers to promote safe walking to children.

You can encourage others to participate in the following ways:

• Information in your newsletters
• Hosting a Healthy Breakfast at the
• On the day parents and carers who have to drive, to park the car at least 10 minutes away from the school-more details to follow.