General Information

FIRE DRILL

Earlier in February we held our first Emergency Drill for the year.  The students are to be commended on the calm and orderly way they approached this session. Each term we conduct a different safety drill, sometimes we evacuate the building  or practise performing a Lock Down. Through these drills we are able to simulate situations where a danger might be occurring outside and would require us to remain indoors, such as hazardous weather.   You can see from the image below the wonderful way students lined up for roll call during the drill.

ONLINE SAFETY  

In 2025 students will take part once again in Inform & Empower’s Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing Program. Students participate in engaging and interactive live-streamed incursions each term. Developed by qualified teachers, these incursions are designed to help create safer and more positive online experiences for our students.

These Sessions will focus on:

• Healthy Digital Habits
• Critical Thinking
• Digital Citizenship
• Cyberbullying
• Digital Literacy
• Safety & Security
• Consent
• Upstanders

Below is a link to a short video introducing the team at Inform & Empower:

As part of our partnership with the Inform and Empower team, parents can access Tip Sheets.  We strongly recommend families have a look at these as they can be a great springboard to important discussions you can have with your child.  Below are links to the Parent Tip Sheets:

HOMEWORK

Homework formally begins this week and can sometimes be a source of frustration for families.  We recommend that parents set up a homework spot where your child can complete their homework in a distraction-free environment.  Ensuring your child has a pencil, sharpener and ruler, will enable them to complete their homework.  If homework is too challenging for your child to complete, please contact their teacher and let them know.  Similarly if your family routine means your child is unable to complete homework, just let the teacher know via a note or a phone call to the office.

TAKE HOME READERS 

Take Home Readers Year 1 & 2

Take home readers for students in Year 1 and some Year 2s, have commenced.  Those students who have achieved a decodable Level 18 are considered independent readers. As such they are able to choose their own reading material.  We encourage families whose child has achieved Level 18 to become members of the local Julia Gillard Library in Tarneit located at 150 Sunset Views Blvd, Tarneit.

A reminder that students change their books twice a week.  If they finish the book prior to the next reader change day, we suggest you have your child reread the text, to improve fluency and comprehension.  A Reading Diary has been sent home with your child’s book and we encourage families to fill these in.  They are a great way to track the process your child is making.  

Prep Take Home Readers

The transition to school is a major milestone and you will most likely find your child is very tired at the end of the school day and needs extra rest and sleep.  Home reading books do not commence in Prep until Term 2. By this time your child will have been taught several letters and sounds in class and be able to ‘sound out’ words in the home reading books. 

During Term 1 the expectation is that children in Prep are read to using a range of materials including books you may have at home or by visiting the local library to borrow books.  Your child will receive a diary this week, where you can record what you have read to your child.  For extra reading material, families can also access the Sunshine Classics Online resource by following the steps below:

NUMERACY SKILL DEVELOPMENT PREP - YEAR 2

When homework commences this week, children from Year Prep - Two will have been given an A3 laminated St John’s Mathematics Fluency Skills List.  Developing fluency with the skills from this list is going to be the Mathematics component of your child’s homework. 

You will notice there are five colour lists.  This is to break up the skills that come from a continuum spanning a number of years.  They have been developed using the Victorian Curriculum. It is likely to take up to a year for your child to be automatic and fluent with one colour list.  

Multiple opportunities to practise the skills is most beneficial to your child and playing games is an engaging way for children to do this. Further information about games and activities you can do with your child to practise these skills will be shared in the near future.

As parents and guardians, starting with the red list, you can move your child to the next colour list when you believe they are ready.  It is recommended that you revisit previous skill lists periodically to support their 

retention. Please click on the link below for a short video which will assist in explaining the fluency skills list.

We appreciate your ongoing support with your child’s learning journey.  Please view the video below if your require guidance.

ASSEMBLY LIVE STREAMS

Each Friday the students gather for a whole school assembly in the Hall.  This event is usually streamed to our Vimeo channel.  Families can view assembly by clicking on the link which is emailed via email using your Operoo profile. The email only goes to those parents who have ‘“receive correspondence” checked in their settings.

Parents are welcome to join us in person each Friday afternoon at 2:30pm in the hall. Space is limited so you may find that there is standing room only. Please enter via the school office if you wish to join us.

2025 SCHOOL FEES

2025 School Fees

Fee statements for the 2025 school year have been distributed via the eldest child in each family.

For families who wish to set up Direct Debit payments (our preferred payment method), please contact the office at (03) 8754 4300 to request a form, which must be submitted no later than 20th February 2025.  If you have already submitted a Direct Debit Request Form, no further action is required. Payments will commence according to the Direct Debit Schedule based on your selected frequency.

For those choosing to pay over the counter at the office or via direct deposit, please note that all fees must be paid in full by 31st October 2025.

2025 Financial Assistance & Discounts

Eligible families receiving Centrelink payments and holding a Health Care Card may qualify for the following financial support:

Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF)

MACS Concessional Fee Discount

School Saving Bonus

Application forms will be sent to families who have previously received these discounts.

We are currently awaiting further guidance from the Melbourne Archdiocese for Catholic Schools regarding the processing of the one-off School Saving Bonus. Updates will be provided via our newsletter once we receive further instructions.

If you have not yet submitted a copy of your Health Care Card, please do so at your earliest convenience, either in person or via email at office@stjatarneit.catholic.edu.au.

For any questions or further assistance, please contact the school office at (03) 8754 4300.

LUNCH ORDERS

Students are able to place lunch orders for Mondays and Fridays through TK Tuckshop, who have a range of over 40 options priced from just $5.50. All of their meals come in packs with a selection of one or more snacks and drinks.  Download the app pictured above to view the full menu and place your order. 

Calling all future Tarneit Titan footballers

The Tarneit Titans Football Club (AFL) welcome all new families to come down and try out there junior football program to be part of the Titan family.

The Tarneit Titals work with Juniors to develop skills and ensure players enjoy camaraderie whilst creating memories on and off the field.

If you have any questions, please contact them ovia email hello@tarneitfc.tidymail.co  or message them directly on any of our social media pages.

CHILD SAFETY -  WALKING & RIDING TO SCHOOL

It is fantastic to see students walking and riding to and from school in family and friendship groups.  We recommend that parents chat with their child about the route they are going to take, so that you can ensure it is the safest option and you are aware of their travel movements.  Please remind your child to use school crossings where they are available and to always proceed carefully when crossing any road.  If your child is riding their bike to school, please ensure they are wearing a helmet.