News from Around the School

District Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday 23rd February, 2021 the Queen of Peace swimmers and five other schools had a competition at Werribee Outdoor Pool. We left Queen of Peace at 9:10 and arrived at 9:27 and started swimming at around 9:40am. They started with the 12 year old races, then 11 year year old and 9/10 age heats. The first stroke was freestyle, then backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. After all the strokes were done  we went onto the relays. There were 2 relays, the medley and the freestyle relay. After we had the relays we had the championships. Mia M and Tomi M competed in the Championship Race. Tomi came second in the boys championships and Mia came first in the girls championship. Congratulations to all the Queen of Peace swimmers for their participation, determination and great behaviour representing our school. The students, parents and teachers had a great day, despite the cold and wet conditions!!

- Lawson, Nicholas, Rose and Ellum, Year 5

Student Achievement

Congratulations Mia M (6A) on winning two State Medals during the school holidays, gold in Butterfly and bronze in Freestyle.   Amazing efforts!

Asthma reminder

Our First Aid Officer, Patricia Donaldson would like to remind families that there are still a number of children who have not yet brought in asthma medication and plans for the new year.

All children who have been medically diagnosed with asthma are required to have a current Asthma Action Plan signed by a doctor. 

Parents and Carers of students with asthma must: 

● provide the Asthma Action Plans signed by the medical practitioner 

● inform the school in writing if their child’s medical condition, insofar as it relates to asthma, changes and if relevant, provide an updated Asthma Action Plan 

● provide an up to date photo for the Asthma Action Plan when that Plan is provided to the school and when it is reviewed 

● provide the school with asthma reliever medication that is current and not expired for their child. 

Students will: 

● Immediately inform staff if they experience asthma symptoms 

● Inform staff if they have self-administered any asthma medication.  

Spacers are highly recommended for everyone who uses a puffer as it greatly increases the medication reaching the airways. All children should have their own spacer at school clearly labelled with their name. Any medication that your child brings to school should be labelled correctly with their name and exact dosage. Asthma medication is stored in a central location in sickbay for years prep – 3. Children in years 4 – 6 can keep their asthma medication with them in the classroom or their bag. We do not use medication past the use by date. Please ensure your child’s medication is current and well within the expiry date.

A message from Asthma Australia:

Every year there is a well-documented spike in asthma flare-ups when children return to school after the summer break. This results in a significant increase in Emergency Department visits, hospitalisations and days off school. Education staff play a key role in supporting children to stay safe and manage the risk of asthma flare-ups at the ‘back to school’ time. 

Asthma Australia produced a  Back-to-School campaign . The aim of the campaign is to support and educate parents to take the correct preventative steps to manage their child’s asthma in readiness for their return to school.

Private Music Lessons

The school offers private music lessons in keyboard/piano, guitar and singing. These lessons are taken during school hours. These are private lessons and are charged by the individual teachers separately to school fees, tutors will make arrangements directly with parents.  Information and tutor contact details can be found on the school website under: 

Curriculum | Music

STEM Family Night

Family Night and Welcome to 2021

4:30 - 6:30pm

Thursday 11 March

Bring the whole family and engage in 

STEM activities!

STEM Challenge: 

“Create something that can move” 

Bring your project to the STEM area prior to the STEM nightto be displayed for the WHOLE school to see. Be creative! Be clever! Be resourceful! Be sustainable!

For more information contact 

Mrs Kirby or Mr Menadue

Please respond to the invitation sent via Operoo.

School Photo Day

Tuesday 16 March 2021

Orders can be placed online, please refer to the attached flyer for instructions from Leading Image. We will no longer use the envelope ordering system in an effort to avoid cash handling and help streamline organisation on the day. Added bonus: you now get to choose the background of your photos. 

Students should wear full summer uniform and if wearing the polo shirt, you may choose either navy blue or white. Please note that orders must be placed online by 4:30pm the day prior and family photos (children of the same family attending QoP) will only be taken if an order has been placed. 

Prep 2022 Enrolments 

Do you have a child ready to start Prep in 2022? Please click on the LINK to read about the enrolment application process. We require all families wishing to enrol a Prep (including those with children currently attending QoP) to register for the online launch (7pm Tues 16 March). Following the launch, we will email enrolment packs to applicants. 

We are excited to be launching an online portal this year which will allow us to provide an environmentally-friendly, paperless system as well as being covid-friendly due to fewer visitors to the school office. Feel free to share this information with other families or kindergarten friends you know who may be interested in applying for a place in any of our Parish schools for Prep/Foundation in 2022. 

Be Prepared for Thunderstorm Asthma Season

Thunderstorm asthma can be very serious for people with asthma, so it is important to be thunderstorm asthma aware and prepared for the upcoming thunderstorm season, as a thunderstorm asthma event may occur while children and staff with asthma or hay fever are in your care. 

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there is a greater risk of an Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma event occurring this year due to a wet spring encouraging grass growth. This is caused by the La’Nina effect, which usually means above-average winter-spring rainfall for Australia. 

Thunderstorm asthma events are believed to be triggered by an uncommon combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm, causing pollen grains from grasses to be swept up in the wind and carried long distances. Some pollens can burst open and release tiny particles that are concentrated in the wind just before the thunderstorm. These small particles get deep into the airways and can trigger asthma symptoms, an asthma flare up or attack.

Learn more about thunderstorm asthma here 

Thunderstorm Asthma information sheet.

Free Asthma First Aid training online. 

Five ways to get ready for Bushfire Season

Victorian Association for Gifted & Talented Children

From March 9, the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC), in partnership with the Department of Education and Training (DET) will be commencing a series of Seminars for parents of Gifted and High Ability Students, and those that suspect their children might be Gifted. Please see the captions below for some further information:

Gifted and High Ability Children

(90 Minutes: March 9 ONLINE / June 7: FACE TO FACE) - This seminar will summarise last years presentations which focused on identifying gifted and high ability learners, understanding these children and their needs, advocating effectively for them at home and at school, collaborating with other parents and school staff to best serve the needs of these children, and support options by way of books, websites and events. Most suitable for those that didn't attend last year, or those that would like a recap. 

ONLINE Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBRV

FACE TO FACE Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBSQ 

Supporting Social and Emotional Needs (60 Minutes: March 22 ONLINE) - In response to the needs of parents that attended last years seminars: Our expert presenters will address common social and emotional challenges that parents often see in their Gifted and High Ability children whilst also examining the most recent research and advice in the field.

Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBSBGifted and High Ability Children Frequently Asked Questions (60 Minutes: March 29 ONLINE) - This session will attempt to answer and provide some possible solutions for some of the most frequently asked questions from last year's parent seminars. Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBSEParent Networks (60 Minutes: April 29 ONLINE) - Many parents have shared a need for collaborations with other parents of Gifted and High Ability Learners. This Seminar will look at what is possible by way of Parent Networks, the various ways they can be established, key elements of their geography, structure and success as observed in recent times. It will also look at Parent Networks that are currently operating. Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBSKWhat's Possible for School-Based Provision for Gifted and High Ability Learners (60 Minutes: May 12 ONLINE) - This seminar will look at quality differentiated instruction and what that looks like, accelerated learning processes and approaches, enrichment provisions, Individual Learning Plans and more..... Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBSQGifted and High Ability Learners: Panel with Q and A (90 Minutes: June 22 ONLINE) - Drawing on suitable expert panelists, we will hear some inspiring stories of successes with Gifted and High Ability Learners. What works and what doesn't? Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.  Register via Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPBTM

ATTEND ONE, OR ATTEND ALLFor further information outlining dates, times and they key information for these seminars please go to: https://www.vagtc.org.au/seminars/DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

G.A.T.E.ways

Provides a range of challenging and innovative programs for gifted and talented students.  To register a child for an out of school time program, a parent must set up an account for that child. Programs Gifted and Talented About us

"Beyond Online" After school hours:

• Years 1-4: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - $30 per session
• Years 5-6: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm - $45 per session
• Students can enrol in all four sessions or in any of the four sessions
• Each program is connected by a loose thread but each session has a stand-alone concept, allowing students to join the program at any time
• Contact kelly@gateways.edu.au for any program related or enrolment process queries.

Volunteers please!

There are still days in term 1 that we are looking for helpers to assist our Canteen Manager, Antoinette.  Can you help fill any of the gaps?

Please email: akelly@qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au

Volunteers to assist the Canteen Manager to prepare lunches, from 10am to 2pm. If you are unable to commit to four hours, please consider helping for a couple of hours as any assistance is greatly appreciated Please note, all volunteers must have a Working With Children Check registered with the school office and have signed the school's Child Safety Code of Conduct.

Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunchbox