Dear parents, families and friends,

Welcome Back!!

I welcome everyone to our 2023 School Year. It has started very smoothly with many smiling faces from children, teachers and parents as we begin our new year and settle into the routines of first term. It has been really lovely to see so many children bounce into school eager to see their friends, get into their new classes and tell their holiday stories. A wonderfully big welcome to all our New Prep children and their families. I hope they find St Augustine’s a place where they feel at home and find our School a nurturing community.

Following very successful Assessment meetings held last week, the children are already beginning to move towards the goals that have been set for the Term ahead. We all need to continue to talk about learning and its importance on our capacity to reach our full potential. It was fantastic to hear that many children read books over the holidays.

I wish every member of our school community and all their family members a safe and happy year ahead. Let us all make the most of the year ahead and enjoy the opportunity to work together to give the best we can to all children at St Augustine’s.

Staff News

Congratulations to Miss Danni and her partner Alex who welcomed their beautiful baby daughter, Grace on December 24th 2022. Mum, dad and baby Grace are doing well. We wish Danni and Alex all the best as they begin this very busy time in their lives.

Matthew had successful surgery towards the end of January. He is slowly recovering and has begun his rehabilitation. We wish Matthew a speedy recovery.

We formally welcome our new staff members and some returning staff members.

Mr B in 1/2 B, Miss C in 5/6 C, Mr Tony in PE and Miss Scimone in STEM.

Birthday Protocols

Birthdays are very special days for students and we know that they love giving little 'goody' bags' to their class. Aligning with the schools policy of 'NO FOOD SHARING', we ask that if your child does want to give something to their class that it does not contain any items of food. Some ideas could be: pencils, erasers, bubbles, stickers, whistles etc...

Fitness Fridays

Your child will already have had their first Sport lesson this week. Students are also able to wear their sports uniform on Fridays as many classes have fitness Friday activities in the afternoon. If you have any questions, please contact your child's class teacher.

Closure Day

Friday March 10th will be a school closure day for students. Staff will be at school on this day participating in an Intervention Framework Professional Learning. This day is being facilitated by a member of the MACS team.

OshCLUB will be available on this day for students, if needed.

TV Screens

If you have had the opportunity to visit the classrooms, you will notice that each class has been fitted with TV which allows staff and students to chrome cast their work to others. Thank you to the 2022 Parent Fundraising & Social Committee and the school community for all your fundraising efforts.

Thank you to John (Frankie's dad) for installing all these during the holidays.

COVID-19 Update from MACS

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:

− have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild

− are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19

− are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

RAT tests are available from the office.

Assembly

Assemblies will be held on Wednesday at 2.30 pm in the hall. Parents are welcome to attend assembly from Week 5 - Wednesday 1st March.

Year 6 Graduation - Uniform Survey results

Thank you to all families that completed the graduation uniform survey on Operoo. We had a great response. Based on the results, from this year and moving forward, Year 6 students will be wearing their school uniform with their Year 6 jacket.

Results:

Yes - wear uniform: 74%

No - own clothes: 20%

Maybe: 6%

School Open Day

We will be holding our School Open Day on Saturday 25th March from 12 - 3 pm. Please let any families you are aware of know about this date. The aim of the Open Day is to promote our school to the local community of Yarraville and to increase enrolments across all year levels, but especially for Prep. We will need volunteers to assist with packing the showbags, cooking the sausage sizzle, setting and packing up, running sports or craft activities and welcoming visitors. An Operoo form will be sent out in a couple of weeks for how to volunteer.

Prep Parents Wine and Cheese Evening

The Prep Wine and Cheese evening for our 2023 Prep parents will be held on Thursday 16th February 6.00-7.00 pm. After this, parents are welcome to attend dinner at the Railway from 7.30 pm.

Family Picnic BYO

Our Annual Family Picnic will be held on Thursday 2nd March from 6.00 - 8.30 pm. This is an opportunity which brings our whole school community together at the start of the year to reconnect or connect with each other. Please bring your own food, drinks, picnic blankets etc... We are looking forward to a wonderful night.

School Absences

If you know that your child will be absent or has an appointment, please email your child's class teacher, as well as, the office email: office@sayarraville.catholic.edu.au

Parent Fundraising & Social Committee

Our first Parent Committee meeting for the year was held on Wednesday night. The executive team from 2022 stood down and a new executive team for 2023 was voted in. The executive team for 2023 is as follows:

President - TBA (An Operoo form will be sent out and please indicate whether you would be interested in taking up this role. You responsibilities would include: chairing meetings, planning fundraising and social events with the support of an amazing team)

Treasurer - Neroli S

Secretary - Karen M

School Uniform Shop

The Uniform shop is open Fridays 8:30 am - 9:00 am. All items are $5.00.

Lunch Orders - Wednesday & Friday

Wednesday: Classroom Cuisine

Friday: Beaver's Tail

Kind regards,

Dina Mazzeo

Acting Principal

School News

Times, Dates and Events

School Hours

Learning Conversations -