Messages

Dear Families,

It has been wonderful to have all students back on site this week. The staggered breaks (listed below) have begun with students and staff adjusting quickly. The new process has been introduced to provide students with greater outside time while keeping classes separated while indoors, to limit any potential spread of COVID-19.

A reminder Year 3-6 students must be wearing a mask indoors while at school. We recommend packing a reusable mask with their name on it or a pack of disposable masks into their school bags. The school only has a small supply of masks for emergencies, not enough for multiple students to come and collect every morning.

The last two years has seen a great deal of negativity published though our mainstream media. What we watch, read or hear can often influence the views of our community. It is worthwhile teaching our children to question or analyse what is presented in the media, to distinguish between opinions and facts. Journalists are human and sometimes mistakes can be made. Like many Australians we have been watching the story of the missing toddler, Cleo. Her story has resonated with many people who place the highest value on the safety of our children. Being a parent and teacher, caring for children is a big part of my life. It was wonderful to wake up yesterday morning to the news of Cleo's safe return to her family.  All of my children got lost at some point and it always led to great distress and the minutes they were missing often felt like hours. I can only imagine the immense relief and joy that her parents felt and the deep gratitude for the police of W.A. 

At Galilee, the care of our students remains our highest priority.

Staggered Breaks

The purpose of staggering our recess and lunch times limits our students’ opportunities to mingle and make contact with each other. This will reduce the number of students and staff who will be considered close contacts should we have a positive COVID-19 case attend school during their infectious period. This will help avoid a prolonged school closure and slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Recess and Lunch break times for the remainder of the year:

• Students in Prep and Year 1 will have a recess break at 11:00 - 11:40am
• Students in Prep and Year 1 will have a lunch break at 1:00-1:40pm
• Students in Year 2 and Year 3 will have a recess break at 11:40 - 12:20pm
• Students in Year 2 and Year 3 will have a lunch break at 1:40 - 2:20pm
• Students in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 will have a recess break at 10:20-11:00am
• Students in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 will have a lunch break at 12:20-1:00pm

Borrowed Devices/Chromebooks

All borrowed devices and chargers need to be brought to the school office by students upon their arrival to school. We have a number of devices not returned which makes student learning/work difficult for some classes.

Wellbeing

Celebrating Differences

By accepting and celebrating others' differences, you will feel much more connected to the community you live in. Wouldn't it be a boring world if everyone was exactly the same? When you experience something different to what you are used to, make the effort to first understand before you judge. Doing this as a keystone habit, will enable you to grow yourself personally, academically and culturally. Except, accept and celebrate the beauty of difference. 

Rescheduled Events

Since the relaxing of some restrictions, the following have been rescheduled or booked to take place this term:

• Prep transition from 11th November
• Swimming Carnival 18th November
• Zoo Snooze Year 3B 23-24 November, Year 3M 24-25 November
• Sacraments at Sts Peter and Paul's

School Closure Day

Friday 26 November Galilee will be closed for students but GOSH will be operating. Make sure you book in on their website www.theircare.com.au.

Although we have only just returned from remote learning, we are proceeding as it will be a vital part of planning for 2022. Over the last two years we have cancelled several closure days which impact upon the professional learning and development of teaching practice. 

Second Hand Uniform

Donations accepted out the front of Galilee on Wednesday 10th November from 8.35am until 8.50am.  Clean and in good condition uniforms accepted.

The Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesday 17th November and 1st December from 9-9.30am, at 228 Bank St, South Melbourne. No pram access is available.

*There is no access to the uniform shop out of hours listed above. 

*If you are not double vaccinated, please email Tegan and Wendy your mobile number and Carla will contact you to arrange a collection time.

All older style uniforms that students can no longer wear will be donated to a charity that will send them overseas.

Class Groups 2022

Classroom placements are based upon student friendships and the needs of each individual. 

If parents have concerns, for social reasons, over classroom placements of their child with another peer, they are asked to send the request to Mr Millar in a hand-written letter or email to Tegan and Wendy, by no later Monday 8th November 2021, including the reason for the request. These requests will be kept confidential but there is no guarantee that all can be accommodated.  Requests after November 8 cannot be considered as the process of classroom placements will have begun.

Teachers are yet to be given placements for 2022 and requests for teachers by parents will not be considered. The above message has been repeated from last week's Bulletin.

Student Learning

Year 4R Poems

Jump Rope for Heart

Galilee is participating in Jump Rope for Heart this year – a fantastic fundraising and physical activity program by the Heart Foundation.

When you register your child online you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your child a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors. Register and create your own secure webpage at https://www.jumprope.org.au/fundraisers/Galilee-Regional-Catholic-Primary-School

Please read the letter below for all information.

D.O.G.S. 

Camp – Update

Unfortunately D.O.G.S. Camp will not be proceeding this year.

I have been liaising with the YMCA Camp trying to make something happen. However, it reached a point where a decision needed to be made and the camp itself has made the call.  We have booked in again for November 2022.

Regards James McGann

Parent's Battle of The Bands #3 

Thursday, 16th Dec - The Prince Bandroom, St Kilda.

Tickets are now on sale at the following link: https://princebandroom.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/211e3233-a675-4064-b779-49baf40474c2?utm_source=PrinceBandroom&utm_medium=Website

If booking, make sure you obtain the tickets through the The P.O.G.S (Galilee PS) band, as all proceeds will be redistributed back to the school pro-rata of parents’ attendance / number of tickets sold by each school. 

Funds raised are used to expand the musical education programs and improve facilities for participating schools & help further our children's musical education. 

Our Parents Band The P.O.G.S. is participating with 6 other local primary schools including St. Kilda Primary, Elwood Primary, Port Melbourne Primary, Gardenvale Primary, St Kilda Park Primary & Ripponlea Primary.

Great way to finish the year, with the wider local school communities.  

See you there!

Scripture of the Week

Best wishes,

Simon Millar (Principal)