Cranbourne Campus News
House Welcome & Information Evening - Thursday, 21 February
On Thursday, 21 February we will host our annual House Welcome & Information Evening for all 8 houses. ALL students and their families are really encouraged to attend this evening to build House spirit and receive some important information. It is NOT just for parents of new and Year 7 students. It is a great opportunity to meet your child’s House Leader and other parents in your child’s house. A social gathering will begin in each of the House areas at 6.30 pm with finger food and drinks. If you don’t have your child with you and are not sure where to gather, then move to the Hall foyer and our student leaders will take you to the correct building.
This year, we will provide an important opportunity for Year 7 parents to have Learning Conversations with their child’s Learning Advisor. This is to discuss the needs of your child and strategies in best assisting them at St Peter’s. There is also valuable information about understanding Maths Pathways, accessing Schoolbox and transition, including the Year 7 Camp.
Year 8-12 parents will have the opportunity to listen to guest speakers from BULLY ZERO. This is a not to be missed event for all Year 8-12 parents beginning in the Hall at 7.30 pm.
BULLY ZERO™ was established in 2012, by senior members of the police force, volunteers, psychologists, lawyers, teachers, politicians and the families of bullying victims. The non-for-profit Foundation delivers established services nationally. Through its university partnerships, BULLY ZERO™ has created research-led educational programs. BULLY ZERO™ is the only Foundation in Australia that delivers face-to-face programs by qualified teachers. These programs include cyber safety and bullying prevention programs that are delivered nationwide to schools, community groups, sporting clubs and workplaces. BULLY ZERO™ has delivered these programs to over 250,000 parents, children and teachers, received endorsements by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and WorkSafe Victoria.
As part of this presentation, we are very fortunate to have as key note speaker, Mr Ali Halkic, a founding member of BULLY ZERO™.
In 2009, prior to forming BULLY ZERO™, Ali Halkic’s son Allem tragically fell victim to cyber-bullying. Through the determination of not wanting the same fate for another child, Ali successfully lobbied the Victorian State Government in erecting barriers along the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne—preventing hundreds of suicides as a result. Ali’s determination for change is carried through in his work as director of BULLY ZERO™.
The evening will provide critical information for parents/guardians about what is bullying, what it is not and how to get help, and help our young people. Together we can work towards as BULLY ZERO™ puts it: creating a world free from bullying.
A Care Monkey invitation will go home to each family shortly. Please RSVP for catering purposes.
Swimming Carnival
The House Swimming Carnival will take place at the Doveton Pool on Tuesday, 19 February. This is a compulsory College event for all students. Any student who is absent will need a medical certificate. Parents are most welcome to attend but must bring some identification and sign it at the front entrance. Due to our Child Safety Policy, parents are asked to remain within the one area to view the swimming and not to wander around the venue. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this procedure.
A Care Monkey outlining the details of the Carnival has already been sent and parents and guardians are asked to respond promptly.
VCAL students will be selling food and drink all day and students are encouraged to bring some money that will support our Term 1 charity, Caritas.
Student Uniform & Appearance Regulations
Updated 2019 Student Uniform & Appearance Regulations have now been put on Schoolbox Student Services so that students are aware of what is required for them to continue to uphold the good name of the College. These regulations also appear on our College Website so that they are also accessible to parents.
Parents are reminded that for issues that are rectifiable at school, students will receive an infringement and for every 3 infringements be required to attend 1 hour of after school detention. Any uniform or appearance regulation breach that cannot be rectified may result in the application of zero tolerance policy. Year 7-10 students may be withdrawn from class and senior students could be sent home until the issue is rectified.
Parent Workshop: Gaming - Keep Calm and Continue Parenting
We have secured the parent workshop hosted by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation: Gaming: Keep calm and continue parenting.
Details: Wednesday 27th March 2019, 6.45 (tea & coffee) for a 7pm start - finishes at 8pm
Where: Cranbourne Campus: Hall
Who: all parents - Clyde North and Cranbourne campus are invited.
Gaming: Keep calm and continue parenting is a new program delivered by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. Popular games like Fortnite and the use of gimmicks such as loot boxes can be overwhelming for parents and becomes dominating and addictive for our young people. This seminar will provide parents the opportunity to learn more about the online gaming world and understand how their children are participating in order to mitigate potential risks. This is a critical seminar that all parents should not miss.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
There will be a Youth Mental Health First Aid course at St. Peter's College Cranbourne Campus on Thursday, 21 and Friday, 22 February. 8.30 am to 4.00 pm each day.
Please find attached with this newsletter a flyer for discounted places for parents. What would normally cost $325 will be just $220 for our parents because we are hosting the course. This excellent course is done by all our House and Pastoral Care Leaders at St Peter’s to ensure that we can give the best care to any of our students when they might be experiencing poor mental health. In the same way that over 80 of our staff are trained in first aid for physical health issues that may arise, we should take the mental health of your children seriously. If you are interested in doing this course, please register at the Safer Communities website.
Website: http://safercommunities.com.au
House Charities
In Term 4, each year, every house works on raising funds for a charity of interest to that particular house. Students like to have a choice in their charity after contributing so generously to Project Compassion (Term 1), Trinity Family Foundation (Term 2) and Society of St Vincent de Paul (Term 3). It is therefore no great surprise, but really pleasing when we hear of the impressive efforts of one of our students. This is what our MacKillop House Leader, Ms Cathy Michael heard from one of our Year 10 students, Emily Andrew:
"Hi Ms Michael
Over the summer holidays I thought I would spend my time giving back to the community and had a wonderful idea that I could help you and our school in supporting “Pinchapoo.” I started out small and asked our close family and they were wonderful and together they donated about 30 items. However I thought if just my close family could donate this much, what would happen if I asked a few more people?
I asked my Mum (who seems to have lots of friends) if I could send a message to her friends and ask if they could donate anything that would help the “Pinchapoo” cause. I left a basket at our front door and told anyone could drop and donate, or they could come for a visit and grab a cup of tea and a biscuit and a personal thank you.
I set my goal at 100 and sent out the message. Over the next month, the bucket always had items left in it, and we got to see lots of friends who we hadn’t seen in ages, and my mum thought it was wonderful. At the end of the month, I was completely surprised; the box was filled with wonderful items that could help support the less fortunate in our community.
I collected over 365 items to donate. I’m super excited to donate all these items, and it has shown me just like our school motto “Be not afraid” as it was a little scary to ask all these people for donating however if we were all not afraid to support each other, how amazing could we all support the less fortunate.
I’m excited to say that I’ve started collecting for ‘”The Kimbe project and hope to get even better results.'
Can you please let me know when I can drop these off at your office."
Thanks
Emily Andrew
School Crossings - Parking Compliance
Parents are discouraged from parking on school property at certain times because of congestion issues. The Cranbourne-Frankston Road entrance is particularly busy from 8.30 am to 8.50 am and it has become an issue of student safety when the entrance becomes blocked and cars are then unable to turn into the College. I would remind parents that there are alternative parking areas off campus that allow students to be dropped off or picked up safely.
It is very important that you do not park in the turning lanes into the College and allow students to leave the car. This is dangerous for the child getting out of the car, students crossing at the lights, and those waiting to turn into the school. It also a bus stop.
If you are parking on the school property, please do so courteously and carefully. Always drive at the speed limit to ensure the safety of our staff and students and do not double park. When parking in the streets around the school, please do not block driveways or the roadway. Our neighbours have already expressed concern and are likely to notify the council if drivers are parked illegally.
The council recently emailed me the following information:
"I am writing to advise that during October last year Council established a dedicated Parking Compliance team. A key focus of the team is to undertake enforcement of the road rules surrounding Casey’s primary and secondary schools to enhance the safety of children.
As a guide to this enforcement activity, Officers utilised concerns raised by Councils School Crossings team and recent reports to Council by parents.
In the performance of these duties, during the final three months of last year, Council Compliance Officers responded to 125 customer requests, performed 117 proactive patrols and issued 1,251 infringements, for parking offences in school zones. It is evident from the infringements issued that the most frequent offences surrounding the schools are cars in No Stopping Areas and Double Parking. Both offences have the potential to impact greatly on the safety of children.
Council would greatly appreciate any assistance you might offer by way of encouraging parents to prioritise safety associated with parking compliance around your school."
Mr David Hansen
Deputy Principal - Cranbourne Campus