New Staff 2019

Please introduce yourselves and warmly welcome our new staff members:

Michael Ozbun - Deputy Principal

Lauren Middlebrook - 1C Teacher

Lisa Vella - 6C Teacher

McCabe Craig - 4B Teacher

Patrick Craig - 6A Teacher

'Life Education' visit

Wonderful news! As part of our 'Faith Life Inquiry' unit this term the are Life Education Van is visiting Queen of Peace. The van will be parked at Queen of Peace from Monday 11 - 19 February. Each class will have the opportunity to visit and meet Harold the Giraffe.

As part of our visit a free PARENT INFORMATION SESSION is being offered on Monday 11 February 2:30 -3pm. There will not be assembly on this day. The session is 30 minutes and held in the van. This gives parents an opportunity to gain an understanding of what the students will experience during their session. Please respond to CareMonkey if you are attending. Details on the attached flyer:

G.A.T.E.ways

Gateways is a program run externally of the school for children who are highly able, gifted and talented in curriculum areas. The program requires parent participation and responsibility to pay and travel to the various schools where the programs are held. If you feel your child is highly able and would benefit from or is interested in any of these programs, please contact Rose Gusman and she will enrol them. The link below is for Gateways Programs. Browse through the Term 1 list and see if any are of interest.

http://www.gateways.edu.au/programs

Parent Expression of Interest Form

Information for Parents

G.A.T.E.ways Eureka Program

'Science In Motion' Science Workshops for Gifted and Talented Students.

In the Eureka program, students will attend the host venue for one day and participate in three hands-on workshops created by the team from G.A.T.E.WAYS. The workshops will encourage students to question, experiment, make discoveries and explore some intriguing topics under the banner of 'Science in Motion'. They promise plenty of hands-on activities, discovery and fun! Further details and links to Eureka programs are below or you can visit their website for more information. For children who love science: 'Science in Motion' is now enrolling:

WERRIBEE host venue: Heathdale Christian College

Years 1, 2 and 3 Thursday 28 March Lower Years Brochure

Years 4, 5 and 6 Wednesday 27 March Upper Years Brochure

Information for parents

Have you updated your Flexibuzz settings?

New year = new grade! Don't forget to change the grade level notifications you receive via Flexibuzz. Go to the home page on the App, click on top right 'menu' option and click on add new classes, then remove last year's class.

Story Time for pre-schoolers

Recommences Thursday 14 Feb 2019. Please meet in the Hall foyer (the Library has been relocated in preparation for new building works). Every Thursday from 9am with Mrs Favata. Come along for some stories, singing and fun activities.

Prep 2020 Enrolments

If you have friends with children ready to start school next year, please let them know about the Parish of Laverton ‘2020 Prep Enrolment Information Evening’ to be held Tuesday 12 March 2019 in Queen of Peace hall, from 7pm. Registration is not required.

*Parents who have children already attending QoP do not need to attend the Information Evening, instead please visit the school office on Wednesday 13 March to collect an Enrolment Pack. Office hours are 8:45am - 4:15pm Mon-Fri (closed during school holidays).

A message from the Office

To avoid disruption to classrooms, if children need to be collected early they should be picked up at the lunch break (at 1:30pm Monday or 1:40pm Tuesday-Friday). It is also very disruptive for classes and the office to by passing on messages to children in the afternoons. It would be appreciated if these interruptions could be kept to a minimum.

Canteen

Can you spare time to help Antoinette in the canteen? See attached request form with details.

All volunteers must have a current Working with Children Check registered with the school office. Approximate times 10am - 2pm. Please contact the school office if you are unable to help out on your rostered day. To volunteer, please fill out the following form and return to the school office.

The current canteen menu is attached below.

Uniform Shop

Change of Sizing: When ordering polos shorts and trousers, please be aware that the sizing has changed, they are now a smaller fit. If you would like the equivalent of an old size 6, with the change of sizing you would now need to order a size 8. If on receipt of goods you see the size is wrong, please keep the tags on and return it to the Uniform Shop or Office for exchange. Please bear in mind there is still stock remaining in the old sizing which needs to be sold first. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition.

From 8 February the usual shop opening time will be Friday 2:30-3:30pm, but please always check the latest newsletter and FlexiBuzz for any changes. Orders can be left with the office if you are unable to attend at this time. CLICK HERE to print out an order form. As we no longer have plastic bags, when placing orders could you please supply a plastic bag for us to return the protected item. CLICK HERE to read the Uniform Policy.

Early Arrival & Supervision

Parents are strongly encouraged to ensure their child is at school in plenty of time to begin class at 8:50am. Our aim is to have all children arrive between 8:30 am and 8:45 am. It is very inconvenient for children to be arriving at the classroom after the bell. Yard Duty supervision of children begins at 8:30am when the gate beside the Visual Arts Space is opened. For their own safety, children are not permitted on the school grounds unsupervised before 8:30am. If parents wish to leave children at school earlier than 8:30am, children must be registered and booked into the Before School Care program. This service is provided by OSHclub. Further information can be found by calling OSHclub head office 8564 9000 or at www.oshclub.com.au

Only children attending Before School Care should enter the school via the Before School Care door (near Office).

Learning at QoP

The specific learning that is happening at Queen of Peace is communicated to parents and caregivers through the “Learning at QoP” publication. This document provides important information about curriculum at Queen of Peace. “Learning at QoP” is distributed twice a term; a whole school overview at the beginning of the term and year level overviews midway through the term. This document is delivered electronically via the website (see Parents | Curriculum Updates) and the School Newsletter. Hard copies are available upon request, please ask at the office.

Whole school overview for Term 1, 2019 is attached below:

Calendar & Events

Term Dates for 2019

Important Upcoming Dates