Messages

Dear Families,

Over the past three weeks, we have welcomed our 2021 Prep students to Galilee via Google Meets. Our current Prep teachers, Miss Smith and Miss McAuliffe, have engaged in story-time sessions and book responses. The sessions have been a great opportunity for the children to become familiar with each other and the teachers. Thank you to the families for being flexible and accommodating to the changing transition schedule due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A reminder that Monday 2 November is a School Closure Day for Report Writing and Tuesday 3 November is Melbourne Cup public holiday. TheirCare will run a whole day service on the Monday but you must book in www.theircare.com.au

Wellbeing 

List-making

By writing down goals and making posters for your bedroom wall of things you are aiming to achieve, you will feel you are in control of you. Just drifting along and letting things happen without any effort, makes life boring and uninteresting.

Pushing through challenges and overcoming obstacles to achieve what you set out to do, fills you with positive emotions to grow your wellbeing. The more you put in, the better the feelings you will have.

Learning and Teaching 

In Year 4, the students have been learning the vertical algorithm to solve 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication problems. Harrison F and Ben P from 4M provide an example below.

Luca P demonstrates how to use the 'grid-method' to solve multiplication problems.

Isla M created her own column graph to represent data collected for the number of shark attacks in each state for the past 30 years.

Semester 2 Reports

As was the case in Semester 1, 2020, student reporting in Semester 2, 2020 will look a little different to previous years as directed by Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM). The reports will reflect adjustments that schools have made to their local curriculum programs in response to the needs and aspirations of their school communities, and the disruption caused by COVID-19. In many cases, this will mean that less curriculum content was covered than was planned. 

We have been advised by CEM, that:

'Student reporting in Semester 2, 2020 should focus on what progress has been made and what has been achieved by each child. Schools are encouraged to keep reports simple, but make them meaningful'. 

What is required for Semester 2 Reports?

Schools are required to provide a written report in an accessible form and easy for parents/carers to understand for Semester 2, 2020 

For English and Mathematics, schools must: 

• provide a short description of what was taught

• report achievement by making a teacher judgement against the Victorian Curriculum F–10 achievement standards 

For all other curriculum areas delivered, including Religious Education, schools must provide a short description of what was taught. In addition, schools must provide: 

• a short comment on progress and achievement in student learning across the semester. 

Schools must also provide a comment on student participation and engagement in the learning program offered in Semester 2, 2020, with reference to the Personal and Social Capability in the curriculum.

What will Semester 2 Reports look like at Galilee?

Semester 2 reports will look very similar to Semester 1, 2020. The reports will feature:

General Comment focused on student participation and engagement throughout remote learning and will refer to learning behaviours, working with others and a direction for future learning.

English and Mathematics will provide a progression dot point against the Victorian Curriculum to show progression in the learning areas over the last 12 months (Yr 1-6 only). An overview of what was taught and achievement dot points to show what the student has achieved in Semester 2.

Religious Education, STEM and Specialist Subjects will feature an overview of what was taught and achievement dot points to show what the student has achieved in Semester 2.

Footy Colours Day

It was great to see the many colours of the various football teams celebrated on Monday. There was an abundance of yellow and black and very happy Richmond supporters. The children had an exciting day, engaging in a morning parade of colours, followed by the opportunity to practise footy skills. Thank you to Mr Hill for organising such a fun day.

Pre-Service Teachers

This term we welcome Kate Redmond (2E), Grace Dalla Zuanna (1C) and Monique Guerra (2C) from Australian Catholic University, completing their final teaching placement. Good luck to all!

Maths Week

Week 7 is our whole-school Maths Week! We will be celebrating our love of Maths with incursions, maths challenges, maths competitions and more! Your teacher will let you know more information nearer the time. 

Year Six Graduation Events Update

Our Year Six students, the class of 2020, graduate in a mere few weeks. It is a momentous milestone in their schooling life. 

At Galilee, each year we run a number of fun and exciting events to celebrate the occasion; including excursions, incursions, additional privileges at school, a Graduation Mass and of course, the much anticipated Graduation Dinner. 

2020 has been a tricky year, but it will not stop us from celebrating our amazing Year Sixes. In coordination with the students, Year Six Parent Reps and Leadership, the Year Six teachers have crafted a plan that will give the class of 2020 a send-off to remember. 

First and foremost, the most important thing is to ensure that all events take place in a COVID-safe manner. We have taken into account all of the advice and guidelines from the Victorian Government, Catholic Education Melbourne and our current school protocols when putting together the below Graduation Agenda. 

Some of the events include; 

• Intra-School Sports - Children will participate in a basketball tournament in teams of 6 against their Year Six peers. The tournament has 6 rounds and a ‘Grand Final’. This is in lieu of Inter-School sports that was missed in Term 2 due to COVID-19. 
• Assembly - From Week Six, a pre-recorded assembly video will be released to our school community hosted by our Year Six students. Students will be allocated a week in which they present or run an activity for all year levels to participate in.
• High School Experience - We want to ensure that our Year Sixes feel ready for their first year of high school, so we will be incorporating ‘High School Experiences’ into their final weeks at Galilee. This will include lessons in different classrooms, time-management tasks, note-taking sessions and role plays of some of the key situations children may encounter once they leave Galilee.
• Maths Week Activities - Our Year Sixes will be running our Maths Week activities in Week Seven. The students will work in small groups to deliver a maths activity, game or problem to solve for students from Prep to Year 5.
• Book Lock In - We will be getting cosy and finishing our class novel that we started during the Remote Learning period.
• Movie and Taco Bill Day - Due to current restrictions, we are unable to enjoy our annual tradition of walking down to and dining at Taco Bill, so we thought we would bring it to us instead - Sombrero’s included, hopefully! To make up for not being at the venue, we thought it might be a nice idea to watch a Christmas movie while we dig into our delicious feast. The date for this is still to be confirmed, but we will keep you updated.

Dates for the diary: 

• Monday 7th December - Graduation Mass onsite, Candle Ceremony (Year 5 & 6 staff and students only, parents will be sent a link so they can watch the ceremony remotely)
• Friday 11th December - Graduation dinner and disco (A link will be sent to Year Six parents so they can watch the speeches and awards remotely)
• Monday 14th December - Netball Game - Year 6 vs. Teachers 11:40am                        - Guard of honour 1.30pm
• Advice today from CEM from the Schools Operation Guide: Graduation ceremonies are permitted for students from the graduating year level and staff to attend. Schools may choose to broadcast the graduation ceremony for parents and carers. Those aged over 12 should wear face masks, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene (p. 27).

Staffing

Pauline Semmens has announced that she will be retiring at the end of 2020. Pauline has been at Galilee for the past 9 years as a Learning Support Officer and made an invaluable contribution to our school. She has worked in classrooms, performed interventions, helped in the office and been a key member of the Building Committee that secured the $5 million funding and permit for the upcoming project. Pauline was previously a Town Planner and we are very fortunate that she made a change of career that sent her to Galilee. 

Lauren Bland has made the decision to return back to NSW due to a job opportunity for her fiancé, Jordan and to be closer to family following COVID-19 restrictions. Lauren started as a Graduate at Galilee and will be remembered as a passionate teacher and a keen member of the school community. Wishing Lauren all the best at Nowra East PS.

Mal Orr will be retiring from teaching at the conclusion of 2020. Mal is such a valued member of the Galilee community.

Mal has been at Galilee for 27 years teaching Art to generations of students and beforehand at OLMC. Mal is a foundation member of the Galilee staff, being here since the beginning.

She is passionate about Art and always puts the students first. Mal is also a caring staff member who puts the needs of others first.

Danielle Gerecke has obtained the role of Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching at Sacred Heart Kew from 2021. I congratulate Danielle on her new appointment. I thank her for the incredible journey and work she has accomplished over the last 4 years as Deputy Principal and 12 years at Galilee. She has been a supportive, loyal, intelligent and caring member of our staff and I wish her well.

We are conducting interviews for new teachers this week and LSOs next week and  advertised for a new Deputy Principal to accompany Mr Martello. 

Building

The tender process will conclude on November 12 which will be followed by the appointment of a building company to construct our new facilitities. After the appointment, a detailed plan will be established on how to accommodate the needs of the school community throughout the construction phase which will occur throughout 2021. These plans will be communicated to the school community as well as information sessions by the Project Manager to students, staff and parents.

Book Club

Book Club orders are due by tomorrow, Friday 30th October. Order via the Loop Ap.

Scripture of the Week

This Sunday, November 1st is an important date in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar as it is All Saints Day. Catholics remember the Saints and the lives they've led. Learning about them can serve as role models for us today.

Attached are links to a description of All Souls Day, also known as Old Hallows Day:

https://www.calendarpedia.com/when-is/all-saints-day.html

https://www.catholic.org/saints/allsaints/

Below is a link to the Archdiocese of Melbourne for masses and prayers.

https://melbournecatholic.org.au/

As a reminder, please note that StsPP offer the following online masses and prayers: https://www.stspeterandpauls.com/prayers-and-online-mass

Sacrament of Reconciliation for the families at Sts PP Parish.

We are very excited that the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place at Galilee on Tuesday November 10th during school hours for all StsPP families who attend Galilee. Parents will be soon notified by their child's teacher of all times and requirements. We are very happy that we have been able to collaborate with Fr. John and Fr. Hugh to celebrate this Sacrament with many of our students.

Sacrament of Eucharist for the families at Galilee.

Year 4 families have been sent correspondence from Fr Hugh and their classroom teachers regarding options for First Eucharist. 

Simon Millar

Principal of Galilee