St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School Lynbrook Newsletter

From the Principal

All Together Again

 

On Monday 15 August, there was great excitement at both of our parish school, St Francis de Sales and St Kevin's. After three long years we were finally able to meet again as one!! Our seniors headed to St Kevin's for a Mass in the church with seniors from St Kevin's and some fun activities. Our juniors were impeccable hosts as we welcomed the juniors of St Kevin's to our school for lots of fun and a prayer service. We were together to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.

 

It was sensational to be together again and really wonderful to see the way the children of both schools interact and play together. Staff of both schools also got to interact as they engaged in activities and lunch together. A big thank you to our staff for their work to make this day special. Extra special thanks to the Religious Education Leaders from both schools for their organisation Rozeta from St Francis de Sales and Coralee form St Kevin's. 

Medical Alert

It is important that medical information shared with the school is current and correct. The information shared with the school via Operoo is owned by parents/Guardians and it is the parent's responsibility to ensure it is accurate at all times. The school relies on this data for vital medical information and action plans and emergency contacts. In an emergency this is what we use, it must be accurate. When a child goes on an excursion, parents are asked to verify that the medical information is correct. We thus trust you have checked it and updated information if required.

 

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian/carer to: 

  • provide the school with a copy of the student’s Action Plan if your child has a medical condition, containing the emergency response plan (signed by the medical practitioner)
  • provide an up-to-date photo of the student (to be appended to this plan) 
  • inform the school if the child’s medical condition changes.

Anaphylaxis

  • provide the school with a copy of the student’s ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis 
  •  ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, and therefore the plan is still valid beyond the review date, which is a guide for patients to see their doctor. 

Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes

  • Where the medical management pertains to a specific condition e.g. epilepsy, a specialist advice service medical management template may be used e.g. Asthma Plan, Diabetes Australia (Victoria), Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria, continence care plan.
  • Your Action Plan also needs updating whenever medications change, or if symptoms change. 
  • Schools require Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes Action Plans to be completed or reviewed at least annually for each student. 

We are currently, reviewing our policies and protocols. In the process we have found that a small number of children with medical conditions have plans that have not been updated!! 

 

If you are in this category, please provide a plan and upload it to Operoo. It is vital this is done before the end of August. You will receive a call from the Home Group teacher if this is not completed. We will also be inviting you to a meeting to review your child's medical management plan this term. This is a safety issue and your support is important.

 

In addition, we also need to ensure medication has a valid and current use by date. As we have several children on asthma management plans we need to stream line this as the medication supplied currently all have varying expiry dates and parents are forgetting to provide a replacement medication for their child. In 2023, we will be asking all parents to supply the school with new medication purchased just before school starts with a validity of one year (eg ventolin), so that the expiry date lasts for the entire year. At the start and end of the year we will provide a reminder. Before the start of the new year or the start of a new term, is also a good time to check your child's asthma or anaphylaxis action plan and obtain a new one and upload it ready for the new year/term.

 

Your support is appreciated to ensure we can provide the best care for your child. Your prompt replies to eforms on Operoo and attention to update any data that changes is vital.

 

Important Reminders

Supervision: I take this opportunity to remind all parents of the supervision hours for our school. Supervision of children commences at 8:30 am and concludes at 3:40 pm.  We have a Before and After School Program to assist. Please book your child into Kharisma Kids. Children who are not collected by 3:40 will be sent to the Principal's office and parents will need to see me to discuss alternative arrangements that need to be in place.

 

Car-Park - The school car-park is ONLY for staff cars on school days from 6am to 6pm.  Your support is important.

 

BODYWORKS Information Session for Parents of Yr 5/6  -Monday 22 August 7pm- ZOOM meeting  link on Operoo.

 

 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): 

Monday 29 August – Friday 16 September 2022

In 2022, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS surveys via our secure and purpose-built online platform. The MACSSIS survey platform is operated by an independent supplier, ORIMA Research Pty Ltd. The platform meets with the high security and privacy standards for handling student and school data. 

 

Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school. 

 

All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary. 

 

The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school. Please help us collect valuable information about our school by participating in MACSSIS 2022.

 

Have a great weekend. 

 

 

Christine White

Principal