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Dear Parents
We are thankful that all learners will return to school tomorrow and are excited to hear how they have used their time in lockdown. We recognise that some of our students will come back really enthusiastic to see their friends and teachers, whilst others may be a little reluctant.
To reset all of our learners, students will spend the day with their classroom teacher, working on culture setting and our school and classroom expectations. Teachers will be incorporating the personal and social capability skills and critical and creative thinking processes into learning tasks. This will give students an opportunity to revisit learning relationships, friendships and how they work independently and together throughout the day to persevere, problem solve, ask questions and improve their understanding of prior or new learning.
Moving forward into next week, students will have tasks that are designed to build their learning confidence and sense of self within their classroom and community group. An example of such a task would be problem solving in a small group to encourage the development of strategies used when working in challenging situations (asking questions, using manipulatives, making a plan, generating solutions, listening to peers). These tasks will also depend on students' interpersonal skills as they listen to understand the speaker and strengthen their ability to articulate their thoughts clearly.
Whilst we continue to focus on the curriculum content, we cannot stress to our parent community how important it is to focus on the skills and thinking processes we use to move through our everyday experiences. When students are given opportunities to solve problems and have a go with modelling and an encouraging word from their parent/s, they are more likely to build a confident, empathetic, optimistic and hope filled sense of self.
A reminder to parents that earlier in the term dates were published for parent involvement on and off site. We draw your attention to the newsletter and recommend that you use this to identify which events have been cancelled, postponed or reorganised to continue to build opportunities to engage our parents in their child/rens learning journey.
Thank you again for supporting your children throughout this last period of remote learning
Treasa Barwick
Deputy Principal – Learning and Teaching
Pentecost/Harmony Day Is Back!
Whilst Pentecost seems a long time ago now, we are very keen to see this day celebrated at St Thomas the Apostle. That is why we have decided to reschedule and have our dress up day on Friday 18th June.
Here is the excerpt taken from the letter regarding our Pentecost/Harmony Day sent on the 21st May, to remind everyone what is involved…
St Thomas the Apostle is going to make a strong link between Pentecost and Harmony Day. At Pentecost, Jesus' friends were given special gifts and one of them was the ability to speak many languages. Speaking many languages made it possible for them to communicate the Good News to people of different places and cultures.
Friday 18th June, we would like to celebrate the many cultures that we have at our school by linking Pentecost with Harmony Day. You can help do this at home by encouraging your children to come to school dressed in their national dress or colours of their country of origin. Alternatively, you can find some articles of clothing that feature orange, the official colour of Harmony Day. Or, you can dress in colours that represent the flag of your country. We are discouraging the wearing of sporting apparel, as this distracts from our theme and is more appropriate when we celebrate Footy Day later in the year.
Students, in their communities next Friday, are going to be encouraged to articulate their country of origin and possibly speak about the meaning of the clothing or colours, so it would be a good idea to help prepare them for this if you can.
We look forward to this special day and hope that you can get behind it to make it a fun and memorable experience. Thank you in advance for the effort that will go into it.
Staff are looking forward to catching up with students once again and establishing a bit of normality when we return from the lockdown. We pray that the Pentecost/Harmony Day event will add to the bag of tricks the teachers are utilising to reclaim school life.
Andrew McDermott
Religious Education Leader
Dear Parents,
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware of the many difficulties young people and their families are experiencing.
This 7 minute ABC interview with Dr. Anthea Rhodes of the Royal Children's hospital talks about signs to look for if children are feeling and or struggling through lockdown.
Some of the changes in behaviour may look like;
- being more withdrawn than usual
- overreacting to things
- melting down or lashing out
She reminds us that children's behaviour is communication and they are unlikely to sit down and talk with us about feeling overwhelmed and includes some great short term advice for parents .
Please click on the link below to listen to the interview
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/
Parent Notified Absences (PAM)
Parents should notify the school of any absence by 9.00am. This can be done via PAM or alternatively by contacting the school by phone.
GR 5/6 CAMP - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gr 5/6 parents, please ensure that the medical and the school activity form is completed in PAM. Please note that the forms MUST be completed in PAM to enable your child to attend camp.
To find the camp permission form in PAM - click on the photo/name of your child. Then use the menu on left and click on school activities and complete as required.
Holidays
If families are wanting to take a holiday during term time a holiday request form must be completed and emailed to principal@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au. Forms are available online via PAM or on request can be emailed.
Uniform Reminders
Winter Uniform will be required to be worn from Term 2. Uniforms can be purchased from PSW located in Hampton Park.
NB: We have a number of unnamed items in lost property. Please clearly label your child's items of clothing so they can be returned to your child if handed to lost property.
Illness
Dear Parents
If your child is unwell, has a fever or has been vomiting or have had gastroenteritis, they must stay at home until they are symptom free for 24 hours.
If they are not completely symptom free eg: runny nose, cough they wil need a medical certificate to confirm they have recovered and are not contagious in order to attend school.
Change of Clothing (Foundation – Junior students)
Accidents happen, from muddy puddles to tummy troubles; there may come a time when your child needs a change of clothes. Please ensure your child has a spare set of clothing in
their bags at all times in the event they are needed.
Scholastic Books
or use the LOOP app.
TERM 2 DATES
Friday June 11 | Students to return to onsite learning |
Monday June 14 | Queen's Birthday Public Holiday |
Tuesday June 15 | Parent & Child Confirmation workshop - 7pm (Google meet) |
Wednesday June 16 | Confirmation Retreat |
Friday June 18 | Harmony Day |
Thursday June 24 | Last day of Term |
Friday June 25 |
School Closure Day School Term 2 Ends |
Monday July 12 | Term 3 begins |