Term 1 Week 1 Newsletter- February 2
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional owners, the Gunditjmara people, on whose land we learn, work and play. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders- past, present and emerging believing that we can walk together for a better future.
Principal's Report
It has been wonderful to see how well our students have started the school year. The returning students have slipped back into their new classes seemlessly, like they had never been away. After some nerves this morning our new students began their time at All Saints smoothly. The sound of children playing, laughing and learning soon filled our school. Everyone seemed to have a great day.
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our new students and their families for the 2024 school year. Welcome to the All Saints Parish School community. We have 30 new students beginning with us this year. 21 new Foundation students begin their educational journey at All Saints and 9 students have joined us in other levels across the school. We hope they enjoy their time at All Saints, make some new friends, embrace challenges and learn lots of interesting things. It was great to see so many families join us for our picnic on Wednesday evening.
This newsletter will contain some information about our procedures and expectations at school, plus some highlights of our first week. After this our newsletters will be distributed on a Monday in the odd weeks of term. So our next newletter will be Monday February 12.
I would like to wish all our staff, students, families and friends all the best for the year ahead. I hope it is a year full of learning, challenges, fun and friendship. A year where we can work together as partners in a school community to pursue fullness of life for all.
Regards
Jamie
Prayer
School Information
Assemblies
Our first assembly will be next Friday afternoon February 9 at 2:30pm. Mr Walsh and the School Leaders will be in charge of the first assembly. Families are more than welcome to join us for these assemblies.
After that assemblies will take place fortnightly (Week 4, 6, 8, 10). Each class will be responsible for hosting an assembly throughout the year. We will notify families who is hosting the assembly in the preceding newsletter.
Newsletters
Newsletters are distributed fortnightly on Monday afternoon. They will come out in Week 3, 5, 7 & 9 of each term.
Our newsletters are sent out digitally via email or can be accessed via the Schoolzine app or on the homepage of our website.
School Canteen
Our school canteen operates every Thursday (unless otherwise notified). Orders need to be placed by Wednesday night in preparation for Thursday.
Orders are placed through CDF Pay which can be accessed via the Schoolzine app, on the homepage of our website or on the web at asportland.cdfpay.org.au . Our canteen menu can also be found at these sites.
School Fees
The annual school fee statement has been emailed out to families this week. We would like to remind families to please check their Junk Mail folders if they cannot find this account. The statement has the school BSB and account number located on it for those families who prefer to pay directly into the school account.
The fee statement will have billed families for all costs associated with their child(ren) for 2024, and can be paid via direct debit, directly into the school bank account or at the front office by EFTPOS or cash. Fees paid in full by 31st March will receive a discount.
Families who have opted to have the school direct debit their fees will have had their January payments already deducted. If you would like the school to set up a direct debit you can collect a form from the front office.
Health Care/Pension Cards
Reminder to all families who hold a valid Health Care or Pension Card to ensure the school has a copy of your card. If this is your first year using your HHC or PC at the school you will also need to complete the CSEF Form required by the government - this allows you to receive a payment towards camps and excursions/sports activities.
Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Student Medical Information Updates Required
A reminder that we require all families to login to PAM and update their child's medical information if any details have changed or if you are a new family to All Saints School. Please ensure that this is completed as soon as possible.
To update a medical profile for your child/children please follow these instructions:
- Click on the link to PAM (found on SZ App or on the All Saints School website)
- Click on student. (Remember that each child has their own medical profile)
- Click on Medical Profile (blue writing to the left of screen)
- Check all questions and select Edit Details for updates to be made.
- Once you get to the end of the questions please confirm by clicking on the Green “Update Details” box found at the bottom right of screen.
As a parent/guardian you are able to access your child/rens medical profile on PAM at any time to update as needed.
If you have any queries or require your PAM login details, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Communication Between Teachers & Parents- PLEASE READ
Some Important Dates
Some important dates for 2024
Tuesday February 6 and Thursday February 8- Parent/Teacher Information Sharing Interviews
Wednesday February 7- Sacramental Meeting for Parents @ school
Friday February 9- Opening School Mass @ All Saints Church
Wednesday February 14- Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent)
Wednesday February 14-Friday February 16- Year 5/6 camp- Melbourne
Wednesday February 21- Student Free Day- Staff PD- Structured Literacy
Friday March 1- World day of Prayer
Tuesday March 5- Free Parenting Forum @ All Saints
Thursday March 7- Family Maths Night F-2
Wednesday March 13- NAPLAN Testing Window Opens
Wednesday March 13- Friday March 15- Year 4 camp- Dunkeld
Wednesday March 20- Sacrament of Penance
Thursday March 21- Harmony Day
Monday March 25- School Athletics Carnival
Thursday March 28- Last Day of Term
Learning and Teaching
First week of School Action Shots
Structured Literacy
We are thrilled to announce that our school - along with many others - has joined the Diocese of Ballarat's Structured Literacy Project. In 2024 we will be taking the first steps towards a renewed, evidence-based approach to Literacy instruction through participation in this award-winning research partnership with La Trobe University.
The Sciences of Reading and Learning tell us that a systematic, explicit approach to the teaching of the alphabetic code and the grammatical rules that underpin written English offers our students the best chance at becoming confidently literate. The approach we are strategically adopting is called Structured Literacy, which is the approach endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association, the International Literacy Association and the Australian National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.
Our whole staff group will be working closely with the Structured Literacy team from the Catholic Education Office over the next few years, to learn more about the principles, elements and characteristics of a Structured Literacy approach with a school closure on Wednesday 21st February dedicated to this new learning.This is a substantial change that will take time. However, we are assured by the results achieved in the pilot schools and the endorsement of the La Trobe University researchers.
We will strive to keep you updated on the progress of this important project, but for now you may wish to watch this short video from the DOBCEL Structured Literacy team to find out more:https://www.youtube.com/
Attached to this newsletter is important information regarding the collection of data for the research project. If you do not wish for your child/children’s data to be used in the study, you may opt out by:
1. Printing and returning the attached form.
2. Requesting a hard copy form from the office.
3. Emailing your form to the office at admin@asportland.catholic.edu.au
Leadership & Stewardship
School Leadership Team
I would like to introduce you to the All Saints Parish School Leadership Team.
Jamie Walsh- Principal
Kerri-Ann O'Keefe- Deputy Principal & Religious Education Leader
Danielle Walsh- Learning & Teaching Leader: Junior
Bonita Silva- Learning & Teaching Leader: Senior
Christine McMahon- Learning Diversity & Wellbeing Leader
School Leadership Team
Community Engagement
Working With Children Checks
There are many opportunities for parents and carers to get involved in our school community and volunteering is one of those.
It is a requirement under our Child Safety Policy that all volunteers must have a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC). We recommend that anyone who is thinking they may like to volunteer in the canteen, in classrooms or maybe even on a camp at some stage apply for a WWCC. They are free for volunteers and can be found at https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check
When you have received your WWCC card just bring it to the office so that we can take a copy of it and add it to our files.
Free Parenting Workshop @ All Saints
Catholic School Culture
Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation
The information meeting for the preparation for the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 7th February in the All Saints School library.
This meeting will be for those parents wishing to have their child/ren participate in the preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation over the next few years and who have not yet received the Sacrament of Penance.
The program for the Sacrament of Penance runs for approximately 4 weeks and is completed at home by your child with your support. Children and families will then gather together on Wednesday 20th March to receive the Sacrament. Further information about this program and the Sacraments of Initiation will be given at the information meeting and any questions can be answered.
If you have any queries please feel free to contact me at school or phone Fr Greg at the All Saints Parish presbytery on (03) 5523 1046.
Regards
Kerri-Ann O’Keefe
Child Safety & Wellbeing
Safer Internet Day
Webinars for parents and carers
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
Join one of our free webinars for parents and carers.
These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.
On this page:
- eSafety 101: How eSafety can help
- Understanding how to support your child with online gaming
- Understanding parental controls to safeguard your child
- Online safety and social media: TikTok, YouTube and Instagram
- Download and share the Term 1 webinar schedule
- In case you missed it
Download the schedule
2024 parent and carer webinar schedule (PDF, 99.3KB)Download
Happy Birthday
JANUARY & FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
STUDENTS: Cassie J, Irene J, Carter A, Elspeth D, Harley J, Eleanor T, Seth F, Arla H, Zena H, Ryder M, Kolbi F, Sophia B, Hazel B, Bella F, Zaiden O, Olivia J, Emma G, Indianna M, Emmy B, Kaylee J, Kaziah M, Bonnie S, Ilaria T, Charlie M, Ethan A, Dylan H, Sonny D, Gabby D, Willow B, Nate L, Jarvis L, Ryan C, Harriet H, Sylvester V
STAFF: Bec, Mrs Silva, Miss Wood, Kieran, Miss Simpson
Praying With Children
COMMUNITY NEWS
Introducing ACA – People Outdoors: Camps for People Living with Disability
‘Adventure For All’
ACA - People Outdoors, a program of the Australian Camps Association, was established in 1989 to provide outdoor recreation for people of all ages living with disability. Our programs include two-night weekend through to four-day residential camps held during the school holidays. Our participants are looked after by our team of disability support workers for the duration of camp. So, if you’d like the opportunity to experience the social and developmental benefits of adventure outdoors, please contact our team on 03 9863 6824 or visit our website for more information – www.peopleoutdoors.org.au
