All Saints Parish School Portland eNewsletter

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.

All Saints Parish School Vision

All Saints Parish School Community is centered in Christ and as partners in Catholic education; we pursue fullness of life for all.

Principal's Message

Welcome to term 4! It is hard to believe that we only have one term to go and 2025 is all over.

I hope that all students and families had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break and got to spend it doing something exciting or you just took the time to rest and unwind.

We have a very busy term 4 ahead of us and I am looking forward to seeing all of the achievements and growth that is to come for all of our students. Term 4 is a great term for opportunity and challenges for our school community and together we can achieve great things.

We wish Maya Dodson, Peyton Marshall, Banjo Mewburn, Inga Mewburn, Mia Prasad, Chiara Trickey and Tyler Leishman all the best as the head off to Regional Athletics in Ballarat on Friday. What a great achievement to make it to this level of competition. Have a great day.

Miss Andrea is away for the first week of this term and we thank Caitlin Anderson for filling in for us in 5/6AJ.

A reminder to all that school hats are compulsory for term 4, regardless of the weather. If you need a new hat they can be purchased for $11 through CDFPay or via the office.

It is with much sadness that we say farewell to Miss Wood. Yasmin's last day with us will be this Friday October 10. We will be very sad to see her go but wish her all the best for her future endeavours. Thank you Yasmin for all that you have contributed to our school in your short time with us. You will be greatly missed.

We would also like to welcome Cathie Menzies who will be teaching in our Foundation room for the remainder of the year. We thank Cathie for helping us out and taking on this role at short notice.

We are Respectful! We are Responsible! We are Safe! We are Nurturing!

Regards

Jamie

Term 4 Begins

Term for begins for staff on Monday October 6. This day is a Student Free Day as staff will be participating in professional learning on Structured Literacy. There will be no supervision for students on this day.

Term 4 begins for students on Tuesday October 7.

Catholic School Culture

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Catholic Mission is the Pope’s international mission agency in Australia and is part of the global network of Pontifical Mission Societies operating in over 160 countries. We partner with communities to help them flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including healthcare, education, and faith formation, while also being an active voice for human rights.

Each year Catholic Mission celebrates the work of the Mission in Australia and around the world in October for Catholic Mission month.

Loving God,
You sent Your Son Jesus so that we may have life and have it to the full.
Bless the work of Catholic Mission as they bring life, hope and love to communities in need.
May their efforts in healthcare, education and faith formation help all people flourish in dignity and peace.
Inspire us to be part of Your mission, sharing Your love and standing up for justice around the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Assembly Timetable

Assemblies commence at 2:30pm every second Friday afternoon.

Assemblies for Term 4

Week 2: 1/2DW - Mrs Walsh (Oct 17th)

Week 4: NO ASSEMBLY due to Art Show

Week 6: 1/2MS - Miss Mall (Nov 14th)

Week 8: 3/4MN - Miss Marcia (Nov 28th)

Week 10: FYW & FCL - Miss Wood & Mrs Levings (Dec 12th)

Week 11: FINAL ASSEMBLY - inc. farewell to Yr 6 students (Thurs 18th Dec)

School Closure Days

Please add the following dates to your calendars. There will be no school for students on these days.

Term 4

Monday November 3 - Report Writing & Assessments

Thursday December 18 - Final Day for Students

Important Dates

Term 4

Week 1

Monday October 6 - Student Free Day: Staff Professional Learning- Structured Literacy

Tuesday October 7 - First Day of Term 4 for students

Friday October 10 - Greater Western Region Athletics Final in Ballarat (for selected students)

Friday October 10 - 'The Listies' excursion to PAC 10:30am - Foundation & Year 5/6

Friday October 10 - 'The Listies' excursion to PAC 1:00pm - Year 1/2 & Year 3/4

Week 2

Monday October 13 - Foundation Swimming commences. FYW 11:00am-11:45am & FCL 11:45am-12:30pm

Monday October 13 - SAC Meeting @ 7:00pm in the meeting room

Tuesday October 14 - Visit from DOBCEL Board members Matt Byrne & Eugene Dalton

Thursday October 16 - Foundation - Year 2 Family Maths Night 5:30pm-7:30pm

Week 3

Monday October 20 - Friday October 24 - Jo & Rochelle away at Nexus Training- Irene in the office

Monday October 20 - Foundation Swimming continues. FYW 11:00am-11:45am & FCL 11:45am-12:30pm

Tuesday October 21 - PHDSSA Cricket @ Henty Park (for selected students)

Thursday October 23 - Monday October 27 - Portland & District Schools Art Show @ the Drill Hall

Friday October 24 - Wellbeing Activities Day

Friday October 24 - Yr 6 English Games Day @ Heywood (for selected students)

Week 4

Monday October 27 - Friday October 31 - All Saints Art Show @ school

Monday October 27 - Grandparents Day 9:00am-11:00am

Monday October 27 - Foundation Swimming continues. FYW 11:00am-11:45am & FCL 11:45am-12:30pm

Tuesday October 28 - Art Show Opening Night 6:00pm-7:00pm

Wednesday October 29 - Regional Volleyball in Horsham (for selected students)

Saturday November 1 - Upwelling Festival & Parade

Sunday November 2 - 3 Bays Marathon

Week 5

Monday November 3 - Student Free Day: Reporting and Assessment- NO SCHOOL for students

Tuesday November 4 - Public Holiday: Melbourne Cup- NO SCHOOL for anyone

Wednesday November 5 - Yr 5/6 surfing begins

Thursday November 6 - Division Cricket @ Port Fairy

Thursday November 6 - State Athletics Finals @ Albert Park

Friday November 7 - School Disco 6:00pm-8:00pm

Reminders for Term 4

Just a few reminders in preparation for this term.

*School hats are compulsory for all students for term 4 when outside. This includes recesses, lunchtimes, PE lessons and any outdoor class activities. It is extremely important that we be sun smart and protect ourselves as much as we can, even on the days when we think it is not very sunny.

School hats are available from the office or can be ordered through CDF Pay and will be delivered to your child at school.

Hats are $11 each.

*Our Foundation classes will be participating in swimming lessons this term. Swimming lessons will occur each Monday for the term commencing on Monday October 13 (excluding our closure days).

FYW 11:00am - 11:45am
FCL 11:45am - 12:30pm

*Grandparents Day is scheduled for Monday October 27.

*Our Art Show will be held from Monday October 27 - Friday October 31.

*Monday November 3 is a Student Free Day. There will be no school for students on this day. Tuesday November 4 is a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup. We hope everyone enjoys an extra long weekend.

Families not returning in 2026

Thank you to the families who have let us know that they will not be returning to All Saints next year. We wish you all the best in your new schools.

Any families who know that they will not be returning to All Saints in 2026, and have not yet informed the school, are asked to please contact the office and let us know as soon as possible.

This information has an impact on our 2026 planning and if we know early it makes our planning a little easier.

Learning & Teaching

Students of the Week

No Students of the Week due to it being the first week of term.

We can't wait to see who they will be in our next newsletter.

Congratulations to these students for the wonderful work and effort that others have seen from you. Keep inspiring and encouraging those around you.

SWPBS- School Wide Positive Behaviour Supports

School Wide Expectations

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support is: A multi-tiered framework for establishing the social culture and behaviour supports needed for a school to achieve behavioural and academic outcomes for all students.

Each newsletter we will share one aspect for each of our school wide expectations. We will focus on these at school and they may present an opportunity for some discussion with your children at home. You may ask them when they demonstrated one of the expectations or a time when someone displayed the expectation towards them.

This month we are having a focus on expectations from our 'online' section of our behaviour matrix.

We are RESPECTFUL! - Keep communication positive

We are RESPONSIBLE! - All home devices will be handed in at the beginning of the day

We are SAFE! - Report concerns to a trusted adult

We are NURTURING! - Think before we post

Leadership & Stewardship

Safety at Drop Off & Pick Up Times

As many of our families are aware the traffic around the school area is very hectic at the beginning and end of each day. Often it can be challenging trying to access our fast pick up loop and the parent carpark. We ask that all of our families are patient on the roads but especially at these times of day.

It would be greatly appreciated if this information could be shared with any grandparents, aunties, uncles or family friends who may be picking children up from school.

Please remember the following when dropping off and picking up students each day:

*There is no overtaking in the fast pick up loop. Please wait patiently for the car/s in front of you to move on before you do.

*If you are in the fast pick up loop and your child/ren are not ready, you will be asked to move along and do another loop.

*In the fast pick up loop the driver should not need to exit the vehicle for any reason.

*If you need to hop out of your car to assist children in or out or with their bags then please use the parent carpark.

*Children must enter the car from the left hand (passenger) side in the fast pick up loop. It is too unsafe to have children walking to the other side of the car.

*Please do not block the Fawthrop/Must St roundabout. If you cannot get through the roundabout then you may need to drive on and try again. Sitting in the roundabout is dangerous and illegal. It also creates more congestion as other cars cannot move through either.

*If you are waiting on the road in Fawthrop St to enter the pick up loop please move on and try again as just sitting and waiting is dangerous and illegal. It also creates more congestion as other cars cannot move through either.

*When using the parent carpark please park safely in a space and come and collect your child from the duty teacher. It is too dangerous for children to be walking through the carpark without parent supervision.

Please be careful and patient to ensure the safety of our students and other road users.

CDF Community Fund

2025 SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Our 2025 SAC members are: Bonita Silva, Cam McCallum, Tam Jennings, Shannon Thomas, Stacey Tait, Chris Watson (Chairperson) and Alyssa Bicknell.

If you have anything you would like raised at a SAC meeting please contact one of the SAC members or the school office.

Community Engagement

Parenting Consultations @ All Saints

We all know that being a parent or carer can be extremely rewarding but also comes with a variety of challenges, especially in these current times. If you are experiencing some challenges or just have some questions that you would like answered then we have an opportunity for you.

On Tuesday October 21, Helen Diamond, a Parenting Practitioner from CatholicCare, will be offering one-on-one parenting consultations at school. If you know of a group of parents who have similar questions you may like to arrange to come together. If you would be interested in a session with Helen please contact Helen directly on the email address in the flyer.

Foster a brighter future

On behalf of every child and young person we care for, thank you for supporting our ‘Foster a brighter future’ campaign. By spreading the word, you’re helping us reach as many new foster carers as possible.

We are supporting MacKillop Family Services this Foster Care Week to highlight the urgent need for foster carers. Across Australia, children are at risk of missing out on safe and nurturing homes due to a national shortage of foster carers.

If you care about vulnerable children and can provide a safe and supportive environment, you could be a foster carer.

Find out more at https://www.mackillop.org.au/get-involved/become-a-foster-carer

Did you know two in five Australians are considering becoming foster carers?

This Foster Care Week, we encourage you to take the next step and find out more. Join one of MacKillop’s upcoming foster care information sessions to hear from foster carers, and learn about the supports available.

Visit https://www.mackillop.org.au/

Foster Care Week is a special time to celebrate the amazing contributions of foster carers like Renee and Mike. Renee and Mike have been foster carers with MacKillop Family Services for over five years. They have seen the real difference that foster care has made to those they have helped.

“Kids need a chance and security. It’s important that they know they have someone in their corner who they can trust and who will always be there for them – they thrive when they know it is genuine,” comments Renee.

“Foster care has been one of the best things we’ve done and foster care has added a wonderful extra dimension to our family.”

Thank you to all foster carers for your kindness, commitment, and care to the life of children and young people who need our support.

For more information on these resources, contact us at our.story@mackillop.org.au.

Child Safety & Wellbeing

At All Saints Parish School we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school.

The Evolution of Child Safe Standards

In Victoria, the Child Safe Standards were first introduced in 2016 to make sure every organisation working with
children puts safety and wellbeing first. Since then, the standards have continued to evolve to better protect children and reflect what we’ve learned through consultation and research.

In July 2022, new and updated standards came into effect.
These include a stronger focus on:
*Respecting diversity and making sure all children feel included and safe.
*Empowering children and young people to have a say and be taken seriously.
* Working closely with families and communities to create safer environments.
*Ongoing training and support for staff and volunteers.
*Regular review of practices so schools and organisations are always improving.

For schools like ours, this means we continue to build a culture where children are valued, listened to and supported. The updated standards guide us in ensuring every student feels safe, respected and able to thrive.

You can read more about the updated Child Safe Standards on the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) website: www.vrqa.vic.gov.au

From The eSafety Commissioner: Social media changes are coming

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

What you need to know:

The age restrictions are likely to apply to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, among other platforms.
Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among the types of services that will not be included.
Children under 16 will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn’t require logging into an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub. If you can't join our free webinar, we're also developing video guides for parents and carers about the upcoming social media changes for under 16s.

On this page:

SchoolTV - Wellbeing Platform

Because parenting doesn’t come with a set of instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

Below is a URL link to the All Saints SchoolTV platform.

All Saints Parish School’s ‘School TV’ can be accessed using the following link: https://asportland.catholic.schooltv.me

A Special Report: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.

By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://asportland.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au

A Special Report: Mobile Phone Separation Anxiety

The use of mobile phones and technology in schools has been a highly debated topic internationally, including in Australia. Almost all states and territories in Australia, have implemented full bans on mobile phones during class, recess, and lunch times, while allowing students to carry their phones during travel to and from school.

Critics argue that there is no evidence supporting the effectiveness of such bans, but this is a mischaracterisation. Studies have shown the positive impacts of mobile phone bans in schools. One study conducted in 2016, found that banning mobile phones led to an increase in student performance, with test scores improving by 6.4% of a standard deviation. Similar studies from Spain and Norway also supported these findings.

For parents concerned about mobile phone separation anxiety in their children, it is important to acknowledge it as a real issue and discuss the negative effects of phone addiction, such as sleep problems and mental health issues. Gradually introducing phone-free periods at home, setting clear expectations and boundaries and modelling healthy behaviours can help your child cope. It is also crucial to establish a support network and seek professional help if needed. Implementing mobile phone bans in schools allows for better focus on teaching and learning, minimising distractions and interruptions.

This Special Report will help address mobile phone separation anxiety and provide guidance on supporting your child’s wellbeing during this transition period.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://asportland.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-mobile-phone-separation-anxiety

Happy Birthday

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

STUDENTS: Nestor V, Georgiana L, Raphael S, Willow S, River H, Winnie F, Sarah D, Logan R, Phoebe B, Zayden L, Arlo B, Lance C, Amelia-May F, Liam W, Atley S, Maisy B, Bentley J, Amelia B, Zane O, Easton C

STAFF: Adele, Mr. Debono, Mr. Walsh, Fr. Greg, Miss Andrea, Miss O'Keefe

Praying With Children

Praying with Children resources offer an insight into the scripture readings from mass on the weekend. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to discuss the Gospel stories and complete some related activities if they wish.

Please click on each of the links below to access the activities.

Praying With Children October 12

Praying With Children October 19