90 Buckley Street, Noble Park, Victoria, 3174 Ph: 03 9546 0044 Fax: 03 9547 0365 Visit us at www.sanoblepark.catholic.edu.au ST. ANTHONY’S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER # 1 Friday 8 February 2019 Learning in perfect harmony Respectfully acknowledging the original custodians of this land in the City of Greater Dandenong, The Wurundjeri people St Anthony’s Parish and St Anthony’s Primary School hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as central and fundamental responsibilities of the Church. St Anthony’s is fully compliant with all policies in relation to Child Safety. These documents ensure compliance with the Victorian Government Child Safety Standards which took effect on 1 January 2017 and reflect our Parishes’ ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children are safe, happy and empowered. For more information on the Child Safe Standards: http://www.ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/ Dear Families and friends, Welcome back for another new year. It is very obvious that the children have had a great holiday. I always love seeing all the smiling and excited faces as children and families arrive to begin the 2019 school year. After such a long break I am always more than ready to begin and see everyone. What a fabulous beginning everyone has had. Welcome especially to our new Preps and our new families. St Anthony’s is a vibrant, welcoming and nurturing school. Family – school partnerships are a vital part of this community and we are excited to have you with us for 2019. There are many events coming up that you are welcomed to and encouraged to attend. Please see the events below, on the website or via the level newsletter. There is not shortage of communication and information. Next week there will be opportunities to meet with the teachers at our information sharing sessions, celebrate Mass together and share friendships at the Prep buddy BBQ along with many other opportunities. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the lovely people of St Anthony’s over the past two weeks and I look forward to getting to know each and every new member of our community over the coming months. I shared this last year but it is worth sharing again. The article talks about the importance of the school and home, working closely together. Why are family-school partnerships important? Families are the first educators of their children and they continue to influence their children’s learning and development during the school years and long afterwards. Schools have an important responsibility in helping to nurture and teach future generations and families trust schools to provide educational foundations for their children’s future. At the same time, schools need to recognise the primary role of the family in education. This is why it is important for families and schools to work together in partnership. Research demonstrates that effective schools have high levels of parental and community involvement. This involvement is strongly related to improved student learning, attendance and behaviour. Family involvement can have a major impact on student learning, regardless of the social or cultural background of the family. Family involvement in schools is therefore central to high quality education and is part of the core business of schools. These partnerships: • view each partner as making equally valuable contributions, while respecting different contributions; • respect student needs and preferences; • address barriers to involvement in schools by families and actively help previously uninvolved families to become involved; • create better programs, opportunities and learning for students; • give families appropriate opportunities to contribute to school. Developing family-school partnerships may not always be easy but the results will be significant. Families that understand the education system and the difficulties schools face are a valuable source of support which schools cannot afford to underestimate. Schools that engage families in their children’s learning are tapping in to a rich source of information and expertise and can help build communities. From “FAMILY - SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS FRAMEWORK” (Department of Education Employment and Workplace Rela- tions) Go gently and as always, if you have any feedback, questions or ideas we ’d love to hear about them. God bless Patrika Rowley
ST. ANTHONY’S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER # 1 Friday 8 February 2019
Learning in perfect harmony
Respectfully acknowledging the original custodians of this land in the
City of Greater Dandenong, The Wurundjeri people
St Anthony’s Parish and St Anthony’s Primary School hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as central and fundamental responsibilities of the Church. St Anthony’s is fully compliant with all policies in relation to Child Safety. These documents ensure compliance with the Victorian Government Child Safety Standards which took effect on 1 January 2017 and reflect our Parishes’ ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children are safe, happy and empowered. For more information on the Child Safe Standards: http://www.ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/
Dear Families and friends, Welcome back for another new year. It is very obvious that the children have had a great holiday. I always love seeing all the smiling and excited faces as children and families arrive to begin the 2019 school year. After such a long break I am always more than ready to begin and see everyone. What a fabulous beginning everyone has had. Welcome especially to our new Preps and our new families. St Anthony’s is a vibrant, welcoming and nurturing school. Family – school partnerships are a vital part of this community and we are excited to have you with us for 2019. There are many events coming up that you are welcomed to and encouraged to attend. Please see the events below, on the website or via the level newsletter. There is not shortage of communication and information.
Next week there will be opportunities to meet with the teachers at our information sharing sessions, celebrate Mass together and share friendships at the Prep buddy BBQ along with many other opportunities. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the lovely people of St Anthony’s over the past two weeks and I look forward to getting to know each and every new member of our community over the coming months.
I shared this last year but it is worth sharing again. The article talks about the importance of the school and home, working closely together.
Why are family-school partnerships important? Families are the first educators of their children and they continue to influence their children’s learning and development during the school years and long afterwards. Schools have an important responsibility in helping to nurture and teach future generations and families trust schools to provide educational foundations for their children’s future. At the same time, schools need to recognise the primary role of the family in education. This is why it is important for families and schools to work together in partnership. Research demonstrates that effective schools have high levels of parental and community involvement. This involvement is strongly related to improved student learning, attendance and behaviour. Family involvement can have a major impact on student learning, regardless of the social or cultural background of the family. Family involvement in schools is therefore central to high quality education and is part of the core business of schools. These partnerships: • view each partner as making equally valuable contributions, while respecting different contributions; • respect student needs and preferences;
• address barriers to involvement in schools by families and actively help previously uninvolved families to become involved; • create better programs, opportunities and learning for students; • give families appropriate opportunities to contribute to school. Developing family-school partnerships may not always be easy but the results will be significant. Families that understand the education system and the difficulties schools face are a valuable source of support which schools cannot afford to underestimate. Schools that engage families in their children’s learning are tapping in to a rich source of information and expertise and can help build communities. From “FAMILY - SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS FRAMEWORK” (Department of Education Employment and Workplace Rela-tions)
Go gently and as always, if you have any feedback, questions or ideas we’d love to hear about them. God bless Patrika Rowley
Prep rest day Opening school Mass Parish Pastoral Council
All day 9.30am 7pm-9pm
No school Church Parish house
Thursday 7 Interschool Sports 5/6 9.00am St Anthony’s and away
Friday 8
Assembly Parent welcome and activities in learning spaces - Social and Emotional Learning Week
9.00am 12.30-3.20 - drop in any time
School Hall Learning spaces
Sunday 10 Staff Commissioning Mass - All families welcome
10.30am
Church
Week 3 CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK- GROWING YOUNG IN CHRIST Prep full days, Wednesday rest day
Monday 11 Peace and Prosperity Garden Program 9.00am-2.30pm Government House Victoria
Tuesday 12
Adult English Class Adult Computer Class School ID photos taken for Preps and new students
9.30-12.30pm 9.30-11.30am 9.00am
Adult Learning Space Adult Computer Space Library
Wednesday 13
Prep rest day / testing interviews Adult Computer Class Playgroup Information sharing sessions SCHOOL FINISHES AT 1.00PM
All day 1-3pm 9.30-11.30am 1.30-5.00
No school Adult Computer Space Playgroup Learning spaces
Thursday 14
Playgroup Interschool Sports Level 5/6 Information sharing afternoon
9.30-11.30am 9.00-11.30am 3.30-4.30
Playgroup room St Anthony’s and away Learning spaces
Friday 15
Assembly 5/6 WEBB Adult English Language Class Class Mass Level 3/4 BA, NG and CH neighbourhood
9.00am 9.30-1.00pm 9.30am
School Hall Parent room Church
Diary Dates for Term 1, 2019 Weeks 2-5
Introducing our School Strategic Vision 2019-2021 - ‘Every Person Flourishing and Known’
Week 5 Year 5/6 Canberra Camp all week Prep full days, final rest day on Wednesday
Monday 25 5/6 camp day 1 Peace and Prosperity Garden
Travelling day 9.00am-2.30pm
Capital Country Holiday Park Government House Victoria
Tuesday 26
Eucharist Parent meeting 5/6 camp day 2
7pm Touring day
St Anthony’s Hall Capital Country Holiday Park
Wednesday 27
5/6 camp day 3 School Advisory Board meeting - wel-come and new year directions Last Prep Rest Day Mass Level 1/2 SC, ME, KO neighbour-hood
Touring day 6pm All day 9.30am
Capital Country Holiday Park Conference room No school Church
Thursday 28 5/6 camp day 4 Touring day Capital Country Holiday Park
Friday March 1
5/6 camp day 5 Assembly 3/4 BA
Travelling day and return home 9.00am
School School Hall
Message from our Principal Bereavement The community of St Anthony’s extend their most heartfelt sympathy to Milani and Keishen on the
passing of Milani’s father and Keishen’s grandfather. Our prayers and support go out to you at this time.
Newsletter A REMINDER TO ALL PARENTS THAT THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER IS
THE MAJOR FORM OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOL AND
HOME. WE ADVERTISE UPCOMING EVENTS, KEEP YOU ABREAST OF
WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AROUND THE SCHOOL AND EACH
WEEK, SHOWCASE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AROUND THE
SCHOOL. PLEASE READ THE NEWSLETTER EACH FORTNIGHT AND
TAKE NOTE OF SPECIAL DATES. The newsletter is published every
fortnight and will be sent to each family electronically via flexibuzz (soon
changing to ClassDojo) and via email. If you need a printed copy of the news-
letter, a small number of these are available at the school office (we do not
give individual children a printed newsletter). You can also view all newsletters
on the website.
Facebook Please follow us on Facebook and get lots of great updates throughout the year.
Search for ’St. Anthony’s School Noble Park’ and hit like! Join us in sharing the
news of our great school.
Week 4 Prep full days, Wednesday rest day
Monday 18 Peace and Prosperity Garden 9.00am-2.30pm Government House Victoria
Tuesday 19 Prep and 5/6 buddy BBQ 5.00pm-6.00pm Community Garden
Wednesday 20
Class Mass Level 5/6 WE, ST neighbourhood Prep Day off / testing interviews Parent Eucharist Meeting
9.30am All day 7.00-8.00pm
Church No school St. Anthony’s Hall
Thursday 21 Eucharist Team Preparation meeting 7pm TBA
Friday 22 Assembly 5/6 NE 9.00am School Hall
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24
Eucharist enrolment Masses
Weekend Masses
Church
Message from our Principal Below is the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund) To be eligible for the fund, a parent or legal guardian of a student must: On the first day of Term one or on the first day of Term two;
Be a holder of a Veterans Affairs gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card holder (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR
Be a temporary foster parent Please return the application form (sent home this week) to the school office no later than Friday 23rd February. Parents who only receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other
benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the
CSEF. For more information visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef
SCHOOL FEES The payment of school fees is crucial to the running of the school. We
appreciate your ongoing commitment to this. Please ensure that your
payment is factored into your budget. There are many options for payment
of fees and a 10% discount if paid in full by the end of Term 1.
FEE STATEMENTS Fee statements will be sent home next week. Direct Debit and Credit card payments commence next week. If you need to make any changes to your Direct Debit or Credit Card
payment details please collect a form from the school office as soon as
possible. Please make sure you update any credit card expiry date details
when needed.
School Advisory Board 2019 Would you like to become more involved with the life of the school or you would like to nominate someone who would be a great Parent voice for our school. The Advisory group is the ideal way to make this happen. Please call the school before the 27th if you are interested in being part of this wonderful
group. We will be having our first meeting of the year and looking at our new school
strategic vision.
2019 Classes Thank you for your wonderful support and preparation of your children for the new school year. We thank you for supporting your child to transition positively into their new class group. Much time and consideration has been given to particular needs and suitability of individuals, peer groups and teachers in the process. Grouping students in different ways each year, in any school, enables new relationships to form and opens up many more social opportunities. The staff have worked hard on the class lists. I would like to remind you that when class lists are composed, there are many variables to consider. Our priority is to maximise each individual’s learning opportunities. The children will move on very quickly from any ‘disappointment’ if the adults around them are resilient and positive!
Assembly and celebration of learning Please join us on Fridays in the Hall for our weekly celebration of learning
and school assembly. We’d love to see you there to share the learning.
ABSENTEES If your child is going to be absent from school, can you please call the
school office on 95460044 before 9.00am.
Alternatively, you can email the school to notify of your child’s
Back Gate Many parents are crossing the road at the drop off zone as cars are coming and going in Alfred St.. Parents are not walking down to use the crossing provided. Or parents are crossing the school child over only and then walking their kinder child to the crossing. Parents are making U turns in the drop off zone directly in front of our back gate. One parent reversed the car this morning and nearly hit a family crossing at the wrong place. This is extremely dangerous. Please be good examples for your children and observe all safety rules. Our children come first inside and outside the gates.
All this makes for a very dangerous drop off zone.
School gates open at 8.20am Learning spaces open at 8.30am Classes begin at 8.50am School concludes at 3.20pm and all students need to be picked up promptly. We thank you for your support in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff.
Parking and Safety A reminder to all parents that the gate from Alfred St is not an access point for pick up or drop off for St. Anthony’s children. We ask that all St. Anthony’s families please use the Buckley St. access or enter on foot from Alfred St. via the gate to the school oval. This is more important than ever as now the Alfred St. ELC requires access and the safety of all ELC families and staff is our priority. Please follow the car park arrows and rules to ensure everyone’s safety at
school drop off and pick up from Buckley St.
Message from our Principal
In praise of: Our fabulous teaching and support staff for ensuring the best possible start to the year for our students and families. The dedication to preparing the spaces and the programs for the best, settled beginning is very evident. We are very lucky.
“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” Saint Anthony of Padua
THANK YOU A very big thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who give their time to our school. Thank you to Ali for watering our garden over the break, to Bill for his continued support of photocopying in the office, to Jeannette and Phuong who come in once a week and work on literacy skills with our students and to all of our wonderful support crew who volunteer their time. Thank you to all of the wonderful people who have ensured that our school grounds are looking magnificent. Tam, our gardener, Chris our very handy all rounder and the great company who have painted fun new games on our surfaces.
What’s happening in the Parish
The enrolment forms and letters for the Sacrament of Eucharist has been sent either by email (if you have supplied an email address) or by post (if we do not have your email details).
If you have not receive this information, please ring the parish office as soon as possible and leave a your name and number with Joseph (95668276).
The Eucharist program is beginning in 1 week.
NEW STRATEGIC PLAN Please find a copy of our new 2019-2021 strategic plan that will come home as a paper copy today. This is our Parent placemat and a clear way to communicate our direction after our review last year. CLASS DOJO We are slowly transitioning to a new parent engagement platform. DOJO will eventually replace Flexibuzz. You will be invited to join Dojo at information sharing sessions where teacher will be able to share achievements unique to your child just to you. We will also be able to share news and events to all of you in exactly the same way as Flexibuzz.
Learning and Teaching Update
Welcome back to Kirsty Platon who has returned from
Maternity leave. It’s great to have you back!
Staffing for 2019 - what a team! Leaders of Learning Principal: Patrika Rowley Deputy Principal/Leader of Student Wellbeing James Gow Leader of L and T (Literacy/Numeracy/Data) Glennis Kerr NCCD Leader and Community and Family Engagement in Learning Leader Deana Portia Leader of L and T RE/Inquiry Stephanie Webb Leader of the Religious Dimension of the school Helen Nguyen Leader of Digital Technologies & Enrichment Ellis Warrener Leader of Student Voice/SRC Christelle Lim Leader of Student Diversity Susan Kubiak Administration/Business Manager/finance Karen Rowland Administration / Secretary Jamil Moslih Strategic Pedagogy Educational Leaders/coaches Morgan Schorer Kirsty Platon Jodie Bawden Ashlee Doyle Prep Emily Prince
Alison Gracie Year 1/2 Tina Meade & Jade Sobolski
Morgan Schorer & Jade Sobolski Georgia Kounoupis & Jade Sobolski Kirsty Platon & Linda Ly Ruth Abbey
Specialist Teachers Music/Performing Arts: Victoria Gelberg Japanese: Linda Ly Visual Arts: Anisah Furness Phys Ed: Emily Prato Library Technician: Thuy Hoang Community Engagement Family School Partnership Conveyor: Susan Brown Home School Liaison/Community Hubs: Lisa Occhietti Debbie Vivian Learning Support Staff Thuy Hoang Ann Scott Sue Reys Andrew Erib Bilijana Vanovac Tamara Busbridge Josh Fisher Canteen: Eileen Graham Bus Driver/Maintenance: Chris Reys Gardener/landscaper: Tam Petrzilka
INFORMATION SHARING SESSIONS All staff will be holding Parent Information sharing Sessions On Wednesday 13th February from 1.30-5.00pm and Thursday 14th February from 3.30pm - 4.30pm. These sessions are designed to get to know you, your hopes and dreams for your children, to pass on relevant administrative information and to give you an opportunity to get to know your child’s teacher. It is also an opportunity for you to share any relevant information about your child. Please make your time online via the following link. Interpreters available. 1. Either to go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the event code d22ty. 2. Or follow this link
Glennis Kerr (Teaching and Learning Leader) Wellbeing News
New Bell times In 2019 we have made some positive adjustments to recess breaks,
learning blocks and bell times. This is in response to our wellbeing
tracking data from 2018 that suggests that most instances of students not
meeting high expectations with their behaviour and ability to problem
solve effectively happens in the last 10 minutes of a long lunch break. In
2019 we have implemented 2 x 40 minute recess breaks including eating
time. The students and staff have transitioned well. We have also
extended specialist lessons to 50 minute blocks. We will continue to
track data and monitor these changes carefully.
Learning Space Update
A REMINDER A reminder to all families to be vigilant around online safety and age appropriate online access for all children. Given the National spotlight on the impact of cyberbullying in recent weeks, we aim to ensure that all staff, students and families are reminded about
How to use technology in a safe and responsible way How to behave appropriately online What to do if they are worried about something they see online or something that is sent
to them electronically All staff and students will be revisiting policy, acceptable use, rules and regulations that will
help to protect them when using technology.
News from The Community Garden Prep community BBQ
All prep and year 5/6 families are invited for a BBQ in the community garden
from 5-6pm on Tuesday 19th February. Please send your slip back to school
indicating your RSVP for catering purposes.
Kinder Visit Group
We are very excited to start our Kinder visits again this year and continue strengthening our connections to Kindergartens in our community. In the coming weeks Grade 5 students will be given the opportunity to sign up to the program and represent our school as leaders and role models. We look forward to sharing stories and photos of our adventures when the program
Having fun getting to know each other and making new friends!
Beginning of Year Mass
Community Announcements
Performing Arts
Playgroup at St Anthony’s Wednesday & Thursday Mornings
With DEBBIE
9.30 – 11.30am PLAYGROUP WILL RESUME ON
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14
Community Announcements
Dear Parents, We have received feedback that parents feel they have missed the opportunity to enroll at St John’s St John’s Regional College due to the advertised enrolment dates on the Catholic Education Website. Please be advised if you wish to enroll at St John’s we are still accepting enrolments for 2019 and 2020. Kind Regards, Katrina Communications and Marketing Officer
