Message from the Principal
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN SALE
Our school is a place of faith and learning
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome to the beginning of a new school year. We especially welcome all our Foundation students and new families to St Thomas’. We look forward to working with you all. We pray for a less disruptive year and good health throughout 2021.
I thank you all sincerely for supporting the morning drop off and end of day arrangements. It is lovely to see our families back on site. The COVID 19 context is ever changing and we aim to keep you informed to changes in school arrangements as swiftly as possible. We remind families that our instructions are taken from governing authorities to ensure the safety of all.
As always, we like to remind families of a few school protocols and procedures at the start of the new year. Guided and strengthened by God’s Spirit, we promote our three pillars of Respect, Resilience and Safety and it is within this framework, we set about our daily tasks at school.
Beginning of the day
Our first reminder is with regard to starting and finishing times. All students are asked to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with supervision beginning at 8.30am. The school day begins at 8.55am and classrooms are open at 8.40am for children to set up for the day. Children are aware that if there is no teacher in the classroom, they are to remain outside. Two teachers are rostered to supervise the senior oval and quadrangle area.
We are happy for our Foundation students to continue with their routine for Week 2, however, they may enter grounds via the Guthridge gates or Raglan St with their siblings or an adult.
All visitors MUST REGISTER in line with current COVID guidelines. QR codes have been set up for adults to register their attendance. If you are unable to use the QR codes you must now complete full details of the VISITOR DECLARATION FORM located at the QR stations and the School Administration Foyer.
End of the day
Students will be dismissed as per the schedule released last week for students in Years 1-6.
Foundation students may leave with their siblings via one of the three entrance/exit gates or they may be collected from the area outside the Community room.
Foundation students will still be dismissed at 3pm and gates will be opened for them and their siblings at this time. Miss Pasfield will assemble Foundation students without siblings at the Community room, while Mrs Bennett will direct Foundation students and their siblings to the appropriate gates. We ask that you discuss pick up points with your child or children to ensure the end of the day runs smoothly and happily for all children. Mrs Arnup will supervise the Raglan St gate and Mrs Little will supervise the guthridge Gumnuts gate.
Parking of course is along Raglan St and Guthridge Parade. We remind you to adhere to the drop off zone protocols, which allow you to remain in the zone for two minutes to “drop off” or “pick up” your child/children. At the end of the day, children are asked to remain behind gates and fence lines, until the duty teacher arrives.
Entrance gates will open at 8.30am. At 9am, gates will be closed, except the Guthridge Admin gate.
Foundation families arriving at 9am will need to exit via this gate.
School Uniform
Please know that all students are asked to wear their full summer uniform detailed below.
Sport days will be forwarded to families via classroom teachers as days will differ for classes.
UNIFORM
Boys - Summer:Grey shorts, white shirt, school jumper (navy), grey socks, black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.
Girls - Summer:School summer dress, school jumper (navy), short white socks (above ankle), black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.
Parents are asked to ensure that their child/ren come/s to school each day in the correct uniform. Black leather shoes or elastic-sided boots only may be worn as school shoes.
The sport uniform is to be worn on designated days only. All students are to wear short, above the ankle, plain white socks with the sport uniform.
Every student must have the school hat to wear at recess and lunchtimes during the summer season. As a Sunsmart school, we adhere to the guidelines set by the Anti Cancer Council. You will be notified when the period for not wearing hats will begin.
Jewellery is to be limited to one pair of studs or sleepers for boys and girls. Watches may be worn to school, but bracelets, rings and necklaces are not allowed. If there are special circumstances (eg. medical) for your child to wear an item you will need to discuss the matter with the Principal. This rule exists for safety reasons.
We particularly remind children to adhere to the rules around keeping hair tidy. All shoulder length hair is to be tied back for girls and boys. Hair ties are to be of school colours, yellow or navy. Hair dye or blonde tips are not permitted and parents are asked to respect this part of the uniform policy.
There have been some questions around the nature of school shoes. School policy outlines black leather shoes are to be worn at St Thomas’.. We prefer the formal school shoe, either lace up or velcro straps, however, we are aware there are a number of black leather shoes that retail as school shoes. Black suede skater shoes or canvas shoes are not school uniform items. Sneakers are to be worn on sports day only.
We ask you to assist us with ensuring the uniform is worn correctly. Teachers will remind children of the protocols regularly as the new school year gets underway. Children without hats will need to remain in the shaded verandahs of the quadrangle.
Staffing
We welcome Miss Bianca Grundy and Miss Jessica Brown to our teaching staff and look forward to working with them throughout the year.
Our staffing arrangements for 2021 are as follows:
|
Foundation CB |
Ms Colleen Bennett |
|
Foundation MP |
Monique Pasfield |
|
Year I MI |
Mrs Michelle Irwin |
|
Year I JB |
Jessica Brown |
|
Year 2 MB |
Mrs Nardene Manning and Mrs Jennifer Brayshaw |
|
Year 2 MG |
Mrs Madeleine Glenane |
|
Year 3 AP |
Mr Duncan Arnup & Mrs Rosie Phillips |
|
Year 3 JW |
Mr Jake Watson |
|
Year 4 BG |
Miss Bianca Grundy |
|
Year 4 KG |
Miss Kristy Glover |
|
Year 5 CG |
Mr Tony Capurso & Mrs Grace Goudie |
|
Year 5MC |
MrsVicki Colley & Mrs Deb Fox |
|
Year 6PB |
Mrs Prue Berry |
|
Year 6BL |
Ms Nicki Bourbaud and Mrs Tara Lipman. |
Specialist Class teachers:
|
Art |
Mrs Michelle Glover |
|
PE |
Mrs Grace Duffield |
|
Japanese |
Ms Bree Henderson |
|
Music |
Mr Phil Bartlett |
| Mrs Carolyn Dessent |
| Mrs Brooke Stewart |
| Mrs Christine Nikolajew |
| Mrs Peita Morris |
| Kylie Henry |
| Mrs Mary Ann Verey |
| Mrs Kylie Hulland |
| Mrs Kylie Bendall |
| Miss Kayla Holmes |
Administration Staff:
| Mrs Lisa Durrant |
| Mrs Casey Johnson |
| Mrs Alicia Piasente |
School Leadership Team:
Deputy Principal and Learning Adjustment Leader: Mrs Allison Arnup
Religious Education Leader: Mr Tony Capurso
Learning and Teaching Leader: Ms Lori Field
Data and Compliance Manager/Leader: Mr Duncan Arnup
Child Safety Officer & Whole School Intensive Support Leader: Mrs Jennifer Brayshaw
Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Leader: Ms Nicki Bourbaud
Principal: Mrs Anita LittleBeginning of the Year Prayer
Lord be with us today,
Fill our hearts with joy.
Fill our minds with learning
Fill our classrooms with peace
Fill our lessons with fun
Fill our friendships with kindness
Fill our school with love
Amen
Children presenting unwell at school will be sent home and asked to remain home, until symptoms have resolved.
Children presenting with COVID symptoms will also be sent home and are asked to remain at home until symptoms have resolved.
- Fever,
- Chills & Sweats,
- Cough,
- Sore throat,
- Shortness of breath,
- Runny nose
- Loss or change in sense of smell or taste
- Headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.
Students who undertake a COVID test or who have family members undertaking a COVID test are to remain at home until a negative result is obtained.
Gastroenteritis
As mentioned earlier in the week, we have been notified that Gastroenteritis is apparent within the Sale community and we are monitoring attendance records and reasons for absence. We ask you to look out for symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea within your family.
We have been communicating with relevant authorities and our current understanding is that children vomiting or presenting with diarrhoea at home or who fall ill with these symptoms at school are asked to remain away from school for 48 hours after symptoms have resolved, this includes vomiting or a loose bowel motion.
How can you avoid the spread of viral gastro?
Regular washing of hands with soap and running water for at least 15 seconds
- before preparing food,
- before eating,
- after going to the toilet or after changing nappies; and
- after cleaning up when someone has been sick.
- Towels and face washers should not be shared with a person who has gastro.
More information can be found at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
As per COVID safety management plans, children are regularly reminded to wash their hands and practise good hygiene whilst at school.
Head Lice
Children presenting with Head Lice must have their hair treated before returning to school. Families are asked to regularly check hair for Head Lice or their eggs.
Head Bumps
Parents will be notified by phone if their child receives a bump to the head or injury to the eye whilst at school.
Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Allergies, Diabetes
Please ensure Medical Management plans are current and forwarded to the school.
Asthma puffers, epi pens and other specific medical equipment necessary for your child to have at school can be forwarded to classroom teachers or the office staff.
Confidential Personal and Medical Information forms.
We remind parents to complete their confidential personal and medical information forms and give serious thought to emergency contacts. In the event that you cannot be contacted, your emergency nominee will be called if your child presents unwell at school.
Wearing of masks
As of yesterday, Thursday February 4th, 2021, all adults and children over the age of twelve/secondary students were informed by governing authorities to wear masks within indoor public spaces. If for any reason, you need to enter school buildings, a mask must be worn, 1.5 metre spacing needs to be maintained and sanitising stations within the school are to be used. Thank you.
Sacraments
Please know that if you wish to enrol your child to receive either the sacrament of Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation this year , please contact the St Mary’s Cathedral Office or the school.
Enrolment forms are available if you missed the registration meeting last week.
Enrolment forms are to be returned to the Cathedral office by February 9th 2021.
Mrs Jenny Fitzgerald is the Parish Sacramental Co-ordinator and can assist you with any questions you may have regarding Sacramental preparation.
Email: Sale.sacraments@cdsale.org.au or Sale@cdsale.org.au
Beginning of the Year Mass.
Children in Years 5&6 celebrated Mass with Fr Jithin last Tuesday to start the new year and acknowledge the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Class representatives were presented with a school candle for their classrooms and prayers were shared for our students and families.