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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 LittleChildren 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.
REMINDERS FOR PARENTS
NO SMOKING
SMOKING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS IS TOTALLY PROHIBITED
FRONT OFFICE ENTRANCE
Children are not to enter or leave the school via the front office entrance, unless accompanied by an adult. Please ensure that your children are aware of this.
VPASS SIGN IN & OUT REGISTER
All parents and visitors to the school must sign in and out using the VPASS ipad that is located at the school office. This includes any time where you will be present in the school for a period of time.
The VPASS ipad also allows you to sign out children who will be leaving the school early (eg.dentist appointment, sickness). If the child will be returning the same day, you will also need to sign them back in using the ipad.If you are bringing your child to school late, it is also necessary to fill in the late arrival section of the ipad. Office staff can help you if needed.
VISITOR DECLARATION
All Visitors, Contractors and Casual Staff entering a DOSCEL school will be required to complete a School Entry Declaration form.
SCHOOL ABSENCES
A written note is required to be sent to the class teacher if a child has been absent from school. The note should state the date of the absence and the reason for the absence. You can also email the school or fill in the absence form on our app, and it will be passed on to the teacher. This information is required for the school attendance roll, which is a legal document. In the event of long term absences, due to illness or holidays, a note is to be sent to the principal outlining the dates and reason for the absence. The principal will then inform the classroom teacher. This process will guarantee that children are accounted for and avoid unnecessary concern.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION CARDS
Please ensure that the your child's Emergency Information card is up to date as soon as possible. All students will have brought an emergency information card home.
If your child's medical needs change throughout the year, please notify the school. Please also ensure that you have at least 2 emergency contacts as well as parent details. It is important that we have a person to contact in an emergency that lives locally and is not a parent. This person(s) is only contacted if we are unable to contact parents, who are obviously our first point of call.
Buses
Children travelling by bus will be dismissed from the classroom at 3.10pm and assemble at the front of the school at the Gumnuts gate. After being checked off the bus list, the teacher will then walk them up to the bus pick up area and ensure they board the buses
Cars
Children being picked up by cars are to leave via the Raglan Street or Guthridge Parade exits. Guthridge Parade is a no parking zone between 8.00 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4.00pm. The duty teachers will dismiss children as parents arrive. Children are to use the school crossings where necessary and no child is to cross the road unaccompanied by an adult. If a child being collected by car does not use the crossing, an adult must cross the road to collect them at all times.
The area along Raglan Street marked with white lines is a ‘kiss and drop’ zone only. You may stop, drop off or pick up your children and immediately leave the zone. You cannot park and leave your car. If you do so you may receive a fine. Police do a regular check of the area.
Please do not double park when dropping off or collecting children. This is an extremely dangerous situation, which puts children at risk of an accident. Children will be discouraged from getting into cars that are double-parked. Parents are asked to abide by the road rules carefully to minimise the risk of danger to the children.
We have had a few instances of parents arriving to pick up their child and coming to the office not knowing where their child is. After some phone calls, the child is then found to have gone home with a friend’s parent. This practice is not encouraged as it causes a lot of anxiety and could be avoided by notifying the office or leaving the child in the office so the staff can contact the parent that is running late.
After School Care
A form has been sent home asking for details of children attending after school care. It is important that the school is kept informed of students using these services and any changes to your child’s routine. If your child is booked into after school care but is not attending, please ensure both the after school care service and the school are notified.
Walking
If children walk home, it is important that parents advise them of the safest route home. Please ensure that your child is old enough to walk home unaccompanied and is familiar with the road rules.
LUNCH BOXES
If you are sending your child to school with yoghurt, meat, cheese or any food that needs to be chilled, please include an icepack in your child’s lunch box. No refrigeration is available.
SUPERVISION
Four teachers are rostered on for yard duty during recess and lunchtime. In addition two teachers are rostered each afternoon from 3.15pm to 3.30pm to cover supervision from Raglan Street and Guthridge Parade exits. Two teachers are on yard duty each morning from 8.30am to 8.55am. Teachers are present in classrooms from 8.40am each morning and until 3.30pm each afternoon.
No child is to arrive at school before 8.30am. There is no teacher on duty prior to this time. The school does not take responsibility for the supervision of children prior to 8.30am unless arranged with the Principal.
We ask that children arrive at school on time. It is very disruptive to class routines if children are constantly late to class. Vital information and important learning experiences may also be missed.
Children are to be collected no later than 3.30pm.
HEAD LICE
Please check your children’s hair regularly for head lice. Head lice infestations are a common occurrence, particularly in primary schools.
- anyone can catch head lice regardless of their age, sex, or how clean their hair is
- head lice move from one person's head to another via hair
- head lice do not survive long when they are off a human head
- head lice do not live on furniture, hats, bedding or carpet
- head lice have built up some resistance to head lice treatments
PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION
Parents are encouraged to contact the principal or staff members at any time to discuss your children. It is vital that the lines of communication are kept open between home and school. Please understand however, that staff members often have commitments before and after school, so it is advisable to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time, to ensure you receive sufficient time and attention. This also prevents valuable class time being interrupted.
Prior contact needs to be made with the principal or class teacher, if a parent who does not normally have custody of the child and is unknown to staff, wishes to visit the child at school or, see the class teacher. Please note that schools are obliged to adhere to custodial documentation.CLASS REQUIREMENTS
Children should have with them all items that were outlined in the booklist. In addition they need to bring an art smock and a library bag. Parents are asked to make sure stationery requirements are updated as required.
All purchased items are to be brought to school at the beginning of the year. The teachers will store excess pencils, pens, glue sticks etc. and distribute them to the children as needed throughout the year.
All student belongings are to be clearly and permanently labelled.EMERGENCY DRILLS
Emergency evacuation and lock-in drills are carried out regularly. The assembly point for evacuations is the south west corner of the school oval. When the warning siren (or continuous ringing of hand bells) sounds, everyone must report to the oval, be accounted for,
and await further instructions. When the Lock-In siren is sounded all children and adults must return to the appropriate classroom or work area and follow the outlined instructions. This includes all parents and other visitors to the school.ASSEMBLIES
We hope to return to Friday 12.30pm assembly however this may not be a whole school assemblySECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP
The uniform shop will be open by prior arrangement only. Please contact the school on 03 51441332
MEDICATION SIGN-IN REGISTER
Any prescription medication that a child must take during school hours must be signed in at the school office. NOTE: All medication must be prescribed by a Medical Practitioner and have the child’s name and dosage on the bottle.
2021 SCHOOL TERMS
TERM 1 Monday 1st February 2021 - Thursday 1st April
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Term 1 | Friday 2nd April - Good Friday |
Monday 5th April - Easter Monday |
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS
Term 1 | |
TERM 2 - Monday 19th April - Friday 25th June
TERM 3 - Monday 12th July - Friday 17th September
TERM 4 - Monday 4th October - Thursday 17th December
Wednesday 10th February - Foundation rest day
Friday 12th February - Swimming trials - 9-12pm (Grade 3-6)
Wednesday 17th February - Foundation rest day
Friday 19th February - Swimming Carnival 9-2pm (Grade 3-6)
Wednesday 24th February - Foundation rest day
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2021
Friday 29th Jan First Day of School
Monday 8th March Labour Day Holiday NO BUSES RUNNING
Thursday 1st April Last day of term 1 Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 19th April First day of Term 2
Friday 11th June Student Free Day NO BUSES RUNNING
Monday 14th June Queens Birthday NO BUSES RUNNING
Friday 25th June Last day of term 2. Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 12th July First Day of Term 3
Friday 17th September Last day of term 3. Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 4th October First Day of Term 4
Tuesday 2nd November Melbourne Cup Day NO BUSES RUNNING
SWIMMING TRIALS & SWIMMING CARNIVAL - YEAR 3-6
What a great start to the year we’ve had in Music. All of our classes (including Foundation) have settled into their music routines very smoothly. This week, our Foundation classes enjoyed singing, percussion and movement, while grade 1 and 2 music classes focused on music symbols. Senior grades have commenced their unit on the drum kit.
St Thomas’ Choir
St Thomas’ Choir will commence rehearsing on Monday 15thFebruary. Any student in Grade 3 to 6 is more than welcome to come along. Rehearsals will be held in the music room at the beginning of lunchtime. Students must note that once joining the choir, you are committed for the whole school year.
I am very excited to announce that our choir will be entering the Sale Eisteddfod during May. Please watch this space for more information.
If any parents have questions regarding music, please feel free to contact me at the School. I attend every Monday and Friday.
Phil Bartlett
Music Teacher
CAR PARKING
For safety reasons parents are not permitted to use the staff car park.
We also ask parents not to walk through the car park with their children. We have staff entering and leaving the car park and it is unsafe to do so. Please use the gate on Guthridge Parade at the front of the office or the Raglan Street gate
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for the CSEF at this school in 2020, you do not need to complete and Application Form in 2021. If any changes have occurred during 2020, and you and unsure of your eligibility, please contact cjohnson@sttsale.catholic.edu.au
Application forms are available from the Office.
Concession is available for CSEF recipients.
CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE If you travel by private car, more than 4.8km (one way) to school, or the nearest designated bus stop that services the school of the denomination of your choice, you may be eligible for Conveyance Allowance. Please contact the Office for information |
FEES 2021
Family Fee 1 Child |
$1805 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2040 |
Family Fee 2 Child |
$2005 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2240 |
Family Fee 3 Child |
$2205 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2440 |
Family Fee 4 Child |
$2205 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2440 |
Per Student Levies - in addition to Family Fee listed above |
|||||||
|
Prep |
Yr.1 |
Yr.2 |
Yr.3 |
Yr.4 |
Yr.5 |
Yr.6 |
Curriculum |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
Activity |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$155 |
Camp |
|
|
|
$140 |
$140 |
$350 |
$530 |
Total Year Level Levy |
$305 |
$305 |
$305 |
$445 |
$445 |
$655 |
$855 |
You will receive your 2021 Annual Fees & Levies account via Email this week.
There are many payment options available – Direct Debit, BPay, Credit Card, Cash/Chq.
If you don’t have an on-going Direct Debit arrangement in place already, and you wish to use the payment option, please Email apiasente@sttsale.catholic.edu.au or cjohnson@sttsale.catholic.edu.au to commence payments.
ST THOMAS' APP
St Thomas’ has an app for both android phones and iphones. The app is called SZapp (Schoolzine Pty Ltd), This is an important communication tool which we use for relaying important messages and notifications to families. You will have access to the Absentee form for notifying the school of any absentees. It also has access to a calendar with upcoming events, access to the weekly newsletter and the ability to contact the school via phone or email.
We would like to remind all families under instruction by the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited, for any students who are being tested for COVID-19 and have siblings who attend the school, the siblings should also remain at home until a negative test result is provided for the student awaiting a test result.
This Sunday, The Mackenzie Family are taking part in Cupid’s Undie Run to raise money for the Children’s Tumour Foundation to support kids, families & adults living with Neurofibromatosis (NF).Their son Bodhi a student at St Thomas' has this condition and while he is mildly affected at this stage, others aren’t so lucky...They have created a Facebook event called “SALE’s CUPID’S ‘UNDIE SUNDAY’ RUN” and hope to have friends, family & the community walk along side us in solidarity, to raise awareness & vital funds to support & fight NF.Dress up or down, be as involved as you like.It kicks off THIS SUNDAY at 11am - Leaving the “Little Park” by the lake (Corner of Foster St & McIntosh Drv, Sale) for a walk around town.Interested families should check out our Facebook event or the article in Tuesday’s Gippsland Times (Page 13, top right)And those wishing to donate can click on our fundraising link - Nothing is too small & donations over $2 are tax deductible.
https://docs.google.com/forms/