Newsletter Thursday Term 1 Week 2 5th February 2015 Acting Principal’s Message This week began with our first formal school Assembly for the year. What a wonderful sight to see our entire school community, including the Preps, come together for the first time in 2015. Our Year 6 students did a wonderful job in their role in coordinating proceedings, including leading prayer, the celebration of birthdays and presenting Bee Awards. As you may be aware, with the school growing in numbers, the decision was made in late 2014 to move to a three house system. Mackillop House (blue) is in honour of our patron saint. Carrol House (red) is named after our first parish priest. Joseph House (gold) recognises the Sisters of St Joseph. At Monday’s Assembly, we commenced announcing the house allocations, with our Year 6 students the first to be called. As the week has progressed we have continued to do this with each year level, so by Friday all students will know the house to which they are assigned. One of our focus areas this year will be to foster in students an affiliation to their school house and develop a sense of positive house spirit and pride. Each of the people after which the houses are named can offer us much inspiration. New Building Works Imminent! Last week I had the opportunity to meet for the first time with consulting engineers and building services team who are key players in supporting me to advance St Pius’ next building project. This initiative will see five new general learning areas (classrooms) and new toilets built on the site of the current tennis courts. The existing toilets and current music room will be demolished. With tenders now in, a building company has been contracted and work is currently planned to commence on Monday week, 16th February! I’m putting on my Bob the Builder hat, and I plan to share more information with the community at the Parent Information Evening on 11 th February. Watch this space also. Next week we will be preparing the children for some modifications to the playground and their routines as we get ready for the building work to commence. I will endeavour to keep you abreast with the work as it progresses. Update on Student Protection at St Pius School Your children and their safety and wellbeing are our priority. St Pius School is committed to the protection of all our students from harm and abuse. There have been some recent changes to legislation in relation to reporting of student protection matters by schools. Reporting of Concerns – At St Pius School, any concerns or reasonable suspicions we have about a student’s safety and wellbeing or the behaviour of a staff member or volunteer which a student considers to be inappropriate, will continue to be managed in accordance with Brisbane Catholic Education Student Protection Processes. All our staff recently undertook training on their reporting responsibilities. A link to the Brisbane Catholic Education Student Protection Processes can be found on our school website or they can be accessed on Brisbane Catholic Education’s public website www.bne.catholic.edu.au . Under the ‘Students and Parents’ tab select ‘Student Protection’ from the drop down menu and click on the relevant button. A printed copy of this document is available in the school library and is readily accessible during school hours. Complaints Procedure - Brisbane Catholic Education has published a Complaints Procedure for Non-Compliance with BCE Student Protection Processes. A link to the Complaints Procedure can be found on our school website. Parents or students may make a complaint via the Record of Complaint about Non-compliance with Brisbane Catholic Education Student Protection Processes which can be accessed on Brisbane Catholic Education’s public website www.bne.catholic.edu.au . Under the ‘Students and Parents’ tab select ‘Student Protection’ from the drop down menu and click on the relevant button. We take all complaints very seriously and will handle them in accordance with the Complaints Procedure for Non-Compliance with BCE Student Protection Processes. Should you require information or assistance regarding the procedures you may contact the school or the Brisbane Catholic Education Student Protection Team on 3033 7409. Address: Apperley Street, Banyo Qld 4014 Phone: 07 3267 7306 Fax: 07 3267 1217 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stpiusbanyo.qld.edu.au Banyo-Nundah Catholic Parish: Ph: 3266 1444 Fax: 3266 4088 Office: 20 Donkin Street, Nundah Acting Principal’s Message Family and Child Connect Services - The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, has now established Family and Child Connect services to provide support to families. Please make contact with the school if you feel your family may benefit from contact with a Family and Child Connect Service or a local support service. Concerns or Further Information - Parents and students should talk to the Student Protection Contact, Mrs Maria Einam, the class teacher or myself, the Principal, if there are any concerns about the safety and wellbeing of any student or concerns about the behaviour of a staff member or volunteer. We take all reports seriously and will handle them in accordance with our Student Protection Processes. Please contact myself, as the Principal, or Student Protection Contact, Mrs Maria Einam if you have any questions or concerns about any matter or require further information about student protection. Volunteer Training and Other Personnel Training As a result of the changes to the legislation around student protection, resources for training volunteers who work in schools have also been updated. Parents and other volunteers (who will require a ‘Blue Card’ e.g. grandparents) are required to undertake training by the school. We are currently in the process of updating our school website to reflect these developments. Please keep an eye out in next week’s newsletter edition for more information. Parent Information Evening A reminder that on Wednesday evening next week, 11th February, all classes / year levels in the school will host a Parent Information Evening. The night will commence at 6.30pm with everyone gathering in the church. Shortly afterwards we will break into class groups, and from 7.40pm the P&F will host a meet and greet in the hall. I look forward to seeing you there. It is expected that each family is represented at these information sessions. If this is not possible, please advise your class teacher/s so that important information can be shared with you. Medical Updates The importance of keeping the school informed with up-to-date medical information about your child/ren cannot be stressed enough. Please contact Carolyn in the school office as soon as possible if your child’s medical circumstances have changed since you last provided us with this information. This particularly applies to medication. Whilst many parents and carers inform class teachers about general medical information from time to time, the office needs to keep accurate and detailed records, for the health and wellbeing our your child/ren. School Fees 2015 School Fees for Term One, 2015 will be issued shortly. As you are aware, fees are issued quarterly (once per term). There are various ways to pay the fees: BPAY, Cash, cheque, eftpos, credit card. Direct debit (collect a form from the office) Set up internet banking with your bank to pay into our account (our account details can be collected from the office) Supply your credit card details and a letter of authority and we will debit your card monthly or quarterly (usually at the beginning of the month). All direct debit and credit card authorities need to be filled out at the beginning of each year. For those families who have in the office letters of authority to deduct fees from their credit card, you will need to supply us with another letter with card details and expiry date and whether to deduct by the term or month. If you think you may qualify for a concession, forms are also available at the office. Please, if families have difficulty in meeting fee commitments, contact the school office prior to the due date to make arrangements. My sincere thanks, in advance, to the vast majority of families who will ensure that they meet their financial commitments on time and in full. Did you get your copy? Last Friday I sent home to all families a copy of the school’s Anaphylaxis Management - Guidelines & Procedures, with a covering letter. This plan plays a significant role in supporting the safety and well-being of all our children. Each and every person in the St Pius community has an important role to play, every day, in its implementation. In particular, please remember…… “… we request that students do not bring peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts and cashews) or any foods that contain nuts as an ingredient, to school. The only exception to this will be for students who have a diagnosed medical condition where their dietary needs require a nut based product, and where this has been discussed with the school and a plan put in place to support the safety of all students. These guidelines do not apply to those foods with labels that state ‘may contain traces of nuts’. Students are allowed to bring foods that state ‘may contain traces of nuts’. Address: Apperley Street, Banyo Qld 4014 Phone: 07 3267 7306 Fax: 07 3267 1217 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stpiusbanyo.qld.edu.au Banyo-Nundah Catholic Parish: Ph: 3266 1444 Fax: 3266 4088 Office: 20 Donkin Street, Nundah Acting Principal’s Message Parent Information Evening A reminder that on Wednesday evening next week, 11th February, all classes / year levels in the school will host a Parent Information Evening. The night will commence at 6.30pm with everyone gathering in the church. Shortly afterwards we will break into class groups, and from 7.40pm the P&F will host a met and greet in the hall. We understand that it can be tricky for some families to organise babysitting. Please, if you do have not have other option but to bring your child/ren, they must be in your care and with you at all times. Playing outside will not be an option. I look forward to seeing you there. It is expected that each family is represented at these information sessions. If this is not possible, please advise your class teacher/s so that important information can be shared with you. As part of the school’s guidelines students are not allowed to share their food with other children. It is important that parents are aware of these guidelines when bringing in birthday cakes and sweets to celebrate a child’s birthday.” I’d also like to stress that we teach the children not to share their water bottles either. In supporting us with this, can all parents and carers please ensure that their child/ren has/have a water bottle for school every day. With the drinking bubblers near the toilets soon to be demolished, having their own water bottle is also an important strategy in keep students hydrated. I look forward to meeting many parents at next Wednesday’s Parent Information Evening. Quote for the week… Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. (John Dewey) (Ref: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johndewey154060.html?src=t_education) Warm regards, Margo Carwardine Live, Love, Learn, and in the spirit of St Mary MacKillop’s motto for life, Never see a need without doing something about it. Term 1 Across the School Date Claimers The following key events and dates are significant to our school. New events since the last Newsletter edition are marked with a *. Please note these in your diary or on your calendar. February th Friday, 6 Monday 9th Swimming Lessons Years 1, 2, 3 Swimming Lessons Years 4, 5, 6 and lunchtime free swimming Years 2 - 6 Wednesday, 11th Parent Information Evening Thursday, 12th P&F Meet and Greet Night (Beer, Wine and Cheese, in the Hall) Opening School Liturgy, 9.00am Friday, 13th Tuckshop first day, every Friday Monday, 16 th Swimming Carnival, Years 3 – 6 (+ minimum number of Year 2 children, TBA) Wednesday, 18 th Ash Wednesday *School Board Meeting Tuesday, 24th * Year 4 Band lessons start Wednesday, 25 th P&F AGM Meeting th Thursday 26 – Friday, 27 th School Leadership Conference March rd Tuesday, 3 March * Year 2 Bugs Education Incursion th Wednesday 11 – Friday, 13 Tuesday, 17 th Saturday, 22 Friday, 27 th Year 6 Camp at Mapleton St Patrick’s Day nd Harmony Day th Arch Bishop Mark visiting April Thursday, 2 Friday, 3 rd Friday, 3 rd Sunday, 5 nd - Sunday, 19 School Holidays Good Friday th Monday, 6 Last Day of Term 1 th th Monday, 20th Easter Sunday Easter Monday School resumes, Term 2 commences APRE Message Opening School Year Liturgy A Light for All to See You are all very welcome to attend our beginning of the school year celebration at our ‘Opening Liturgy’ next Thursday at 9am in the church. Fr Bernie will lead our liturgy as we ask for God’s blessing in 2015. We do ask parents to please sit on the outside row of the church (carpark side) as the school numbers are increasing. At this liturgy we will be inducting and blessing our Senior Leaders for 2015 and presenting them with their badges. The senior class of 2015 will then read their pledge of leadership to the school community. Each class will present to the community their class covenant for 2015. It is their promise that as a group they will support each other, work to the best of their ability and be ‘A Light for All to See’ Let us Pray Living God, Come and be light for our eyes. Be the air we breathe; be the voice we speak. Come be the song we sing. Be our path as we walk in Your light. Your life was given for all people, so that death would be overcome and life would be eternal. Fill us with Your vision as people of justice, healing, forgiving, light for the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord, from whom all good things come. Amen Pick up Zone Volunteers A safety program called, ‘Look Out!’ is in place for our Pick up Zone in the afternoons. This is a Brisbane City Council initiative to ensure the safety of our children in this area. We are very grateful for the many volunteers we had in assisting us with this program last year and again this year we need your assistance. If you are able to volunteer one or two afternoons between 2:50-3:05pm to assist the safe transition of children to the cars in the Pick Up Zone (in Apperley St) we would be extremely grateful. Please see the office. If you are new to the program please give your name to Carolyn and the Brisbane City Council will run a quick induction course to brief you with the procedures that must be adhered to by the drivers, the students and volunteers. New Users of the Pick -Up Zone Remember to pick up an information and agreement form if you plan to use the Pick- Up Zone in the afternoon. It is a quick read and a signature to confirm that you will follow the Pick-Up Zone safety rules. You will then be provided with a sign to fix to your front visor that will be labelled with your family surname. This sign assist the volunteers and teachers to identify the car and then they will have the children ready in the pick Up Zone. This is a safe, efficient system that is successful due to parents volunteering in the Pick-Up Zone and also from the parents in the cars complying to the Pick- Up Zone rules. Swimming Reminders *Swimming lessons for Yr4-6 are on Mondays *Swimming lessons for Yr 1-3 are on Fridays with the Prep classes starting Feb 20 th. *Lunch time swimming for students in Yr 2-6, who have returned their blue permission form, is on Mondays. *All students need their swimmers, rashy, swimming cap, towel, thongs, sunscreen and googles (optional). Please have all these items named and here on the proper swimming days. *Please remind your child that the swimming gear needs to go home each day as well! Quote from Kim Blessings Kim IMPORTANT AFTERNOON PARKING Please do not park at the lower end of Apperley Street as it restricts and limits the flow of the Pick Up Zone for the afternoons. Apperley Street is one way in the afternoons exiting onto St Vincent’s Road. Student Awards Prep G - Charlie Herd Prep R - Aidan Downey Prep Y - Anton Power Year 1G - Archer Bickerstaff Year 1Y - Charlie Burton These Awards Year 2G - Marnie Briggs are presented Year 2Y - Ruby Whalan at Assembly on Monday 9th February Year 3G - Hakim Seal Moradi Year 3Y - Lucas Thompson All Welcome Year 4G - Mykaela McDonald Year 4Y - Mitch Gilbert Year 5G - Breanna Christie Year 6G - Jack Muirhead PE Class Award - Prep G Music Award - Yr 1G Library Student Award - Samantha Wesche Principal’s Ice Cream Award “Angelina Lovi - Yr 1Y“ For the kind and caring way that she looked after a friend in need on the very first day of school. … a living example of Mary McKillop’s motto for life. (Each week in 20015, a member of our St Pius community will be selected to receive the Principal’s Ice Cream Award. The award will acknowledge the recipient’s contribution to the school community that reflects the spirit of St Mary MacKillop. Aside from receiving a certificate, the recipient will receive a voucher for a medium take home pack of Baskin Robins Ice Cream. Thank you to the school family who donated this prize. Sports News As this is my first newsletter I would like to introduce myself. My name is Nathan Croft I am the new HPE teacher and Sports Coordinator at St Pius Banyo. I studied Teaching and Health and Physical Education at the University of Newcastle. For the past 15 years I have spent time in many different positions within the education industry from HPE teacher to Dean of Students at a residential college at the University of Queensland. I have a real passion for the education of young people particularly in sports and activity. I am married with a son who turns 9 this year. Some of my hobbies include playing guitar, surfing, fishing and camping with my family. Enough about me, I would sincerely like to thank everybody at St Pius for their very warm welcome, especially the students and staff who have been extremely kind to me in my first week of teaching. This week the class of the week has to go to Prep Green. They were my very first Prep class this year and have amazed me with their ability to stay on task, be kind and respectful to each other and remained very attentive as we learnt the new rules in PE with a game of freeze. Well done Prep Green. Swimming Carnival The Yr 3-6 swimming carnival is coming up on Monday 16th February at the St Pius School Pool. This is the first Carnival with the new house system. I am really looking forward to some great house spirit from the students as they start the new year in their new houses and start new traditions here at St Pius Banyo. Watch this space for the results of the carnival and fantastic photos of the day. Queensland Roar Football (Soccer) At our assembly we had a development officer from the Queensland Roar speak to the students about a program they will be running at School starting next Monday 9th February. It will be on the School oval from 3.05 – 4.05pm and will continue for 4 weeks. A flyer went home with students this week to enrol on line, if you are interested please turn up on the afternoon and join in the fun with the Queensland Roar. Once again thankyou for your kind welcome to St Pius and I look forward to meeting you all. Kind regards Nathan Croft HPE Teacher/ Sports Coordinator WANTED! The school library would like to speak to anyone interested in showcasing their ‘collection’ at our school. You might collect, old cameras, teapots, teddy bears, thimbles, teaspoons, postcards or other ephemera. The items will be kept in a locked glass cabinet. If you are interested please contact Ms Nat Phelan in the Library. P&F Message Uniform Shop Parent Information Evening Wednesday 11th February In the Church at 6.30pm afterwards wine and cheese in the hall All uniforms & bags are sold at Lowes Toombul Library bags will be available at Lowes ASAP P&F AGM Wednesday 25th February at 7pm All positions are open With nomination forms available from the school office. Leesa Dalton P&F Secretary. email: [email protected] School Messages Absent/Illness You must inform the school by phone on the absentee phone line by 9.30am each day when your child is sick or away from school. The phone number is 3267 7306 then press 1 to leave a message. ie: child's name, class and reason they are away and for how long if known. Volunteering All parents and grandparents volunteering in the school for classrooms, excursions, tuckshop, swimming etc are required to fill out the volunteer pack for 2015 the new policy require you to go on line News forms available Wednesday 11th February from the school office and forms can be entered on line. School Hat Please remind your child to bring their hat to school every day, as no hat means no play and kids need to play. Head lice are active in schools so lets try to keep them out of St Pius Primary. Labels Please name and label ALL items worn and brought to school including lunch boxes, and drink bottles. Qualified - Swimming lessons 0411 862 441 / [email protected] Have any details changed for you? WE NEED TO KNOW Phone numbers Address Emergency contacts and numbers Email address Sacramental information updates We need to know of any changes so all your information is correct and accurate. Please email or drop a note into the office if any of the above is relevant to you and your family. Thankyou Please name ALL of your child’s items Lunch boxes, drink bottles and swimming caps The St Pius Swimming Caps are part of the uniform. Cost is $8 each from the school office. Tuckshop Tuckshop commences on: Friday 13th February For all students 1st and 2nd breaks VOLUNTEERS WE NEED YOU We are in urgent need of new volunteers for 2015 and if your interested, please phone Theresa on 0407 115 662. and Theresa will be in the tuckshop on Monday 9th Feb between 8.30am to 9.15am for any questions you may have about volunteering for tuckshop. All care givers are welcome, and we currently have a couple of grandmothers who are a great help. A new price list will be available shortly. Volunteering All parents and grandparents volunteering in the school for classrooms, excursions, tuckshop, swimming etc are required to fill out the volunteer pack for 2015 the new policy require you to go online News forms available Wednesday 11th February from the school office and forms can be entered on line. All tuckshop orders are to be handed in on Thursdays of each week. Banyo Nundah Parish Sacramental Journey 2015 Home Work Club Attention All Students On Wednesday evening a parent information night was held for parents whose children will be making their sacraments this year. Parents of children who are in Year 3 or older and whose children have been baptised in the Catholic church are still able to enrol their child, even if they missed out on the information session. Please drop into the parish office, 20 Donkin Street, Nundah to pick up an enrolment form, and bring along a copy of your child's baptism certificate and the fee of $35. Office hours are Mon-Fri 9.30am4.30pm. The first group session will begin on Saturday 14 February at Nolan Hall, Nundah at your chosen group time. Children and their parents are then also asked to come to one of the weekend Masses of 14/15 February for formal enrolment into the Sacramental Journey. For further information please contact me by email [email protected]. I am looking forward to working with the children and their families as they continue their Sacramental Journey. God Bless, Angela Greathead Sacramental Co-ordinator. The Banyo Homework Club is recommencing next week on Wednesday the 11th of February 2015, from 3pm to 5pm at the Banyo Public Library. The club provides one on one or small group tutoring free of charge, to aid and assist students with their homework in a fun, positive and safe environment. The Homework Club is hosted by education students from the Australian Catholic University who are currently in their second, third or final years of their bachelor’s degrees. All ages and years levels are welcome, so please come along. For any further information please feel free to contact Laura Azzopardi via email, [email protected] or phone on 0404477923. Vacancy- School Crossing Supervisors Casual positions exist for School Crossing Supervisors at ST PIUS, BANYO and multiple schools throughout the region. Please tell neighbours, friends and family of these positions available. Please help us to help our students. School Crossing Supervisor positions are for up to 5 days per week on a roster. Remuneration $27.49 per hour. Contact the Brisbane North Road Safety Office for more information Phone: 3863 9873 Email: [email protected] Library News Welcome back to all our wonderful readers! 2015 is shaping up to be an exciting year in the school library. During our final week last year I was delighted to observe that our collection is very current and overflowing with mostly new books, particularly our ‘chapter books’ collection (general fiction). However, we love hearing about new fiction titles and series that we haven’t found out about yet –so keep letting us know your suggestions. Library Makerspace Have you heard about the uber cool library movement of the makerspace? We are following suit here at school with our own little invention station, fablab, tinkering space (or simply a space to make stuff). We have some busy little minds at St Pius that were searching for an exciting creative outlet and now it’s here! Makerspace runs for years 4-7 every Thursday, first break in the library. Activities will run fortnightly (sometimes weekly) where a new ‘creative seed’ will be planted for our little ‘makers’. Parents and the Library We want more parent borrowers! Please pop in anytime and have a look at our great parent collection. From parenting titles, to lunchbox recipe books, we are here to support and assist you. We are also more than happy to take requests! Looking for other ways to get involved? Come and speak to us about how you can help. The Magic of Reading I believe that instilling a love of reading often starts with developing a family culture of reading. Paul Jennings states that “there are many acts of love that turn children into caring adults. Reading them stories is one of them” (2003, The Reading Bug). In the hectic, busy life that plagues contemporary families, the simple act of sharing a book can connect us in a slow, genuine and mindful way. Here are some ideas for building a strong family reading culture: Visit libraries together. Don’t provide answers to your child’s questions; let them find it in a book. Read three stories every day. Mem Fox advises that we may use a formula for this – a new book, a familiar book and a favourite. See her website for more ideas with her “10 Read-Aloud-Commandments”. http://memfox.com/for-parents/for-parents-ten-read-aloud-commandments/ For gift giving moments in our family we use the following mantra: “Something they want, something they need, something to wear and Something to read”. Books should be treated as treasured items. Dads who make their own reading visible (magazines, newspapers, novels) are doing a great service to their children – especially if you have a son. Have fun with reading, keep calm and avoid pressuring children about their abilities. Stay tuned for some great book suggestions over upcoming newsletters J Ms Nat Phelan (Teacher Librarian). Beginning 2015, St Pius has decided to change to a new book club provider in the aim to position our students to make better choices in supporting their own literacy. With less access to ‘candy lane’ products and a focus on “providing engaging and educational books to kids and promoting Australian products” we hope that your experience with book club this year is vastly improved. For your reference I have included information regarding the aim of Redgum Book Club and should you require further information please consult their website. https://www.redgumbookclub.com.au/redgum Our Vision To encourage children’s literacy and reading through the promotion of quality books and products by Australian authors, illustrators and publishers. Our Aim To provide schools, parents and children with: A strong foundation for literacy Products that will stimulate the mind and imagination Quality children’s books with a focus on learning Books that will promote a love of reading An opportunity for parents and children to enjoy reading together An opportunity for parents and children to engage in educational adventures together Enrolments 2016-2019 NOW OPEN Mary MacKillop College Yr7-12 Mary MacKillop College invites families to an Information and Enrolment Evening on Wednesday 18 February at 5:15pm in the Josephite Cultural Centre, 126 Buckland Rd, Nundah. Come along and meet our new Principal and learn about the wide range of outstanding academic, cultural, sporting and service opportunities on offer. A Mary MacKillop education inspires hope and builds confidence in young women who have a passion for lives of justice, respect and peace for all. For further information please phone us on 32662100, email [email protected] or visit www.mmc.qld.edu.au Enrolment applications for Year 7 2016 should be lodged by the end of March KIDS LOVE DRAMA PARENTS LOVE THE RESULTS! Our unique drama system develops confidence and communication skills in children and teenagers. Dynamic and structured, our programme covers speech, movement, creative drama and language development with all students participating in an end-of- year production. Our acclaimed drama programme is implemented by dynamic teachers who work enthusiastically to bring out the very best in your child. Affordable Fees! No Hidden Costs! Lower Primary (5-8), Upper Primary (9–12) and Youth Theatre (12–18). Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Please phone the Principal Margaret Treuel B.A., Dip. Ed. Ph 3353 0555 r ate b e l e c s t e l ’ r ate let s’ cele b 1 Sunday 21 June 2015 125 year Birthday Festival 2 Sunday 13 September 2015 Feast Day Pilgrimage & Celebration ars 1 2 5 ye 1890 - 2015 3 Saturday 24 October 2015 Past and Present Parents’ Reunion Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Wooloowin 40 Morris Street, Wooloowin Qld 4030 Email: [email protected] facebook.com/HolyCrossWooloowin125
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