SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS

10 DECEMBER

To help parents prepare for the new social media age restrictions that take effect on 10 December, we will be sharing resources with our school community via newsletters across the term. The core message is that this legislation is a delay, not a ban, designed to give young people under 16 more time to develop crucial digital skills and maturity before facing the pressures of age-restricted platforms. 

These materials offer practical advice for parents on how to have gentle conversations with their children about potential feelings of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), conduct a joint social media check, create a Family Device Agreement, and access further support from the eSafety website. We are committed as a school to supporting parents in keeping children safe and well.

esafety Action Plan - Minimum Age #1

SCHOOL COMMUNITY GROUP

On Tuesday we held our first School Community Group (SCG) meeting. The SCG is a welcoming way for parents and carers to be involved in school life. Meeting once a term, the group shares updates, provides feedback, and strengthens the connection between home, school, and parish. Please find attached the notes and agenda items from the meeting and a youtube clip explaining how to add the school calendar to your personal device.

WORLD TEACHER'S DAY - NEXT FRIDAY !

World Teachers' Day will be celebrated next Friday, 31st October. The theme for this year is "Hats Off to Teachers", a tribute to the dedication and impact of educators across the nation.This theme encourages students, parents, and communities to show appreciation for teachers through various expressions of gratitude, such as wearing hats, sending thank-you notes, or sharing messages of thanks. We look forward to celebrating the wonderful teachers at St Peter’s with a special morning tea and raffle next Friday.

PBS CHANGES - REVISED LUNCH 1

After a short trial of our Lunch 1 being structured the same as Lunch 2 (play then eat) to see if this impacted on a settled return into the classroom for learning, we have made the decision to return to our original structure. As it appeared to be not meeting the intended outcome early on, there was no reason to continue, with student, parent and teacher feedback being quite clear. We will continue to monitor learning behaviours and seek different solutions if needed.

MISSION

Youth Club has started up again on Mondays at Lunch 1 for students in Years 5 and 6. This is a time for young people to come together to connect in fun and faith, led by Zac Parnell, Youth: Ministry & Music Coordinator at St Agnes' Catholic Parish. 

Zac has also launched Encounter Kids for students in Years 5 and 6 for the remainder of the Term. Encounter Kids is on each Friday afternoon at the Youth Hub from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Zac would love to see you there!

KINDERGARTEN'S VISIT TO ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPEL

This Term, each of the Kindergarten classes will attend a Mass at St Francis of Assisi Chapel. Throughout the year, students in Years 1 to 6 have attended each Wednesday, and now it's time for our littlest people to join in this important aspect of our Catholic Faith and Identity. 

This week was K Red’s turn! We loved getting to know our neighbouring parishioners, and they certainly love our visits! Next week, Kinder Green will attend. 

SOCTOBER !!

Today, students and staff across the school added some crazy, colourful socks to their school clothes to raise money for Catholic Mission Month. This year, all funds raised will go to helping children in Zambia access food and education.

STAGE 1 CELEBRATION OF THE WORD

FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER

TELL THEM FROM ME STUDENT SURVEY

The Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Student Survey gathers students’ perspectives on their learning, engagement, wellbeing, and school experiences. It helps schools understand how students feel about their education and identify areas for improvement to support positive outcomes. Each week this Term a snapshot of this data will be shared. Student focus and feedback groups in Years 4-6 were facilitated with students this week to further unpack the survey data. 

ROAD SAFETY

WALKING TOGETHER SAFELY TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Walking to and from school is a great way to spend time with our children.  It also provides an opportunity to discuss safe and healthy behaviours.  

Here are a few things you can do to help keep your child safer as a pedestrian:-

Discuss with your child about being alert in the road environment.

• Practice walking to school to ensure they know where the safe places are to cross eg. traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

• Hold your child’s hand. Sometimes children need help to spot dangers eg. cars coming out of driveways.

• Remind your child to STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! THINK! and explain why they need to do this.

All age children need reminders about walking to and from school. They are never too old to hear these safety messages.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

As we have returned to school, we have noticed a growing number of students arriving at school in a variety of jumpers, socks, shoes and jewellery.  All students are expected to wear the prescribed uniform. If a student has to wear the incorrect uniform for a particular reason, a note is required from the parent.

 

It is also important to remember that:-

• Hair should be neat, clean and of the student’s natural colour. Hair should be styled off the face for both boys and girls. Extremes in hairstyles are not permitted. Shaved sides or in patterns are not permitted. Long hair must be tied back from the face in the interests of hygiene and safety using elastic, ribbon or headbands in the school colours. 

• A school hat is required and to be worn correctly, and a policy of ‘No hat - play in a sun safe area’ is in place.

• Nails are to be kept clean and trimmed. Nail polish is not permitted.

• Jewellery is not permitted except for simple studs, sleepers or medical bracelets. 

Please refer to the Parent Handbook for further information if required or contact the School Office.  Thank you for assisting us by ensuring your child/ren are in the correct school uniform each day.

Tess Koning Principal

Karen Robson Assistant Principal Learning

Rebecca Cameron Assistant Principal Mission