It has been pleasing to see the children back at school last week. The classrooms have been a hive of activity and everyone has settled back into the routine of school. The children are excited to be back with their friends and I know the Foundation students are very excited about Fairy tale day on Thursday.

Crazy sock Day is this Friday, 16^th October. This is our fundraiser to support the Socktober Appeal. For a gold coin donation, the children are able to wear crazy socks to school on this day with their sports uniform.

Whilst we are doing everything we can to keep the routine of school as normal as possible, sometimes the government restrictions impact on what we do and how we do it. Hopefully this weekend will bring about further easing of restrictions for us all.

School photographs have been a conversation amongst staff and parents. The current government restrictions mean we are not able to have the photographer on site to take the photos, hopefully the easing of restrictions next week changes this situation. We have a date booked in November and are hoping the restrictions have eased by then.  We have also been exploring possible alternatives if we can’t have the photographer on site.

Just a couple of reminders:

• parents who have a genuine reason for class placement requests for next year, need to put them in writing addressed to myself by Wednesday 21^st October.    
• Footy Day will be held next Thursday 22nd October. Due to government restrictions, parents will not be able to attend the parade.
• Friday 23rd October is Victoria’s AFL Grand Final Eve public holiday, renamed to ‘Thank You Day’ and as such the school will be closed.

Kind regards,

Jodie

As per the fee letter sent to families on 6th April 2020, Important Message about School Fees, there will not be an automatic reduction in school fees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

School fees are an essential portion of resources for the operation of our school and assist our leaders and staff to enhance curriculum and teaching programs.  Therefore, we are asking, for those who can, to continue to support the school financially.

If you have concerns about your financial situation, please contact Maria Churton, School Administration Officer at office@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements to enable your child(ren)’s education at our school to continue.

Cancellation of Student Activities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic school camps for the remainder of 2020 have been cancelled. This includes the Gr 3, 4 and 6 camps. Swimming programs (Gr 3-6) scheduled for term 3 have also been cancelled. Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) will continue to monitor the advice of the Victorian Government to ensure that the health and safety of staff and students remains the highest priority. This may mean that swimming programs and excursions remain suspended during Term 4, 2020.

Credits for camps and the Gr 3-6 swimming program have been applied to fee accounts. Further credits will be applied as activities are cancelled. If this credit results in your fee account being overpaid a refund may be requested. Such requests must be submitted in writing, via email to office@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu, from the responsible fee payer and include the bank details for the refund. Alternatively the credit can be applied against 2021 school fees.

If any family has recently become eligible for a Centrelink concession or health care card please notify the office. You may also be eligible for the CSEF payment and a fee concession. The CSEF program for 2020 has been extended until 27th November 2020. 

Mt 22:1 - 4

Socktober - Sock it to Poverty

October is World Mission Month and Pope Francis wants us to “Rise up from the couch - with your boots laced - and turn your hands into signs of love ….”  Catholic Mission works hard, providing essential support for key projects in countries around the world, including areas in remote Australia. During 2020 the focus is on empowering children and young adults with disability at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. 

What can we do about that here at St Michael’s Primary School? 

At school, the children will have the opportunity to learn about different communities around the world and some of the fantastic things that Catholic Mission are doing to help people who don’t have the same privileges as we do.

Also, on Friday 16th October we are going to have a Crazy Sock Day at school to raise money to support the Socktober Appeal. For a gold coin donation the children are able to wear crazy socks to school on this day with their sports uniform. In the past we have seen some fantastic ways that socks can be worn - see how creative you can get!

Answer from last week:

9. 2 L = 2000 ml
2000 ÷ 210 = 9.523
You will need to drink 9.5 cups of water to have the recommended 2 litres per
day.