In this issue

• Exciting Developments for St Paul’s
• Parenting in the Digital World
• House Selfie Challenge
• Camp Australia

Grammarian Issue 15, 16 October 2020

Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School,
Ms Tracey King.

Term 4 has certainly started rolling along with speed! Students have been settling into routines and enjoying being back onsite with their teachers and classmates. Our first day of school was exciting as teachers and students happily greeted and welcomed each other back to school. Teachers dressed up and were dancing and waving as parents dropped their children at school. It was a red carpet affair for students with excitement and smiles all round. We had all forgotten how noisy a school is and staff thoroughly enjoyed the squeals, laughter and giggles as students played and chased each other in the gardens and play grounds. It was just lovely to be back at school.

Returning to learning at school has been a big change on many levels for some students and it is to be expected this will cause some anxiety and worry. I encourage parents to reach out to classroom teachers, school counsellors or to Mr Battista or myself if there are any concerns about your child’s mental health. There is a large amount of worthwhile information and useful strategies for parents on our MyStPauls page as well as easy to access resources on many websites such as:
Kids Helpline, PH: 1800 55 1800, https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/
Youth Beyond Blue, PH: 1300 22 4636, https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/
Beyond Blue, PH: 1300 22 4636, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing, PH: 1800 512 348, https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Lifeline, PH: 13 11 14, https://www.lifeline.org.au/

The Term 4 calendar has been updated to reflect COVID-19 restrictions and is available on MyStPauls. Despite these restrictions, there is much to look forward to this term with some special events and celebrations planned:
• Today students were involved in a whole school Science Activity Day which will be a selection of hands-on experiments and activities.
• Next week is Book Week and students are encouraged to dress up as a favourite book character and join in our parade on Tuesday 20 October. Dress up characters can be simple costumes with items you already have at home. Please be aware that there is no expectation for ‘fancy’ store bought costumes. Our intention is to engage students in reading quality literature and to facilitate discussions about books. Participation is the key for book week.
• Next Thursday 22 October will be another exciting day at school as students join in a Purple Day Walk within the grounds of the Junior School. Our Year 6 students have been busy planning and organising this event.
• Years 3 and 4 students will be visiting the wetlands in Week 4 for a pseudo camp experience including a range of environmental and adventure activities.

October is Dyslexia awareness month and there are many awareness building activities and sessions available for free to parents. A number of Australian communities are lighting prominent buildings and landmarks red to acknowledge dyslexia.
The word dyslexia comes from the Greek language and means difficulty with words. Early identification and evidence-based intervention is vital in closing the gap and avoiding the social and emotional issues that can be associated with not being able to read. Dyslexia affects one in ten school students with twenty per cent of students at risk of reading failure.

Individuals with dyslexia have trouble with reading and spelling despite having the ability to learn. Individuals with dyslexia can learn, they just learn in a different way. Often these individuals, who have talented and productive minds, are said to have a language learning difference.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that is neurological in origin, meaning that it is brain-based. It is characterised by difficulties with accurate and fluent word reading and by poor spelling and decoding abilities that do not progress as expected with the provision of well-intentioned and targeted intervention.

When children are unable to read and spell with high levels of accuracy, they are more likely to experience problems in reading comprehension. Difficulties with reading can restrict the development of vocabulary and background knowledge. Dyslexia occurs on a continuum from mild to severe and no two are alike. There is no cure for dyslexia since it is a brain based difference, however with appropriate instruction aimed towards their learning needs, most can overcome their literacy difficulties and lead productive lives.

This month Nessy is offering free training for teachers and parents for Dyslexia until the end of October. This is a fabulous opportunity for parents and teachers to learn more about Dyslexia. https://www.nessy.com/uk/product/understanding-dyslexia/ Free access code: TEACHME

The course covers:
• Dyslexia explained
• Phonological and phonemic awareness
• Working memory
• Auditory processing
• Teaching children with dyslexia
For families with dyslexic children, there is a Victorian Support Group which provides advice, support and assistance. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dyslexiavictoriasupport/ This group is volunteer run and regularly hosts events and webinars to support families and assist in building knowledge and awareness.

The much anticipated premier of the short film ‘MICAL’ was also recently released. This is a film about a young boy who is struggling to learn to read and write and the challenges his family face. It is a must watch for parents. You can view the film here: Silverprince Pictures Youtube Channel. https://rb.gy/2ljwit

Many thanks to our families for their ongoing consideration of school requirements in regard to COVID-19 restrictions. Your cooperation with the ‘kiss ‘n’ go’ zones and patience with the afternoon car park traffic is very much appreciated. Please do continue to be mindful of not blocking community traffic at the entrance to the school and ensure your child knows where they are to be collected from each day. I would like to remind parents to remain in their cars and if you must attend onsite please telephone the office before you arrive to check for instructions.

We have had very little illness so far this term and again I wish to thank all families for their sensible decisions to keep students home when they are unwell. Teachers are carefully following guidelines, have increased hygiene and cleaning, and are mindful of reducing the risk of spreading illness throughout the school. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

As we have returned to school, teachers have become increasingly aware of how skilled many students have become with their IT skills and have also noticed an increased use of social media apps, gaming and programs. Across our communities there is constant discussion about the safety of the ever changing digital world for our children. Our school is hosting a special virtual parent session addressing ‘Parenting in a Digital World’ which will be hosted by an educational expert from the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. It is an interactive sixty minute conversation via Zoom empowering families with skills and strategies for positive online behaviours and overall digital wellbeing. This session will deepen your understanding of the online world, social media and gaming with an analysis of the latest trends, risks and research. I encourage all parents to join us for this parent session.

The meeting can be joined via this link esmart.page.link/stpauls (the link will be active on the night) or alternatively the Meeting ID is 860 2702 9854 with the passcode 09112020.

You can find a series of fact sheets on some of the most popular apps on the MyStPauls Junior School page. For further information the eSafety Commissioner website is also loaded with terrific resources for parents, https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Prep
Our Preps continually amaze us with how well they have adapted to the different learning situations they have found themselves in this year. Everyone has come back eager to learn and share what they know. We are looking forward to a fun filled last term!

Year 1
Year 1 students have enjoyed returning to school, interacting with their classmates and playing with their friends in our outside play areas. They have started a unit on Indigenous Studies and were lucky enough to visit a Scar Tree located on our school grounds.

Year 2
The kids have thoroughly enjoyed being back with each other, surrounded by their friends. We have visited some of the quality work which was achieved over round two of Online Learning and discussed the dedication of our ‘at home teachers’. It will be a busy term with Science Day, Purple Day, Book Week, Year 2 wetlands visit and Twilight evening to name a few, but we are looking forward to giving it our all while we are at school!

Year 3
Year 3 returned with bright sparkly faces ready to face the new term. Their enthusiasm and willingness to jump right in and learn as much as possible was a bright light in what turned out to be quite a rainy day. Enjoying learning about Protective Behaviours, establishing new skills in team building in the way of Captain Ball, independently managing their Maths knowledge improvements and of course congratulating them all for the hard work and effort they put in over the many weeks of online learning throughout the year. I look forward to all of our adventures both big and small.

Year 4
Our first week back at school in Term 4 was great! In Maths we learnt about decimals and fractions. We began robotics where we made Lego robots that get programmed to move. We also started a new book called ’45 & 47 Stella Street’ and everything that happened, it is interesting and funny. Finally we learned about Magpie swooping season and made a little jingle to go with it. Our favourite part of the first week of Term 4 was spending time with friends and making the Magpie jingle! We are looking forward to the weeks ahead.
By Aeva Haley and Stella O’Mara
Year 5
Whoosh, we are away! Term 4 has started on the fly in Year 5 with students joyous to get back to school and interact with their peers and learn together once again. Our Year 5 students are busy preparing their leadership speeches for School Leader and House Leader positions in 2021, while also thoroughly engaged in the writing process as they develop their stories for the 2020 Writing Challenge. They cannot wait to become real life published authors!

Year 6
On the first day back, Year 6 took the opportunity to prepare for the Purple Day Walk being held in school on Thursday 22 October. The students were challenged to organise a sponsored walk which everyone could complete separately in their year groups. We had to make sure that everything was designed to be COVID-19 safe. During recess and lunch on Purple Day, some Year 6 students have volunteered to run competitions, such as raffles, a sweepstake and guess the lollies in the jar. All the competitions have to be $1 to enter and no change exchanged to avoid any contagion. Before the day, a quiz and a colouring competition were organised with excellent prizes.

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

WHAT’S ON

OCTOBER
19 to 23 October Book Week
20 October Book Parade Junior School and ELC Koalas
Book Parade ELC Wombats
22 October Prep to Year 6 Purple Day Walk (Cancer Council fundraiser)
Come and Play Session, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
23 October Thank You Day Public Holiday
26 October Mark McBride Illustrator, Virtual Incursion, Years 3 to 6
29 October Come and Play Session, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
Years 3 and 4 Wetlands Experience
30 October Years 3 and 4 Wetlands Experience

NOVEMBER
2 November Mid-term Break
3 November Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday

FINANCE NEWS

1) Sundry Fee Accounts
A reminder for families: Term 4 Sundry invoices will be issued on Friday 16 October for Performing Arts lessons and Vet courses.
Please call Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833 or email accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au if you have any queries.

2) Tuition Fee Payment Date
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances. If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.

We are committed to the continuation of your children’s education at St Paul’s. If you are experiencing financial difficulties due to the impacts of COVID-19, please contact our Finance Officer, Mr Peter Lees, via email at plees@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au who will then contact you for a confidential discussion.

Instalment Payment Date: Instalment 4 was due 5 October 2020

If you are paying fees by direct debit or have an agreed alternative arrangement in place please disregard the above instalment date.

3) Department of Education and Training (Vic DET) The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) – Extension of due date to 27 November
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments directly to the school for the benefit of the eligible student to attend camps, sports and excursions. Applications received during this extension will receive fifty per cent of the normal payment. $62.50 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students and $112.50 per year paid for eligible secondary school students. Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student. For more information and to download the application form please go to https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx

To qualify for CSEF, a student’s family must meet the following eligibility criteria:
∗1 The student is of school age and attends a registered Victorian school

∗2 The family meets one of the eligibility categories below:
a – The parent/carer of the student is, on an eligible date:
i. an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card; or
ii. an eligible beneficiary of a Veterans Affairs Gold Card; or
iii. a temporary foster carer; or
iv. the parent/carer of a student who is 16 years or older and who holds a valid concession card (such as a Youth Allowance Health Care Card or Disability Support Pension Card).
b – The family is, on an eligible date, on a bridging visa, temporary protection visa, is in community detention or is an asylum seeker family.
c – The student is, on an eligible date, in out-of-home care.
d – The student is, on an eligible date, in statutory kinship care.

∗3 The student has not been deemed eligible to receive CSEF at another Victorian school for 2020.

Any student who meets one of the above eligibility categories on any day up to and including Monday 5 October 2020 will be eligible to apply for CSEF. Funding applications for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers will still be accepted until the end of Term 4, as normal.

Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately. The CSEF program for 2020 now closes on 27 November 2020.

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

Get ready, the Dobsons annual ‘Buy Early & Save‘ sale is about to begin! Save on selected uniform items when you shop with Dobsons until 31 October 2020. Beat the back to school rush and save on a range of selected items, including:
• Blazers
• Pullovers
• Summer Dresses
• Summer Shirts
• Bags
• Sportswear
With a pain free returns policy, now is the time to plan ahead. Whether your child finds a few extra centimetres over the holiday break or not as many as you would have thought, Dobsons has you covered with a quick and simple returns policy*.

*Terms and Conditions apply. Sale available online and instore.

Purchase uniforms from the Dobsons website here, Dobsons School Uniforms Online

Grammarian Issue 15, 16 October 2020

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School,
Mr Brad McCabe.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all students to Term 4. I trust and hope staff and students had the chance to slow down and have a break from the computer screen. It has certainly been an interesting year.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and patience during our period of online learning. We have enjoyed a seamless transition back to on-campus learning for all of our students over the past week. It has been wonderful to have the students back, re-establishing routines and familiarity as they return to our school environment. As well as enjoying face-to-face teaching once again, our teachers have also been assessing the progress of each student as we approach the end of Semester 2.

Families are reminded that there are some changes at school with increased hygiene practices and social distancing, as recommended by the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Department of Education. Teachers will remind students of these, as well as introduce some additional changes. The changes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• All students attending school will receive a temperature screen each morning during Mentor Group, until further notice. This will take place for most secondary students as they arrive at Mentor Group. When temperature readings are equal to or greater than 37.5 º the student will return home to their parent/guardian as a precautionary measure.
• Bubble taps are not operational and students are required to bring drink bottles. A tap will be available for filling water bottles for student use.
• There will be plenty of soap and hand sanitiser available across the school for student and staff use. Students will be encouraged to use both frequently throughout the day and particularly before and after food breaks.
• Students will be kept, as much as possible, in year level groups and will have separate toilet block access and general use areas.
• Playground equipment will not be available for use; however, students will have access to other equipment which will be cleaned regularly.
• There will not be any physical assemblies for the remainder of Term 4.

Please be aware of the following Term 4 dates:
Wednesday 18 to Thursday 19 November Years 9 and 10 Exams
Friday 20 November Years 9 and 10 Exam Catch Up Day
Year 10 Celebration Day
Tuesday 24 November to Friday 4 December Early Commencement 2021 Years 8 to 10

Book Week House Challenge
Over the past two weeks, students were tasked with creating a video of a children’s book. The idea is for the online book reading to be shared during Book Week with students in the Traralgon Junior School. Using a range of props and sounds, each house was able to use their creative minds to reproduce their very own story from a chosen book. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm from our secondary school students as they worked together as a team.

Brad McCabe
Head of Traralgon Secondary School