No15. Term 3, Week 9, 8th September 2021

Principal's News

This week we continue to navigate our way through the constantly evolving COVID landscape and manage each change with consideration to the wellbeing and learning opportunities of all in our community. We are constantly inspired by the resilience and determination of our students through every change. They are our inspiration and our reason for all that we do. 

We are hopeful for news of a return to school in term 4 and are currently in the midst of planning for what that might look like. In the meantime, please be assured that we will communicate with you as soon as we have any news to a change in our circumstances. In the meantime, stay safe, look after yourselves and each other and remember that no matter what.

We at St. Kevin's stand together.

Jason Micallef,
Principal

R U OK?

R U OK? Day is this week, Thursday 9th September. Do you know how the people in your family or friendship circle are really going? As connected as we might be through the use of technology these days, sometimes it's hard to tell. Life's ups and downs happen to all of us. Chances are someone you know might be struggling. So make a moment meaningful and ask them how they are really going. It could be a coffee break over a video chat or phone call. Or even over text. Are they really OK? Ask them today. Because your conversation could change a life. For tips on when and how to ask, visit: ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

CoVid Safety Reminders

As we still have some students and staff onsite, as a school we are committed to ensuring that our school is safe environment for all. Students and staff are:

• washing hands regularly
• coughing and sneezing into their elbow
• not touching one another e.g. holding hands, hugging, giving high fives etc
• high touch surfaces in the classroom and throughout the whole school are being cleaned regularly
• staff wearing face coverings

We strongly encourage parents and families to continue these practices at home and school, especially staying home.

Finally, if at any time a child or a family member of the child who is attending school:

• comes in contact with a person who has COVID-19
• tests positive to COVID-19
• are requested by the Department of Health to isolate for any length of time

 they must immediately notify the school so we can implement our emergency safety plan.

This is a compulsory expectation if your child is attending our school. Please know that if at times you need advice, assistance or support, we are only an email or phone call away. During this challenging time, please do not feel we cannot help. Just reach out and let us help in any way we can.

Families of students in Year 3 and Year 5 whose children sat the NAPLAN tests in May this year, should have received a copy of their child's NAPLAN Report in the mail. If you have not yet received this, please let us know so that we can follow this up for you. If you would like to discuss these results, please contact your child's classroom teacher.

Physical Education News

It's been terrific to see that children have been continuing to work on the following skills while at home: throwing & catching, kicking a soccer ball and a football, badminton & volleyball skills and skipping!
We have enjoyed watching the children’s skills each week on their Seesaw videos and have been so impressed with the children’s ingenuity coming up with equipment, targets, nets and goals!

Thank you to parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins who have helped with the videos and don't forget, every Wednesday during lockdown is our Specialist Program Day, so we want to see every student participating in their Physical Education, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Indonesian and  STEM classes.

Well done everyone!

School Fees

Thank you to all our families during these difficult times for continuing your commitment to paying the school fees. School fees are used to help keep the school running. Even though we are not using the school at its full capacity, the costs of the running of the school have not decreased. If any families are having difficulty with paying the school fees, please do not hesitate to contact the office so we can work out a plan to support your family.

Bedtime Stories - Every Week Night at 7pm

Did you know that each weeknight, a bedtime story is read to our children by one of our very talented staff members? Well they do! Join us on our school Facebook Page at 7pm every weeknight. Sit together as a family and enjoy the stories that have been carefully selected by our teachers for your enjoyment. See you there!

St. Kevin's Facebook Page

Follow our Facebook page for updates and news about what is happening in our school community. The St. Kevin's Facebook Page is a place of positivity and uplifting information that celebrates achievements and aims to provide a sense of optimism in these uncertain times. Go to https://www.facebook.com/StKevinsPS 

National Child Protection Week

National Child Protection Week (5-11 September)
Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go

National Child Protection Week is all about the ways that we can all work together to build communities that support children and families.

Children are safest when they are listened to, respected and believed.

All adults can play a part by ‘tuning in’ to children in everyday situations about small worries; then they are much more likely to feel comfortable telling us if something big is wrong.

Talking with children about safety:

• Support children to identify trusted adults (both within the family and outside) they can talk to, if they are worried, upset, or do not feel safe. Make sure these adults know they are on your child’s list.
• Remind children that they can talk to you or a trusted adult about anything, no matter how big or small their worry might be.
• Talk to children about how they know when they feel safe or unsafe. Help them to listen to their early warning signs (how their body feels), and to trust their feelings and instincts.
• Use everyday activities as opportunities for conversations (e.g. preparing meals and snacks, going for walks, playing, shopping). If children are used to having lots of communication, it can make it easier to talk when big or tricky issues come up.
• Be open to talking about all kinds of feelings, including anger, joy, frustration, fear and anxiety. This helps children to develop a ‘feelings vocabulary’.

National Child Protection Week is a great time to start conversations with children and families about feeling safe.

Download the Children’s Activity Booklet to get started.
https://www.napcan.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NCPW_ActivityBooklet_FINAL_2.pdf

Or for more general information about how to get involved with National Child Protection Week, visit https://www.napcan.org.au/get-involved-2021/

Get your dancing shoes on!

That's right, as a special treat for all our students we have organised a Virtual Disco to take place in your homes via Zoom next week. Make sure you are able to access Zoom before hand. You may even like to connect your device to your TV screen so the children can see their friends dancing away to their favourite music. See the image below for Zoom Disco times for each level. Zoom links will be shared with families via email and SZApp closer to the day. Have fun!

Free First Aid Training for Students

Each year Australian Red Cross celebrates World First Aid Day to promote the importance of learning first aid skills. 

This year, the theme for World First Aid Day is First Aid in Schools and Red Cross is hosting a live FREE virtual first aid training session for students, their families and any interested members of the community on Saturday, 11 September 2021 at 11am EST.

We invite you to share this information with your school communities.

Wellbeing Tips from our School Counsellor

Throughout lockdown, our first priority is to support all members of our community to look after their wellbeing. So in the spirit of "R U OK Day" which is this Thursday, we thought we would share a few handy hints and tips you can use to look after yourselves and family members. This first tip comes from Maureen Flanagan, our school counsellor who talks to us about Orienting and Walking. For more tips, look out for posts on Facebook and communication from teachers.

Prep Celebrating Father's Day

Welcome to baby Kamisa!

Congratulations to one of our families who welcomed the arrival of baby Kamisa, born  29th of July 2021. Kamisa is little sister to Apai and Lidya (old student). Mum (Suzan) and baby are both doing well. 

Welcome to baby Zayn!

Congratulations to Henrico Gontran on the safe arrival of his first Grandson, Zayn Gontran.  Henrico has been a part of the St. Kevin's Family for many years in the School and the Parish.  

September Birthdays to be Celebrated

1st   Henry 1/2 LO, Dekbai 3/4 MG, Jordan 5/6 BU, Aria 5/6 BU, Camille 5/6 SP

4th   Leah 3/4 DM, Lucas PEA

5th    Jasmine 5/6 ME

6th    Kiara 1/2 LO

8th    Ashane 1/2 LO

11th   Jacob 1/2 RO, Alyssa 3/4 DM

12th   Vishnu 3/4 PE, Jordan 1/2 AL, Faustina PEA

13th   Katelyn 5/6 SP, Nadine 5/6BU

15th   Vyon 5/6 LN

16th   Alivia 1/2 AL, Adrianna 5/6 ME

17th   Shenara 5/6 SP

18th   Rachel 5/6 BU, Thanya PEA

20th   Livjot PEA, Divine 1/2 DC, Hana 5/6 MB, Jedan 3/4 TI

21st    Amadeus 1/2 RO

22nd  Joseph 5/6 SP

23rd   Shawn 5/6 DA

24th   Jaidah 3/4 TI, Kiara 1/2 FE, Dulavin 5/6 SP

25th   Mila PKK

26th   Rhea 3/4 PE, Akasha 1/2HE, Matapaesi 1/2 FE

27th   Zoe 3/4 MG, Stanley 5/6 SP

28th   Achilles 5/6 MB, Gurneet 3/4BB, Jemma PDE, Keyana 1/2 AL

30th   Charlie 5/6 LN

Community News

Interactive Playgroups

(Playgroup Victoria www.playgroup.org.au)

With the number of families in isolation increasing, these interactive playgroup sessions have been something families across the state are actively engaged with. They are delivering the following sessions weekly.

• Baby Playgroup - Monday and Thursday at 10am
• Playgroup at Home Live - Tuesday and Friday at 10am

Book an Online Playgroup Session | Playgroup at Home