No 17. Term 4 Week 3, 20th October 2023

Principal News

Dear St. Kevin's School Community,

In today's digital age, our children are growing up in a world where the online realm is an integral part of their lives. As parents, guardians, and educators, it's crucial that we equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to ensure our children's safety in this virtual landscape. In this newsletter, we'll explore key strategies to help you keep your children safe online while fostering a healthy digital environment.

The Role of the E-Safety Commissioner

The Australian Government, through the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, is dedicated to promoting online safety for all Australians, especially our young ones. The eSafety Commissioner provides valuable resources and information to help parents and children navigate the online world safely. Their website (www.esafety.gov.au) is a treasure trove of tips, advice, and educational materials tailored to different age groups.

Understanding Age Limits on Social Media

Age limits on social media platforms exist for a reason. They are designed to protect young users from potential online risks and ensure that content is age-appropriate. Almost all social media platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13. It's essential to emphasise the importance of adhering to these age restrictions and waiting until the recommended age to sign up for social media accounts.

Assessing Maturity and Digital Literacy

Before allowing your child to venture into the world of social media, it's crucial to assess their maturity and ability to manage complex issues related to online interactions. Engage in open and honest discussions with your child about the responsibilities and potential consequences of their online actions. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or uncomfortable situations they encounter online.

Empowerment Through Education

Education is key to empowerment. Stay informed about the latest online trends and technologies to better guide your children. Discuss online etiquette, responsible posting, and the potential risks of sharing personal information. Encourage critical thinking and respectful communication both online and offline.

Active Parental Involvement

One of the most effective ways to ensure your child's online safety is by actively participating in their online life. This includes monitoring their online activities, setting boundaries, and having open conversations. Be a trusted source of support, so they feel comfortable coming to you with their online concerns.

Positive Reinforcement and Building Trust

While it's essential to establish rules and boundaries, it's equally important to acknowledge your child's responsible online behaviour and praise them for it. Building trust is a two-way street. When children feel trusted and respected, they are more likely to make informed decisions online.

As a Catholic school community, we are committed to nurturing the whole person and fostering a culture of learning and respect, both offline and online. By working together, staying informed, and actively engaging in our children's digital lives, we can create a safe and empowering online environment for all St. Kevin's students.

Remember, our aim is not only to keep our children safe online but also to help them become responsible and compassionate digital citizens. Let's continue to uphold our school's values of compassion, love, and justice in the online world.

If you have any questions or need further guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school's pastoral care team. We are here to support you in every way we can.

Wishing you and your families a safe and fulfilling online journey.

Jason Micallef,
Principal

A BIG Week Ahead!

Congratulations to Miss Hazlett and Miss Mendes on Their Upcoming Weddings!

In the spirit of celebrating love and commitment, both Miss Hazlett and Miss Mendes are embarking on a beautiful journey as they both prepare to exchange their vows with their respective partners and enter into the sacred bond of marriage over the next couple of weeks.

As a school community we offer our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to both Miss Hazlett and Miss Mendes. May their weddings be filled with love, joy, and countless blessings as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

St Kevin's Showcase Extravaganza!

We are thrilled to invite you to our very first Creativity Showcase - Making an Impression! A celebration of our students' artistic talents, STEM innovations, and critical thinking skills. This promises to be an evening filled with inspiration and creativity that you won't want to miss!

Come and witness the remarkable works of art crafted by our budding artists, explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through our captivating STEM projects, and engage in thought-provoking critiques that highlight our students' analytical prowess.

We can't wait to see you there, celebrating the boundless creativity of our St. Kevin's family. It's going to be an evening to remember!

Parents & Friends Association

Christmas Raffle - Seeking Donations

As we look ahead to the festive season, we're planning an exciting Christmas Raffle. But, we need your help! We're on the hunt for businesses that would be willing to donate prizes for our raffle. If you have any suggestions or contacts, please reach out to Rebecca Gage or our paf@skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au email address.

Your support is invaluable in making this event a success.

Pancake Parlour School Rewards

We are still leading the Fountain Gate league of the Pancake Parlour competition! We’d love to stay at the top and win $1000 for the school so please sign up at https://www.pancakeparlour.com.au/school-rewards-join-an-existing-school and mention you are a member of the rewards program any time you visit the Pancake Parlour.

Free Tickets to Kangaroos vs. Kiwis Rugby!

We have some fantastic news that's sure to get your spirits soaring! Thanks to Mrs. Donald, we have the privilege of offering our families free tickets to the upcoming Rugby League international clash between the Australia Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis. It's a sporting event you won't want to miss!

Match Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 28
• Venue: AAMI Park
  

If you and your family are eager to cheer for the Kangaroos or support the Kiwis, please take a moment to fill out the form linked below. In the form, kindly indicate how many tickets you would like for your immediate family members and we will email them out to you.

Ticket Request Form

Don't wait too long to secure your tickets, as we have a limited number available. We hope to see you there, cheering for your favourite team and enjoying a wonderful day of rugby league action.

1/2 Excursion to Wilson Botanic Park

Our young explorers in Grades 1 and 2 recently embarked on an incredible adventure at the fascinating Wilson Botanic Park Berwick. 

One of the highlights of the excursion was the Bird Hide, a vantage point by the Basalt Lake, allowing the young bird watchers to observe native wildlife. Our enthusiastic young explorers took on the roles of Park Explorers, immersing themselves in the wonders of nature.

The Education Program at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick weaved the Science and History learning into an engaging learning experience! As 'Park Explorers', students were guided by Education Facilitators through interactive learning activities, including a fascinating fossil dig, an erupting volcano science experiment, bird spotting with binoculars, and an exhilarating team-building game called 'Floor is Lava'.

Our young learners were engaged in hands-on insights into fossils and volcanic science. The Education Program offered a unique chance for students to compare the current landscape with what it was 22 million years ago, truly enhancing their understanding of the natural world.

The excursion was a great success, fostering a love for nature and learning among our students. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated educators and Park Rangers who made this experience possible.

SunSmart

Community News

Lynbrook Lake Lantern Festival

Saturday 21 October, 3.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Banjo Paterson Park, River Redgum Place, Lynbrook

Paint a lantern and take it on the lantern walk (and then take it home) or release a floating lotus candle onto the lake and watch in awe as hundreds of other people do the same. It's quite the spectacle. Bring your family and friends down to Banjo Paterson Park and enjoy a whole lot of free entertainment and discounted rides and attractions. There will also food trucks, fairy floss and popcorn stores. The City of Casey Youth Services 360 Youth Bus will be attending the event, as well as the City of Casey Community Safety team and Neighbourhood Watch. Free entry and everyone is welcome. Come celebrate with your local community at this feel good, family friendly event.

For more information, please email events@lynbrook.org.au 

Emergency preparedness information session

Thursday 19 October, 10.00 am – 11.00 am
Cranbourne West Community Hub
4 Flicka Boulevard, Cranbourne West

Presented by the City of Casey and the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the session will provide advice about how to prepare for an emergency and information about the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System. We will also talk about the VicEmergency App and help people set it up on their device. The CFA will talk about smoke alarms and their smoke alarm program, as well as the CFA and Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Advisory Service.

To book, visit https://www.trybooking.com/CLMZG

 For more information, email emergency@casey.vic.gov.au