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Newsletter 8 - Term 2 - Week 6 - 27th May, 2021
Website: www.stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au
Principal: Mrs. Roslyn Joyner
Email: principal@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au
Dear Parents,
As I write this newsletter we have received the news that a statewide lockdown will take place. The emotional response I am beginning to feel about this possibility is a warning to me about how our students might respond. Life is so unpredictable for everyone at present. I guess the best we can do is try to stay positive and have some sense of routine at home and at school to give the children a sense of confidence and stability. Connectedness is so important, always, but especially in our present times. I will let you all know as soon as I have any details of any changes to school routine.
Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is under way with a parent information session held last night. We wish all families well as they help their children prepare for this last stage in their children’s initiation into the church.
This week is Catholic Education week. It is especially important as we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.
This week also sees the commencement of National Reconciliation Week on 27th May. This is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates are the same each year, 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021 is “More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.” The theme urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action. For more information about National Reconciliation Week go to https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/
Best wishes
Roslyn Joyner
PRINCIPAL
CHILD SAFETY
Five members of our school staff, including myself, participated in a mental health crisis first aid course yesterday. It was not surprising to learn that the most prevalent mental health issue at present in our society is anxiety. This research encompasses our children as well. It was also evident that a significant contributing catalyst for this growing mental health concern is media-how news and information is portrayed, how it is instant and always present, the type of content our children are constantly exposed to and the opportunity, or lack of, for them to talk about what they see or hear. This is in addition to the many negative social media issues which I know you are well aware of. As adults it is incumbent on us to moderate the content and amount of media coverage that our children are exposed to and always be willing to talk about it with them in a reassuring way.
UNWELL STUDENTS
A reminder to parents, if your child has a cold, pains in the stomach, generally unwell or has vomitted in the 24 hours previous to the commencement of school day they need to convalesce at home until they are well. If children come to school unwell parents will be contacted to collect them. Please see COVID information in this newsletter.
OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP
AND SPORTS SUCCESS
Winter Round Robin District Competition - Wednesday 19th May
Last Wednesday 19th of May, the students from Year 5-6 competed in the Traralgon District Primary School Round Robin Competition. The student competed against 7 other schools in the district in the following sporting events: Hockey, T-Ball, Soccer, Netball and AFL football. Netball, Hockey and T-Ball were played at Agnes Brereton Park, Soccer was played at Harold Preston Park and AFL football at Traralgon West Sporting Complex. All students are to be congratulated on their outstanding behaviour and sportsmanship.
St Gabriel’s entered 4 netball teams. The girls A team finished in 5th place whilst the B division all girls team won every game. The two mixed netball teams both won games and played with plenty of enthusiasm and enjoyment. I would like to thank Mrs Leech , Mrs Hayes, Mrs Kennedy and Mrs Shea for coaching the girls netball and a big thank you to Miss Johnson for coordinating the netball teams and supervising on the day.
The 2 Hockey teams played with great skill and worked together as a team with the Boys team winning all their games whilst the mixed team were very competitive in the games they played. The Boys Hockey team and the Girls Hockey team will now play in the Regional finals in Sale on Wednesday 21st July. I would like to thank Mrs Aitken and Mrs Hunt for coaching and supervising the students on the day. In the AFL football St Gabriel’s entered two teams. Both teams played
with great enthusiasm, skill and respect for the opposition. I would like to thank Mr Whateley and Mr Adams for giving up their time to coach the boys on the day. “A” team finished in first place and will now play in the Divisional finals to be played on Wednesday 16th June at Traralgon West Sporting Complex and the “B” team finished in 5th place. I would like to thank Mrs Wilson who has coached the team during school time and supervised the team on the day and Mrs Gallagher who also supported and supervised the “B” team on the day. 
Finally the school entered 2 T-Ball teams and both teams displayed great respect for the opposition and they played with great enjoyment and determination. Both teams won games finishing 4th and 5th respectively. I would like to thank Miss Skinner for her outstanding work coaching and supervising the students on the day.
Regional Cross Country - Warragul Thursday 3rd June
Next Thursday 3rd of June (TBC) 9 students the following students from St Gabriel’s: Dempsey Podmore, Lucy Fazioli, Jack Marino, Billy Grimes, Maddie Harle, Sierra Colountuno, Kitty Passalaqua, Harlow Sexton, Aaliyah Judilla will compete in the Regional Cross Country at Lardner Park in Warragul. If the students finish in the top 10 at this event they will then compete in the State Cross Country Championships to be held in Melbourne next month. I would like to congratulate all the students competing in the cross country event next Thursday in Warragul and on behalf of the school I would like to wish them all the best as they complete their course of 2 or 3 kilometres.
Year 3-6 Swimming Program - Ford Swim Centre
The school swimming program for Years 3-6 has commenced and will finish next Friday on the 4th of June. The students will participate in an eight lesson swimming program teaching them the fundamentals of swimming and water safety. The other day I caught up with Mr Cam Juha the coordinator of the Ford Swim Centre and Mr Brian Ford coach of the very successful Traralgon Swimming Club and they commented that the students are extremely well behaved and they’re all trying their best to improve their swimming ability. A reminder that there is no swimming next Wednesday 2nd June. Students are reminded to label their belongings and at school we already have some lost items from the pool. Please remind your children to check with the classroom teacher for these lost items. LATE NEWS - Due to the lock down restrictions the swimming program will be rescheduled. Information will be distributed as soon as it becomes available.
SEDA College - Sports Program
On Tuesday 25th May, 14 SEDA students conducted a sports program at school teaching the students about the skills required to play sporting games such as cricket, soccer, basketball and football. The SEDA students are currently in Year 11 and 12 and part of their education program is to attend school and assist with teaching the skills of a variety of games. I would like to thank Mr Kent Hammond from SEDA College for coordinating this program at St Gabriel’s. The program will continue over the next three week on every Tuesday from 10.15am until 2.35pm. All year levels will participate in the program and again Mr Hammond commented on the respectful behaviour of the students participating in the program.
School Sporting Calendar Dates:
Thursday 3rd June - Regional Cross Country Warragul Lardner Park
Wednesday 16th June - Divisional Winter Round Robin Competition Finals - Traralgon
Thursday 15th July - State Cross Country Championship Bundoora Park, Melbourne
Wednesday 21st July - Regional Winter Round Robin Competition Finals - Sale
Friday 30th July - Traralgon District P.S. Hooptime Basketball tournament -Traralgon
Tuesday 31st August - Division Athletics Championship - Newborough
Tuesday 12th October - Region Athletics Championship - Newborough
Wednesday 3rd November - State Athletics Championship - Melbourne
Thursday 4th November - Regional Basketball Championship - Melbourne.
Dennis Huffer - Athletics Coach
Our school was successful in receiving a “Sporting Schools Grant” and this allowed us to apply for a qualified athletics coach to run a 4 day program at our school. Mr Dennis Huffer in early May taught the students from Prep to Year 6 on the skills of running, hurdles, high jump, catching, discus, long jump and relays. Mr Huffer gave an extra lesson to the students who will be competing in the Division Athletics Championship in August. He taught these students who will be running in the relay team the importance of how to give and receive a baton. On behalf of the school I would like to thank Mr Huffer for sharing his knowledge and expertise in athletics with the students of St Gabriel’s.
Sporting News:
If you have any sporting news about a team or individual please email dhogan@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au to be put into the school newsletter.
2022 PREP ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN
A reminder that 2022 Prep Enrolments are now open. Enrolments forms are available at the school office or via our website. If you would like to book a tour of the school please contact the school office on 5174 5515.
SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB
Issue 4 of Scholastic Bookclub has been distributed to all students at St. Gabriel's. Closed date for orders is Friday 11th June. Please order through the Bookclub LOOP Please go to: https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/
AUSTRALIAN DENTAL SERVICE
Last Friday forms were sent home with students from Australian Dental Service, Victoria. If you would like to be included in this program please complete the form and return to school as soon as possible. This is not compulsory and families can OPT out. The dental van will visit in Term 3.
Signing children in and out of school
If your child needs to leave early, or has an appointment, then parents must sign in when they return/arrive. A note must be supplied to the classroom teacher so that they are aware of why the child is leaving and they can then record the absence. If your child is unwell to speed up their recovery by not allowing your child to return to school until they are fully recovered.
Parents and Friends Meetings
Meetings—the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm
Do you want to know what is happening in your school? Would you have anything you could contribute? We invite you to come along to our Parents and Friends Meeting held the second Tuesday of the month in the staff room at school. The meeting starts at 7pm. All parents, new and old are warmly welcome.
School Lunch Orders
LUNCH ORDERS ARE MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY ONLY
Monday orders are to placed in classroom tubs first thing Monday morning.
Wednesday orders are collected Tuesday afternoon for Wednesday delivery at lunchtime
NOTE: Please write clearly on an envelope the child’s name and grade and the item they wish to order. Correct money only will be accepted.
St Gabriel's Uniform Shop
The St. Gabriel's Uniform shop operates Tuesday 8.15am - 9.30am and Thursday from 2pm - 4pm. Order forms are available at the school office if you are unable to attend the uniform shop during these times.
The Uniform Shop is located at the rear of the school hall off the hall foyer.
ITALIAN WEEK
DRESS UP DAY FRIDAY 18th JUNE
Buongiorno a tutti!
Arrivederci 2020 and benvenuti 2021!
ITALIAN DAY IS BACK!!
St Gabriel’s will be celebrating Italian day on Friday the 18th June with bocce, a dress up parade, special food and a comedy show.
Students may dress up as an Italian character or in the Italian colours of green, white and red. What a wonderful sight this is at our morning assembly!!
La Comica Variety Productions from Melbourne will be performing for Preps to Year 6 with their show called “Mangia Banane 2”-Mission Gnocchi. They will entertain the students with slap stick comedy, which will incorporate the Italian language, music and lots of fun.
This special day is where the students will be able to immerse in the Italian language and culture, appreciating other cultures as well.
Let’s have fun!!!
Grazie and Ciao.
Signora Angela Edey
UPDATED COVID INFORMATION
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, St Gabriel's recently had a visit from Infection Control Nurses that are part of the IPCON (Infection Prevention and Control Outreach Nursing) team. The team is visiting various schools, selected randomly, across the State to ensure COVID-19 guidelines are being followed.
- Whilst there are no cases of COVID-19 in our area at the moment, we must still remain vigilant regarding Social Distancing, Hand Hygiene and Density Quota's.
- The front reception area should have no more than 4 adults in the area at any one time, if there are already 4 people in reception, please wait outside until someone leaves.
- Face masks, whilst not mandatory to wear at the moment, must be "kept handy". Posters at entries to the school outline this.
Parents are permitted and welcome on the school grounds, keeping socially distant from others, however, only staff and students are permitted in the classrooms. If for example you are attending parent teacher conferences or such then you must sign in and it would be held after school/classroom hours or in a separate office. Students and staff who are ill should not attend school until symptoms have passed. This is required for any illness. Apart from that there should be no reason for parents to enter the classrooms at this stage.