Newsletter 19 - Term 4 - Week 11 - 14th December, 2021

Website: www.stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Mrs. Roslyn Joyner

Email: principal@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Dear parents and carers,

This is the last newsletter for the year and what a year it has been. There are always people to thank at the end of the year and we have many to thank this year. We had a beautiful end of year whole school Mass last week where I had the opportunity to thank staff, students and parents, however, many of you could not be there so I would like to acknowledge people in this newsletter as well.

I sincerely thank all staff for their care and support for the students in their care. As parents, you are fortunate indeed to have such capable and dedicated staff looking after your children and helping them learn so well. To my admin team, thank you for your hard work, and patience! We have managed to get through another covid year.

Thanks to my leadership team who have worked in so many ways to fulfil our vision of being a welcoming, affirming and compassionate school that builds a cooperative learning community. Your passion and enthusiasm for building a dynamic and purposeful learning and teaching environment has enlivened me in my work. Special thanks also to my two Deputy Principals Sally Darby and Alison Phillips who have shown dedication to the school and given me much support in my role.

Thank you to the School Advisory Committee, and the P and F for their continuing contribution to the school. Even though some events were limited your presence in the background and willingness and availability for advice has been welcome. Thanks to all parents for your partnership in your children’s education.

Thank you Father Francis and all the parish team for the way we have been able to work together to try to help the children come to know and understand the love of God for each of them.

We say goodbye to several staff as we approach the end of the year. Firstly a huge thank you to Mrs Chris DiCorleto who is retiring after giving thirty years of her professional life to St Gabriel’s School. The impact that she has had on so many students over this time is hard to put into words. Good luck Chris and have a well-earned rest.  Also Mrs Ivanka Moulton has retired after taking extended leave, also leaving a big hole in the school after many years here at St Gabriel’s. Mrs Darby, Miss Skinner, Mrs Drew, Mrs. Leech, and Mrs Mifsud are all moving on to other adventures and we wish them all well.

It has been exciting and satisfying to finally see our new building project get underway. The new classroom pod, library, STEM room and chapel area will be such an asset to the school. I hope to come back and see it in action when it is finished.

Finally I do want to say what an absolute privilege it has been for me to be principal of this wonderful school for the past six years. My very special thanks go to our students, for their love warmth and fun. One of my fondest memories will be that of watching them come  running into school each morning saying “Good morning Mrs Joyner.”

With love and very warm wishes for a peaceful Christmas,

Ros

Roslyn Joyner

PRINCIPAL

NEWS FROM THE PARISH

R.C.I.A.: These letters stand for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the ancient Rite of welcoming people into the Church.   

St Michael’s Parish warmly invites anyone interested in discovering more about the Catholic faith to attend our meetings on Thursdays, in St Michael’s Parish Centre. We start at 7.30pm sharp, and finish by 9.00pm sharp. This year’s starting date is July 22nd. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED, ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTACT EITHER Susan Grout (0412 671 308) or the Parish Office (5174 2060). We need to know who is coming for COVID regulations.       

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 8.30am - 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.

In our St Gabriel’s community, we recognise the importance of the wellbeing of each member of our school. Importantly we know through research the healthy wellbeing of our students definitely plays a strong part in growth of the child academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. St Gabriel’s sees wellbeing as fundamental to successful learning. Children and young people who are happy, confident and able to establish meaningful relationships are better placed to achieve positive learning outcomes

St Gabriel’s School is a child safe organisation that is committed to child safety and have zero tolerance to child abuse. All staff and volunteers at St Gabriel’s School are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children. All adults must comply with and be responsible for supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children.

Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Support is the framework St Gabriel’s school is committed to. What is a whole of school approach to Positive Behaviour support?

A whole school approach focuses on the responsibilities of every member of the school community to ensure all students have the opportunity to maximise their learning experience. This includes all school staff, parents/carers and community members. It enables students to engage in learning, make good academic progress and sustain good relationships with both adults and peers.

We have recently focused on School Wide Expectations and the whole school community have used three words to define this. They are Belong, we are a community of faith.

Respect, we act respectfully and Learn, we are empowering lifelong learners.   

In BELONG we model our actions and words on the example of Jesus in the Gospel.  We engage in social and ecological justice initiatives and we actively participate in the exploration and celebration of the Catholic faith.

In RESPECT we are choosing behaviours to keep the environment, ourselves and others safe.  We celebrate difference and diversity.  Our uniform is worn with pride.  We promote strength and gentleness through our words and actions.

In LEARN we take risks with learning and thinking creatively.  We have high expectations and take on opportunities for growth.  Lastly, we take responsibility for being ready to learn and support our community of learners.

A fundraiser was held on the 27^th of November in honour of Teresa Raven, a very special person in the lives of the Hanratty family. Jasmine Hanratty (6 Red) and her siblings decided to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research by organising the fundraising event ‘Teresa Day’. Amongst all the fundraising on the day and in the lead up to ‘Teresa Day’, Jasmine, a very talented artist, decided how she could assist with the fundraising.

Jasmine generously auctioned off one of her precious art pieces and was blown away by the response.  The painting sold for an amazing $1000.01 and Jasmine has donated the entire amount towards Ovarian Cancer Research.

The total amount raised for Ovarian Cancer Research by the fundraising efforts of the Hanratty family was $11,262!

What an amazing effort by the entire family and surely this piece of art won’t be the last one Jasmine sells.

Congratulations!

The Uniform Shop at St Gabriel's is currently out of stock of hats and other varios items.

New stock is expected to arrive at the start of Term 1 2022.

Thank you for your support and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.