Dear Parents, Guardians & Carers,

How this year is flying by.  Here we are at the end of term 3 already.  It only feels like yesterday that we were starting the school year.  

It was wonderful to see so many parents attend our open classroom sessions during Week 8 & 9.  School felt like school again with happy students and parents able to interact and learn with each other.  We will be holding these again in term 4 and look forward to seeing you all again.

COVID Isolation rule update

In-line with advice announced by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the Victorian Government has announced that from 11:59 pm on Thursday 8 September 2022, the isolation period for those who test positive to COVID-19 will be reduced to five days following a positive test, provided that the person is asymptomatic on day five.

For symptomatic cases, the isolation period will remain at seven days from the date of the positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or PCR test.

People who are asymptomatic and leave isolation after five days cannot visit or work at a sensitive setting – such as hospitals, residential aged care, disability care settings or in-home care for the next two days, or if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

This means that staff and students who are asymptomatic and leave isolation after five days can attend school. The school must be notified that the asymptomatic staff member or student has completed their isolation period if they are attending the school.

As an additional risk mitigation, staff and students who leave isolation after five days are recommended to undertake rapid antigen testing in the days following their isolation and test negative before attending the school or other settings of higher risk, and to wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home – in line with existing recommendations.

There are no changes to the current isolation requirements for close contacts (household contacts), who can continue to leave home each day, provided they continually test negative on a rapid antigen test.

After school supervision

A reminder that school ends at 3.20pm each day.  Students are required to be picked up as close to that time as possible.  Teaching staff who are on gate C are required to supervise students who are waiting for the bus.  We respectfully request that children do not stay within the school grounds to play after 3.30pm.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable term 3 break.  We look forward to seeing you all on Monday October 3rd.

Kind Regards

Michelle

Winter Round Robin - State Competition  Hockey

On Thursday 8th September, St Gabriel’s Girls and Boys Yr 5/6 Winter School Sport Hockey team competed in the School Sport Victoria Primary Hockey competition held at Footscray Hockey Club Fogarty Avenue Yarraville. The boys played against St Mary’s Whittlesea, Beaumaris and Dunkeld P.S. The boys finished in 4th place in their pool and finished in 8th place in the State overall. Although they did not win a game in the State Championship the students played with determination and team spirit. On behalf of the school I would like to congratulate  the boys Hockey team and thank Sam Pollard, a past student of St Gabriel’s for coaching and training the boys and girls team throughout the Winter Round Competition. The girls team played against Laurimar P.S. Lauriston Girls School and St Joseph P.S. Warrnambool. The girls finished in 4th place in their pool and in 8th place overall in the state. Although the girls did not win a game either they showed great improvement with each game they played. The girls are to be commended on their excellent sportsmanship displayed throughout the tournament. I would like to thank Mrs Hunt for coaching the girls team and Mrs Mihaly for her role as team manager and First Aid assistant. 

Basketball - Latrobe Valley Division Championships

The St Gabriel’s girl basketball team competed in the Latrobe Valley Division tournament in Traralgon on Thursday 14th of September. The girls played against Glengarry, Yinnar, Newborough East and Morwell Park. The girls won three of their four games and finished in second place. The girls displayed great sportsmanship in all their games and shared the ball with all team members with great skill and this was most evident in the game they lost to Newborough East by only three points.  I would like to congratulate the girl’s basketball team on their outstanding effort and performance in the tournament and I would like to thank Mrs Liesl Sexton for sharing her knowledge of the game and coaching the team on the day. 

Latrobe Valley Division Athletic Championships: Wednesday 14th September

On Wednesday 14th September in warm sunny conditions, 29 students from St Gabriel’s competed in the Latrobe Valley Division Athletic Championship at Joe Carmody’s Reserve in Newborough. All students showed great enthusiasm and determination as they competed in their individual events or team events. The students were wonderful in encouraging other students to do their best as they competed. The girls Under 11 and Boys Under 12/13 Relay teams won their events on the day and the Under 10 girls finished in 2nd place. All these relay teams will now compete in the Region Athletics Carnival to be held at Newborough again on Tuesday October 11th. Also a number of students have made it through to Region Athletics championships in their individual events including, 100m, 200m, 1500m, 800m, 80m hurdles, long jump, and high Jump. Overall St Gabriel’s will have 25 students compete at the next level of competition. This is an outstanding achievement by the students who competed at the Division championships. I would like to thank Mrs Aitken for her role as team manager and ensuring all students were at their events on time.

Prep - Yr 2 Swimming Program - (Monday 17th October - Thursday 27th October)

This is a notice to let parents know that school swimming programs for all students in Grade Prep, One and Two will be held at the Ford Swimming Centre in Traralgon commencing in term 4 on Monday 17th of October and finishing on Thursday 27th of October. All details about this program and permission notices have been sent home to all families via school electronic system (PAM) and a hard copy survey has also been sent home for parents to complete and return back to school as soon as possible..

Prep - Yr 2 Athletic Carnival - (Friday November 4th)

The Prep to Year 2 athletic carnival to be held at St Gabriel’s P.S. on Friday 4th November. The students will participate in a number of events including hurdles, discus, long jump, shot put, vortex throwing and sprints. More details about this event will be sent home to all families at the beginning of term 4. 

Tennis - Scott Mildenhall

Please refer to the Advertisement on Pax Hill Tennis Club

Sporting Achievements: Dempsey Podmore 

Dempsey Podmore in Year 6 recently completed a half marathon in 1 hour and 38 minutes.   An outstanding achievement Dempsey and the school is very proud of you. Please see the attached photo.  

If you have any sporting news of an individual or a team please email me at: dhogan@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Signing children in and out of school

Working With Children Check

If you have recently updated your WWCC please provide a copy of your new card to the office at your earliest convenience.

If you are a volunteer providing your valued service to St Gabriel's please ensure that we have a current up to date card on file.