St Gabriel's Primary School Traralgon eNewsletter

Newsletter 2 - Term 4 - Week 4

27th October 2023

Website: www.stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Mrs. Michelle Charlton

Email: principal@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

World Teachers’ Day: Friday 27th October

AUTHOR Dr Justin Coulson

By the time your child graduates high school, they will have spent about 17, 640 hours at school. That’s a lot of hours. In fact, on a typical school day, our kids spend 2-3 times as many hours with their school teacher than they spend with us, their parents and caregivers.

Our teachers work hard. On average, Australian teachers work 45 hours a week, with many even working on weekends to keep up with the workload. Yet 71% of teachers feel as though their work is unappreciated, and that their profession is not respected.

I don’t know about you, but anyone who spends twice as much time with my kids as I do on a regular basis deserves to feel all the appreciation in the world. And while buying a #1 Teacher mug or a box of chocolates as a gift on World Teachers Day certainly helps, there are things we can do all year round to have a great relationship with our kids’ teachers, and help them to feel supported and appreciated:

Communication

Having open and frequent communication with the teachers goes a long way towards establishing a supportive relationship. This includes taking a proactive approach at the start of the year, where you should share with the teachers any relevant information that may affect your child’s performance or behaviour at school. This includes medical conditions, learning difficulties, and even special interests. Then throughout the school year, keep the teacher updated about any changes in your family’s or your child’s circumstances.

Communication can occur through emails or phone calls on an as-needed basis, but also make sure to attend parent-teacher conferences, school events, and any other meetings organized by the school. Frequent contact fosters open communication.

Finally, if your child is facing any academic or behavioural challenges, collaborate with the teacher to address any difficulties and identify strategies that you can employ together to support your child’s learning.

Involvement

Show interest in your child’s education by asking them about their day and experiences in class. When you demonstrate an interest in their education, it sends a positive message.

If you can, make time to get involved in the school community. Volunteer in your child’s classroom as a parent helper, participate in school events, or join the parent council. Getting involved both supports your child’s education and eases the burden on your child’s teachers.

Finally, attend workshops or training sessions that are offered by the school. By having a better idea about the educational approach used in the school, it becomes easier to support your child and their teachers.

Respect

I wish this didn’t need to be said, but sadly it does: Don’t verbally threaten, intimidate, or get physically aggressive with your kids’ teachers. It’s never ok.

Respect goes beyond that though. Treat teachers with kindness and appreciation for their work. Take time to acknowledge and appreciate their efforts and dedication. Be grateful for the time they invest into your children.

Make sure you see your child’s teacher as a whole person (hopefully as an adult you no longer believe that teachers sleep at the school!), with responsibilities and interests beyond teaching. Avoid contacting them outside of school hours and be patient in awaiting their responses.

Finally, support classroom rules and expectations. Don’t undermine your child’s teachers by disrespecting them at home. Encourage your child to take responsibility in the learning process, and follow the guidelines set by their teachers.

Teachers do one of the most important jobs in our society. They are shaping the next generation of leaders, thinkers, caregivers. Let’s do what we can to thank them for everything they do for our kids.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the St Gabriel’s Teaching Staff for the excellent work they do for all our students. I wish them a very Happy World Teachers Day for Friday.

On Wednesday 18th October 25 students from St Gabriel's competed at the Gippsland Region Track and Field Championships. The weather was perfect and the students were ready to compete against the best in the region. Congratulations to: Jerzey Podmore, Archie Aitken, Angus Reid, Portia Weaver, Elicia Weston, Eve Wilson, Chisom Anyanwu, Zara Kee, Parker Watts, Anna Shine, Blake Pasquill, Ella Monument, Paige Humprey, Stella White, Rex Leech, Tahnee Judilla, Aaliya Judilla, Lexi Schroeter, Ethan White, Ceili Coulthard, Indy Boyes, Zaahli Gray, Harry Kurrle, Ben Cooper, and Nate Dawson.

Results as follows:

Aaliya Judilla: 1500m 1st, 800m 2nd

Jerzey Podmore: 1500m 2nd

Elicia Weston: 100m 2nd

Chisom Anyanwu: 80m Hurdles 2nd

Anna Shine: 80m Hurdles 1st, 100m 2nd, relay

Ella Monument: relay

Paige Humprey: relay

Stella White: relay

Rex Leech: 80m Hurdles 3rd

Ethan White: 80m Hurdles 3rd

Also a big congratulations to Anna Shine for breaking the Gippsland record for the 80m Hurdles.

Students who placed 1st or 2nd will continue on to the state finals on Wednesday 1st November at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. Good Luck!

Congratulations to our October Aussie of the Month recipients;

Elvin Roy of 1 Green & Lily Pacunskis of 6 Green

CLASS MASS

Families are warmly welcomed to attend our weekly class mass, held in the school multipurpose room/chapel at 9:30am.

Entry is via Gate B which will be unlocked at 9:15am on the day.

Sign in/out is set up at the multipurpose room/chapel for your convenience.

The class mass dates can be found on our dates to remember calendar in the newsletter.

Bushfire season is upon us.

We ask Families to please ensure you have access to PAM and the Vic Emergency App on your phone.

In the event of a bushfire, alerts will be sent via PAM and direct text message to your mobile phone.

Parents are asked to drive carefully and observe the following traffic arrangements:

The turning circle at the end of Rangeview Drive is a designated “No Standing” zone. The gated school car park is used for staff cars only. The area between the school car park driveways is a designated “No Parking” zone and should only be used as a temporary stopping area to let children out of the car in the morning. Where parents stop on the south side of Rangeview Drive it is recommended that they encourage their children to walk around the cul-de-sac rather than crossing the busy road.

Parents utilising the drop off/pick up area must turn in the cul-de-sac and enter the carpark at 10kph. Parents are not to leave their cars whilst dropping children off. Children enter the cars from the footpath. Children are not permitted to walk across the carpark.

Key points to consider:

The maximum speed limit in the carpark is 10 KPH
All pedestrians must use the walkways. No one is permitted to cross the carpark or staff carpark at any time. This includes parents, visitors and children.
The drop off/pick up zone in the carpark is a no standing area. If you need to stop your car to get children out then this is not the area for you. If your child is not present at pick up time then you need to leave and come back. It is a NO STANDING ZONE
Entry to the carpark must be made via a left turn after travelling around the bowl at the end of Rangeview Drive. NO right-hand turns are permitted from Rangeview Drive.
If traffic is banked up in the drop off/pick up zone then use the through lane (as shown on the map) in the carpark to keep traffic moving in Rangeview Drive.
The drop off/pick up zone in Rangeview Drive is still in operation. Please note that it is a no standing area.

Please remember, children can be unpredictable around roads, therefore ensuring you are driving slowly and keeping watch around all vehicles is a must.

P&F MEETINGS 2.15PM IN ST GABRIEL'S STAFFROOM

FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

Student Lunches

LUNCH MENU https://www.stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au/munch-lunch

SPRIGGY APP https://www.spriggyschools.com.au/

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 officeand the link below if you are unable to attend the uniform shop during these times.

ORDER FORM https://www.stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au/uniform-shop

The Uniform Shop is located at the rear of the school hall off the hall foyer.

During term 4 students are required to wear their summer uniform and must wear their hats during recess and lunchtime for sun safety.