Newsletter 4 - Term 1 - Week 8 - 18th March, 2021

Website: www.stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Mrs. Roslyn Joyner

Email: principal@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au

Dear Parents,

We have had a wonderful week of sporting here at St Gabriel’s with our Senior and Junior Athletics carnivals. Thank you to all the parents who came along to support the children, we adapted to some covid-safe practices which enabled us to all gather
together safely both offsite and here at school. It was lovely to be back together again as a school community after such a long time. I think everyone will agree that Mr Hogan, the teachers and our ESO staff did an amazing job organising and running both days and we are also very appreciative of any parents who offered to help on the day to help things run smoothly. We were exceptionally proud of our students in the way that they demonstrated Strength and Gentleness with each other on the day through cheering, encouragement and good sportsmanship.

I’d like to say a big congratulations to all of our year three and four students who have celebrated their Reconciliation this week. We keep these children in our prayers as they grow in their faith journey, that they come to know God’s healing love through this Sacrament. Thank you to our families who have done a wonderful job preparing their children for the day.

Finally, we are coming to the end of Term 1 already and as always, the first term has flown by very quickly. I’d like to take this time to remind families that our final day this term will be Holy Thursday (1 st April) and school will finish at 2pm on this day.

Best Wishes

Roslyn Joyner

PRINCIPAL

SPORTS UPDATE

Athletic News - Dempsey Podmore

Dempsey Podmore recently competed in the Regional Little Athletic at Newborough. Dempsey placed first in the 1500m run, third in the 1100m walk and fourth in the 800m run. Dempsey had qualified for the State Little Athletic competition in the 1500m and 1100m walk that was recently held in Melbourne. He placed 13th in the state for both events. On behalf of the school I would like to congratulate Dempsey on his recent achievements in athletics. 

Swimming News - Individual Achievements at St Gabriel’s

On Saturday the 13th of March  a number of students from St Gabriel’s competed in the All Junior Country Semi Finals held at Melbourne State Aquatic Centre ( MSAC) .  The Competitors were in individual age groups and competed against children from all over country Victoria. The Traralgon Swimming Club were represented by the following St Gabriel’s Students: Josh Elms (butterfly,breaststroke, freestyle), Bailey Heafield (backstroke)

Aliza Couling (breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle), Lara Landels (breaststroke, freestyle) and Ruby Kurrle (backstroke). The top ten swimmers in each event then made it through to the Finals on Sunday 14 March 2021. Aliza Couling made it to the Finals in the Breaststroke and Lara Landels made it through in the Freestyle.  Aliza had a fantastic swim and finished 4th with a PB. Lara came home strong and finished 5th with a PB. On behalf of the school community I would like to congratulate the outstanding swimming achievements the above students have achieved recently. 

Swimming - Regional Championships (Sale Aquatic Leisure Centre)

Recently 22 swimmers from St Gabriel’s competed in the Regional Swimming Championships. Competitors came from as far as Cranbourne to Orbost and across to Phillip Islands. All the students swam with great determination and courage on the day. Aliza Couling finished in third place in her individual freestyle event and Ruby Kurrle finished in fourth place in her breaststroke. The U11 girls relay and the U12 relay team finished in fourth place in their relay events. On behalf of the school community I would like to congratulate all the swimmers at St Gabriel’s on competing at such a high level in the Primary School Sports Victoria Event. 

Basketball Tournament - Traralgon

On the long weekend in March a number of boys and girls competed in the Traralgon Basketball tournament. A large number of basketball teams entered the competition from Country Victoria and some Metropolitan Regions. The U10 girls Number 1 team that included Ruby and Tahnee won all their games including the grand final against Moe. The game was played at hectic pace with Traralgon winning 8 pts to 6. The Traralgon u-10 team Number 2 included Hannah, Stella, Sophie, Jada and Portia won their grand final against Phillip Island in an exciting game 12 points to 6. Also U12.1 Girls also won the grand final against Bulleen. Final score: 35 - 33  On behalf of the school I would like to congratulate all the students who recently participated in the Basketball tournament in Traralgon. Al

Senior Athletic Carnival 

On Tuesday 17th March the Senior Athletic Carnival (Yrs 3-6) was held at Harold Preston Park. The students competed in 100m Sprints, Hurdles , 800m, Long Jump, Discus, Shot Put and Vortex Throw.  In perfect athletic conditions the students gave it there all to earn valuable points for their house points on the day. A highlight of the event was the annual House Chant held at an interval time in the program. The House leaders created their own house chants and all teams sung the chants with great enthusiasm and spirit. Unfortunately the 200m event and popular house relay event couldn’t be completed but will finish straight after the Junior Athletic Carnival held today. I would like to thank the very supportive senior staff of St Gabriel’s and this includes the outstanding Educational Support Officers who helped prepare and ensure the carnival ran smoothly on the day.  A big thank you to Troy Villani, Chesney Podmore and Leigh Zammit who gave up their family time in the morning and arrived early at Harold Preston Park to help set for the event on the day.  Finally I would like to thank the parents who adhered to the COVID-19 regulations on the day.  Well done everyone.  Today the first Annual Junior Athletic School Carnival will be held at St Gabriel’s.  I look forward to seeing the junior students in action on the athletic fields completing the following tasks: sprints, hurdles, egg and spoon relay, high jump, discus, shot put,vortex throw,  skipping and relays. 

National RIDE2School Day.

A reminder to all families in our school community that this Friday 19th March is National Ride2School day. Our school featured recently in the Latrobe Valley Express encouraging everyone in our community to leave the cars at home on Friday, and if possible, ride to school with your children and help them to become confident and safe  bicycle riders on our roads around Traralgon.

District Athletics - Tuesday 23rd March

Next Tuesday 23rd of March the Traralgon District Primary School Association will hold their Annual Athletic Carnival. A number of students from Yr 3-6 will compete in this athletic competition. The students will receive a permission note on Friday with the program. The permission notice will need to be returned to school on Monday. I will require parental assistance on this day. If you are able to assist please contact me on the below email address. This carnival will commence at 8.30am in the morning with the 1500m event. 

Traralgon Fun Run

On Sunday 14th of March, 26 St Gabriel’s students competed in the DFP Recruitment Traralgon Harriers Community Fun Run. 24 students completed the 1.5 km course and 2 students completed the 5km course. In the 1.5km event our students received 5 out of the 6 top placings.

At the end of the event St. Gabriel's Primary took out the award for the Greatest School Team Entry. All proceeds raised from the event go towards Gippsland Centenary House. 

St Gabriel’s Community Connectors Brielle and Hayley said “It was great to be involved in a really fun community event that was also helping  out our local community.”

Sporting News

If you have sporting news that you would like included in the school newsletter please email Mr Hogan at dhogan@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au and I will forward your photos and article onto Mrs Couling at the front office. 

REMINDER TERM 2 CONCLUDES AT 2.00PM ON THURSDAY 1ST APRIL, 2021

ANZAC BADGES

ANZAC badges will be sold from Wednesday 10th March.  Badges will be sold for $1.00 and $2.00 and ANZAC wristbands will be sold for $3.00.  All monies raised will go to the 2021 ANZAC appeal. When you donate to the ANZAC Appeal, you are showing our veteran community that they are not alone. Every donation is changing the life of a veteran in need.

CAMP SPORT AND EXCURSION FUND

If you hold a Pensioner, Concession or Health Care Card you can apply now for CSEF.

If you have applied for CSEF in 2020 you need NOT apply as your details will be submitted in 2021.  If you have obtained a Pensioner, Concession or Health Care Card in the last twelve months, are a NEW family to our school  or you have a Prep student commencing in 2021 or have a 2020 Year 6 student exit the school please contact the office on 51745515 or email Sue at scouling@stgtraralgon.catholic.edu.au or visit the office and we can explain the process. 

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.

School Photos
School photo envelopes were distributed to all students.  Parents can either order online or enclose money and return all envelopes to St. Gabriel’s classroom teachers ASAP.  Family photo forms are available at the school office.  We still require the envelopes to be returned.  We will organise the admin and organisation of the event so we are ready on the day.  School photo day is now Thursday 18th May.

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.