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Dear Parents and Carers
As we reach half way through the first Term 1 of 2025, it has been wonderful to see how well all our students have settled into the school year. I am sure the parents who took the opportunity to meet with their children's teacher last week were given the same information. There was defintely a buzz in the modular as conections were being made.
Today saw a group of keen swimmers represent St Clare's at the Office District SSV Swimming Carnival. We are very proud of their efforts and look forward to hearing of their results.
Next week we begin the Lentern period in the Catholic Calendar. On Tuesday it is Pancake Tuesday, on this day our Parents and Friends Group are organising pancakes for our entire school community. Please ensure your children's dietary requirements are up to date on PAM as this information will be utilised to provide relevant pancakes.
On Wednesday 5 March it is Ash Wednesday, each level in our school will gather on Ash Wednesday for a prayer service. Students will be asked to listen to a scripture reading and reflect on how they can be better people by making good choices and thinking of others. Students may receive a sign of the Cross made from the burnt ashes of the previous year’s Palm Sunday palms. The sign of the Cross is made on the forehead to remind us that we need to turn away from sin and believe in God so that we can share in eternal life with Him.
School Grounds
We remind all parents and carers that the school gates are locked between the hours of 8.50am and 3.00pm. Any visitors to the school must repot to the school office. Likewise, after school the gates close at 3.30pm and we therefore ask familes to have vacated the internal school grounds by this time.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Monday 3 March - Year 2 Incursion
Tuesday 4 March - Year 6 Leaders at Grip Student Leader Day, Pancake Tuesday
Wednesday 5 March - Ash Wednesday
Friday 7 March - School Closure
Monday 10 March - Labour Day Public Holiday
Saturday 22 March - Open Day 10am to 12pm
Zero Discrimination Day is observed every year on March 1, aiming to promote equality and eliminate discrimination worldwide. This day highlights the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, minorities, refugees, and those affected by HIV, who are often subjected to discrimination in various forms.
Zero Discrimination Day also serves as a reminder that we must work together to create a world where everyone, regardless of their identity, background, or circumstances, can live with dignity and respect.
Talking to kids about discrimination
People can be discriminated against for any number of reasons, including age, gender, weight, religion, income level, disability, sexual orientation, and race or ethnicity. According to the 2015 APA Stress in America Survey, most Americans feel they have experienced discrimination. However, experiences of day-to-day discrimination are most likely to be reported by racial and ethnic minorities.
Unfortunately, many people are uncomfortable discussing racial differences. But when it comes to talking to children, experts say diversity and discrimination are subjects that shouldn't be ignored.
To read this article click on the following link:
https://stclaresofficer.catholic.schooltv- Discrimination
Immediate Crisis Support in Australia:
1800RESPECT - https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Kids Helpline - https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling
Liz Hunt
Mental Health in Primary School Leader
Year 2s Groove into Health and Wellbeing with Dance!
As part of our Health and Wellbeing focus this term, the Year 2 Students enjoyed two dance sessions. The students were supported to dance alone and with a partner, following instructions and creating movements to music. With Kelly’s guidance, the students worked together and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
On Tuesday the 18th of February we had a dance lesson with Kelly.
First we had Kelly come over and she taught us how to do the Hand Up dance.
Next we did a partner dance.
Then we did the Diamond dance and we did it on the Green.
Finally we talked about how we felt.
I loved it!
Grace
At school Kelly came to teach us a dance lesson.
Firstly we did an individual dance called Right Hand In The Air Dance.
Next we learnt an amazing dance - it was called Hustle Rock.
Then we did the Body and the Diamond game. The Body Game is where we dance and when the music stops the person will say something like ‘nine hands’ and you have to make a group of nine hands. There is also the Diamond game, it is my favourite game! You have to make a diamond and each person has to copy the lead person.
Finally, Kelly said goodbye and left the school.
All the dancing made me feel good.
Mahanya
On Tuesday afternoon Flynn’s mum came to have a dancing lesson. First we learned a dance with no partners.
Next we did a dance with a partner, it was called The Hustle Dance.
Then we played a game called Body Part Musical Statues.
Finally we played a game called Diamond Dance with a group of four.
I felt nervous, but then I felt really good!
Kefa
Initially, we met outside on the Green to talk about dance.
Following that, we learnt dance moves and then we did them by ourselves. It was so much fun!
A while later, we did a partner dance it was called Hustle Rock.
Finally, we played Dancing Diamonds it was the best game ever!
I can’t wait to do it again!
Gracey
Initially we met Kelly on The Green. Following that, we did a dance by ourselves with Kelly demonstrating to us what to do.
After some time, we did a partner dance. A while later we did a dance called ‘Diamond Dance.’
Finally, we came together to talk about the benefits of dancing. I felt very good afterwards.
Joshua
Initially we met Kelly outside on The Green. We did some dancing by ourselves and a while later we did some dancing with a partner. Later on, we did a dance called the Diamond Body Part. We also did a dance called – Dance Dance Dance.
Following the dancing, Kelly talked to us about the benefits of dance. We are looking forward to next week. It was so much fun!
Pavnoor
What’s Happening In Year 4
Year 4 Learning so far.
In year 4, the students have learnt so much already. The past 2 weeks, we have been learning about data, how to collect data and how to analyse different data sets. For one of the lessons, students created a bioglyph. Geetansh Gulati explains the instructions on how to draw a bioglyph. Sophia Willoughby explained her own bioglyph.
How to create a Bioglyph Written by Geetansh
In Year 4 we are learning about the topic Data ( info to be collected in graphs [ e.g. pie graphs, line graphs etc. ] ) for Maths we created a Bioglyph picture. If you’re a boy, do a circular face. If you’re a girl, do an oval face. If your hair is blonde, do a straight line. If your hair is black, do a curly line. If your hair is brunette, do a zigzagging line. If your hair is red, then do a circle line. The number of strands indicates the month of birth date. Long strands indicate long hair, while short strands represent short hair. If your eyes are green, they should be looking right. If your eyes are blue, they should be looking left. If your eyes are brown, they should be looking down. If your eyes are hazel, they should be looking up. An oval eye shape indicates glasses or contacts. A circular shape indicates perfect vision. The number of freckles indicates the day of birth. The number of eyelashes indicates the number of pets. If you ride the bus to school, you have a triangular nose. If you ride in a car to school, your nose should be shaped like an upside down triangle. If you ride a bicycle to school, you have a circular nose. If you walk to school, do a square nose. If you are on a sports team (e.g. tennis, badminton, basketball, soccer etc.), do a circular charm on your necklace. If you are a member of a band or chorus, do a rectangular charm on your necklace. If you are a member of a club/group, you do a star-shaped charm on your necklace. If no charms, no necklace. The right ear indicates brother(s). The left ear indicates sister(s). Use dots in the ear to associate the number of siblings. Dots in the upper ear indicate older sibling(s) (brother(s) or sister(s)). Dots in the lower ear refer to younger sibling(s) (brother(s) or sister(s)). If you love science, then put a smile on your face. If you think science is ok, do a very straight mouth. If you think science is scary, do a zigzagging mouth. If you don”t like science, you frown on your face. If you like vanilla ice cream, you do circular cheeks. If you like chocolate ice cream, you do semicircular cheeks. If you like other flavors of icecream (e.g. strawberry; blueberry; pineapple etc.), you do right angled cheeks. If your favorite color is red, do half loop eyebrows.
My bioglyph
In year 4 we are learning about the topic data for maths so we drew a Bioglyph. For the face shape if you are a male you draw a circle head but if you are a female you draw a oval head. Hair color blonde is straight so I have blonde her so I did yellow straight lines. Eye color my eye color is blue so I do blue eyes looking to the left. Eyebrows - my favorite color is blue so I am going to have squiggly eyebrows. Nose - I ride in a car so my nose is an upside down triangle. My necklace is a circle because I'm on a sports team. My ears have two because I have a brother and a sister so I have two ears. Mouth - I have a smile because I love science. Cheeks so i have a circle because I like vanilla ice cream. Freckles - my freckles are 10 because my birthday is on march10 eyelashes i have 4 pets so i have 4 eyelashes.
Written by Sophia
Please see dates for remainder of Term 1 for the Secondhand Uniform Shop. The shop is located on the corner of the Modular Building
Reminder that sales are CASH only
February
Thursday 27th 2:30-3:15
March
Monday 3rd 2:30-3:15
Thursday 6th 8:30-9:15
Wednesday 12th 8:30-9:15
Friday 14th 2:30-3:15
Monday 17th 2:30-3:15
Thursday 20th 8:30-9:15
Tuesday 25th 8:30-9:15
Thursday 27th 2:30-3:15
Monday 31st 2:30-3:15
April
Wednesday 2nd 8:30-9:15
SCHOOL FEES
School fee payment options 2025
Here is the link for the St Clare's Parent Access Module (PAM)
St Clare's PAM
You username is the email address that you have registered with the school. The first time you log in we ask that you use the forgotten password feature to set your own password.
ALL parents must access PAM to receive up to date information and grant necessary permissions. Students will miss out on events if permission is not granted.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Free Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday! 
Important: Please ensure your child’s dietary requirements are updated in PAM, by end of this week (Friday Feb 28)
Parent Volunteers Needed! If you can help with pancake distribution on the day, we’d love your support. Please email pandf@stclaresofficer.
Save the Date – P&F AGM & General Meeting! 
How to Help Kids Stay Safe Online
Adapted from: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/blog Office of the eSafety Commissioner
- Start the chat
It’s not possible to be at your child’s side every second of the day, so it’s important to talk with them about online safety issues to help develop their critical thinking and ability to make good choices. It’s also good to let them know they can come to you for help if they have any concerns. You may feel they know more about the latest technology than you do, but you have more life experience to guide them.
- With primary school aged children use online devices in the open living spaces at home to make parent supervision part of the expectation for your child.
- Take the opportunity to set some boundaries around when and where they can use devices like tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles, to help limit potential tech tantrums — you could even fill in an Early Years Family Tech Agreement
- Screen free time before bed is important for good sleep. Consider charging devices in a central location at a regular time each night to allow an hour screen free before bed.
- While you are all at home more, it’s a great time to co-view and co-play with your kids, so you can understand what they are doing and experiencing online.
- Learn about the games, apps, social media and platforms they are using at The eSafety Guide, including how to protect their information and report inappropriate content or conduct.
- Use parental controls and safe search options
Parental controls can help block your child from accessing specific websites, apps or functions. They can also monitor your child’s use of connected devices and set time limits. But beware! You cannot always rely on them — they should be used in combination with other online safety strategies.
- Parental controls are available on most tablets, smartphones, computers, TVs and gaming consoles.
- You can also download family safety controls or buy robust filters out of the box.
- You can set up child-friendly search engines, or select safe search settings on digital devices, to help prevent your child from stumbling across inappropriate sites and content.
- Check smart toy settings
It’s surprising how many toys or devices can connect online these days, from drones and smart teddies to tablets and wearables. While they can be both entertaining and educational, they can reveal your child’s personal details and location — and allow other people to contact them without you knowing. You can help keep them stay safe by:
- setting strong passwords
- turning off location settings
- limiting the amount of personal information shared.
The eSafety Gift Guide has advice on what to check for and how to stay safe.
- Look out for unwanted contact and grooming
Unwanted contact is any communication that makes your child feel uncomfortable or unsafe, even if they initially welcomed the contact. It can come from a stranger, an online ‘friend’ or even someone they actually know. At worst, it can involve ‘grooming’ — building a relationship with the child in order to sexually abuse them.
You can help by:
- making sure their accounts are private — including chat functions on games
- encouraging them to delete requests from strangers and any contacts they don’t know in person
- checking in with your child as they use online devices in the open living spaces at home
- reporting and blocking anyone suspicious on a website or service
- remembering that if suspicious online contacts become aggressive or threatening you should contact your local police.
- Know the signs of cyberbullying
Kids who are bored by long periods at home can pick at each other, and that happens online too. So it’s important to keep an eye out for cyberbullying. It can include mean posts, comments and messages, as well as being left out of online group activities like gaming.
- Remember, when they are away from school, kids have less access to their usual support systems, including friends, teachers and counsellors.
- eSafety research shows that girls are more likely to be affected than boys and the person doing the bullying is generally someone they know from school.
- Watch out for signs such as your child appearing upset after using their mobile, tablet or computer, being unusually secretive about their online activities or becoming withdrawn.
- Cyberbullying can make social isolation worse and the longer it continues, the more stressed kids can become, impacting on their emotional and physical wellbeing.
What to do if your child is being cyberbullied
As parents, our first instinct may be to ban our children from social media, disable the wi-fi or turn off the data access. But this can actually compound the problem, making your child feel as if they’re being punished and heightening their sense of social exclusion.
There are four simple steps that can help minimise the harm:
- report the cyberbullying to the social media service where it is occurring
- collect evidence of the cyberbullying material
- if the material is still public 48 hours later, make a report to eSafety — we work with social media platforms to have the harmful content removed.
block the offending user.