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Dear Parents and Carers
It was lovely to have been joined by so many of our St Clare's students including our School Leaders at the ANZAC Dawn Service at Officer. We gathered to remember those who have gone before us who enable us to celerebate all the joys we have of today.
Following a long weekend we held our very first St Clare's Colour Fun Run which was enjoyed greatly by students, staff and parents alike. A big thank you to those who completed all the behind the scenes organising to ensure this event was such a success. And of course we must make special mention of the staff who were graciously slimed on Monday afteroon.
Uniform Update
We now ask all students to be in complete WINTER uniform. Boys may continue to wear shorts but must wear the remainder of the school winter uniform which include the tie for boys. Girls have the red crossover tie which is to be worm with the girls winter uniform.
Upcoming Dates
Friday 3 May
- Year 6 Scienceworks Excursion
Friday 10 May
- Mother's Day Assembly
- SSV District Cross Country
Monday 13 May
- Foundation Incursion
Saturday 18 May
- Open Day 10am to 12pm
Friday 24 May
- P&F Trivia Night
Monday 27 May
- Reconciliation Day
Sacraments
First Eucharist 2024
All students in Year 4 who are baptised Catholics and have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation are able to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist this year.
First Eucharist dates for 2024 are:
Thursday 22 August Parent Meeting 7pm at St Patrick’s Parish - parents are expected to attend.
Saturday 31 August Commitment Mass 6pm at St Patrick’s Parish. All families are expected to attend.
First Eucharist Masses at St Patrick’s Parish (families register for one of these closer to the time)
Saturday 7 September 6pm
Sunday 8 September 10.30am
Saturday 14 September 6pm
Sunday 15 September 10.30am
Confirmation 2024
All students in Year 6 who are baptised Catholics and have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of First Eucharist are able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.
Confirmation dates for Confirmation are:
Thursday 10 October Parent Meeting 7pm at St Patrick’s Parish - parents are expected to attend.
Saturday 12 October Commitment Mass 6pm at St Patrick’s Parish. All families are expected to attend.
Confirmation Masses at St Patrick’s Parish (families register for one of these closer to the time)
Saturday 19 October 3pm
Saturday 19 October 6pm
This year we are focussing on the theme of Reconciliation Week - Now More Than Ever and incorporating the themes from Harmony Day (living in harmony and understanding each other) in one event which will occur on Monday 27 May
We will begin the day with a Welcome to Country at 9:00 followed by a Smoking Ceremony and Prayer Service.
After the prayer service, we would love for volunteers from across the community to join us and share something about their cultural background.
Please set this morning aside and come and join us.
This day is about understanding each other better - hence we would like your help..
Do you know someone (with a Working with Children Check) who could come in and share any of the following with a Learning Group or a level:
- Meaning behind Diwali and what happens during this festival
- Meaning behind Ramadan and what happens during Ramadan
- Meaning behind the Sikh religion and some of the traditions
- Meaning behind mandalas and traditions and beliefs of Buddhism
- A dance linked to your culture
- A game linked to your culture
Students are invited to dress in traditional clothing or orange clothing (the colour of Harmony Day) or to wear their school uniform and add a touch of colour or a token symbolic of their cultural background.
Please contact your child’s teacher if you are able to help out or alternatively, email Gab Verstraete: gverstraete@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au
Anzac Day School Service
On Wednesday 24 April students gathered in levels for an ANZAC day prayer service. Years 3, 4 and 6 heard the family history of the Bastin family and their links with World Wars and other conflicts around the world. One of our school Captains, Ricky, spoke about his family connection to the armed services. His father, Wayne and his brother, Rhys then laid a wreath. At the end of the service, Wayne Bastin explained the medals he was wearing as well as the medals Ricky and Rhys were wearing. We thank the Bastin family for sharing their story - Lest we forget.
Anzac Day Officer Service
We were also fortunate to have our School Captains - Ricky and Chloe at the Officer ANZAC day service on Thursday 25 April along with our Principal - Helen Staindl and quite a few other St Clare’s students. A big effort to be at a service at 5.45am.
Year 6 feedback from the Colour Fun Run
- It was the best day.
- We had so much fun with our friends.
- The slime was so great.
- Both Mr Gulivan's and Mrs. Verstraete were such good sports.
- The teachers were hilarious too.
- We love our school
The Secondhand Uniform Shop will be open on the following dates for Term 2.
Please remember sales are CASH ONLY
May
Wednesday 1 May 8:30-9:15am
Tuesday 7 May 2:30-3:10pm
Thursday 9 May 8:30-9:15am
Friday 17 May 2:30-3:10pm
Wednesday 22 May 8:30-9:15am
Tuesday 28 May 8:30-9:15am
June
Monday 3 June 8:30-9:15am
Friday 14 June 2:30-3:10pm
Wednesday 19 June 2:30-3:10pm
Tuesday 25 June 8:30-9:15am
Assemblies will be held on the following dates as detailed below. Parents are welcome to attend these assemblies.
- Monday 6 May at 2.30pm - Year 3 to Year 6
- Friday 10 May at 8.50am - Whole School Mother's Day
- Monday 13 May at 2.30pm - Year 3 to Year 6
- Monday 20 May at 2.30pm - Foundation and Year 6
- Monday 27 May at 2.30pm - Year 1 and Year 5
- Monday 3 June at 2.30pm - Foundation to Year 2
- Monday 17 June at 2.30pm - Year 3 to Year 6
- Monday 24 June at 2.30pm - Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
LATE ARRIVAL AND EARLY DEPARTURE
Students arriving after 9am must be sigend in at the school office so should be accompanied by an adult/carers who can do so.
Likewise students being collected early must be signed out via PAM or at the school office prior to be collected by a parent. Only parents are able to collect students early - please provide the school with details if someone other than a parent will be collecting them during the school day.
Collection during the lunch break - 1.30pm to 2.10pm can be difficult. Therefore if necessay to collect students early we ask they you do so either before 1.30pm or after 2.10pm.
We remind you that every minute absent from class adds up and does impact learning time.
REPORTING AN ABSENCE
To report your child's absence please do so via PAM, email absent@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au or call 5940 6777
SCHOOL FEES
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.
In this edition of SchoolTV - SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL REPUTATION
Social media has become such an integral part of a teenager’s life. However, many miss out on some critical social skills with most communicating whilst looking at a screen instead of another person! Statistics show that 60 percent of 10-11 year olds are using at least one social media site, with the majority using age-restricted platforms. What kids do, post and say online is permanent and most are not mature enough to manage their own digital footprint. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all put at risk.
Parents need to be aware of what picture their children are painting of themselves online. Unfortunately, many parents do not see the dangers inherent of these sites, as they form opinions based on their own experience. But predators are usually not interested in grooming adults. Over the years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of primary schoolers owning mobile phones, highlighting the importance to teach kids about the dangers of social media and the implications it can have.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn how to talk to their children about the inherent dangers of social media and how to educate their kids to be responsible users in the online world we live in.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Social Media & Digital Reputation edition of SchoolTV
https://stclaresofficer.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/social-media-and-digital-reputation
CDFpay is a secure, safe and efficient method for ordering and paying for items through school.
Below you will find instructions for setting up your CDFpay account both if you are an existing parent "already have a CDF pay account" or a new parent.
Here is the link to head to our school CDFpay shop St Clare's CDFpay Shop
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.