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Dear Parents and Carers
Last Wednesday afternoon, students and teachers from St Clare’s Primary School celebrated Catholic Education Week by showcasing the great initiatives and learning that is taking place throughout the school. Students proudly shared their achievements with family members and many enjoyed taking part in dance routines, artwork, physical education activities and Japanese craft. Both the Junior and Senior school choirs performed to onlookers on the beautiful Green outside the school buildings.
Uniform Update
We remind you that ALL students should now 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.
Sports uniform is ONLY on the days which the class has sport.
Students are NOT to wear makeup to school - clear (not tinted) lip balm is allowed if required.
We ask parents to support us as we work to ensure all students are in correct uniform everyday.
Upcoming Dates
Monday 3 June
- Year 4 Incursion
Friday 7 June
- Staff PD Day - NO SCHOOL for students
- SSV Soccer Tournament for selected students
Monday 10 June
- King's Birthday Public Holiday NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 12 June
- SSV Regional Cross COuntry
Monday 24 June
- Year 4 Incursion
Tuesday 25 June
- Year 1 Excurstion to Legoland
Thursday 27 June
- Year 3 Incursion
Friday 28 June
- Last Day of Term 3, students finish at 3.10pm
- Pizza and PJ Day
On Monday 27 May our school gathered to acknowledge and learn about National Reconciliation Week. Mr Alex Kerr (Ariah-Rose and Aston’s dad) completed a Welcome to country and a smoking ceremony. During our gathering we also prayed for peace and harmony in our world and respecting each other’s cultural and religious background. A very big thank you to Alex Kerr, Harpreet Kaur, Alan Akkermans and Kmandeep Kaur for taking time to explain their cultural background to students. See our student’s reflections on the gathering below and words used in our Prayer Service:
This week is National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will —and must —continue.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/
Prayer
O God You created all people in your image.
We thank you for the amazing variety of races and cultures in this world.
Help us to love and care for each other just as you care and love each one of us.
You call us to live in peace and harmony with everyone in our country, yet we often find it difficult to accept those from different cultures who live in our communities.
We are called to recognise and respect the importance of Aboriginal Culture; yet, sometimes, we ignore the beliefs, laws and traditions of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters.
Help us to continue to learn and understand the stories of all people, including our Aboriginal brothers and sisters.
On Monday the 27 of May the St Clare's community came together for a whole school Assembly to celebrate National Reconciliation Week. Students were given the chance to share with the school what National Reconciliation Week is and how we can understand it. Parents were invited to come and watch our assembly. We learnt alot about this special week. Some students were invited up to share their traditional clothing with the school. Afterwards the Year 6 students were invited to the modular where a student’s dad taught us about the Sikh faith. Lastly, we went back to our classrooms and completed a craft activity about hibiscus flowers and Aboriginal flag banners. Overall it was a great day of fun and learning.
Margret 6TP
On Monday, the St. Clare’s community celebrated National Reconciliation Week. All students were attentive and participated in the ceremony respectfully and reverently. We had an Indigenous descendant come and explain why Reconciliation is so important in everyone’s lives. He shared a smoking ceremony tradition and talked about how important it is to commemorate National Reconciliation Week.
Leah 6NS
This term, the Year 3 Inquiry focus has centred on Geography, while the Mathematics focus has been on location and mapping. Students began by examining maps of Australia's states and neighbouring countries. Following this exploration, they conducted research on a specific State or Territory of Australia and gathered information to craft an information report. Using subheadings and other report features, they created their own posters. Integrating their knowledge from mapping, the students applied their knowledge in Mathematics by designing their own states, plotting key places and landmarks they created. They used a compass and key to demonstrate their understanding of location and mapping.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS), now in its 24th year. It is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy. St Clare's students took part in NSS on 22 May and read the book Bowerbird Blue.
Students were thoroughly engaged in the activities they completed after reading the story. Here are some photos from the day.
We are now taking enrolments for Foundation 2025. As a rapidly growing school we find ourselves currently at capacity at Years 1, 3 and 4 for 2024.
For those looking to enrol for Foundation or any other level in 2025 we suggest you submit your enrolment forms as soon as possible.
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.
Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.
Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.
Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.
This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://stclaresofficer.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au
Cardinia Shire Council invites everyone to ‘Have your say on the new name for Officer District Park’.
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.