We are almost at the end of Term 3. I am hoping that there might be some changes in COVID restrictions so we can run Kinder Orientation next term. We are also awaiting advice on how the Year 6 Graduation can be organised in Term 4. It is looking likely that it will be limited to our Year 6’s and perhaps two from each family, with no socialising after the event. These are the guidelines that have been put in place for Year 12 celebrations. Once the arrangements are sorted we will let families know.

Please remember that the first 2 days of Term 4 2020 are Staff Development Days and students should return on Wednesday October 14^th in their full Summer Uniform.

Online Cybersafety

Recently there has been a lot of media talk about dangerous content on a particular Social Media platform.

My advice to parents is that on any day, at any particular time, the online world has many dangers. Children can be exposed to these just through a simple Google search.

At school we try to teach students about the dangers that can be found in the online world. Many of the Social Media platforms say children under 13 years should not be using them. Also we try to warn children that our digital footprint can follow us through life.

Parenting under these conditions is not easy. I would encourage you to regularly check what your child can access online. Limiting time on devices is also a good idea. Children’s sleep can be affected by too much time spent looking at a screen.

Below are some common sense tips about Cybersafety

Set the ground rules

• Establish rules about the types of content or information your child should report to an adult – for example, telling you about any swearing or bad words they find online
• Set rules to make sure your child knows what information they can share or post online and the websites they can visit. This includes telling a trusted adult before posting any personal information online, including for competition entries
• Encourage your child to use the same manners and communication they would use offline, and remind them it’s okay to report others who aren't being nice

Stay involved

• Closely monitor younger children’s internet use
• Try to keep the computer in a shared or visible place in the home
• Be aware of how your child uses the internet and explore it with them

Proactively guide

• Help your child understand that what they say and do online is important
• Encourage your child to learn about online safety with fun resources from the eSafety Comissioner website, like Hector’s Worldand #GameOn
• Talk to your child about personal information and why it is special and remind them how it can be used to identify or locate them
• Bookmark a list of favourite sites you are comfortable with your child visiting and teach them how to access this list
• Consider using filters to help manage your child's online access.

Support positively

• Advise your child not to respond to any negative messages and to report any hurtful messages they receive to you or another trusted adult
• Teach your child that there are ways they can deal with material that worries or frightens them – this includes immediately telling a trusted adult of any concerns or uncomfortable material and how to close a web page or turn off a screen
• If your child shows any concerning changes in behaviour or mood then talk to them or seek professional support – Kids Helpline provides free, confidential online counselling for young people, and your school may also be able to help.

For tips to help you support your children to become safe and responsible online users or to report offensive or illegal content visit the eSafety Commissioner website.

ENJOY THE SPRING WEATHER!

Term 3

Week 9

Thursday 17 September - School Banking

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September - First Holy Communion

Week 10

Monday 21 September - Canteen Red Day 'Spring into Spring!'

Thursday 24 September - School Banking

Friday 25 September - Last day of term 3 - Casual clothes and Crazy Hair Day!!

School Holidays

Wednesday 7 October - Uniform Shop open 5:30-6:30pm

Monday 12 Otober - Uniform Shop open 9-10am (Qkr orders pick up from office after 11 am)

Term 4

Wednesday 14 October - First day of term 4

Tuesday 20 October - Book Week Parade

Tuesday 27 October - School Photos

• Remember to order your school photos ready for Term 4 if you haven't already done so
• Please return to school in Term 4 in summer uniform (K-2 will be in sports uniform on the first day back)
• Please remember to pack a water bottle as the school bubblers are still turned off due to COVID, and with the warmer weather many children are needing more to drink during the day
• If you have recieved a note regarding unexplained absences please return it to the office
• Please remember to label your children's school clothing as we have a lot in lost property

Please be aware that inspectors are currently checking bus passes of all students.

Remember to have your bus pass with you when travelling to and from school.

Charli Sillis in 5/6M has generously donated $30 to the Project Compassion Appeal.

"Last year in Mrs McVey's class we collected bottles for the Fred Hollow's Foundation. So this year I have been collecting bottles for Project Compassion".

Thank you, Charli, for your efforts and living out our school's Mercy Values.

Congratulations to Matilda Stevenson in KH. She was the receiver of the Stewardship Award at out last virtual assembly. 

3/4's Incursion to Botany Bay!

On Wednesday the 2nd of September, 3/4H had the pleasure of participating in an incursion to Botany Bay, to study the first contact between indigenous people and Captain Cook. 

Students investigated life for indigenous people prior to that first contact and examined how materials were made and used. Students drew images that were meaningful to them on 'possum pelts' that were then pieced together to make a class mural. 

Next, the students role-played what it would have been like for Captain Cook and his crew to come ashore and meet the locals. Each student was assigned a crew member. Some went ashore and tried to communicate with the locals, however, they were unable to effectively do so due to a language barrier.  

Lastly, they were asked to imagine themselves as Sydney Parkinson and Joseph Banks. Students sketched the local flora and fauna they could see around Botany Bay, so they could return their findings to England. 

The students in 3/4H had a great day, learning about Captain Cook, the Endeavor, and that first meeting in Botany Bay. 

To celebrate book week in Term 4, we will have our book week parade on Tuesday, Week 2 of Term 4. Please see flyer below for more details.

School photos will take place on Tuesday the 27th of October (Week 3, Term 4). All students will be required to wear their normal full summer uniform. 

The school photographs are scheduled to be taken by advancedlife. It is our preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day. Please contact the office if you wish to pay with cash to recieve an envelope.

All orders that have been received online prior to the date changes made earlier this year are still active and current. If you would like to check the status of an existing order, please contact the parent team at advancedlife via www.advancedlife.com.au/contact.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advancedorder code:

PKM AYC 9XL

Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day. Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

The next Red Day will be on Monday 21 September.

Orders have now closed.

We will be changing to our summer menu in Term 4, so please keep an eye out for changes to some items and prices.

Please note that there is not a need for volunteers at this time.

Term 4 Uniform and School Holiday Opening Hours

Please remember that students will return to school in Term 4 in their Summer uniform. Uniforms are in stock and able to be purchased now. Hats are compulsory for outside play during Term 4. The uniform shop will be open in the holidays on Wednesday 7 October 5:30-6:30pm and Monday 12 October 9-10am. Any orders made through Qkr during the holidays will be available to pick up from the office on Monday 12 October after 11am.

During Term

The Uniform Shop is taking orders online through QKR. Please place your order by 8:30am Monday mornings to ensure that orders can be filled and sent home. Due to the current circumstances, please note that parents cannot enter the uniform shop; please wait outside the door. The shop is open on Monday mornings 9-9:30 if you need to purchase directly.

Please ensure all clothing is labelled. We have a large amount of clothing in lost property. 

CWA Year 7 Educational Grant

Each year the Southern Tabelands Group of the CWA offer grants of $250 for students completing Year 6. Further information about the process is available from the office. Applications close 30th September.

Student Welfare and Local Family Support

"Having trouble getting your child to school?"

You can contact us here at school office on office.sppg@cg.catholic.edu.au.

There are also local support services available at Goulburn Family Support Service.

Goulburn Family Support Service in Goldsmith Street is a FREE service.