St Ita's Primary School Drouin
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50 Victoria Street
Drouin VIC 3818
Subscribe: https://stitaspsdrouin.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 03 5623 7222

T1 W4 2023 Newsletter

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T1 W4 2023 Newsletter

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St Ita’s Catholic Primary School acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

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    I took a stroll through our Foundation classes late last week and was really impressed with the routines our Foundation teachers are building in our youngest children. It’s important that we support kids with their transition into mainstream schooling. Getting kids into routines is a great way to lay a solid foundation to build learning.

    One of the key ways of supporting this transition for our students is via communication. If any parent has concern relating to your child your first point of call is always the classroom teacher. Your teacher will always listen and there is no question that can’t be asked.

    It’s great to see all teachers using our WSAPB (Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviours) across our school to support classroom learning. The WSAPB values are a great way of reminding all in the St Ita’s learning community that we are about building positive relationships with each other, and are designed to support students, parents and teachers.

    The core values of our St Ita’s WSAPB, Compassion, Respect, Inclusiveness, Resilience and Teamwork are crucial components in each individual’s development. Each week all classes across our school will have a specific learning focus based on one of the core values listed below.

     COMPASSION

    RESPECT

    INCLUSIVENESS

    RESILIENCE

    TEAM WORK

    FAREWELL TO FRANCIS

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    On Sunday our community was saddened by the news that Mrs. Francis Godfrey will be leaving the St Ita’s Parish and moving to Wodonga to live with her daughter. Francis is one of the most beautiful, thoughtful people who has contributed so much to our Parish and the Drouin St Vinnies organisation. Our mantra at St Ita’s is to be Christ like in both our words and actions and Francis is a wonderful example and role model to all in our learning community. She is humble, generous and always puts herself out for others. She is a beautiful human-being and I know she’ll be sadly missed.

    God Bless You Francis!

    START OF YEAR MASS

    Our Liturgy Team, with the help of our Religious Education Leader, Mrs. Robyn Lewry, put together a beautiful start to the year, at our whole school Mass. We had a terrific attendance from parents supporting their children at the celebration. The school Liturgy team did an excellent job with the Hymn selections, Readings, Gospel Acclamation and Prayers of the Faithful.

    KIDS FIGHTING AT SCHOOL

    A common happening with younger kids starting school, is that there are occasions when we need to have conversations with our kids, particularly boys, reminding them that school is a place where we do our best to keep our hands to ourselves on all occasions. This is a tough rule for some kids to embrace.

    Disagreements among children are very common – they’re part of learning how to get along. Fighting happens when a disagreement becomes aggressive – for example, when it involves shouting or hitting. Children are still learning to control their emotions, so this isn’t unusual.

    Children's fights often start when children see a situation as unfair, are trying to assert what they think are their rights, feel that others don’t see their perspective, or view the same situation in different ways. For example, an older child might see it as a joke to tease a younger child, but the younger child might not like it.

    And for siblings, fights can happen when they compete with each other for their parents’ attention or approval. The closer siblings are in age, the more they tend to fight.

    DISAGREEMENTS, FIGHTING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN

    Disagreements can be a great chance for your children to practise the social skills they’ll need as adults. When disagreements lead to fighting, it can be an opportunity for children to learn other ways to resolve conflict, particularly if they learn that fighting doesn’t get them what they want.

    When disagreements among children get worked out fairly and without anyone getting hurt, children start to build problem-solving skills like negotiating. They also learn the importance of seeing another person’s point of view and respecting other people’s rights, feelings and belongings.

    There’ll be less fighting as your children grow and develop better social skills.

    HOW TEMPERAMENT AFFECTS KIDS FIGHTING

    Children are born with their own temperaments – the way they react to the world and behave. For example, they might be flexible or persistent, sociable or shy. Children’s temperaments make it more or less likely that they’ll negotiate, argue or avoid conflict.

    Temperament might also be why some people are quicker to anger than others, or less able to control angry feelings. It’s not always easy for grown-ups to resolve conflict without resorting to bad behaviour – imagine how much harder it is for children.

    Children aren’t born knowing how to handle disagreements. But all children can learn how to behave so that fighting is less likely to happen. For example, fair rulesroutines and praise guide your children towards better ways of resolving conflict.

    HOW ENVIRONMENT AFFECTS KIDS FIGHTING

    Children learn how to sort out differences by watching and copying behaviour they see in their environments.

    So, if children see you sorting out your differences in positive ways, they’ll learn to behave this way too. This is called modelling good behaviour. You can model behaviour like:

    • calmly discussing compromises when you disagree with someone
    • staying calm when you’re angry
    • checking the facts before you act
    • reacting in a way that’s appropriate to the situation
    • listening to other people’s points of view.

    Children learn from negative behaviour too. If parents discipline children by smacking, children are more likely to smack their brothers, sisters, friends – or even their parents. They’re also more likely to choose fighting if:

    • they constantly see people being aggressive towards each other, particularly their parents, bigger brothers and sisters, and friends
    • they get what they want by pushing, shoving or fighting
    • their parents don’t set consistent limits on fighting or aggression
    • they see a lot of violence on TV, at the movies and in video games, particularly if their temperament makes it harder for them to control anger.

    Children learn these lessons from a very young age. But they might not start cooperating and sharing before they’re two. And they might be three before you see these lessons really being put to use.

    HOW AGE AND SKILLS AFFECT KIDS FIGHTING

    The way children handle conflict is partly determined by their ages and skill levels. For example, it’s common for young children to behave aggressively. This usually changes as they grow and learn better ways of resolving conflict.

    Children aged 3-4 years are:

    • starting to cooperate, share and take turns – all of which will eventually lead to fewer fights
    • still learning about managing their feelings – so for example, they can become very frustrated if something they want is taken away
    • likely to need support, reminders and positive feedback
    • might still express frustration in physical ways like fighting.

    Children aged 5-7 years are:

    • continuing to improve skills like sharing, taking turns, compromising and talking through options
    • much better at sorting out problems without needing grown-ups to step in, although they still need encouragement.

    Children aged 8-12 years:

    • tend to be less physical, but have more verbal disagreements and fights than younger children
    • are becoming much more social, and want to get along with other children in groups.

    Andrew Osler

    St Ita's Principal

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    PARENT INFORMATION PRESENTATIONS

    Please find below a QR code and website link to 2023 Parent Information Presentations. The information presentations will help to give you an understanding of what your child is learning in the class during Term 1. Please use these links to explore what your child is learning and if you have any questions, feel free to contact your childs classroom teacher for further information. 

     

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    Here is web link if preferred- CLICK HERE

    HEAD LICE

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    We have had several cases of headlice across several classes at St Ita's since the commencement of Term 1. To stop a severe outbreak could girls and boys please use a hair tie as outlined in our Summer Uniform Policy and could we ask all students to refrain from sharing hats.

    Thanks for your support in helping to keep our school free from head lice.

    SCHOOL FEE CONCESSIONS

    2023 School Fees Concession Program Financial Hardship

    Eligible Centrelink Concession Card (CCC) Holder

    Information for Applicants

    Aim: To assist school families experiencing financial hardship in accessing a Catholic Primary education for their child/children.

    Confidentiality: At all times, the dignity and privacy of those seeking a fee concession will be respected.

    Level of Concession:  School office staff can advise applicants of the concessional fee to be charged. This concessional fee is fixed annually by Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited. Approved applicants will be charged only the concessional fee which will cover all standard school fees and levies including any charges remaining for camps, sports and excursions after the application of the Camps, Sports, Excursion Fund (CSEF) benefit.

    Eligible Concession Cards:  Centrelink issues a number of concession cards for a variety of reasons. Some cards have a generous or no income test and therefore holders of these cards are ineligible for a fee concession under Category One. Only CCC’s that are eligible for CSEF are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program. 

    The following CCC’s are the most common cards that are eligible for CSEF. The CCC type is specified as a two or three letter code printed on the concession card.

    • YA or YAL – Youth Allowance
    • PPS – Parenting Payment Single
    • PPP – Parenting Payment Partnered
    • DSP – Disability Support Pension
    • NSA – New Start Allowance
    • LI – Low Income
    • FA – Family Tax Benefit
    • SA or SKA - Sickness Allowance
    • CAR - Carer Allowance
    • ABA or ABY - Schooling Applicant
    • AGE - Age Pension
    • AUS - Austudy
    • HCC - Health Care Card
    • PTA - Partnered Allowance
    • SPL - Special Benefit
    • WID or WFD or WFA – Widow Allowance/Pension
    • The CCC must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for which the concession is to be applied.
    • The expiry date of the card must be on or after 1 January of the year (2023) for which the concession is to be applied.
    • If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year.
    • If a family becomes eligible during the course of a school year, then a pro-rata concession may be granted.

    Lodgement of Application: Application for 2023 close on Friday 23rd June 2023, please lodge your application immediately for your card to be checked and a pro-rata concession to be applied if applicable.

    The following application forms must be completed and are available from the school office:

    • Complete the school’s application form & the Direct Debit Request (DDR) Service Agreement (or Centrepay application form)
    • Submit the completed forms and present a valid CCC for verifying and copying.
    • Complete and return the CSEF application form immediately after receiving it from the school.

    Important Notes:

    • The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian responsible for the school fees, who holds an eligible CCC.
    • Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a DDR Service Agreement or CentrePay arrangement for a regular payment plan of remaining fees (either weekly or fortnightly payments preferred). Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.
    • The Direct Debit form is available from the school office or alternatively the CentrePay application form is available online at https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/forms/sa325.
    • A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.
    • A new application must be made for each school year.
    • Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.
    • All families requesting, or receiving, a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered or if cards are cancelled.

    Please complete the below concession request forms and return to admin together with a copy of your valid concession card before Friday 23rd June 2023.

    CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE

    Eligibility:

    An application on behalf of a student may be submitted if the student is:

    • a Victorian resident;
    • school aged and enrolled (3) three or more days per week at a school; and

    A student who meets the above requirements may be eligible if they:

    • attend their nearest appropriate non-government school/campus
    • reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from the school attended

    Note: Eligibility is assessed when the School completes your child’s application on the Student Conveyance Allowance System

    (SCAS). If approved, the allowance payable is based on the one-way distance to make the journey to and from school.

    If you are eligible and wish to apply for this allowance, please click the link to the Conveyance Allowance Application Form, which must be printed and completed and returned to the school office by Friday 10th March, 2023. Late claims cannot be accepted.

     

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    FAMILY PICNIC

    Last Wednesday evening we held the St Ita’s Family Picnic on the lower oval of the school grounds. It was a fun and relaxed evening, that was enjoyed by families within our school community. There was a fantastic turn out of both families and staff, which presented an excellent opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle.

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    Teacher: Mrs Catherine McKenna

    Email: cmckenna@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au

    LIBRARY NEWS

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    It is great to see so many enthusiastic students coming into our library each week to borrow books.

    Many students know exactly what they want to borrow each week and some students browse however they are not sure what they want to read next.

    I love connecting with students over books and reading but I also love the challenge of finding the right book for your students. To further help our students, having time to discover what they enjoy is a journey and they too need to be open in trying books. As they read more their interests will develop over time.

    I invite you to open our St Ita’s Library Homepage. This is our online catalogue that is available to the students to borrow at school. You are welcome to browse with your child through the books at home. Search different genres, topics and themes. To assist them in remembering books they would like to borrow, jot down the title and call number too.

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    CAMP AUSTRALIA

    Camp Australia Co-Ordinator: Carmelina De Cesari

    Contact Number: 1300 105 343

    Website: www.campaustralia.com.au

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    Wellbeing Team Leaders:  Caitlin Noonan & Tyler Attwell

    Email: cnoonan@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au tattwell@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au

    MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

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    Developing a Growth Mindset is helpful in developing positive Mental Health and Wellbeing.  In all of our classrooms here at St Ita’s we encourage and model Growth Mindset Practices in the students’ learning. 

    What is Growth Mindset?

    Prof. Carol Dweck’s work on mindsets provides a useful guide for helping parents to raise more adaptive and resilient children. Dweck has spent the past several decades conducting research identifying two distinct ways in which children view intelligence and learning. Children with a “fixed mindset” believe that their intelligence is simply an inborn trait—they have a certain amount, and that’s that. In contrast, individuals with a “growth mindset” believe that they can develop their intelligence over time (Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck, 2007; Dweck, 1999, 2007).

    A child’s mindset influences how they perceive and respond to their world. In a growth mindset, children understand that challenges and failure framed as learning opportunities can help them to become smarter. Struggling and working on a challenge or setback is good for the brain’s neurological growth. Whereas in a fixed mindset children work to look smart, avoid challenges and shy away from taking risks where there is the possibility of failure. This can impact a child’s development at school, sport and their relationships.

    Much of what we do as parents influences our child’s mindset.

    Once we learn about growth mindset we assume we can simply tell our child to have a growth mindset and that’s it. As Dweck states “You don’t get a growth mindset by proclamation, it’s a journey.”

    We are all a mixture of fixed and growth mindset. Let’s face it we all have times when we think we can improve and when we bounce forward after a setback. We also have days when the smallest setback knocks us over and we give up. Working to recognise when your child is having a fixed mindset response and help them name how they feel. When they are calmer, explore what strategies they have tried, how effective they are and what new strategies they could try.

    As odd as it may seem, we need to think more about our fixed mindset in order to develop a more persistent growth mindset. Accepting our child’s fixed mindset moments and helping them to develop strategies for overcoming them is part of our role. This can take a long time to accomplish and we can be assured that we will have setbacks along the way. Remaining supportive and consistent over time is the key.

    From: The Growth Mindset Institute.

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    PARISH NEWS

    Tempted without falling

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    … lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil ……

    Don’t the words just trip off the tongue every time we recite this most Christian of prayers, The Lord’s Prayer; the one Jesus himself taught us to pray?

    But to never experience temptation is to never live. Jesus himself experienced every temptation humans can experience. Jesus knows all about temptation, he’s been there and done that. (Matt 4:1-11) Jesus lives a full life in the world. As we commence the Season of Lent, this gospel is about Jesus modelling for us being tempted and overcoming temptation.

    We can expect to encounter temptation all through our lives and we are tested constantly, what we pray for is not to be led into temptations beyond our capability.

    Human beings have an incompleteness, a longing, an emptiness. Temptation exists to fill that emptiness with things, experiences or even people that gratify our immediate desires. Having done so, and realised how empty our lives remain, we are tempted to seek further things to fill that emptiness, even while knowing futility in our hearts.

    Temptation threatens to overcome us, until we recognise our own weakness and turn to God to deliver us from temptation, because we cannot do so alone. Doing as Jesus does we discover our forgiving God, who indeed fills that emptiness.

    Lent is particularly a season for reflection on our lives, for prayerful recognition of our shortcomings, and discovery (or re-discovery) of the Creator whose love for us is infinite. We ask forgiveness from God for the mess we have made of things and part of that is forgiveness of those who have made a mess against us.

    However sinful we have been, God is waiting for us to turn humbly to him.

    Deacon Mark Kelly


    2023 SACRAMENT DATES - RECONCILIATION
    Parent/Child Workshop 1:
    Drouin: Wednesday 1st March 7pm
    Warragul: Thursday 2nd March 4pm & 7pm
    Parent/Child Workshop 2:
    Drouin: Wednesday 15th March 7pm
    Warragul: Thursday 16th March 4pm & 7pm
    SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:
    Drouin: Wednesday 29th March, 7pm
    Warragul: Thursday 30th March, 7pm
    Commitment Masses:
    Drouin: 19th & 26th February 10.30am
    Warragul:18th & 19th February 7pm & 9am

    PARISH SACRAMENT ENQUIRIES

    Phone: (03) 5623 1642 Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

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    Check out our Catholic Parishes of Warragul & Drouin Facebook presence.

    PUBLIC NOTICES

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    IRISH DANCING LESSONS

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    WARRAGUL SHOW

    PIANO & SINGING LESSONS

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