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

T2 W4 2023 Newsletter

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T2 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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    KIDS USING PUTDOWNS IN OUR SCHOOL

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    Over the last few weeks, we have had several incidents of senior students using really offensive putdowns, abusive statements and vulgar language towards other students in our school. This is unacceptable on so many fronts and it's something that we don’t tolerate within our learning community. I’ve asked all staff to communicate with the parents of students who have been using the putdowns, abuse and foul language, outlining the consequences that we will be putting in place if the behaviour continues. I’m confident after today’s conversation with students that they will reflect on their behaviour and actions, and that they will stop.

    A putdown is an insulting or hurtful remark that “puts down” a person or group of people by making them seem less worthy. Whether a putdown is directed at themselves or at someone else, young people and adults need to understand that stopping putdowns with their family, friends, colleagues, and classmates is like stopping pollution or littering. It might not always be possible, but it is important to try when we can. If we get mad and start insulting the person who is making the putdown remarks, this is like adding to the pollution. Instead, we can learn to speak up in ways that are both respectful and clear – and to persist in the face of negative reactions.

    Common putdowns include laughing, making rude gestures or sounds, mimicking, and saying insulting things that make someone feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or ashamed – or that are disrespectful to a group of people because of their differences. Putdowns also include making negative remarks about someone behind her or his back for the purpose of getting others to think less of this person. This is different than speaking up about a problem to get help, because the purpose is not to find a solution, but to be hurtful to this person.

    WAYS TO SPEAK UP

    Kids need to understand that depending on the nature of the putdown and the ages of our students, responses that we might practice include:

    • “That’s not funny. Please stop.”
    • “That’s an unkind thing to say. I don’t like it.”
    • “That’s so not cool.”
    • “What purpose does it serve to say that? It sounds like an insult.”
    • “That’s disrespectful. Please stop.”
    • “That’s racist. That’s not acceptable to me and really hurtful to the person you said it to.”
    • “That’s a mean thing to do. Stop or I’ll leave.”
    • “That’s bullying. We promised not to do that, and I want to keep our promises.”
    • “That’s dishonourable. You are a better person than that.”

    In addition, we acknowledge that there are times NOT to speak up. For example, if a dangerous person is insulting you or others in order to provoke a fight, the best plan is usually just to leave instead of answering back.

    DEALING WITH COMMON DEFENSIVE REACTIONS TO PUTDOWNS

    Kids and adults who use putdowns often have common defensive reactions and possible responses to cover themselves:

    The Sense of Humour Reaction: Can’t you take a joke?

    Possible Response: I usually appreciate your sense of humour, and that joke sounded unkind. Being hurtful to people is not funny to me.

    The Belittling Reaction: You’re overreacting. You’re oversensitive.

    Possible Response: Perhaps. All the same, I feel uncomfortable when you make comments like that. Let’s talk about something else instead.

    The Innocent Reaction: But this person is not even here. So, what does it matter?

    Possible Response: I understand that you think it doesn’t matter – and I believe that saying mean things behind someone’s back does not make it less mean – and can harm their reputation.

    The Being Factual Reaction: I was just stating my honest opinion. It’s a free country.

    Possible Response: You have the right to believe anything you want. And I have the right to ask you to express yourself differently or to talk about something else.  I really believe that, if someone used words like that about you or someone important to you, you would feel upset.

    The Being Helpful Reaction: I was just trying to be helpful. Can’t you handle the truth?

    Possible Response: I appreciate your intention. However, I do not experience your comments as being helpful. Please talk about something else.

    The Blaming Reaction: It’s your fault. I had to say this because you made me mad.

    Possible Response:  I am sad that you are angry, and when you say rude things, this is your responsibility.  Please explain why you are unhappy with me using respectful language another time.

    The Changing the Subject Reaction: You are really wrong because you ___________ (a completely unrelated complaint.)

    Possible Response: I understand that you are unhappy about that. However, it is a different subject. You can tell me about what I said or did that bothered you later. Right now, please stop using disrespectful language.

    The Threatening Reaction: I’ll make you sorry that you said that.

    Possible Response:  Stop or I’ll leave. Stop or I’ll tell. (Or just leaving and getting help without saying anything further to this person.)

    The Denial Reaction: I never said that. That’s not what I meant.

    Possible Response: (If there is any possibility that you are wrong) If that is true, then I apologize for believing that you would say something so awful. (If this is something that happens repeatedly) I have a different memory about this than you do. So, does this mean that you agree that that would be an awful thing to say?

    Although young people often resist practicing what words to say and how to say them out loud, doing so is usually very empowering and leaves them feeling prepared to set boundaries about putdowns and to persist when someone reacts defensively.

    WALKING OUR TALK ABOUT PUTDOWNS

    Like me, you might recognize yourself as well as other people in some of the defensive reactions described above. Respectful communication takes hard work from everyone involved. If we want to stop young people from using putdowns, we adults must stop making putdowns ourselves. Especially because it is hard, showing children that we can listen respectfully when someone feels insulted by our actions or words is important. We don’t have to agree, but we do need to show that we are willing to understand other points of view.

    No matter what our intentions were, if someone is insulted or hurt by something we said or did, we can say, “I am sorry for saying this in a way that was hurtful.” If we were wrong, we can say, “I was wrong. That was a dumb thing for me to say. I am sorry.” If we were expressing a valid concern, we can say, “I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I am sorry. At the same time, I do need to tell you about this problem. Is there a way that I can say it that you will not find insulting?”

    SEEING ADULTS APOLOGIZE FOR PUTDOWNS IS TREMENDOUSLY EDUCATIONAL FOR KIDS!

    Adults can tell children as soon as they are old enough to understand, “None of us are perfect, and all of us make mistakes. When someone does not like something that you say or do, it can feel upsetting. Instead of saying something back right away, you can learn to get centred and to listen. Try to ask questions until you can understand why the other person is unhappy with you. Even if you don’t agree, you can say that you are sorry for hurting someone’s feelings.”

    BEING PATIENT AT CARLINE DROP OFF AND PICK UP

    All parents using the Admin Area carline for drop off and pick up are reminded that there is to be no right turn into the school cutting in front of cars that are already inline waiting to turn left into the pick up/drop off zone. Parents are asked to go down to the bottom of Victoria St, through the roundabout and then come back up the hill joining the line of cars entering the school via a left-hand turn.

    Last week I had several parents contact me about cars cutting in front of them during pick up and drop off. Please do not enter St Ita’s via a right hand turn off Victoria Street as its unsafe and unfair on those already waiting patiently to enter the drop off or pick up zone.

    Please do not cut in front of cars in the bus bay zone, the bus bay zone is to be kept clear at all times.

    DISABLED CAR PARK

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    We have a number of parents parking in the disabled spaces out the front of the school. Please do not use these car parks unless you have a disabled sticker on display.

    THANK YOU MR BACKMAN

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    Big shout out to Mr. Joel Backman, father of Laken in Grade 2M who filled the monster pothole out the front of our school entry today. We were a little concerned we may lose a car or two in the crater that was rapidly developing. Great job Joel!

    Andrew Osler

    St Ita's Principal

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    IMPORTANT DATES

    Friday 19th May - Due Date for Marist Sion Year 7 Enrolments

    Wednesday 24th May - Grandparents/Special Persons Day

    Monday 12th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

    MARIST SION COLLEGE – Year 7 Enrolments

    Please be reminded that 2024 Enrolment Applications are to be submitted by Friday 19 May.

    Applications can be submitted to College Reception (open from 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday).

    Enrolment Interviews for Year 7 2024 will be held from 4:00pm – 6:00pm on Monday 22 May 2023 and Wednesday 24 May 2023.

    Enrolment Interviews for Year 7 2025 will be held from 2:20pm – 4:30pm on Monday 5 June 2023, Wednesday 7 June 2023 and Thursday 8 June 2023.

    For further information, please visit www.mscw.vic.edu.au or contact our College Registrar on 03 5623 5944.

    ANZAC DAY DONATIONS

    A huge thank you to the generous St Ita's community for supporting this year's Anzac Day appeal.

    A total of $660.00 was raised through the selling of merchandise. This money will go towards supporting veterans in the local community. 

    CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK:

    Grand Parents/Special Friends Liturgy

    To help celebrate Catholic Education Week, St Ita’s will hold its Grandparents/Special Friends Liturgy on Wednesday 24th May at St Ita's Church.

    Grand Parents/Special Friends can come on-site to visit their grandchild’s grade between 8.30am and 9.00am before heading down to the Church for the Liturgy which will start at 9.15 am.

    This year to help support the wonderful work of the Drouin St Vincent de Paul group, we will be taking up a special collection during the Liturgy.

    Every year in the lead up to Winter, the Drouin St Vincent De Paul chapter are inundated with requests to help those struggling in our local community. If you can make any donation on the day, either big or small to support this very worthy volunteer group, it would be greatly appreciated.

    After the Liturgy, all Grand Parents/Special Friends can move to the multi-purpose hall for a special concert performed by our Foundation, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. This performance will be followed by a morning tea.

    The Grand Parents/Special Friends Liturgy is our way of saying thank you for everything these important, wonderful people do for us. Their love for us, their care, their support and their protection are what makes them so very special.

    To all our Grandparents/Special Friends we say a warm thank you.

    SIBLING ENROLMENTS

    Our 2024 sibling enrolments for Foundation are now open at St Ita’s.

    Interview times have now been set and can be booked via the School Interviews Website.

    Please use the link below or the QR Code to book now.

    BOOKING LINK

    https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/xtgs3

    BOOKING QR CODE

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    SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS 

    School Fee statements have been forwarded to all families via Email, if you have not received your statement please make contact with us so that we can check your details and ensure we have your correct Email details. 

    Term 1 Fees were due on 24th February 2023, and Term 2 fees are due and payable by Friday, 19th May 2023.

    Direct Debit and Credit Card payments can be set up at any time, please contact School Admin to assist with putting these options in place. 

    Contact: admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au or (03) 5623 7222

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    MOTHER'S DAY MORNING

    Thanks to all our Mums who attended the special Mother’s Day morning at St Ita's today. The sun was out shining, and we had a cracking morning for it. It was so great to see our Mums spending time with their children in the warmth of the sun.

    Just like our Father’s Day turn out last year, it was great to see so many parents back together, mingling in our school, helping to build a strong sense community.

    On behalf of everyone at St Ita’s, we hope all our Mums had a happy, relaxed and rest-filled Mother's Day.

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    MRS BUTTNER’S RETIREMENT CELEBRATIONS

    Last Wednesday the students and staff were able to celebrate the retirement of their much-loved teacher, Mandy Buttner. Mandy has been with the St Ita’s Primary School community from the school’s inception in 1991 and witnessed first-hand the growth and development of both students and school over the past 32 years.

    Over a beautiful morning tea, staff spoke of Mandy’s quiet, calm, supportive and talented skills whilst teaching students and as a fellow colleague. A beautiful album was presented to Mandy that included students handwritten notes of appreciation and well wishes.

    Afterwards, all students provided Mandy with a Guard of Honour that included much fanfare and showed just how loved she is within our community.

    We wish Mandy a well-deserved retirement which includes spending time with family, especially grandchildren and traveling.

    Thankyou Mandy, from all the students, staff and parents of St Ita’s Primary School DROUIN.

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    Art Teacher: Robyn Leary     

    Email:  rleary@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au

    ART ROOM NEWS

    Dear Parents and Students,

    We are excited to share with you the recent developments in our art class. Over the past few weeks, our students have been learning about the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh and his contribution to the world of art. We have explored his use of color, brushstrokes, and techniques to create beautiful and timeless masterpieces.

    Our students have also been working on their own still life drawings using a variety of materials such as paint, oil pastels, pencils, and paper. They have been learning about the elements of art such as line, shape, form, texture, space, and color, and have been using these elements to create their own unique works of art.

    HELLLLLLLP NEEDED

    The Art room is in need of some recycled containers (butter containers are great) to use for water and paint storage, please send some along with your child and thank you in advance.

    As the school year progresses, we are planning to hold an art exhibition either at the end of the third term or at the start of the fourth term. This exhibition will be an opportunity for our students to showcase their hard work and creativity to the entire school community. We are excited to see the amazing artworks that our students will create.

    We are proud of our students' efforts and their eagerness to learn and explore the world of art. We believe that through their passion and creativity, they will be able to inspire others and make a positive impact on the world.

    Thank you for your continued support of our art program. We look forward to sharing more updates with you as the school year progresses.

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    Teacher: Mrs Catherine McKenna

    Email: cmckenna@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au

    Story Box Library

    Just a reminder to parents and new families that we have a subscription to Story Box Library. There is a link to the website below, or you can download the app. I encourage you to try it out.

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    Audiobooks

    If your child isn’t into reading, or if they haven’t found the genre that they love yet, get them listening to audio books. Also known as ear-reading, it’s a great way for our students to explore and develop a love of story. I use the app BorrowBox which is free through the Local Community Library-Myli.

    You also have the home delivery option with an addition fee of $7.50

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    SPORTS NEWS

    Sports Teacher/Co-Ordinator: Hayley Roberts     

    Email:  hroberts@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au       

    IMPORTANT DATES TERM 2

    Tuesday 23rd May - Cross Country - Divisional @ Chairo

    Wednesday 31st May - 5/6 Winter Sports @ Bellbird Park

    Thursday 1st June - Cross Country - Regional @ Lardner Park 

    AFL INCURSION

    AFL Victoria have provided a football clinic for all students at St Ita’s. The clinic was a lot of fun and the students learnt how to handball and kick, while playing fun games. Thanks to Caitlin and Sophie for running the sessions with the students.

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    PARISH NEWS

    What are we to do? 

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    So, we approach the end of another Easter season. We have re-lived Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. In the light of it all, what are we to do? The definitive answer is here in this Sunday’s gospel from Matthew (Matt 28:16-20). Jesus’ closest disciples have lived the mission with him: learning, growing, tentative success, failure, betrayal, their own cowardice, the awesome resurrection. They have been invited to this mountain top where Jesus is leaving them to the task he has commanded.

    And what is it they are called to? No less than making disciples of all, baptising all, teaching all to observe his commandments. Big job, but they and we can’t say we weren’t told.

    This is the day when Jesus’ first disciples (and we later followers) take a deep breath and consider the enormity of the task in light of Jesus’ promise to be with us always to the end of time.

    Impossible for Jesus’ ill-educated riff raff without power or connections! Yet by the time the last of them had died, their revolutionary message of God who loves all equally and absolutely, had spread and had profound effect across the Mediterranean. Today, nearly a third of the world are Christians but we, heirs to those first disciples, still have a big task to complete.

    Firstly we need to re-convert ourselves: are we living the commands? Are we sharing Jesus’ teaching with our brothers and sisters? Then we commit to re-convert many in our supposedly Christian society who obviously haven’t properly heard or understood, or whose hearts have not been touched by Jesus’ teaching. And then we ponder how to make, through the example of our society’s selfless love, generosity, compassion and care, disciples of all nations.

    Deacon Mark Kelly

    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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