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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.
WELCOME BACK TO TERM 2
Welcome back to all our families from the Easter break. I hope everyone had a safe, happy, and holy Easter with family and friends. We look forward to the start of a new term, where our whole school focus will be based on creating quality dialogue in the classroom between teacher and students and building all our students' capacities to be resilient learners.
A big thank you to all in the St Ita’s community who supported our Mega Easter raffle at the end of last term. Your generous support helped raise $4,009.75 for our school.
NEW STAFF APPOINTMENT
I am pleased to announce that Miss Tahlia Peterson has accepted the position of Grade 5-6 class teacher, taking over from Miss Misso for the remainder of the 2024 school year. Tahlia has an extensive background in early childhood education and recently completed an outstanding teaching round at St Ita’s, working in a variety of different class levels. I would like to welcome Tahlia and I really look forward to the skill sets she brings to our wonderful learning community.
SIBLING ENROLMENTS FOR 2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Can we please ask that any families who have sibling children wanting to enrol in Foundation in 2025 at St Ita's, contact the school admin on 5623 7222 or via email, admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au. We will record your interest in enrolment, and contact you with further details regarding the enrolment process.
ANZAC DAY
Thursday 25th of April is Anzac Day, and Friday 26th of April is our whole school time in lieu day as outlined in the current Catholic Education Employment Award. The school will be closed on both of these days.
As in previous years, our school captains and vice captains will be invited to participate in the mid-morning service and the laying of the wreath. All St Ita’s students are invited to attend the march, however, students must have a parent with them as this is not a school-sanctioned event. We ask that all St Ita’s students attending the march wearing their winter school uniform.
Details of the service are as follows;
Drouin Cenotaph Memorial Park:
6:00am - Dawn Service
9.15am – Assemble at Bendigo Bank Car Park
9:30am - March from Bendigo Bank Car Park
10:00am - Main Service
SCHOOL PARENTS AND FRIENDS MEETING
Our next Parents and Friends meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th of April, in the St Ita’s admin office starting at 7.00 pm.
WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
Our first whole school assembly will be on Wednesday 24th of April in the multi-purpose hall starting at 2.30 pm. Families are welcome to attend our whole school assemblies.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Project Compassion boxes can be returned to the school over the coming weeks. Thank you for your support with this important fundraiser. Reaching out to the marginalized answers Christ’s call to action and service and ensures that some of the poorest members of our global family have greater access to what we take for granted.
BUILDING RESILIENCE: IT’S OKAY FOR OUR KIDS TO FAIL
As parents, we tend to see one of our main missions as helping their kids succeed. But there’s a growing realization among teachers and other professionals who work with children that kids increasingly need help learning how to fail.
Not learning to tolerate failure leaves kids vulnerable to anxiety. It leads to meltdowns when the inevitable failure does occur, whether it happens in preschool or college. And perhaps even more important, it can make kids give up trying—or trying new things.
Chicago Bulls and arguably the world’s greatest basketballer, Michael Jordan, spent a lot of time preaching the importance of losing. Jordan regularly spoke about how perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges on and off the court are what made him a winner.
Unfortunately, as the world puts increased pressure on kids to be winners, and parents feel compelled to enable them in every way possible, we’re seeing more and more kids who become distraught over even the smallest misstep.
Clearly, distress or frustration tolerance is an important life skill to master. When it comes to school, the ability to tolerate imperfection—that something is not going exactly your way—is oftentimes more important to learn than whatever the content subject is. Building that skill set is necessary for kids to be able to become more independent and succeed in future endeavours, whether it’s personal goals, academic goals, or just learning how to effectively deal with other people. So how do parents teach kids to fail?
First, show empathy
Empathize with your child; see that she or he is in distress. “Don’t just say, ‘It’s okay, you’ll do better next time. It’s invalidating to brush off a child’s feelings of frustration and disappointment.” Instead, parents need to change their language: I see you’re really disappointed, I know you really wanted to do better. Make yourself a model
You can explain that failure is a part of life and happens to everyone, even you. You could share examples of failures you’ve had. Parents can model how to handle their own disappointment, such as losing out on a promotion at work, kids aren’t necessarily exposed to the reality that life includes mistakes, missteps, and even failures. As much as everyone likes things to go according to plan, it’s important to teach our children that it is also okay when they don’t.
Make it a teachable moment
A child’s failure is a chance for parents to teach acceptance and problem-solving skills. You and your child can try to come up with what she could do the next time for a better chance at success. For instance, could they study differently or talk to the teacher about any problems they’re having before a test?
It’s a balance of acceptance and change, it’s about accepting that the situation is what it is and building frustration tolerance while also asking, can we change something in the future. can we learn from this?’
The minefield of social media
At the same time, kids need to know that sometimes when we fail or face disappointment, there’s not a lot we can do about it in that moment; we have to accept it as a part of life and move on. An example of this is the minefield that is social media.
Just imagine the following, a girl’s friends tell her they can’t hang out with her on the weekend and then she sees them together out and about on Instagram or Facebook.
This situation can be really hurtful, there are lots of emotions: frustration, disappointment, sadness, anger. How does she deal with all that? Calling friends and screaming at them only makes things worse. She could ignore it and pretend she never saw it, but that’s not going to make her feel better or change what happens in the future.
So how can a parent help her accept what happened? The girl might be able to get more information to make herself feel better. Perhaps she can talk to these kids in a calm way, telling them that she saw the photos and her feelings were hurt. Maybe she’ll discover a reason behind it. But she may not get an answer she likes, or get one at all.
That leads to another life lesson: Sometimes we get left out, sometimes we aren’t liked, and we have to learn to cope with that truth without making the situation worse.
Step back and allow kids to fail
It can be very tough to watch your child fall down but they can only learn how to handle disappointment through trial and error. As books like The Blessings of a Skinned Knee and the newly released Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed emphasize, parents must stop hovering. Otherwise, they rob children of the very experiences that require problem-solving and set them on the path to resilience and the confidence to take on new challenges.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- Thursday 25th April - Anzac Day
- Friday 26th April - Pupil free day
- Monday 10th June - King's Birthday
- Tuesday 11th June - Pupil Free day
- Thursday 27th June - Last day Term 2
- Friday 28th June - Pupil free day
- Monday 15th July - Pupil free day
- Tuesday 16th July - Term 3 starts all students
- Friday 20th Sept - Last day Term 3
- Monday 7th Oct - Term 4 starts all students
- Monday 4th Nov - Pupil free day
- Tuesday 5th Nov - Melbourne Cup
- Tuesday 17th Dec - Last day term 4
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
THURSDAY 30TH MAY
On Thursday, May 30th, Schoolpix will be attending to capture our student’s school photos. (We moved from the 8th May as it clashed with 3/4 Swimming Lessons)
All students must be dressed in full WINTER school uniform.
All students must also be wearing black school shoes and their jumpers.
Please do not send your child to school dressed in sports uniform.
Children who usually have PE classes on a Wednesday are asked to please bring their sports shoes in their schoolbag. It is most important that all students are dressed in a presentable and uniform manner.
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GIRLS. . . . . . WINTER Blue tartan tunic Royal blue polo shirt with school logo Navy blue tights or long navy blue socks Black lace-up or buckle, leather shoes Royal blue windcheater/jumper with school logo Black lace-up or buckle, leather shoes |
BOYS. . . . . . WINTER Dark grey trousers Royal blue polo shirt with school logo Royal blue windcheater/jumper with school logo Grey socks Black lace-up or buckle, leather shoes |
SCHOOL FEES
School Fees for Term 1 & 2 are now due and payable. Statements have been forwarded to all fee payers, please ensure you check your statement and bring your account up to date as necessary. All school fees must be finalised in the year that they are incurred.
Direct debit payments can be arranged at any time, please contact Beck Bradley (03) 5623 7222 or admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au to discuss payment options.
SCHOOL FEE CONCESSIONS
2024 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/ren.
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 the 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 whom the concession is to be applied.
- The expiry date of the card must be on or after 1 January of the year (2024) 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: Applications for 2024 close on Friday 28th June 2024, 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 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 cardholder.
- 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 28th June 2024.
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 HERE for the link to the Conveyance Allowance Application Form, which must be printed and completed, and returned to the school office by Monday 4th March, 2024. Late claims cannot be accepted.
You must complete a new application even if you previously applied for this allowance.
SIMON EVERYWHERE
LEVI CAMILLERI
Grade 4 student, Levi CamilIeri, has been growing his hair for the past three years for a very good cause though, over the Easter break he lopped off his lovely long locks to support the charity “Wigs 4 Kids”.
The foundation Wigs 4 Kids helps to support families whose children are in need of wigs due to a variety of different illnesses. Levi had a target of raising $1500, which is the cost of one wig. Amazingly, he exceeded his goal and raised $1740.
I asked Levi what motivated him to support this foundation, and his reply was so beautiful and caring “The feeling of being able to help other kids feel normal made me feel really good. I am focusing on doing it all again.”
This is a great example of our whole school's approach to positive behaviours. The St Ita’s community is really proud of your efforts Levi. Well done to you!
St Ita's Primary School - Parents & Friends Association
President: Ash Durand (ashdurand1@gmail.com)
Vice President: Rosa Jagoe (rosa.persico@bigpond.com)
Secretary: Haley Macefield (haley.macefield@gmail.com)
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 10th May - Mother's Day BBQ/Stall
Saturday 18th May - Trivia Night
MOTHERS DAY BBQ/STALL
As in previous years, we will be holding a morning BBQ for all the Mothers or significant Mothering figures in our student's lives. At this stage we are hoping to use the Drouin Rec Reserve, however, this will be weather permitting, and more information will be provided closer to the date.
Our Mother's Day Stall will also run again this year, and we would like to thank all of our parents who run small businesses for their kind contributions and for helping us to make this happen. We have a very generous number of gifts, over 500 items for our students to select from meaning none of our students will go home disappointed with their selection. We will be using Flexischools again this year for families to purchase gifts, we anticipate this will be available early next week - please keep an eye out for more communication confirming that purchasing has opened.
TRIVIA NIGHT
If any of our families have a local business or a start-up they would like to promote, we are looking for prizes and donations for our trivia night, to be held on Saturday 18th May 2024 in our School Hall. If this is something you would be interested in please make contact with one of our Parents & Friends Committee listed above, or you can contact School Admin at admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au
PARISH NEWS
Same but Different
Our gospel this week is an opportunity to explore the profound and ultimately unfathomable nature of Jesus – true God and true Man. This gospel encounter (Luke 24:35-48) sums up the purpose of Jesus incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. His shared and very human experience of everything we experience up to and including resurrection. He died proclaiming God’s Kingdom of love.
Jesus makes it crystal clear that his return really is an affirmation of both divinity and humanity. To be human is to be an integral part of creation, uniquely aware and attuned to the Creator. Jesus’ humanity was the point of incarnation and, resurrected, he returns from death in flesh and blood – the same man with wounds still showing. Yet several times his closest followers have not recognised him. Something is different. He is resurrected to new life.
Meeting his disciples, who are naturally a bit sheepish at having deserted him, he doesn’t even refer to their weaknesses. He knows the pluses and minuses of their humanity better than they do. Instead, he settles them; looking ahead to their ongoing mission of proclaiming that “forgiveness of sins be preached to all the nations”. Jesus is not fussed about how we have messed up but only about announcing the good news of God’s love and forgiveness, as evidenced by his loving forgiveness of them. Gratefully putting our failures behind us and copying him makes us more truly human.
Pope Francis avows, “The Son of God, by becoming flesh, summoned us to the revolution of tenderness …... making one more truly human.” [We]“ learn.. to find Jesus in the faces of others, in their voices … [becoming] a mystical community capable of seeing the sacred grandeur of God in every human being.” (Evangeli Gaudium 88,91,92). We too can glimpse the divine in the world around us and respond in loving mercy, anticipating resurrection to new life.
Deacon Mark Kelly
On Sunday 21st April 2024, the parish celebrated the Silver Jubilee for Father Brendan Hogan.
Mass was held at 11 am, and lunch followed at the Marist Sion College Hall.
Pictured above L-R: Bishop Greg Bennett, Fr Brendan Hogan, Fr Peter Slater and Fr John Davine.
Parents, listed below are some dates for your diary regarding the Sacramental program for Confirmation and First Holy Communion 2024
Confirmation 2024
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin with an Information Meeting for parents on Thursday 6th June, at 7 pm. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Fr. Elio Capra, SDB. The Confirmation ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennett, will be held on Friday, 26th July, at 7 pm in Marist Sion Hall.
First Holy Communion
Preparation for First Holy Communion will begin with an Information Meeting for parents on Thursday 29th August, at 7 pm. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Fr. Elio Capra, SDB. First Holy Communion Masses will be held on the weekend of 26th/27th October.
More details concerning these sacraments will be provided closer to the time. For further enquiries contact Liz - Ph: 5623 1642, Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
CAMP AUSTRALIA
Camp Australia Co-Ordinator: Carmelina De Cesari
Contact Number: 1300 105 343
Website: www.campaustralia.com.au
