Dear Families,

It has been so wonderful to finally to se some familiar faces that I haven't seen for a while.  Yesterday we welcomed back the Year 4-6 cohort and it was just some pleasing to have these students back in their seats.  Remote Learning is obviously not anyone's preference but to see those students in particular who embraced learning from home finally return to their school desk makes me so happy.  The independent learning skills forced upon them I feel will set them up strongly for the years ahead.

This morning driving to work I was listening to Garry Lyon and Tim Watson interview Chloe McCardel.  Chloe is an 36 year old Australian who has not only swam the English Channel but now holds the record for the completing the swim a staggering 44 times.  Apart from the physicality of just one crossing imagine the mindset of backing up time and time again.  It reminded me of just how much our children have had their resilience challenged as well as the sense of self-satisfaction they should feel about overcoming the challenges of remote learning.  I also know that a few might be struggling to swing their arms over in the last few metres needed to hit the shoreline.  We look forward to sharing with parents the joys and struggles of the next few weeks as we all get our mojo back.  Really do take care of yourselves, parenting really doesn't come with a book nor is the answer to be found on social media.

This end of week update is really just to share two items: [1] Return to Full-time Onsite Learning and [2] the regular Onsite Supervision request form.

The scheduled date when all students are onsite full-time in Week 4 is TUESDAY.  I'm personally not sure of why it is not the Monday but please be aware that students in Year 3-6 will return onsite on TUESDAY 26th OCTOBER.

Have a great weekend, Dave

In Week 4 the Years 3 to 6 begin fulltime on TUESDAY.  The decision to commence fulltime on the Tuesday is a directive of the Victorian Government.

Our Lumen Christi staff will be continuing our Protective Behaviours Program titled, Holding Hands, this Term. As mentioned in pervious newsletters, it  is an Internationally acclaimed personal safety and child abuse prevention program endorsed by the Department of Education in Western Australia with Victorian Curriculum links. 

This program is based on two themes : “We all have the right to feel safe all of the time’ and “We can talk with someone about anything, no matter what it is”. By teaching protective behaviours programs, we will be helping our students develop the life long skills of assertiveness, self-confidence, problem solving, communication, resilience and help seeking. The activities and discussions are simple and presented in a fun, child-friendly way, designed not to scare children but teach them some of the vital skills of personal safety and the importance of consent. The focus this Term is Body Awareness and many classes will be having discussions about the human body and body parts. The lessons will involve using the correct medical names for the body parts. Please be aware that the children may come home sharing words learnt/used in their classwork. 

Our Child Safety focus fits in perfectly with National Children’s Week. Our Day for Daniel on Friday 29th, October, ties in with giving children the power to say, ‘NO’, and to seek assistance if needed. Empowering the children with these strategies will hopefully give them the safety they deserve. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact your class teacher or Mr Cooper or Mrs Colaciello. 

Oct 23-31st

Children’s Week

‘Every child has the right to choose  their own friends and safely connect with others.’

During Term 3 and 4, the children have been learning about protective behaviours using the WA Child Protection Program called, ‘Holding Hands’.  As part of our Child Safety theme, we thought we’d reflect on the life of Daniel Morocombe by honouring Daniel on Friday, October 29th. Each class will participate in a whole school simultaneous video viewing, which will remind them of the importance of  Child Safety and the right to feel safe.  On this day, we will teach children to recognise, react & report any harmful/unsafe situations and use their 5 network support people if needed. 

Child Safety Day for Daniel Objectives:

• To raise awareness about Child Safety 

• To educate children regarding their personal safety and empower them to recognise, react and report any unsafe situations.

• To honour the memory of unsafe scenarios such as that of Daniel Morocombe 

On Friday, October 29th at 11:15am - each class will watch this video then make red hearts and pin them onto their tops to remember Daniel and  our theme focus of ‘keeping kids safe’, and ‘Every child has the right to feel safe all of the time’.

Onsite Attendance Booking Form: Monday 18th Oct to Monday 25th Oct 2021