As school returns we ask for support from parents to ensure that their children are in full summer uniform or sports uniform on the correct days.  We ask for students to only wear uniform items to school.

Also a reminder that in Term 4 all students need to wear a school hat.

The Uniform Shop has good stock of items, including new and used school shoes.  If you would like to purchase new items they are available via CDF-PAY link and when we return make contact with us about your uniform needs.

We appreciate your support in ensuring all children are in uniform.

Welcome to our second Schoolzine newsletter - I hope you find the format and functionality much improved from our previous newsletter, including the ability to switch the language in which the newsletter is displayed. We are looking forward to the release of the next stages of the system, including the online booking for this term's Parent-Teacher Interviews as well as electronic permission notes. This boost in our capacity to seamlessly link home to school electronically relies on families sharing their email address with us, and then being on the lookout for emails from us.  We understand this maybe might require a change in your online habits but we firmly believe that this system will boost our efficiency which in turn impacts student success.  We thank you for your support.

This week we have had some significant events, including our Opening Mass and a visit from Andrew Chinn.  We thank everyone who contributed to these events but especially our children who participated magnificently, making us very proud of them.

Today is St.Valentine's day, a day that has evolved over the years and throughout  different countries when we celebrate love.  At times we might feel that it is a sneaky marketing trick by florists and restaurants, the  roots of the celebration should be around acknowledging the people in our lives that love and care for us.  When I was working in Canada I was teaching a Year 8 class that was growing excited for St.Valentine's Day, while I was growing more nervous thinking about all the broken teenage hearts I was going to have to deal with.  Instead I experienced the most wonderful day where all the students exchanged cards and sweets in a similar way our children exchange Christmas cards and candy canes, with students interacting and reaching out to their classmates in ways they didn't regularly do.  I encourage all of us to reach out to those around us to spread a little love this St.Valentine's Day.

Around the school some things have began to happen quietly, including the first catch-up for those interested in what planning the PnF have in store for 2020, the fit-out of the chook yard by some hardworking students and the site meetings for our upcoming renovation.  Keep an eye out in future newsletters for further information or call in to the office to see how you could be involved.

Over the summer break we had some disappointing occasions when people accessed our site and caused damage, but with the terrific support of neighbours we were able to identify the visitors and they were spoken to by police.  The quick response by these community members and the Churchill Police was much appreciated, and we hope this may see a reduction in such inconvenient (and illegal) events.  We also had a recent occasion where attempts to gain entry were interupted by our school security system, and again neighbours provided additional footage that police were able to use.  If you notice trespassers on school property please contact 000 immediately, and during holidays a phone call to the Catholic Education Office would be appreciated.

Finally, can I extend my thanks to the parents involved in this year's sacraments program for their attendance and participation in the Parent Workshop held last week.  The guest speaker, Fr.Elio Capra, is both knowledgeable and entertaining and we trust that parents walked away with an improved understanding of what their children are learning.

We thank you for your continued support.

Dave Cooper

This week we celebrated our Opening Mass with a highlight being the blessing and presentation of badges to our student leaders led by Fr.Solomon.  Father Solomon also welcomed and blessed our new Prep students. During the Mass we acknowledged the 12 year anniversary of the National Apology delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  Afterwards we were hosted at a morning tea organised by the student leaders, with Fr.Solomon giving high praise to the chocolate slice!

We thank our Religious Education Leader, Mrs.Cathy Colaciello, for her organisation of the celebration as well as our Music Specialist, Mrs.Janelle Szkwarek, for coordinating the singing.  

We welcome everyone in our community to join us for our school masses and we appreciated all those who came along to celebrate with us this week.

During Term 1 we are preparing students (generally Year 4's) to receive the sacrament of First Eucharist.  The key dates include-

Workshop 1: Wednesday 19th Feb 5pm

Workshop 2: Thursday 5th March 5pm

First Communion Night: Saturday March 21st 6pm

Also ...... Are you looking to baptise your primary aged child?  Contact Mrs.Campbell so that we can organise for them to participate with their classmates in the appropriate scaramnt preparation.

Any questions?  See Mrs.Colaciello or Mrs.Campbell

We are extremely fortunate to be able to provide our students a quality Languages program.  During 2019 Mrs.Colaciello and Mr.Cooper undertook additional study and school visits in Melbourne to learn what we could add to our established Italian program.  This year we will be adding new components to the way we as a whole school community interact with our Language program and we hope to even extend learning opportunities into your homes.

The learning of a second language also has a significant impact on how a child can use and manipulate their first language, and our Lumen Christi Languages program is driven by our desire to boost our children's capacity to use both English and Italian compentently and confidently.  We encourage you to ask your child about what they have been covering in class as Signora Colaciello introduces each new phrase.  We hope to create some simple resources that parents can followup with their children at home.  Please learn about this week's Italian Focus Phrase.

In class the students learn the phrase and its accompanying actions/signs.  The actions serve the purpose to carry meaning for the word or sometimes mirror the motions made by our mouths or tongue.  We hope to be able to create some simple videos that can be shared via the Schoolzine platform for families to access at home.  In the meantime why not try our first phrase:

Posso andare al bango per favore?

Posso - Can I

andare - go to

al - the

bagno - toilet

per favore - please

In the class the students will build upon this phrase substituting in different places, and across the term manipulate these known combinations of words into other sentences.  Around the school we will be on the lookout for students using this phrase and combinations of actions.

For further information feel free to call pass and chat to Signora Colaciello.

Cambo's Kitchen: School Breakfast Program will operate on Thursdays from 8.10am

School Uniform: Mrs.Campbell will work with families to ensure that they can meet our uniform guidelines.  If you require assistance please let her know.

Playgroup: We are looking for families interested in participating in our school playgroup.  Please let us know if you have babies to pre-schoolers so we can include you.

Thank you to those families who have organised for their children to have access to the correct uniform pieces.  As a school we are very fortunate to have access to the Uniform Shop facility that is coordinated by volunteer parent helpers and we ask all families to take advantage of this great resource.  Our school expectation is that all parents send their children to school in uniform, if you require assistance please contact Mrs.Campbell.

Sports Uniform Days:

Prep/One: Thursday & Friday

One/Two: Thursday & Friday

Three/Four: Thursday & Monday

Four/Five: Thursday & Friday

Five/Six: Thursday & Tuesday

This week our swimming squad participated in the Yinnar and District Swimming Carnival held at the Churchill Leisure Centre.  Competiting against students from the eight different schools in our sports district, our students participated with enthusiasm and represented the schools with pride.  We congratulate them on their efforts, behaviour and performance as well as Mrs.Alesi who generously gave up her time to assist.

Thanks to:

COOPER GRAY

LOGAN FOSTER

KAYLAH GRIDLEY

CAMRYN MASTERS

LILY ANSELL

CONNER GRAY

HEATH McGRATH

We are blessed with a terrific five-acre school site that offers our children a variety of play and learning spaces.  As part of our Master Plan we are enhancing and renovating aspects of the site.  While doing this we are looking at improving the learning outcomes and well being of our students, while also supporting the work of Pope Francis who urges us to think about how we are acting sustainably.  With this in mind we have been lucky to selected as one of only two schools in Victoria, and only nineteen across the country, to be part of the Earthcare trial for 2020. We look forward to where this will take us and encourage interested parents, grandparents, community members and businesses to make contact with us if you would like to participate in this excited venture.

Lumen Christi has been fortunate over the years since our opening in 1977 to be blessed with tremendous parent support.  From clearing the paddocks for our first buildings, to countless BBQs and fetes, the participation of parents have enabled the school to prosper as well as life long friendships to be formed.

As we start the 2020 school year it is an important to time to put into place structures and plans for the school moving forward.  The participation of parents in this is crucial and we extend an invitation for all our families to be involved in any way that they can.  From participating in one, some or all of the activities of the Parents Group or maybe you might like to join in the Advisory Group working alongside Mr.Cooper - the invitation to get involved in your child's education is there for all.

If you would like further information please call pass and speak to Dave or maybe check out the Parents Group Facebook page.

Last year we undertook some preliminary planning work on a Master Plan for Lumen Christi.

This year we have scheduled a renovation of two buildings to boost student safety and staff work spaces.  An easy way to describe this project is that the Art Room and Staff Room are swapping positions, as well as the associated admin, office and meeting spaces.  This will create the situation where the School Office is the first entry point to the school yard creating a school yard that offers improved student safety.  Additionally to this will be a change in student access to the oval via the western side of the library, and reducing student access to the carpark area.  This work is scheduled for completion by June, so initial site and building preparation could start soon.

Further stages we hope to complete in this 12 month period include a big makeover of the back basketball court and gardens.

There is always the opportunity for parents to learn more about this and participate in the consultative process.  If this interests you please see Mr.Cooper.

A successful transition to primary school relies on many factors.  A key factor is the relationship the family can build with the school.  We encourage families with a Prep 2021 student to make contact with us so we can ensure we include you in our transition planning.  We are also establishing a transition team and would appreciate parent input - See Mr.Cooper if you are interested in being involved.