Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome to Term 3.

I hope you and your family had the opportunity to enjoy the break from routine over the holidays.  Even though we all probably felt frustrated by the fact we had only just got all students on deck for a few weeks then had to start holidays, it was really important to pause and have some non-school time.  Unfortunately I get the sense that I'm a little like Bill Murray in that classic movie 'Groundhog Day' the way things are going at the moment with growing concern around COVID-19.

Last term we all were confronted with the joys and challenges of Remote Learning, and even though we have no clear advice from Government about where the current situation will lead we need to be sensible in our approach.  As adults we need to be agile and ready to respond to change in our lives, while at the same time ensuring our responses do not negatively impact on our children.  Parenting is such a rewarding thing, but also a real juggling act that is the real challenge at times.  If we have to move back into a lock-down scenario I know we will take advantage of the lessons learnt from last time.

This newsletter includes some important information about key topics, inlcuding information about changes to upcoming events.  We had planned on moving Parent-Teacher Interviews up to Week 2 with the teachers really keen to hear from parents about what they learnt about their child during Remote Learning, as we have already had such positive feedback about how much more informed and empowered parents felt.  As reports are distrbuted this week we encourage parents to reach out to the classroom teachers if they still felt the need to catch up via phone.

The Semester 1 reports will have a different structure due to the impact of Remote Learning.  I'm sure some families have friends or family members at other schools so may have seen different report styles and content over the past month.  As a school we made the decision to try to give parents more information than was set as a standard by the Victorian Government.  To enable this to happen we created a timeline that allowed teachers to continue writing reports until the last day of term, compared to the Semeter 1 report drafts normally completed at the end of May.  Can I thank the staff for their willingness to adopt this generous approach even though last term saw a significant rise in their workload as it was.

Finally, an update about the building program .... the fence is down, the builders have left and we have started the shuffle across.  As different technical and communication systems become operational we will then complete the move over to the new Admin area.

Wishing you a great finish to the week, take care and stay safe.

Dave 

With the upheaval of COVID-19 we have been forced to be flexible with our Learning Enrichment program.  Camps, Incursions and Excursions have been impacted this term and we have been advised to not schedule anything for the first half of term 3.  Like many industries (Travel, Hospitality, Music) the companies that support schools have been heavily disadvantaged economically and they have been very supportive in trying to reschedule events.  We have been particularly concerned about overnight camps and have been reviewing the significant planning that underpins our Year 5/6 Melbourne Camp, and while the State Government have given the green light to reopen to adventure/bush style camps our three days in Melbourne were going to prove difficult.

As a school our priority is, and always will be, the health and safty of the children and staff but we have had the decision taken out of our hands as DOXA have decided to cease their city camps.  As restrictions lift and providers release their availability we will be able to reschedule our Learning Enrichment program for the remainder of the year.

This term our Social Justice fundraiser is our annual winter Appeal for Vinnies.  On Thursday 25th June students are asked to bring to school a donation of non-perishable food.

Students are encouraged on the day to wear a beanie.

The building works are on schedule to be completed during the school holidays.  This redevelopment has been on the drawing board for a few school years so it will be great to have it finalised, and even though we had some slight inconveniences the fact it was undertaken during our COVID19 term probably made things less complicated.

If you have ventured along Auchterlonie Crescent you would have noticed our new entry point to the oval, a path that is much more safer for the children.  Once we get back next term we can commence some beautification of this area so please let us know if you are interested in doing some planting or mulching.

The entry point to the school from next term will be changed.  As you head up the ramp from the car park you will be funnelled into the new Admin space.  The building program brief involved the creation of separate reception zones for visitors and students again to enhance student safety and site security so you will noticed changed procedures if you visit the school during operating hours.

We look forward to moving in early in the term once we know all our communication and IT systems are operational and do not anticipate too many inconveniences for staff and students.

Due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 school closures the staff planning day originally scheduled for the student free day on the 8th May 2020 had to be relocated somewhere else in the school calendar.

Yesterday we were given permission to relocate it to the last day of this term, Friday 26th June.  This half-day for students was chosen as it was the least disruptive to classrooms instead of having an additional day next term.

Please note that the term will now finish on Thursday 25th June and it be a FULL day with the regular 3pm dismissal in place.

This year all enrolments will be completed on documentation provided by Diocese of Sale:Catholic Education Limited [DOSCEL].  This support from DOSCEL enables all catholic schools to have a level of consistency but more importantly met all legislative demands.

These forms are available online via the school website, and can be completed online PDF.  If you require further support or access to the forms for 2021 Prep Enrolments please contact the office.

Click here - ENROLMENT DOCUMENTATION

We encourage both current and new families to make contact with us to ensure your child's placement is secure, while also registered for our transition opportunities.

At present we are not able to host onsite transition opportunities.

The Learning for Life Scholarships have again been offered to Lumen Christi families through a partnering agreement with The Smith Family.  We have attached the flyer that explains the eligible criteria.  These scholarships provide direct financial support to families to cover educational expenses, which we know have potentially escalated during the remote learning situation.  If you are interested please contact Shelley via the details on the flyer, or by making contact with Mr.Cooper and Mrs.Campbell at school.

The application process is rather simple and we are happy to support parents complete the one page application form.

What is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data?

Schools must now complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) every year. It counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or “help” at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs of students with disability. 

Please read the attached Parent Information Sheet for more details:

If you have further questions please feel free to contact Mrs.Peterson

Dear Year 6 Families - Please take the time to read the following letter from Mr.John Freeman the Principal of Lavalla Cathiolic College, Traralgon regarding the changed Enrolment conditions for Year 7 2021.  if you require further information please either contact Lavalla directly, or feel welcome to speak to Mr.Cooper or Mrs.Dosen.