Dear Families and Friends,

What a difference 24 hours can make!  I had our newsletter ready for publication but had to make a few additions as well as chase up clarification of a few COVID-related issues.  Last year I mentioned how grateful we were to belong to such a strong system that is offered by being a DOSCEL school.  Throughout 2020 we were constantly provided with accurate advice, support and equipment to cope with the ever-changing demands of a global pandemic.  We recently underwent a Health Department site visit and we not only passed but were given praise for the systems we had in place not only as a school, but importantly as a workplace.  The current scenario is still developing but at this stage DOSCEL schools in regional areas will not have any significant operational changes, apart from the community health guidelines that are given to all Victorians.  Attached to this newsletter is a letter for families detailing the current information for our school.  Hopefully the current situation is addressed quickly but I'm confident we will cope with any escalation if we need to.  

This week's newsletter has plenty of reading and viewing, with the next two weeks looking busy.  Can I bring to everyone's attention two particular events. 

• Next week we have Parent-Teacher Inteviews, our first opportunity to connect in this way with parents.  The online bookings are active and we ask all families to make sure they lock in a time to meet to discuss your child's progress with their teacher.  Can I thank the teaching staff for their preparation for these critically important sessions.
• On Monday morning I have scheduled a meeting to catchup with parents (and friends!) that would like to find out more about what events we are looking at for the rest of the year as well as opportunities for families to contribute.  It would be great to see some new faces but if you are interested and can't make that date please let us know.  There is a RVSP contained in this newsletter.

In closing I would like to offer our congratulations to our Year 6 students celebrating for Confirmation on Friday night.

Have a great week.  Stay safe and wash your hands! Dave

This week we join with all other schools throughout our Diocese to celebrate Catholic Education Week.  We also acknowledge the 200 year anniversary of Catholic Education in Australia.   On Friday we will be gathering as a school for a prayer assembly to celebrate Catholic Education.

Grade 5/6 were back in the kitchen last week cooking up some ‘Fast Fritters’. Our cooking session this week focused on adding vegetables to our diet as it provides our bodies with antioxidants, fibre, energy, water and vitamins.

As we learnt that some of our Grade 5/6 students are not a fan of peas and corn, we brainstormed some substitutes that we could add to the recipe: zucchini, sweet potato, carrot, just to name a few. You might like to give this a go at home! Such a quick and lunch box friendly recipe.

Fast Fritters - Serves 5 

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup of self raising flour
• ½ cup low fat milk
• 1 egg - lightly beaten 
• ½ cup of frozen peas and corn (or add 2 of the substitutes)
• ½ cup of reduced fat tasty cheese (grated)
• 1 shallot
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, milk, eggs, salt and pepper, make sure there are no lumps.
2. Add peas and corn (or substitutes), cheese and shallots to the above mixture and mix altogether.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan, and when hot, add 2 tablespoons of mixture.
4. When you see the mixture start to bubble, flip them over and cook on the other side.
5. Enjoy!

Parents & Friends Catchup

Please click on the link to make a booking: TERM 2 PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Please take note of these dates for your family calendar

Friday 28th May: Confirmation Mass 5pm

Wed 2nd & Thur 3rd June: Parent-Teacher Interviews.  Bookings via the website or on the App

Mon 14th June: Public Holiday

Friday 25th June: End of Term (12.30pm finish)

Sports Dates

Soccer (rescheduled)

Division day Wed 16th June @ Traralgon

The Victorian Government Legislative Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee is considering extending school buses for use by the wider public to enhance the mobility of regional and rural Victorians. In particular, the Committee will consider [1] identifying the spare capacity of existing assets in the school bus program and how that might be used to enhance public transport options in regional and rural Victoria; and [2] investigating the costs of extending mainstream school buses to the general public and how a fare system would function.

Submissions are being sought from the wider public. Submissions are due by Friday 25 June 2021.

Details of this inquiry can be found via the link below:

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/eic-lc/article/4615