Guardian Angels' Newsletter Term 4 Week 9 2024

Coming Up

WEEK 10

Monday 2 December
Uniform Shop Open, 7.30am - 10.30am
End of Year Mass, 9.00am (MC Shed)
Prep Nativity Play, 2.00pm (MC Shed)

Tuesday 3 December
P&F Meeting, 6.00pm (MC staffroom)

Wednesday 4 December
Choir, 7.45am
Christmas Concert, 6.00pm (MC Shed)

Thursday 5 December
Yr 6 Wet'n'Wild Excursion
Uniform Shop Open, 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Friday 6 December
Farewell Assembly and Blessing, 11.15am (MC Shed)
SCHOOL FINISHES AT 12.00

From the Principal

Staffing at Guardian Angels’ School in 2025
I am pleased to announce that our class structures and staffing arrangements for 2025 have been finalised, with detailed arrangements of specialist offerings and a full 2025 staff list contained further in this newsletter.   

Welcome… 
I would like to welcome new staff and those moving to new roles at Guardian Angels in 2025: 

Nicholas Cotter (APRE):  We welcome Nicholas Cotter to the position of Assistant Principal Religious Education at Guardian Angels from the commencement of the 2025 school year.
Nick brings leadership experience to the role from previous appointments including Assistant Principal Administration at Good Shepherd Primary School, Springfield Lakes and Assistant Principal Religious Education, Cleveland.   Nick is a well-respected educator and holds a Master of Educational Leadership and Bachelor of Education.

Kirsten Lawson (Specialist Teacher: STEM): Kirsten is an experienced educator and is a well-known member of our relief teaching team.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and skills having worked in different educational settings in Australia and overseas.  Kirsten has previously established programs in areas of technology, and her enthusiasm for learning and teaching will be a great addition to our school.

Antoinette Brustolin (Specialist Teacher LOTE: Italian): Antoinette is an experienced educator having worked extensively across educational sectors.  She has expertise across all levels of primary schooling, including teaching Italian and The Arts.  Antoinette is excited to be joining the GA community, and she will be a great asset to our specialist teaching team. 

We welcome new staff to our Guardian Angels’ community and trust that they find their time in our school a very rewarding experience. 

Farewell and Thanks… 
Each person has an important role in our school community and as we farewell members of our staff, we are given the opportunity to celebrate all that they have accomplished during their time at Guardian Angels’ School, and we wish them every success in their new beginnings. 

We farewell and thank: 

• Rhiannon Cameron (APRE):  We farewell Rhiannon from our Leadership Team and GA community as she moves to a new role within Brisbane Catholic Education.
  Rhiannon has made a significant contribution to the Guardian Angel’s School community and has been a valued member of our Leadership Team for the past several years.  A respected leader, she has worked to support our students, staff and families in her role with great care and a love of learning.   Her willingness in offering her guidance to all in our community is a genuine reflection of her commitment to her role and has earnt her respect and deep appreciation.  I know that you join with me in thanking our God for gifting Rhiannon to our Guardian Angels’ community and wish her every success for her new role.    

• Bernadette Williams (Class Teacher): We farewell Bernadette from our teaching staff at the end of the 2024 school year after a period of extended leave.
  Bernadette has made a unique contribution to Guardian Angels, with a commitment to Catholic Education that has spanned more than 21 years. We pray for her as she officially farewells our school community and moves into new beginnings in 2025.

• Daniela Clever (Specialist Teacher: Music): We farewell Daniela for the 2025 school year as she commences a period of extended leave. We wish Daniela and her family every blessing as they prepare to welcome Baby Clever in the new year.  

• Pamela Jory (Class Teacher): We farewell Pamela from our teaching team and thank her for her commitment and dedication to our students.  We wish her well as she continues her professional journey. 

• Olivia Bailey (Class Teacher): We farewell Olivia from our teaching team and thank her care and commitment to our students.  We wish her well in her travels next year and for her future professional journey.

• Yukiko Labios (LOTE Teacher: Japanese): We farewell Yukiko from our specialist teaching team and thank her for the enthusiasm for language learning that she has shared with our students.  We wish her well as she continues her professional journey.   

• Aimee Smith (School Officer Prep): We farewell Aimee from our staff team at the end of the school year.  We thank Aimee for her caring and calm manner, and wish her every success as she pursues a new professional opportunity.

• Matthew Murphy (Grounds Staff): We farewell Matthew from our grounds staff at the end of 2024.  We extend thanks to Matt for his contribution to the grounds team over many years and we wish him well for his future endeavours.

As we farewell each staff member at the end of this term, we do so in recognition of the valued contributions made to our Guardian Angels’ community. 

There will be opportunities to gather and to share words of personal thanks, but I would like to thank them for their service and acknowledge that we are thankful to our God for gifting us with them. 

We pray for them as they farewell our school community and move into new beginnings: 

May the road rise to meet you, 
May the wind be always at your back. 
May the sun shine warm upon your face. 
May the rains fall soft upon your fields 
And until we meet again,  
May God keep you in the palm of his hand. 

Staffing Arrangements and Learning Areas for 2025 
Teaching Staff and allocated learning areas for 2025 are as below: 
 
Prep Blue - Amelia Law    GA 01  
Prep Green - Sheridan Arndell GA 02
Prep Red - Lucy Zimmerlie GA 03 

1 Blue – Loren Cahill (Mon/Tue) /Josephine Summerville (Wed – Fri) GA 04
1 Green – Danielle Carroll GA 07  
1 Red – Fiona James GA 08

2 Blue - Nicole Dodds GA 09
2 Green- Anne-Maree Harrison GA 10  
2 Red - Karen Morshuis GA 12

3 Blue – Melinda Paljakka MC 09 
3 Green – Will Erwin MC 11 
3 Red – Alison Hackett  MC 10  

4 Blue - Lisa Gear MC 06 
4 Green – David Trimble MC 05 
4 Red – Vicki Lucas MC 07  
4 Yellow – Kelli Griffith MC 08

5/6 Blue – Alana Prasnikar MC 13
5/6 Green – Susan Faulkner MC 14 
5/6 Red – Warren Kay MC 15

Notification of Home Groups/Teachers for 2025 
A letter outlining your child’s 2025 Home Group and Teacher will be sent home with each student on Monday 02 December 2024. Please check your child’s bag for this information. 

Teachers will also share this information with the students prior to leaving school on Monday 02 December 2024.

Specialist Lessons in 2025:  Introducing STEM (Prep -Year 6)

In 2025, our school will continue to provide specialist lessons in the areas of Physical Education, The Arts (Drama, Music and Visual Art) and LOTE.  These specialist lessons are further supported by the Instrumental Music Program offered to Years 1-6 by Creative Kids (User Pay).

To further enhance learning and teaching in 2025, our specialist offerings will include STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) for all students from Prep – Year 6.  Students will engage in weekly STEM lessons with a specialist teacher, Kirsten Lawson.  STEM is a term used to refer collectively to the learning and teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, in a transdisciplinary way through problem solving around big conceptual ideas.  

Detailed information regarding STEM is shared further in the newsletter. 

Specialist Lessons in 2025
In 2025, our specialist curriculum offerings will be in the areas of: 

• Drama (Prep - Year 6): Andrea Ellis-Vester
• Music (Prep - Year 6) (Terms 2 - 4): To be confirmed
• Visual Arts (Prep - Year 6) (Term 1): Kath Bynon
• Physical Education (Prep - Year 6): Melanie Denmead
• LOTE Italian (Years 5 and 6): Antoinette Brustolin
• STEM (Prep - Year 6): Kirsten Lawson 

Specialists lessons are timetabled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week.

The Arts:  Drama, Visual Art and Music

Drama 
Drama will be offered by a specialist teacher, Andrea Ellis-Vester, to all students from Prep to Year 6. Students will attend weekly lessons.  

Visual Art (Term 1)
Visual Art will be offered by a specialist teacher, Kath Bynon, during Term 1, to all students from Prep to Year 6. Students will attend weekly lessons.  From Term 2, Visual Arts will be integrated within classroom curriculum programs.

Music  (Terms 2 – 4)
Music will be offered by a specialist teacher during Terms 2 - 4, to all students from Prep to Year 6. Students will attend weekly lessons.
Choir will commence mid Term 1, with details to be provided early next year.

Physical Education (PE) 
Physical Education will be offered by a specialist teacher, Melanie Denmead, to all students from Prep to Year 6. Students will attend weekly lessons. 

• Swimming lessons will occur in Term 4 for students in Years 1 and 2. This is to reduce disruptions at the commencement of the school year as our students settle into their learning and teaching routines. Details will be provided upon completion of the master calendar for 2025 and shared via regular communication platforms.

LOTE Italian
We have the opportunity to transition to LOTE Italian at Guardian Angels’ from the commencement of Term 1, 2025.  This is an exciting opportunity for our students with Italian being offered by a specialist teacher, Antoinette Brustolin, for students in Years 5 and 6. Students will attend weekly lessons, with lessons scheduled each Wednesday. 

Instrumental Music Program: Creative Kidz 
David and Kath Smith, of Creative Kidz, will continue to offer a user-pay instrumental music program to our Guardian Angels’ students. This is a wonderful program offered to our students and further information will be shared by the Creative Kidz team in the weeks ahead. 

Introducing STEM Education

What is STEM education?
STEM is a term used to refer collectively to the learning and teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, in a transdisciplinary way through problem solving around big conceptual ideas.  

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) touch every aspect of our world, and the innovations that emerge from these fields underpin the global community.

In Australia, the renewed national focus on STEM in school education aspires to equip all young Australians with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop as problem solvers and critical and creative thinkers.

Learning and teaching in STEM builds on students’ curiosity and makes connections through the solving of real world problems in ways that are inquiry-based and directed to the achievement of deep understanding.

The key priorities for establishing and sustaining high quality learning and teaching of STEM are enacted through the Australian Curriculum.

• The Australian Curriculum supports STEM learning initiatives through the Science, Technologies and Mathematics learning areas and through the General Capabilities. 

The national strategy on STEM, focused on two broad goals, sets the agenda for STEM learning and teaching in BCE schools:

• Ensure all students finish school with strong foundational knowledge in STEM and related skills.
• Ensure that students are inspired to take on more challenging STEM subjects.

Designing Future-Focused Learning:  STEM education at Brisbane Catholic Education

Why is STEM education important?

• STEM education enables students to develop solutions to complex problems and provides them with the knowledge, understanding, skills and capabilities that will help them succeed in a world of technological change. As future innovators, educators, researchers and leaders, it is important that students develop the skills required to participate on a global scale. 

How does STEM education benefit students?

STEM education benefits students by providing them with: 

• A deeper understanding of the STEM disciplines;
• Skills to be competitive in the workplace;
• General capabilities such as collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving; and
• STEM literacy for everyday use. 

Meet The Teacher Morning

Our Meet the Teacher Morning is scheduled for Wednesday 04 December 2024 (Week 10). Continuing students and new students commencing in 2025 from Prep to Year 6 will join us for this morning. We will also welcome most of our teaching staff for 2025. All new and continuing students will spend the morning engaged in learning and teaching activities with their 2025 teacher/s. Please note the arrangements as below: 

• On arrival at school, all students are to place their bags outside the classroom of their regular 2024 learning area prior to going to normal before school supervision/play areas. 
• At the start of day (08:25am), students will line up as per their regular before school routines and will move with their 2024 class teacher to their normal classrooms to mark the roll.
• Current Year 6 students and all other students leaving Guardian Angels at the end of 2024 will spend the session with our specialist teaching team.  These students will be directed by their class teachers at the commencement of the day.

2025 Prep to Year 2 NEW Students 

• Students commencing in Prep to Year 2 are to be dropped off (08:40am) in the hall and collected (10:20am) beneath the shade sails located between the GA Campus School Administration Building and the Church on Bay Terrace.
• Students will be walked by school staff to meet with their 2025 class group and teacher.
• To support a smooth transition, parents are asked to separate quickly from their child.

 2025 Year 3 to Year 6 NEW Students 

• Students commencing in Year 3 to Year 6 are to be dropped (08:30am) and collected (10:15am) from the MC school office at 82 Chestnut Street.
• Students will be walked by school staff to meet with their 2025 class group and teacher.
• To support a smooth transition, parents are asked to separate quickly from their child.

From the Assistant Principal Administration

Good afternoon lovely families,

We have reached our final newsletter of 2024. This is the time I really love looking back and reflecting on how much our angels have grown throughout the year. Our Preppies have finally started to ‘grow into their school bags’ … ie the bags often seem bigger than the students at the beginning of the year. The Year Six students are full of emotions; excited about the next step in their wonderful lives as they begin high school, while at the same time, feeling a little sad at the closing of this wonderful stage of primary school. I love watching the excitement of the Year Two students who are realising they are moving ‘across the road’ … mind you, I find myself always feeling a little sad at this thought as I miss seeing their faces every single day as they move to the senior campus. Still, it’s a really lovely time of the year to share with your beautiful children.

SEMESTER TWO REPORTS

On Tuesday 3 December, your child/ren's 2024 Semester Two Summary of Achievement (reports) will be uploaded and accessible to you via both the BCE Connect App and the Parent Portal. As in Semester One, BCE schools have transferred their student reporting to THE LEARNING DASHBOARD.

It is really important that the correct steps for access are followed, otherwise you will not be able to locate the reports.

When you select your student/s, you will see a range of options. DO NOT click ACADEMIC REPORTS. I know this seems like the logical place you would go to access reports, however this will only contain any reports from years earlier than 2024.

PLEASE CLICK THE LEARNING DASHBOARD and then you will be able to select your student/s and access their Semester Two reports. Guardian Angels began using THE LEARNING DASHBOARD platform for student reporting in 2024. Only 2024 reports will be accessible through The Learning Dashboard.

Please download, save and/or print a copy of these reports so that you have ready access to them if/when required in the future. Please note that once your student leaves Guardian Angels, you will no longer have access to the Parent Portal, so it is important that you retain a copy for your own records.

HATS AND UNIFORMS
I understand that we are nearing the end of this school year, however the pride and sense of belonging we have in our beautiful school is very important and so we need our students to continue to wear their uniforms correctly right up until the end of the school year. This includes shoes, socks, hats, jewellery, correct uniforms on the correct day and an appropriate state of uniform.

Of particular concern at the moment is the issue with SCHOOL HATS. There is an ever increasing number of students who are presenting at school without their school hat. This is an imperative part of their uniform; especially in this hot weather. It concerns us greatly to look out across our sea of angels and see heads without hats. May I ask for parents’ support in this area please to ensure your child/ren has their school hat at school every day. Students coming to school without their hat are also missing out on their vital playtime. NO HAT NO PLAY is an Australian mantra in schools. Even in winter, our sun is just too fierce for our little ones to play for extended time without a hat for protection. Thank you for your understanding in this area.

Another issue that is creeping into our uniform is jewellery. In particular fancy earrings, bracelets and necklaces that should not be worn at any time. The exception of course are necklaces with religious or cultural significance (eg cross or crucifix) that must be worn inside the uniform shirt or dress. Earrings should only be plain sleepers or studs.

CHRISTMAS CHEER
It is lovely to see the kindness and generosity of our students as we begin to enjoy the Christmas season. I love to see that students spend their time writing special messages of friendship on Christmas cards for their friends and teachers.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity in this space also. When the students receive special treats such as lollypops or candy canes, I have outlined that these are not to be eaten at school. I have reiterated with the students that these treats are a very special and kind gift from their friends, and they are to be put into their lunchboxes and taken home so that mum or dad can decide on a good time to gobble them up.

Peace-filled Christmas blessings to you all as we prepare to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas. Thank you for your constant support and your willingness to work together as partners with us here at school. This is such a privileged relationship we share with yourselves and your children, and we thank you for trusting them with us.

Remember … If your family is planning on attending the Christmas Eve family parish mass in the MC Shed on December 24, you need to bring your own seating.

Merry Christmas everyone … have a safe and happy holiday. I can’t wait to see most of you again in January.

Nicole Waller

From the Assistant Principal Religious Education

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

This week our Year 6 Spirit Committee Leaders launched our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal!

Please help us to support this wonderful cause.

Year 6 Graduation

Last Thursday we celebrated our Year 6 Graduating students. We wish our graduating Year 6 students well as they come to the end of their primary schooling. They have worked extremely hard throughout their primary school years and we wish them all the very best as they start a new adventure. May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Christmas Concert

Thank you to all the staff of Guardian Angels’ for their help in producing a fantastic Christmas Concert. We can’t wait to watch and sing along with the true story of Christmas, all while having a little bit of fun on the way.

On the evening we strongly encourage you to bring your own chairs, no seating will be provided. 

Students can wear the following:

- Christmas shirts, dresses, skirts/shorts, or Christmas coloured attire. Students are welcome to wear their school shorts or skirts with their Christmas clothing if needed.
- Shoes must be enclosed.
- Christmas accessories and earrings may be worn, hair accessories must sit flush with your child’s head. 
- Students are asked not to wear novelty headbands or hats or anything that sits above or out from their head.
- Year 5 and 6 students require a Santa hat (any colour is fine).

The concert is will begin at 6pm, students needs to arrive between 5:30pm and 5:45pm, ready for a 6pm start.

End of Year Farewell and Blessing Assembly

On Friday the 6^th of December, we will be celebrating our school year with a Farewell and Blessing Assembly. This will be held in the Shed at 11.15am and we extend a warm invite for all members of our community.

We hope you can join us for our final celebration of the year.

From the Primary Learning Leader

Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe another year is over and what a wonderful year we’ve had!
It has been such a privilege working with our dedicated and hard-working staff and seeing the incredible progress our students have made.

From meeting with our teachers every three weeks to plan, set learning goals, moderate and discuss students’ progress to then walk into learning spaces and see the learning in action through learning walls, student engagement and student voice has been wonderful to observe. The guidance and assistance from our STIE’s and the support from our School Officers is invaluable, as these staff members also play an integral part of the learning journey of our students.

I wish our Guardian Angels’ families a very safe and happy holiday and if I could encourage one thing of the long holiday break, it would be for every student to continue to read!

Take care
Elisha Thatcher

School Fees

An email regarding 2025 school fees was sent Friday 22 November to families. Please check your email inbox to learn more.

Information can also be found on our website here:

 https://www.guardianangelswynnum.qld.edu.au/enrolments/Pages/School-Fees.aspx 

Kind Regards,

Amy Hardisty – Finance Officer

Assembly in 2025

Assembly in 2025 at Guardian Angels:  Moving to Friday Morning

Our assembly routines in 2024 have provided a great opportunity for our community to gather and to share in messages, performances and to celebrate successes and achievements. 

In 2025, our fortnightly, whole school assembly will move to 8:50am Friday mornings.    This move is to support the many parents and members of our extended community to attend assembly as they drop children at school at the beginning of school day; to minimize disruption to regular classroom routines, maximise specialist offerings and to communicate messages. 

Our Year 6 student leaders will continue to lead our weekly assembly. 

Term 4 P&F Awards

Gabby M, Lola C, Sophie P, Ante K, Alfie R, Hamish P, Bertie H, Eva M, Lewis N, Jayden S, Eden R, Georgi G, Zara C, Sophie V, Piper J, Ruby M, Indigo W, Elise M, Chloe W

Parish News

As we approach the Christmas Season, please see below information around our Parish Mass times.

 Please join us for the Christmas Vigil Mass on Tuesday the  24^th of December at 5pm in our School Shed.

Please remember your child is welcome to come dressed as an angel or shepherd for this Mass.  If your child has nominated for a role, can you please arrive at 4.30pm for a practice.  Thank you.

Christmas Mass Schedule:

Guardian Angels School in “The Shed”

24 December

     ● 5pm Christmas  Vigil Mass

Bring your own chairs and picnic rugs. Parents with young children, families big and small welcome.   
“The Shed” is the undercover area along Pine St. This is an outdoor venue. 

Guardian Angels Church, Wynnum

24 December
     ● 8pm Christmas Vigil Mass

     ● Midnight Mass (Christmas Carols beforehand)

25 December

     ● 7am Christmas Mass

     ● 9am Christmas Mass

            *No afternoon/Evening Mass

 Nazareth House Chapel

24 December

     ● 6:30pm Christmas Vigil Mass

25 December

     ● 9:30am Christmas Mass

Iona College Chapel, Lindum

24 December

     ● 7:00pm Christmas Vigil Mass

25 December

     ● 7:30am Christmas Mass

St Joseph the Worker, Hemmant

25 December

     ● 8am Christmas Mass

*No 6pm Mass on Christmas Eve

Lost Property

From the Tuckshop

Wednesday 4th - Helper Needed 
Thursday 5th - Katie Adie 
Friday 6th - NO TUCKSHOP - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 

Please note that food items are limited in the last week of school. 

Please contact Kendell Trevisan - ktrevisan@bne.catholic.edu.au - if you are able to volunteer your time in the canteen in 2025.

Before commencing your role as a volunteer or other personnel at our school, you are required to complete the online volunteer training. This training needs to be renewed annually and can be found here: https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/students-parents/student-protection/Pages/Student-Protection-and-Code-of-Conduct-Training-for-Volunteers-and-Other-Personnel.aspx

Student Medication

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop is open Mondays 7.30am-10.30am and Thursdays 1.00pm-4.00pm for fittings right up until the end of the school year (last day Thursday 5 Dec).

Extra opening hours early in 2025 are below: 

Tuesday 21 January 2025: 07.30 – 10.30
Wednesday 22 January 2025: 0900 – 1400
Thursday 23 January 2025: 1200 – 1700
Friday 24 January 2025: 0900 – 1400

All dates are available to book for fittings via this link: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17372204&appointmentType=11926367

Online orders are also available anytime – password to access this page is guardianangels2023

Mini-Pros Football

To register, please follow this link:

https://minipros.com.au/event/guardian-angels-catholic-primary-school-wynumm/

Disclaimer

Copyright in some materials appearing in this newsletter are owned by third parties and should not be used or reproduced without the authority of the third party.  The links to websites or webpages are for information purposes only.  To the extent that such third party materials are not owned by BCE, we accept no responsibility for such content.