Guardian Angels' Newsletter - Term 4 | Week 4
Coming up @ GA
Week 5
Monday 31 October
Tuesday 1 November
Prep 2023 Orientation Morning #2
Melbourne Cup Day
Wednesday 2 November
P-6 Assembly - All Saints Day - led by Prep G - 1:50pm - MC Shed
Thursday 3 November
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm-4:00pm
Year 1-6 Instrumental Music Program
Friday 4 November
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Swimming Lessons - Year 1 and Year 2
Saturday 5 November
P&F Casino Night - Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron | 6:30pm-11:00pm
Week 6
Monday 7 November
Secondhand Uniform Shop Open - 7:45am-8:15am
Tuesday 8 November
Raw Art Incursion - Year 5/6
P&F Meeting - Mt Carmel Campus Staffroom - 6:30pm
Wednesday 9 November
P-6 Assembly - Remembrance Day - led by Year 2G - 1:50pm - MC Shed
Thursday 10 November
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm-4:00pm
Raw Art Incursion - Prep
Friday 11 November
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Swimming Lessons - Year 1 and Year 2
Remembrance Day Prayer Service - 11:00am
Sunday 13 November
Year 4 Led Parish Mass | GA Church | 5:00pm
From the Principal
Celebrating World Teacher’s Day: Jesus, The Best Teacher
We often celebrate the understanding that as parents, we are the first teachers of our children and that the family is the first school. At Guardian Angels’, we value that parents are partners in the teaching that happens every day and recognise that many parents may not think of themselves as teacher.
As we celebrate World Teacher’s Day this Friday, let us remember Jesus, our teacher who enlightens our hearts and minds by His presence. As we journey together, as teachers and with teachers, we ask God’s blessing upon us all; and we pray that we may be living signs of Your presence in our school communities as we reflect together:
The Best Teacher (Revised for the 21st Century)
He never taught a lesson in a classroom. He never used an interactive white board. Not once did he use PowerPoint to make His case. He did not have internet access … or a computer … or even electricity. He was not trained by a university. He never gained qualified teacher status. He never crossed the teacher pay threshold.
He never spent time photocopying and laminating resources, or putting up classroom displays. He never handed out gold stars, house points or certificates. He never wrote end of year reports.
He never referred to the Australian Curriculum or followed QCAA guidelines. He kept no records, gave no grades, and His only text was ancient and well-worn.
His lessons were socially inclusive. He taught the economically deprived as well as the wealthy; He taught the physically disabled and the mentally ill as well as those healthy in body and mind.
His teaching method was the same with all who came to hear and learn. He opened eyes with faith, He opened ears with simple truth, and He opened hearts with love … a love born of forgiveness.
He challenged, inspired and healed those He taught. He changed individuals and transformed communities. Even so, He was never nominated for a Teacher of the Year Award or knighted for His services to education.
And yet this quiet teacher from the hills of Galilee continues to feed the needs, fulfil the hopes, and change the lives of many millions around the world, for what He teaches brings heaven to earth and reveals God's heart to all peoples everywhere.
(Source: Rupert Kaye, 2004, The House Magazine)
At assembly on Wednesday we recognised some of the staff here at GA as they celebrate working in Brisbane Catholic Education for major milestones. The Years of Dedication Honours recognise staff for their generous service and faithful witness to the calling of Catholic education. We thank each of them for the unique gifts they have brought to their work and all that they have contributed to the Guardian Angels’ community:
5 years of service: Clare Thorburn
10 years of service: Annalise Olm, Charmon Erwin
20 years of service: Michael Hayes
25 years of service: Joy Barker
30 years of service: Bernadette Williams, Vicki Lucas, Nicole Dodds, David Trimble
35 years of service: Anne-Maree Harrison
Every day, teachers make a difference to the lives of those around them.
Happy World Teachers Day to all those who teach; parents, teachers and educators.
I extend sincere thanks and appreciation to our Guardian Angels’ staff, for their commitment and professionalism, as they inspire, challenge, and empower the students in their care, each and every day.
Uniform Policy - Grooming
At Guardian Angels’ School students are expected to maintain a high standard of dress and grooming which:
- supports a positive atmosphere where study and learning can flourish
- promotes school unity and community
- presents an appropriate image of our school to the broader community and to each other, and
- reflects personal respect and pride.
Students and parents should note the following:
- Uniforms should be clean, tidy, in good repair and clearly labelled with the student’s name
- Hair should be of natural colour, clean and tidy. Hair longer than collar length must be tied back with a blue and white ribbon/band, a lime green ribbon/band or school scrunchie.
- Hairstyles considered extreme are not permitted (for example, buzz cuts, undercuts, mohawks, shapes, tracks). If parents are unsure as to what constitutes an extreme hairstyle, please check with the school.
- Fingernails must be clean, well-trimmed and unpolished.
- Acceptable jewellery may include; a watch, chain and cross or Christian religious symbol, worn inside Sleepers or studs may be worn in pairs (one only per lobe). Medi alert jewellery is permitted.
- Make up is not permitted.
Blessings for the week ahead,
Veronica Tomerini-Smith
Assistant Principal - Administration
Good afternoon lovely families
We are full steam ahead in this busiest of terms, and there are so many wonderful things to look forward to as we continue to close this year out.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Teachers will be offering Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 7 of this term (Monday 14 – Friday 18 November). These interviews are a wonderful opportunity to touch base with your child/ren’s teacher/s and discuss their progress and achievements as we prepare to round off the year.
Interview opportunities will be offered through Parent Teacher Online (PTO). This is the same system we use for the Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews. The classroom teachers are now customising their interview schedules, opening up times to connect with the parents of their students.
PTO is accessed through the Parent Portal. Interview times will open to parents on Monday 31 October at 9:00am. Please log into the Parent Portal and find/click the PTO icon.
Follow the instructions ie entering email and/or surname to receive your individual PTO Pin. The pin should then be emailed to you.
- When booking your interview, you will only see time slots that are AVAILABLE at the time you are using the system. As time slots are booked for teachers, those time slots are no longer displayed as available.
- Parent Teacher Interviews are 15 minutes in duration. Please honour this time as there may be other parents waiting for their interview.
- Please be on time to your interview as the teachers are often running to a very tight schedule.
- You can log in and change your bookings up to 8:00am the day before your interview booking.
Booklists
Please remember to order your Book Packs for 2023. All families (2023 Year 1 – Year 6) have received a hard copy of the 2023 booklists and digital copies have been uploaded to the Parent Portal. You are able to place orders either online (preferred) or by returning your paper copy to school.
To qualify for free delivery, please order by Friday 11 November. Orders placed before 11 November will be delivered on or before Monday 19 December to your nominated address.
Late orders will be accepted of course however the delivery date cannot be guaranteed and a standard delivery fee would apply.
Swimming
Our little angels in Years 1 and 2 are enjoying their Learn to Swim lessons on Fridays. It’s been a hot and steamy couple of days, so hopefully they will really appreciate the opportunity to cool down in the pool this week. Parents of students in Years 1 and 2 received an email stating that Manly Pool is not providing swimming caps to the students this year. Each student is to bring and wear a swimming cap whilst enjoying these lessons please.
Colour Run Prizes
Thank you so much to those parents who have been able to pop into the Guardian Angels’ office to collect your child/ren’s colour run prizes. Please note that we will not be sending any prizes (big or small) home directly with students. Parents are required to come and collect the prizes directly. We did schedule a range of before and after school collection times throughout the whole of last week, however there are still a number of families who need to collect these prizes. We ask that you do this as soon as possible please as the prizes are taking up valuable space in the administration area.
Many blessings to you all for a wonderful week,
Nicole Waller
Assistant Principal - Religious Education (Acting)
Catholic Mission
Today, we gathered as a community to give thanks for the work done by Catholic Mission Australia. This morning’s liturgy, prepared by the Year 5/6 teachers during our staff professional learning day in September, raised awareness of those people in our local and global communities who are less fortunate.
“As the world witnesses the ongoing devastation of famine and drought in the Horn of Africa, we are responding the call of Pope Francis, to be a witness of love in the world. Join us this World Mission Month and walk hand-in-hand with the people of Ethiopia and local church communities towards providing life-changing opportunities to those in most need.” - Catholic Mission
Our fundraiser for Catholic Mission saw the children (and teachers) wear their craziest socks to school in exchange for a gold coin donation. We were able to raise $630 which will be donated directly to Catholic Mission so that they can continue their work.
School Led Parish Mass
Our final School Led Parish Mass for 2023 will be on Sunday 13 November at 5:00pm. This Mass will be led by our Year 4 students, however, all families are welcome to attend.
Blessings for the week ahead,
Liz Morrissey
World Teacher's Day - 28 October
This Friday we celebrate and give thanks to our amazing teachers at Guardian Angels'. Brisbane Catholic Education have created a message board for members of the community to leave a note of thanks to teachers:
Please ensure you put the teacher's name and GA Wynnum.
In other news...
Drop off and pick up zone volunteers
Thank you to those parents who have already so generously volunteered their time in the pick up zones. We truly appreciate your help.
We would love parent helpers at both campuses in Term 4. Pick up zones operate from 8:00am – 8:25am in the morning and from 2:55pm – 3:20pm in the afternoons. It's an easy 25 mins, opening car doors, helping little people in and out of cars.
If you can spare 20-30 minutes once or twice a week please email Jenny Druce at jdruce@bne.catholic.edu.au with your preferred day, time and campus.
If I have nominated you for a shift, and it’s not suitable, please let me know.
A friendly reminder, before commencing your role as a volunteer or other personnel at our school, you are required to complete the online volunteer training. The training 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
You will need to download, print and complete your registration form, which is contained within your online training. Return it to the School Office prior to commencing your role.
Health and Wellbeing at GA
Important Update: COVID-19 mandatory isolation periods to cease from 14 October 2022
From Friday 14 October 2022, mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods will no longer be required in Queensland. Whilst the mandate has been lifted, the risk of infection from COVID and other contagious illnesses is still present, with Brisbane Catholic Education advising the need to maintain high levels of personal hygiene and to not attend school if unwell.
Thank you for your ongoing support and please contact me at school if you have any queries.
Please keep your child at home if they are experiencing any COVID-19, cold or flu-like symptoms, however mild. If we contact you because your child is unwell, please collect your child as soon as possible. This will help us to reduce the risk of spreading infections in our school.
Thank you for your support and understanding in these continued challenging times.
Second-hand Uniform Shop
The second hand uniform shop will be open on the first Monday of the month with the next open day on Monday 7 November.
The shop will open between 7:45am and 8:20am on the GA campus. Each item is $5. Cash only sales.
Need items outside of shop open times? Please email pwynnum@bne.catholic.edu.au with what you need and one of our amazing parent volunteers will fill this order for you.
Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received an award at Assembly:
Archer S, Joe G, Pedro R, Eamon B, Imogen A, Sienna P, Penelope G, James D, Alyssa L, Charlotte A, Millie Mc, Parker M, Bella B, Smith B, Khanh-Dan N, Jett A, Lily M, Juliette M, Eugenie S
From the Tuckshop
Tuckshop Volunteer Roster
Week 5
Wednesday 2 November - Louise Wise
Thursday 3 November - Kendall Trevisan
Friday 4 November - Shelley Walters
Week 6
Wednesday 9 November - HELPER NEEDED
Thursday 10 November - Kylie Culwick
Friday 11 November - Karli Keals-Smith
Helpers are still needed this Term. Please contact Annalise Olm if you are able to volunteer your time in the canteen.
Before commencing your role as a volunteer or other personnel at our school, you are required to complete the annual online volunteer training. The training 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
You will need to download, print and complete your registration form, which is contained within your online training. Return it to the School Office prior to commencing your role.
From the P&F
REMEMBER TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS!! GA’s P&F Casino Night school social event & fundraiser!! It will be a great night for parents and friends to have some fun and a mingle! So book your ticket now using this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CDFEU
From the Parish
CHILDREN'S LITURGY | 5:00pm Sunday Mass | 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month
All families welcome. Make sure to let others know too.
At Children’s Liturgy, children aged Prep to Year 3-4 are invited over to the Hall to break open the Word of God at their level with an activity before re-joining us in the church as they bring up the gifts to the altar.
All families welcome.
Next Children’s Liturgy will be 13 November - School-led Mass by Year 4
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Enrolments
At Guardian Angels' we place particular importance in acknowledging the various gifts and talents each community member is blessed with, as we strive to unite under the theme, ‘We Are One’.
2023 Enrolments
Currently a very small number of places remain available for Prep 2023. We are also managing waitlists for Year 4 and Year 5/6 2023.
We encourage families interested in a place at Guardian Angels' in 2023 to apply online as soon as possible:
http://www.guardianangelswynnum.qld.edu.au/enrolments/Pages/Enrolment-Information.aspx
Your child should be turning 5 before 30 June 2023 to be eligible for Prep next year.
Prep 2024 enrolments
Enrolments for Prep 2024 are now open. Interviews for current families with children eligible for Prep in 2024 will take place early in Term 1 2023. Any existing families with children eligible for Prep in 2024, if you haven't already done so, are strongly encouraged to submit their applications and supporting documents now.
All enrolment applications are submitted online via our website:
http://www.guardianangelswynnum.qld.edu.au/enrolments/Pages/Enrolment-Information.aspx
For further information or interest in upcoming tours please contact Jenny Druce on 3396 4486 (ext 4) | or by email at pwynnum@bne.catholic.edu.au
Contact Us
Guardian Angels offers a broad-based inclusive curriculum with a range of opportunities and experiences that foster the growth of the whole student. We pride ourselves on the spirit that can be found in our students, staff and parents.
Visit us on the web at www.guardianangelswynnum.qld.edu.au
Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaswynnum
For all enquiries please email us at pwynnum@bne.catholic.edu.au
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