Guardian Angels' Newsletter - Term 1 | Week 7

Coming up @ GA

Week 8

Monday 13 March
Uniform Shop open 7:30am-10:30am
Met East Boys & Girls Golf (select students)

Tuesday 14 March
District Girls Hockey (select students)

Wednesday 15 March
Sport Aerobics - Hall - 7:30am
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Naplan (Year 3 and Year 5 - Writing)
P-6 Assembly - St Patrick's Day - 1:50pm - MC Shed (all welcome)

Thursday 16 March
Met East Boys AFL (select students)
Naplan (Year 3 and Year 5 - catch up sessions)
Hear and Say Prep Screening
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm-4:00pm
Year 1-6 Instrumental Music Program (Creative Kidz)

Friday 17 March
St Patrick's Day
Say No to Bullying Day
Naplan (Year 3 and Year 5 - Reading)
ID Photos for Prep and New Students
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)

Week 9

Monday 20 March
Uniform Shop open 7:30am-10:30am
Parent Teacher Interviews
Naplan (Year 5 - Language Conventions)
Year 4 Excursion - Ngutani-Lui
Prep 2024 Interviews for current families
Prep Vision Screening

Tuesday 21 March
Harmony Day
Naplan (Year 3 Language Conventions and Year 5 Numeracy)
Parent Teacher Interviews
Prep 2024 Interviews for current families
Prep Vision Screening
Parent Workshop: Creating a Safe School Community - MC Campus - 5:45pm
P&F Meeting - MC Campus Staffroom - 6:45pm

Wednesday 22 March
Sport Aerobics - Hall - 7:30am
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
P-6 Assembly - 1:50pm - MC Shed (all welcome)
Naplan (Year 3 Numearcy and catch up sessions)
Parent Teacher Interviews
Prep 2024 Interviews for current families
Prep Vision Screening

Thursday 23 March
Tuckshop (orders must be in by 7:45am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm-4:00pm
Year 1-6 Instrumental Music Program (Creative Kidz)
Naplan (Year 3 and Year 5 catch up sessions)
Parent Teacher Interviews (including late night)
Prep 2024 Interviews for current families

Friday 24 March
Naplan (Year 3 and Year 5 catch up sessions)
Parent Teacher Interviews
Prep 2024 Interviews for current families

From the Principal

Parent Workshop: Creating a Safe School Community

On Tuesday 21 March, at 5:45pm, before the P&F Meeting, Leadership will run a workshop for parents on creating a safe school community for students.

This workshop complements the work that we are already doing to create a safe school community for students, including completing Student Protection training.

This in-person session will support our parents and carers to work in partnership by helping to understand:

·         the school’s Student Protection Processes and Guidelines 

·         what to do if they are worried about the safety and/or well-being of a student

·         who to talk to in the school if they are worried

·         what happens after a parent/carer tells someone about their worry

·         what they can do to keep their child/ren safe and protected

Please RSVP using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/vhs3JJrPFm 

Live the GA Way - To Achieve Life

We are preparing to launch our whole school framework "To Achieve Life". On Thursday 24 March Leadership will be available on the Mt Carmel and GA campus to answer questions about "Live the GA Way". We look forward to sharing with you our story of development and implementation.

Blessings for the week ahead,
Veronica Tomerini-Smith

Assistant Principal - Administration

Good afternoon lovely families …

Photos for Prep and New Students

Our current school photo contractor will be at Guardian Angels’ next Friday 17 March from 8:30am. This photo experience is to take photos of all PREP students and students who are new to Guardian Angels' (since May 2022) only.  This photo shoot incurs NO cost to the parents and its purpose is to obtain photographs for our school system (enrolments, library etc) only. These photos are not used for any school advertising or marketing.

This photo shoot on Friday 17 March is NOT the official School Photos event.

The official school photos (class, individual, sibling photos that can be purchased by parents) is scheduled for Monday 29 May.

Monday 29 May will be the only day upon which school photos are scheduled. There will NOT be a second day as in previous years at this stage. So it is especially important that if official school photos are important in your family, your child/ren attend school on this day. Parents will receive information regarding the ordering/purchasing of official school photos in Term Two.

NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5)

As previously communicated, the testing of NAPLAN for our students in Years 3 and 5 begins on Wednesday 15 March and will continue for at least a week beyond this date. We will begin the testing window with the WRITING test on Wednesday 15 March for all students in Years 3 and 5. NAPLAN is a national assessment program and the protocols around the testing procedures and timing is strictly facilitated by QCAA (Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority).

It is of utmost importance that our students arrive at school on time; especially on those days on which NAPLAN is scheduled. As with the previous newsletter, the Guardian Angels’ NAPLAN Timetable is attached to this newsletter.

All 1:1 iPad devices in Years 3 and 5 will remain at school throughout the NAPLAN testing period (Wednesday 15 – Monday 27 March).

Students from Years 3 and 5 who are absent for any of the school-scheduled NAPLAN tests will participate in catch up testing sessions. These catch up testing sessions can be run until the end of the NAPLAN testing window (Monday 27 March) and students will participate in any relevant catch up test up until Monday 27 March.

Absence on the day of the school-scheduled NAPLAN does not allow that student to simply miss that test. They will be expected to participate in any/all catch up testing sessions up until Monday 27 March. 

NO NAPLAN testing can occur past Monday 27 March.

The tests have been carefully scheduled so that your child/ren doesn’t lose other important educational experiences such as their Drama, Music, Sport and Literacy lessons.

The NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site is a really wonderful place for parents, students and teachers to experience NAPLAN in an online environment. I strongly encourage you to visit the site, along with your child/ren, and have a play with the demonstration tests.

You can find the site here: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

To further prepare our students, we have been supporting them through a series of practice tests. The students have engaged so well with these practice experiences and we have been very proud of the way they have asked relevant questions and followed NAPLAN protocols as a practice experience. I am also so grateful to the Years 3 and 5 teachers, along with Jayne Murphy (Student Support). These professionals have undertaken Test Administration training with me, and worked to ensure their students have been supported during these practices opportunities. I am so confident that  our students will be wonderfully supported during the NAPLAN testing schedule.

Blessings of peace to you all for the coming week
Nicole Waller

Assistant Principal - Religious Education

Good afternoon families,

Season of Lent

As we continue to journey through the season of Lent we are reminded about the journey that Jesus took during this time. He ventured through the desert for 40 days, contemplating and reflecting on what was about to happen. We can use this time to reflect about how we can be better people. Lent is often a time for us to sacrifice something, usually chocolate. I encourage you also, to think about what you can do to better the life of someone else.

During this time you might also like to turn to prayer. Prayer can take many forms. Below is a Lenten Prayer you may wish to share with your family.

Let us pray…..

God of our ancestors you call us forth in faith to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Be our strength on the journey when we are weary. Give us courage when we are tested. Renew in us the commitment to live our baptism so that our lives and our world may be transfigured in your love.

Amen.

Project Compassion

Every year during Lent, Caritas Australia launch their Project Compassion appeal. This year the theme is “For all Future Generations”. The Project Compassion appeal helps to raise money and awareness for less fortunate people throughout our world. It helps them to gain access to education, something which they may not have received previously, which in turn helps them to create an income for their own families and communities. Each week students will hear a story of how people in our world, who are fighting the odds are graced with the kindness of people like you, extraordinary things can happen.  You can learn more about the amazing work of Caritas at https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/community/

This week for Project Compassion we hear the story of Tereesa from Australia. To help continue to build awareness of the appeal can you pelsae share this story with your students this week and encourage their support of the appeal.

A young Gamilaroi woman born and raised on Darug land, Tereesa felt disconnected from her culture. At just 16 years old, she had to leave school after falling pregnant with her first child. A single mother struggling with homelessness, Tereesa’s only concern was finding stability for her children. “I was homeless. I didn’t have a place to call home…my kids never had a connection to the community,” Tereesa said. Seeking a better future for her children, Tereesa joined Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation’s Young Mums and Bubs program, supported by Caritas Australia. Baabayn helped Tereesa access housing for her family and psychological support. Through the program Tereesa reconnected with her culture through Indigenous art. Her artistic skills flourished, and her artwork was chosen for the Vivid Festival in Sydney in 2022. “I don't think I'd be the person I am today without Baabayn and being part of the mum's group has brought out a lot of creativity in my bones that I didn't even know I had,” Tereesa said. Today, Tereesa works at Baabayn, providing support to young mothers and mentoring the next generation of young people.

Please use the link below to view Tereesa story.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/8871241

Feast Days

This upcoming week we celebrate two important feast days in our faith calendar.

On 17 March we celebrate the feast of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St Patrick was actually an Englishman who was kidnapped by Irish pirates when he was 16 years old. Six years after his capture he escaped and returned to England where he joined the clergy. Patrick then returned to Ireland where he is known to have used the shamrock to teach the Trinity. 

On 19 March we celebrate the feast of St Joseph. As we know, Joseph is known as the earthly father of Jesus. At the time of Jesus’ conception to Mary by the Holy Spirit, Mary and Joseph were not married. Knowing that he would be judged by his community, Joseph was reluctant to take on this role, however, he was visited by God, having a strong belief he accepted what was put before him.  

Important Dates:

• Wednesday 15 March - St Patrick’s Day Assembly – Shed – 1.50pm
• Tuesday 21 March – Harmony Day

I hope you have a wonderful week.

God Bless and take care,
Rhiannon Cameron

School Fees - Reminder

School fees for Term 1 2023 were issued yesterday and were due for payment by 24 February. Thank you to those families who have already made payments or who have arrangements in place.

If you have not paid your school fees, we ask that you do so as soon as possible or contact the Finance Office to make payment arrangements.

If you have not received a copy of your statement, please check your junk/spam email folder. If you require another copy of your statement, please request by emailing pwynfinance@bne.catholic.edu.au.

The Fee Calculation Worksheet is available on the School Website to assist families with calculating their annual/term school fees.  

Link to School Website – School Fees https://www.guardianangelswynnum.qld.edu.au/enrolments/Pages/School-Fees.aspx

Our preferred method of payment is by Direct Debit. Direct debit forms are available on the School website or please email me at pwynfinance@bne.catholic.edu.au to request a copy.

Other payment options are:

• BPAY using the reference details on your statement.
• Online Payment: https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/guardianangelsschoolwynnum?BillerCode=1747880 
• EFTPOS via the School Offices.​

Please always feel free to contact the Finance Office should you ever have any questions.

Kind regards,
Amy Hardisty
Finance Officer

Spotlight on Learning

Year 1 Autumn Day

Did you know that on the 1st of March the season changes from summer to autumn? Year 1 students spent the day learning and engaging in all different activities that related to autumn. Students read a poem about autumn, completed their calendar for March, used their senses to create autumn playdoh to make autumn leaves, followed a procedure to make apple pies and discussed what the weather is like in the season of autumn. Year 1 cannot wait to explore the next seasons throughout the year.

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Year 3Red Project Compassion

3Red have made amazing posters to help share our Project Compassion Appeal 

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🚀🧑‍🚀👩🏼‍🚀 Year 2 - Aeronautical Engineers 🚀🧑‍🚀👩🏼‍🚀

Year 2 students became aeronautical engineers as they investigated the effect of gravity and air friction using their paper helicopters. 

Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received an award at Assembly: 

Brooke F, Lyra G, Jessie P, Charlie L, Nora M, Zoe B, Will D, Zayn H, Emily S, Jordan T, Braxton T, Emma G, Thomas C, Beau C, Isabella N, Lucas M, Tyler S, Emily R, Charlotte R, Laura P, Arturo M, Munashe Z, Xander A, Miles W, Frankie C

In other news...

Drop off and pick up zone volunteers

We would love parent helpers in pick up zones this year. 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.

I have had a few parents contact me about shifts and I will update the roster and publish in next Thursday's bulletin. 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. 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

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.

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 8 May.

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.

From the P&F

From the Tuckshop

Tuckshop Volunteer Roster

Week 8
Wednesday 15 March - Kylie Culwick
Thursday 16 March - HELPER NEEDED
Friday 17 March - Karen Slater

Week 9
Wednesday 22 March - Kendall Trevisan
Thursday 23 March - Natasha Staal
Friday 24 March - HELPER NEEDED

Please contact Annalise Olm - aolm@bne.catholic.edu.au - if you are able to volunteer your time in the canteen in 2023.

Before commencing your role as a volunteer or other personnel at our school, you are required to complete the annual 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

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 Parish

Attention :  All Penance Candidates (Grade 5 students enrolled in the Sacramental Preparation Program)

Classes begin this weekend  11th/12 March. (Saturday 5pm; Sunday 8am and 4pm)- Meet at the Parish Hall.

1. Kindly Bring your Workbooks to class with you. 
2. Make sure you have finished Digital Modules 1,2,3 and 4 before you attend Class.
3. Classes will be held at the Parish Hall. 
4. Make sure you also get your Workbooks stamped by Father Thomas after Mass.

Thank you.

First Holy Communion Lessons begin next Term – Parent Session will be held on March 23^rd.

Children’s Liturgy this Sunday at the 5pm Mass

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’.

Prep 2024 enrolments

It's not too late to apply for Prep 2024. Enrolments are open until 30 March.

Existing Guardian Angels' Families - sibling Prep 2024 enrolments

Invitations to interview for Prep in 2024 have been sent to all current families who have applied for Prep in 2024. Interviews will take place between 20 March and 27 March.

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 so that we can include you in the first round of interviews.

All enrolment applications are submitted online via our website: https://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

From the Community

St Patrick’s Day Parade Association - St Patrick’s Day Mass

The Annual St Patrick’s Day Mass, organised by the St Patrick’s Day Parade Association, will be celebrated again this year in the Cathedral of St Stephen, Elizabeth Street at 10:00am on 17 March 2023. Fr Gerard McMorrow will be the celebrant.

All are welcome to attend. And, for those who may be unable to do so, the Mass will be live-streamed through the Cathedral website on this link - Archbne.org/bzw

The Mass will have a special appeal for any parents who have an Irish background however all are welcome. You may wish to pass the link on to someone overseas.

Athor Athletica and Cam McEvoy present 'Skills and Skins'. Come see Australia's best sprinters battle for bragging rights and the jackpot.

The link for tickets to the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/athor-athletica-and-cam-mcevoy-skills-and-skins-tickets-558405906097?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete 

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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