Guardian Angels' Update Term 1 Week 10 2024
Coming up @ GA
First Day of Term 2 | Monday 15 April
Cross Country | Wednesday 17 April
Prep Interviews | Tuesday 22 & Saturday 27 April
Week 1 | Term 2
Monday 15 April
Uniform Shop open 7:30am - 10:30am
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Singing Program (Creative Kidz)
Wednesday 17 April
Tuckshop - NO ORDERS TODAY
Sports Aerobics - Hall - 7:30am
Choir - Music Room - 7:45am
P - 6 Cross Country
Thursday 18 April
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm - 4pm
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Instrumental Music Program (Creative Kidz)
Friday 19 April
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Week 2 | Term 2
Monday 22 April
Uniform Shop open 7:30am - 10:30am
Prep Interviews - 2025
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Singing Program (Creative Kidz)
Wednesday 24 April
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Sports Aerobics - Hall - 7:30am
Choir - Music Room - 7:45am
P - 6 Cross Country
Thursday 25 April
ANZAC DAY
Friday 19 April
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
P - 2 Dance Lessons
From the Principal
‘Who do you say that I am?’ (Mk 8:28)
As we journey through Holy Week this week and bring the term to a close, it is important that we take the time to reflect on our Lenten journey.
If you were asked by Jesus today, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ (Mk 8:28); What would your answer be?
Matthew Kelly, an acclaimed Catholic author, challenges us to consider this ‘Jesus’ question.
We can answer from who we ‘know’ that Jesus is, that is a Galilean, a Jew, a carpenter, the Messiah, a miracle worker, Son of God, King of Kings, The Christ, a prophet and the greatest teacher. Importantly, how we answer the ‘Jesus’ question is different for each of us.
Regardless, our response helps us to seek ways to share in the Easter Story, one that brings hope, and one that encourages us to be open to the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Sourced from Matthew Kelly, ‘Best Lent Ever’, 2015)
‘Holy Spirit, may my heart be open to the Word of God, may my heart be open to good, may my heart be open to the beauty of God, every day
– Pope Francis.
May the Easter Season remind us that as Easter people, we stand together; and where we stand together, there is hope that all will be well.
Thank you again for your continued support and appreciation of our Guardian Angels’ team and all in our community.
Wishing you a very happy and holy Easter.
I look forward to welcoming you all back for Term 2 on Monday 15 April 2024.
From the Assistant Principal - Administration
Good afternoon dear parents
Congratulations on the completion of a successful Term One. I am particularly proud of our little preppies who have just finished their first ever term of school. I know that all of the students are tired; they have worked hard and now deserve a little rest.
I write with a very important reminder to ALL parents.
Please note that the CHURCH CARPARK is NOT a pick up or drop off area. Students are not permitted to wait or linger in this area either before or after school. This is a parish car park and can often be a very busy place with vehicles coming and going constantly. In this regard, it can become quite unsafe and that is why it is NOT a designated drop off or pick up location for our school.
On those occasions where students are in this car park area, they must be with their parents at all times. This means they are standing or sitting beside their parent waiting for them to leave the area.
Under no circumstances should we ever see students (or younger children) playing or running:
· in the car park,
· in front of the church,
· on the ramp leading up to the church,
· or on the veranda outside the church.
These are NOT play, pick up or supervision areas and we kindly ask that parents who may be catching up with friends ensure their children are standing or sitting beside them, waiting for direction from the parent.
Thank you for your kind understanding and we ask for your support and attention to this to ensure the safety of every one of our little angels.
Blessings to you all for the Easter season. May the hope and joy of Easter fill your hearts and your lives. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday break and I hope that every family is able to enjoy some precious time together.
Nicole Waller
Harmony Week 2024
Last week we celebrated Harmony Week. As a school we explored the value of unity and created a Unity Tree to show that at GA we live in unity and Harmony each and everyday!
Does your child speak or understand another language at home?
Learning another language is a valuable resource and families at Guardian Angels’ are encouraged to develop their child’s understanding of their home language. Research shows that learning two or more languages from a young age has many benefits, including enhancing literacy, numeracy, memory and concentration skills. It is also important for your child’s sense of identity, belonging and connection to their cultural heritage.
Beginning to learn English after learning their first language can take time, but your child will not be disadvantaged if they do not speak English at home. There are many ways in which you can support your child to develop their home language while learning English at school.
You are encouraged to speak, read and write with your child in the language you know best. Here are a few ideas to assist you:
- Singing, talking, playing number games and reading to your child in your home language
- Speaking to your child in your home language even if your child responds in English as children can hear differences between languages
- Helping your child with their homework in your home language (For example, if you teach your child how to multiply in your language, they will understand how to do the same in English).
You may also like to refer to the following resources that can assist you in developing your child’s proficiency in both languages.
Unit for Literacy website
Here you can access a range of free, online, bilingual audio books for young readers. The books can be read out loud in both English and the language you have selected. https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/
SORA, the free Brisbane Catholic Education app provides a range of audio and e-books in number of different languages. https://soraapp.com/library/brisbanecaau
Should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s language proficiency, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Andrea Jenkins
EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) Teacher
Spotlight on Learning
On Monday our Year 4 students visited Ngutana-Lui. The students engaged in workshops about materials used in artwork, Aboriginal Men's and Women's roles and stories of the Torres Strait Islands. They had a great day!
In other news ........
During Term 1, the Guardian Angels' community have supported Project Compassion.
Our fundraising campaign garnered widespread support, touching hearts and transforming lives with its dedication to alleviating suffering and promoting kindness worldwide.
Through our fundraising efforts of Shrove Tuesday and Easter Free Dress Day we have raised $1364.25 for Project Compassion.
Staffing Updates
Farewell and Thanks: Andrea Jenkins (EAL/D Teacher)
At the end of Term 1, we will farewell Andrea Jenkins (EAL/D Teacher) from our teaching team. Andrea has worked within our Inclusion Team over the past several years and has provided wonderful expertise as the English and Second Language/Dialect teacher. I extend thanks to Andrea from all in our Guardian Angels’ School Community and I know that you will join with me in wishing her every blessing as she continues her professional journey.
Welcome: Kylie Culwick (Tuckshop Convenor)
I would like to advise that Kylie Culwick has been appointed to the role of Tuckshop Convenor at our school. Kylie has supported our tuckshop and school community in a volunteer capacity for many years and will commence in the convenor role from the beginning of Term 2. I know that you will join with me in welcoming Kylie to our school community. I extend thanks to our P&F for supporting this role for our Guardian Angels’ families.
From the Tuckshop
Wednesday 17 April - Help Needed
Thursday 18 April - Help Needed
Friday 19 April - Help Needed
Wednesday 24 April - Help Needed
Friday 26 April - Help Needed
Please contact Fiona Vella - fvella@bne.catholic.edu.au - if you are able to volunteer your time in the canteen in 2024.
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
Principal Tours
Have your details changed?
Did you know that you can confirm or change your details online using our Parent Portal? The Update Your Details page (https://extranet16.bne.catholic.edu.au/parent/guardianangelswynnum/MyDetails/Pages/MyDetails.aspx) allows you to check the contact information we have for you so you can help us keep your details accurate for emergencies, billing and to keep you up-to-date with happenings in our school community. A friendly reminder, if someone in your family changes their contact details, we are required to check with other members of the household sharing the same contact details (ie home or mailing address) whether or not your details have also changed. We cannot assume that changes made to one student contact can be made to another. Not sure how to get access to the Parent Portal? Please email pwynnum@bne.catholic.edu.au and we can get you up and running.