St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 9 - Term 2 (Thursday 25 June)
St Jerome’s Primary School acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders, both past and present, of the lands on which this school is located.
Dear Parents and members of our school community
Lord, help me today to realise
that you will be speaking to me
through the events of the day,
through people, through things,
and through all creation.
Give me ears, eyes and heart
to perceive you,
however veiled your presence may be.
Give me insight
to see through the exterior of things
to the interior truth.
Give me your spirit of discernment.
O Lord, you know how busy I must be this day.
If I forget you, do not forget me.
Jacob Astley
Term 3 changes
Thankfully the Stage 4 COVID-19 guidelines allow two more changes to occur at school in Term 3.
School Banking
School Banking recommences each Wednesday morning 8.15am - 8.45am in the school uniform shop. Only one family at a time please when doing your banking.
Canteen
Children will be able to use cash to buy their recess and lunch time snacks. Hand sanitiser will be available for students to use after handling money. Canteen staff will also be wearing gloves and adhering to health rules.
STATEMENT TO PARENTS / CAREGIVERS
Dear Parent / Caregiver,
I am writing to advise of a matter involving a number of WA schools that has attracted public and media attention.
While the matter does not involve our school, it is likely to raise concerns for some in our school community and it is important to provide reassurance to you as a parent or caregiver.
Yesterday, Western Australia Police briefed the principals of a number of government, Catholic and independent schools regarding an external contractor employed by a company to service the IT needs of multiple schools who has been charged in relation to images found on his personal electronic devices.
As this is the subject of a criminal investigation, no further information can be provided. However, WA Police is working directly with the schools involved and staff, parents and students in those school communities have full access to appropriate support.
As schools have stringent child safety processes and systems in place, it is deeply distressing to learn that this has occurred.
Please be assured that the wellbeing and safety of all students in our care is always our highest priority, and I ask that you contact me if you have any concerns relating to your child’s wellbeing at school.
Yours sincerely
Helen O'Toole
Mrs Colleen Byrne - RIP
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Mrs Colleen Byrne who was a past teacher at St Jerome’s in the 1970s. Mrs Byrne was the ESL teacher and so many children for whom English was a second language would remember her with great gratitude. Our prayers go to her husband Ron at this very sad time. Rest In Peace.
Administration of Schools (AoS)
Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) has committed to a new Administration software platform that has been a work in progress for the last couple of years.
As the demands of modern schools increase, the services required to support schools increase faster still. AoS (Admin of Schools) is a comprehensive engine designed to integrate all of these services and unite them in one central management system. St Jerome’s Primary School have been working with staff from CEWA in preparation for the installation of AoS, to replace our current Administration system.
Please be aware that this will occur as of 10th July 2020. There will be several changes such as a new BPAY reference number and SEQTA logins.
BPAY reference number: We will send you a Fee Statement showing your current balance and updated payment details in the coming weeks. Please take note of your new BPAY reference number on the Fee Statement when it is received. Prior to making any BPAY payments, please update your bank account details to the new BPAY reference number.
SEQTA Engage: We will send Parents/Carers a link to setup their accounts. All families are required to setup their new account within a week of receiving the link in order to access past reports. Please ensure you keep your username and password, in order to use this again at the end of the year.
We appreciate your patience during the transition period.
Important Health Alert
During these winter months when many students will develop nasty coughs and colds, it is possible that the doctor will rcommend a COVID-19 test. The Health Department rules are that anyone taking a COVID-19 test must remain in isolation at home until the test results are given. Hopefully, this will be negative.
However, in the unlikely event that a student or parent tests positive for COVID-19, it is important to immediately inform the school as we would need to enact our COVID-19 Action Plan. A positive case would mean school closure for up to three days plus extensive cleaning.
It is important to keep sick children at home.
If your child has even a slight fever, stay home. Children with constantly running noses should also be treated to reduce this form of infection. See your doctor and take action. Keep them home if the infection has not resolved.
School Tour - Wednesday 1 July (9am)
From time to time St Jerome's Primary School conducts tours of the school. These are usually held during school time to help our prospective families gain a sense of our school in action.
We welcome you to see our facilities first-hand and experience the wonderful school community of which St Jerome's Primary School is most proud.
Please call us on Ph 9499 9500 to let us know that you will be joining us.
Principal
First Day of Term Three for Students is Tuesday 21 July
Last Day of Term Three is Friday 25 September
RE News
Sacramental News
Sacramental Program
We have received word from the Archbishop that the First Eucharist and First Reconciliation Sacramental Programs can recommence next term. Confirmation is tentatively booked into term 4 this year, but we cannot confirm this until Father Vijay receives approval from the Archbishop and we will let you now as soon as this happens.
The dates for both First Eucharist and First Reconciliation have been changed so please check these carefully.
Please note that First Reconciliation has been moved to the end of Term 3.
This year the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be conferred to all candidates during the School Term 3 holidays from Tuesdays to Fridays. Father wishes each family to bring their child to him for Reconciliation so that he has time to meet and speak to each family. Each session will last for approximately 15 mins and finish with your child receiving the sacrament of First Reconciliation. Parents will need to make an appointment with Father for First Reconciliation by ringing the parish during their office hours.
The following people may be contacted if you require further information.
Parish Office - Tuesday – Fridays 9:30am -2:30pm on 94181229
Religious Education Co-ordinator & Children’s Liturgy Leader – Soly Fernandez email: re_coordinator@stjeromesparish.org
Carol Hoare – Assistant Principal St Jerome’s School – 94999500
Schoolbags for Jesus
Our school community has the wonderful opportunity to support various charities throughout the year. This year, we are joining the “Schoolbags for Jesus” appeal where we will create bags with various school supplies to support children throughout Asia. The appeal has run successfully for the past six years! We are asking St Jerome’s families to support the appeal by sending in any of the supplies mentioned on the flyer above.
There will be collection boxes set up in the front office and our Student Council will compile the bags ready for delivery later this year. The equipment doesn’t need to be new, so it is a good opportunity to do some decluttering over the school holidays. We ask for the equipment to be handed in by the end of Week 1 next term. Please see the above flyer for more information.
Assistant Principal
SEQTA Engage - Login
Dear Parents and Guardians,
All Pre-Primary to Year 6 School Reports are delivered electronically via SEQTA Engage.
As advised in previous emails and newsletters the school will be changing to a new computer system during the July school holidays. Access to your child’s report may not be possible during the school holidays. Once school resumes the SEQTA logins may need to be reset and you will regain full access to all reports. PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL HAS A VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS to ensure that you will have access to SEQTA Engage.
New Families / Accounts
If you have not previously created a SEQTA Engage account, you will receive an email over the next couple of days that must be actioned within 7 days. This email includes a link that is specific to your family. More information on how to create your new account can be found at http://www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au/seqta-engage/ and then clicking on “Registering”.
Current / Previous Accounts
It is important that you check your login for SEQTA Engage as early as possible so that you will be able to access your child’s report at the end of this term.
Please go to the following site http://www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au/seqta-engage/ and click on “SEQTA Engage” to check your login details. A link to this site can also be found on the school website at www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au, click on the “Portal” tab on the green menu bar and click on “SEQTA Engage”.
If you have remembered your username but have forgotten your password, please go to the following site http://www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au/seqta-engage/ and click on “Forgot Password’.
If you have forgotten your username you will need to email seqta.help@stjeromes.wa.edu.au and provide your name, your child’s name and your child’s class.
Other Information
Reports will be available for viewing on Thursday 2 July after 2pm. If you are unable to print your child’s report a copy can be obtained from the school office at a cost of $5.00.
Please be aware that some emails can end up in junk mail, so ensure that you check your inbox as well as your junk mail.
If you have any specific issues or general questions please email seqta.help@stjeromes.wa.edu.au outlining your query and provide your name, your child’s name and your child’s class.
Kind regards
Mrs Vanessa Alaniz
Assistant Principal
Early Literacy Foundations
Since play is a natural human learning tool, the more enjoyable an activity is, the more likely it is to enhance learning. The strongest foundations for early literacy then are active, play-based experiences focussing on oral language, plenty of music, movement, songs and stories. Many of these opportunities present themselves in daily routines for families.Here are some ideas that will enhance your child’s literacy learning at ALL ages!
- Conversations and language games at dinner time – talking with your child as you prepare the meal and having them help in the preparation, not only strengthens connections between you, it also increases vocabulary about food and cooking. Having a dinner question that instigates great conversation at dinner time encourages the family to take turns in speaking and listening to each other. The conversation may be about the favourite part of each person’s day, something that made them smile today, what they are looking forward to doing tomorrow.
- Singing favourite songs as jobs get done around the house – even nursery rhymes!
- Go on a letter hunt. Beginning with A and going all the way through the alphabet to Z, can you find the whole alphabet in the environment on your car ride to school?
- Read plenty of stories – use teddies and toys as characters to act out the story. Use different voices for the characters. Find books with lots of rhyme and repetition
- Set up an indoor or outdoor obstacle course and describe your child’s actions as they move through it, e.g. “Sienna is climbing over the cushions and now she is tip toeing down the hallway.”
- Card games – real old favourites that children LOVE to play – sight word memory or snap
AP Curriculum
Interschool Winter Carnival
St Jerome’s enjoyed magnificent weather yesterday for their interschool winter carnival. All students competed with great sportsmanship and are to be commended for their excellent behavior.
The children played soccer, netball, volleyball and football.
Our fantastic results are as follows:-
Netball – A division winners, B division winners.
Volleyball – A division winners
Football – second and third places
Beanies for Babies
Would you like to share your love of knitting and help our students at the same time?
We are calling for a few volunteers to assist with a lunch time knitting group.
In term 3 we plan to knit items for premature babies in two locations – King Edward Memorial Hospital and ‘Beanies for Babies in the Pacific’. KEMH would like us to knit squares for 1m x 1m blankets to include in their Baby Bundles for their most vulnerable babies and mothers.
They recommend we use 4 ply Baby Paton wool.
Our contact at ‘Beanies for Babies in the Pacific’ has provided patterns for knitting or crocheting beanies and I would suggest some form of baby wool would be appropriate for their needs.
I would love to hear from you if are in a position to:
a) Support our knitters in the library at lunch time (Tues or Wed tbc)
b) Donate some wool or knitting needles for our students
c) Knit some beanies at home and bring them to school for inclusion in our bundles
I look forward to hearing from you.
Joanna Roper
News from the School Nurse
School-aged children need 10 -11 hours sleep a night. Getting a good night’s sleep will help your child to be more settled, focused, happy and ready for school, and will strengthen his/her immune system. Here are some sleep tips:
· Have a bedtime routine – this will help your child wind down from the day.
· Discontinue screen time at least 1 hour before bed.
· Keep the bedroom dark, cool and quiet - this will help your child settle easily.
· If anxieties or worries are keeping your child from relaxing, acknowledge the feelings and provide reassurance or plan to sort the issue out in the morning after a good night’s sleep.
It is important to note that, medication is not the answer to children’s sleep problems.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s sleep, please feel free to contact your Community Health Nurse- Melanie Rodrigues on 9314 0100 or go to http://raisingchildren.net.au for more information
Kind Regards,
Melanie Rodrigues | Clinical Nurse (District Schools)– Fremantle/ Cockburn region
90 Cordelia Avenue Coolbellup 6163
PO Box 4016 Coolbellup 6163
Child and Adolescent Community Health
T: 9314 0100 | M: 0409 091 443 | F: 9314 0133 | E: melanie.rodrigues@health.wa.gov.au
W: health.wa.gov.au/cahs
Meerilinga Parent Workshops
MEERILINGA PARENT WORKSHOPS
Wellbeing for Mums and Dads (Online)
This evidence informed workshop presents a variety of strategies for building in self care and is suitable for parents of children of all ages.
Strategies discussed will include:
– the Parenting by Connection tool of Listening Partnerships;
– simple daily activities to relieve stress and build connection;
– matrixes, reminders and plans to help you prioritise your
wellbeing.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Wednesday, 8th July 2020
Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom – meeting details sent on registration
Note: Not all content is suitable for little ears – please have a private, quiet place to access the video conference from.
Cost: Free, please book your place
TO REGISTER: Contact Belynda Smith on belynda.smith@meerilinga.org.au to book your place
Contact Details
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Location: 38 Troode Street, Lake Coogee, WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9499 9500