St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 6 - Term 2 (Thursday 4 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
In this time when we seem to spend a lot of our time at home, i have rediscovered some classic movies. One of my favorites is Chariots of Fire, a film I enjoyed for the first time in 1982. In it, this prayer is offed by Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God.
It has certainly been a very different and challenging start to the term for everyone. We are choosing to concentrate on the many and varied positive opportunities this time has provided, including the incredible way our children, little ones in particular, have managed to navigate their way through the Kiss and Drive morning drop off and afternoon pick-up - and generally thrive.
St Jerome’s staff have noted the following in recent weeks:
· Each morning children are more focussed and ready for learning.
· The start of the day is calmer.
· Children are showing independence through simple tasks like carrying their own bag, unpacking and packing items and placing their bag in the correct place – this is flowing over into the classroom and playground.
· Children are maturing and developing greater resiliency.
· Friendships are being nurtured in the time between drop-off and heading into class, especially with the marvellous Year 6 students helping out.
· Having time to run around and play on the oval is giving students plenty of time to burn off excess energy.
· Learning time starts on time.
What have our children gained?
Self-regulation & Resilience: Research shows that it is important for children to strive for independence through small daily tasks therefore, our children require opportunities to experience new and possibly challenging things to assist them to develop self-regulation and self-resilience.
Self-esteem: Greater self-reliance involves higher self-esteem. This is how our children evolve and grow into healthy adults, being able to work through challenges and see the possibilities.
Intrinsic Motivation/overcome fear of failure/deal with stress effectively. We all want to nurture and develop independent children, as we know independence promotes intrinsic motivation and enhances self-esteem. It assists children to handle and overcome a fear of failure and enables them to deal with stress effectively.
Emotional Maturity/Decision Making: Independence develops children’s emotional maturity as it allows them to become good decision makers and provides them with the belief they are competent and capable of taking care of themselves.
This independence of our younger students has been a great outcome of parents “dropping and leaving” during the last six or so weeks. For every parent who has missed being able to enter the school, I imagine that there are equal number of parents who have appreciated the efficient manner in which drop off and collection has occurred without the need to enter the school.
Yesterday the Executive Director of Catholic Education sent us the Phase 3 School Operational Guidelines. I quote from the section under School Visitors.
“ Parent and Caregiver Access. Parents and caregivers are allowed onto school grounds to drop off and collect their children. To ensure the 2m square rule is adhered to, parents are asked not to enter classrooms at the beginning or end of the school day.”
We have all come so far and do not want to lose the momentum we have gained. Therefore, we are asking parents to assist us and ensure some continuity moving forward especially around continuing doing drive through drop off & pick up if this suits your circumstances.
Below are the specific details for various classes:
3 Year Old Kindy
Mrs Meagher has written to this group of parents with guidelines for mornings and afternoons.
4 Year Old Kindy
Parents are very welcome to accompany their child into the Kindy area. Please note that the black gate is opened at 8.40am. Don't arrive any earlier than this. You are encouraged to say your goodbyes at the Kindy classroom door.
If there are Kindy parents who wish to continue to do morning drive through drop off, you also should not arrive before 8.40am. We will continue to have staff and students at the morning drive through to help escort your child to Kindy.
Afternoons - Kindy students must be picked up by a parent or carer from the classroom door. The gate will be open at 2.40pm. The official end time is 2.45pm. You are encouraged to leave the car park promptly.
Pre-Primary
Parents are very welcome to accompany their child into the area next to the classroom doors. The doors are open at 8.40am so please don't arrive earlier than this.
If there are Pre-Primary parents who wish to continue to do morning drive through drop off, you should plan your arrival around 8.40am. We will continue to have staff and students at the morning drive through to help escort your child safely to Pre Primary.
Afternoons - Pre-Primary parents have a choice. You are welcome to come to the Pre-Primary courtyard area near each door from 2.50pm. Children will be sent out to a parent at 2.55pm. You are also welcome to use drive through pick up. Students will be waiting in the shaded area at the front, supervised by staff members from 3.05pm.
Years 1 - 6
Students in these classes may be dropped off via drive through in the mornings. Parents and carers are also welcome to walk into the tented area in the morning or afternoons.
We do ask that you do not prolong your stay, especially in the morning, as we are encouraging students to go onto the oval and enjoy some exercise.
Afternoons - The white gates will be opened at 2.50pm. The bell goes at 3.03pm. Parents are encouraged to use drive through where possible.
P & F Meeting
7pm
Staff Room
Supper provided
Please come along and just enjoy some very pleasant company.
Water Bottles
Principal
RE News
MJR Focus – Tolerance, Understanding and Patience
These three virtues are all particularly relevant in our current climate. We have seen our students grow in confidence and independence over these challenging times, but we have also seen students and families reach out to others and show great compassion and kindness.
Tolerance , understanding and patience go hand in hand. Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. Many of us today lack patience because we want things done now and when that does not happen as and when we want, we become frustrated and angry. Learning to be patient creates a sense of calm in us that enables us to see things clearly and to focus on what is truly important. Modelling this to our children is helping them to grow into strong independent and well balanced young men and women.
Sacramental News
Sacramental Program
We hope to have news regarding the recommencement of the Sacramental Program for our families by the end of next week. As soon as we know dates etc, I will email all parents to update them.
Student Councillors - creating community spirit!
Our Student Councillors organised a fun lunch time activity for our year 3 & 4 students today with a Go Noodle session in the hall.
The children really got involved and showed off their many creative dance moves. Many thanks to our wonderful Student Councillors for their commitment to our students.
APRE
5 June - World Environment Day - "Beat Plastic Pollution"
World Environment Day is celebrated in 143 countries and the theme for 2020 is BIODIVERSITY. The focus is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. At St Jerome’s we are getting on board to reduce plastic waste in the school. One of our initiatives involves our lunches! From Friday, we are asking families to reduce or elminate plastic packaging that food is brought to school in. This means having a NUDE LUNCHBOX!! Foods can be stored in reusable plastic containers that can be used, washed and reused. Any waste that is brought to school in lunchboxes will be taken back home in lunchboxes. This is also an opportunity for parents to see what has been eaten at school. What a great way for families to be creative in designing lunch menus that require NO plastic packaging.
AP Curriculum
Enrolments for 2021
Kindergarten Enrolments for 2021
Interviews for Kindergarten 2021 are happening now. If your child was born between 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 they are eligible for Kindergarten in 2021. Parents of children with siblings are urged to ensure their applications have been submitted to avoid disappointment.
3 Year Old Kindergarten Enrolments for 2021
Interviews for 3 Year Old Kindergarten next year will take place this term. If your child was born between 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 your child will be able to join the program once they turn three.
Application forms are available from the front office at the school.
For any enquiries please contact:
St Jerome’s Primary School
38 Troode Street,
Lake Coogee, WA 6166
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Phone: 9499 9500
Book Club – Issue 4 (2020)
Book club orders must be finalised online
By Friday 19th June
Any orders placed after this date will incur a delivery fee and be delivered to your home.
Please use LOOP on scholastic website.
No cash payments or paper orders taken
Catalogues for Issue 4 have been handed out to classrooms.
Leave it to Jinkx
Cross Country Training 2020
This year Seton Catholic College is opening its doors in a virtual sense. We welcome visitors to meet and greet staff from key areas of our College through a Virtual Tour. If you would like access to the Virtual Tour please register via seton.wa.edu.au/seton-virtual-tour. Registration requires an email address so that once Covid-19 restrictions lift we can email the details you need to join us on a physical tour if you would like. We look forward to meeting you in person when the time arrives.
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