Dear Parents,

I hope you have all had a relaxing weekend. Thank you for the many emails that have been sent to staff during the week. They make such a difference. A very special thanks from us to all of you for the amazing job you are doing during Remote Learning. Fingers crossed for Term 4!

Parent Teacher Interviews

This is the first time we will be doing our parent teacher interviews online, something we are all getting used to. You will receive an email with a link to the google meet this week. If you haven't booked in please do so asap. All the booking information was sent out last Friday.

The capacity to report specifically on student learning during a long period of remote learning will be limited. For this reason all conferences will be limited to 10 minutes and will focus on three points for discussion.

1. What have you learnt about your child’s learning during this time?
2. Teacher to provide feedback on academic progress, based on work handed in during remote learning and on assessments at the end of Term 2.
3. Goals for Term 4.

It is important that the interview time is not used to discuss the specific difficulties or challenges that arose during remote learning. Rather, this is a time to reflect on what you know about your child’s learning, receive feedback and set goals. Please come to the google meet prepared to discuss these points (bring notes) which will provide opportunities for your child’s learning into the future.

Having fun on Google meet with Year 1

Words of Gratitude

I just wanted to send a quick message of thanks, Sam and I are so incredibly grateful for all the hard work being put in by you and the staff at St Pauls. We have complete trust in the school, the program and the teachers and feel our girls are in the best of hands for this challenging time of our lives. As a teacher, I know how difficult it is to keep the students engaged with learning at the moment, so I have been continually impressed with the lessons being provided, both by the classroom teachers and the Specialists. The kind, supportive feedback given on Seesaw always puts a smile on our girls  faces and I appreciate how much time this must take the teachers.

We just wanted to express our utmost thanks to the teachers for the amazing work they are doing.

It's been interesting, engaging, well thought-out, and challenging (in a good way).  We really appreciate all the personalised feedback he receives, which has encouraged him to work harder and feel proud of his work but also helps us to better identify his area where he requires improvement.  

I am not sure if it’s because she is getting to interact with her friends or if it is simply the fact that she is being taught by a very skilled teacher – but the sessions you have conducted over the last 3 weeks or so have made a massive difference.  A world of difference from the daily meltdowns and refusal to do any work she would have in the first lockdown. So many thanks.

Many thanks to Chloe Regos 6W for this recipe!       

Grandma Mary’s Old Fashioned Carrot Cake 

Ingredients

2 cups self-raising flour

Pinch salt

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup desiccated coconut

1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda

2 tsp cinnamon 

220g crushed pineapple with juice

1 tsp vanilla essence

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups grated carrot

Method

1. Line a 24cm cake tin with baking paper
2. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees fan forced (or 200 degrees gas)
3. Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix very well with a wooden spoon
4. Bake in the middle of the oven for approximately 45 minutes or until cooked
5. Serve warm with a cuppa or if feeling indulgent a large dollop of cream cheese frosting!

Serves 10 - 12 

Cake will last 7 days in a cake tin or in the fridge

Happy days at the Hylands                      Harvey Tammesild waiting for

 with the addition of ‘Fonzie’                   a piece of birthday cake.

 to the family!

    

Student Representative Council

The SRC met last Friday for the first time this year.  Yes, that is correct, we have not had a chance to meet due to all the COVID-19 situations occurring in our city.  It was lovely to meet everyone on Google...our new modem of operating these days...the new normal!

Each member checked -in and it was great to hear what everyone is doing these days.

The SRC Rep has been asked to let their class know that we are wanting a photo of each person operating in their remote learning.

We have asked that these photos be sent to: edooley@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au

Photos are asked to be emailed by Friday 4th September.

Matilde and Mr Dooley will collate the photos into a powerpoint/song and it will be included in our Virtual Assembly  Monday week 10.

This is a wonderful activity being offered by the SRC.  Join in and enjoy.

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/online-wellbeing-support-families

Remote Learning Code Club & Digital Citizenship

with Mrs Knights (click on the above Code Club  link)

Yrs 2 - 5 Remote Code Club

Four weeks ago I began 2 Remote Code Clubs after classroom teachers identified some students from Years 2 - 5 who needed extra stimulus or challenge to their thinking. This was by invitation only, and although not all students took up the offer, those who did are totally engaged and loving it!

All students gather via Google Meet:  9 students from Year 2 and 10 students from Years 3 - 5 are regulars.

Thanks to Code Club Australia I was fortunate enough to have t-shirts donated which the students are proudly wearing and hopefully will be our uniform for the rest of the term.

 

  

  

Over the past 2 - 3 weeks Remote Learning activities in ICT/Digital Technology have had a focus on Digital Citizenship. It has been wonderful to hear and see the students responses on Seesaw and the parent interaction and involvement in these activities has also been a highlight. Thank you for engaging in these activities with your child as it is so important to all be on the same page.

Stay safe everyone. I can’t wait to see you all back at school!

Mrs Knights   

School Fees

Fee statements were emailed on Thursday 20 August.

When we are clearer about when the current restrictions end and what implications this has for Term Four I will work with our School Board to look at what changes need to be made to fees and levies this year and in 2021. In the meantime if the new restrictions have added to your financial pressure and you require assistance please email principal@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au so that I can assist you in responding to your needs. All correspondence is confidential. 

Last Day of Term

A reminder that the last day of Term 3, 18 September, will be a pupil free day. The school will be closed but OSH club will be operating.

A Family Prayer for our special Dads

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who looks after us.

You look for us when we feel lost.

You find us and carry us when we are tired.

When we are hungry, you provide us with farmers to feed us.

When we are sick, you give us our family to take care of us.

We pray for all the people in our family, neighbourhood and world who are sick or hungry or tired at this time.

Carry them close to your heart and give them your strength, courage and peace. Amen.

Best wishes for a wonderful Father’s Day on Sunday. We are thinking of you all.

Catherine