Notice Board Closure day A reminder that there is a whole school closure day on Monday December 11th to enable staff to plan for 2018. Big Childcare (formerly World4Kids) is open on this day and their program is advertised on the Big Childcare page of this newsletter. Catholic Education Today Magazine Read all the great articles here, especially page 12 on the St Augustine's Robotics Program Catholic Education Today Term 4 2017 Pick up a bargain - Computers for $25 Out with the old and in with the new. We are selling off our old Chromebooks and PCs for $25. These are not the latest and greatest, but they are working. If you can find a use one, then we would love to find a home for them, rather than send them off to be recycled. The Chromebooks are coming up to 5 years old, and are showing signs of their rigorous everyday use, and the battery life is variable. However, the students have been able to use them for learning every day. The PCs are Windows 7, and have MS Office on them. They come with monitors, keyboards and mice. Bear in mind they are about 7 years old, and will need a LAN cable or wifi dongle to connect to the internet. Any money that is raised will be used on the continued redevelopment of the Library as a Maker Centre, where students can design, invent and create. Please test them before you take them. Unfortunately, these are sold as they are, with no guarantee or returns. So come to the Library at 3:15-5:00 pm on Tuesday December 5th if you are interested. Sponsor Required
In 2018 we will have Robotics teams competing at Regional State and National Competitions. Melbourne is hosting the National Competition so this is a good opportunity to get a good representation from our school. We are looking for a corporate sponsor for our teams, to provide some financial support which will enable as many students as possible to be involved in our robotics program and to enable as many teams as possible enter the events. Students would be happy to wear T Shirts promoting your business to create exposure. These events are regularly attended by television and media outlets. Our students are consistently good sports and have an uncanny knack of winning. So hopefully, this will create good publicity for your business as well as the school. If you are interested, please contact Chris James at School 9336 4294. Carols by Cooinda - an evening of carolling and Christmas cheer When: Wednesday 13th December 5:30-6:30pm BYO picnic or purchase a hamburger from the Parent's Auxiliary BBQ (see Parents Auxiliary page in this newsletter for menu & prices) 7.00-8.00 pm Carols performed by classes Where: On the basketball courts by Cooinda Bring your family-made Christmas decoration with a Christmas message of peace, love, faith or joy to hang on the school Christmas tree (named if you would like it returned). BYO chair and students need a pillow or cushion to sit on In the spirit of giving, don't forget to bring your donation for the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. Each year level has a theme: Prep/One:Non-perishable foods One/Two: Drinks Three/Four: Christmas food Five/Six: Christmas gifts/toys Note: In line with our Child Safe policy and procedures this is an alcohol free event. End of School Year Christmas Liturgy
Thursday 14th December at 9.00 am The Prep/Ones will lead us in prayer for our whole school Christmas Liturgy in Cooinda. You are invited to join with the school community as we celebrate the birth of Jesus with a focus on 'living Jesus out in action'. Everyone is welcome to attend. Volunteer 'Thank You' morning tea We would like to invite any parents, grandparents and community members who have helped and supported the students and staff at our school this year to a morning tea. When: Thursday 14 th December Where: Cooinda after the End of Year Liturgy. Please come along as we would love to take this opportunity to say thank you and show our appreciation for all that you do! Keeping Christmas at bay and celebrating the season of Advent We seek your support in keeping the Christmas action of students exchanging cards until the very last week of school. This allows us to keep the season of Advent front and centre in our Catholic school. We also seek your support in restricting any school gift giving to home made items, thoughtful actions or the gift of words rather than being drawn into the commercial side of this great religious event. Whole School Scrub 'n' Clean day Join us for our annual whole school Scrub 'n' Clean day. Monday December 18th from 12pm onwards We need you...can you contribute a little bit of your time, a good measure of elbow grease and a lot of humour? What time: from 12:00 pm onwards How long: every bit helps, we'll appreciate whatever time you can give us What to bring: some gloves, scrubbing brush and a bucket Job list:
Classrooms - chair fronts and backs, table tops, fronts of cupboards Outside classrooms - bag storage area, fronts of cupboards General - outside sinks and drinking fountains Canteen - benches, cupboard doors, oven, inside cupboards Library - table tops, stools, shelving 2018 Start Dates Monday 29th January: Students with surnames A-K attend school with literacy and numeracy testing administered. (wear casual clothes bring lunch and snack - attend for normal school day) Tuesday 30th January: Students with surnames L-Z attend school with literacy and numeracy testing administered. (wear casual clothes bring lunch and snack - attend for normal school day) Wednesday 31st January: Pupil free day for staff to meet and analyse testing data Thursday 1st February: All students P-6 begin school. Prep students attend half days - 8.40-1:00pm. They continue to attend half days until February 9th and then commence full time on Monday February 12th except for Wednesdays which are a rest day. From Monday February 26th Prep students will be at school every day. Working With Children Card Full implementation of our Child Safe Policy occurred in 2017. This means any volunteer, no matter whether it's a one off or of a regular nature, must have a current working with children card that has been copied and recorded at the front office. Click here to get the process started http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ Uniform Shop A reminder that W & R Schoolwear are open Tuesday mornings between 8.30-9.30 am each week. If you need to order prior to Christmas, please get your orders in within the next few weeks. An order form is available here if you wish to send it via the office Uniform List 2017 For parents who have a child commencing in Prep 2018, appointment times are available. Please ring the office to book in. The Uniform Shop will be open in 2018 on MONDAY 29TH JANUARY between 9.00-11.00 am (Note it will be Monday only for this week). Second Hand Uniform Shop
Please note that the last second hand uniform shop for the year will be open on Monday 18th December from 9.00 am - 11.00 am. NO PRIOR ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN. Coles Sports For Schools Have you heard the great news? Coles Sports for Schools is back for 2018 and RHSports is partnering with Coles to provide schools with a selection of sporting products. It s a program that encourages and supports all Aussie kids to get healthy and active. Our school has the opportunity to exchange vouchers collected, for sporting equipment of our choice. Stay tuned for more information in 2018.