Lord, bless our teachers who give their heart to teaching. Thank you for the special gifts that You have given them and also for giving them a spirit of grace, understanding, and compassion.  Amen 

Dear Friends,

Last Friday we recognised and celebrated the incredible gift of teachers.  I feel constant gratitude and respect for the teachers at our school and although days like this can sometimes appear tokenistic, I know our staff  are daily appreciated, valued and held in incredibly high regard, not only by me, but also our entire community-  thank you teachers! 

We continue to be inundated with enrolment requests for next year. To help determine class sizes and capacity for interested families,  can we please ask that if your child is not returning to Holy Trinity for the 2024 school year (other than the current Year 6) please:

Click here

This information is  also really important as teachers are beginning to look at the class configurations for 2024, as discussed in last week's newsletter. If a parent has a particular concern regarding the placement of their child/ren in classes, this should be written in an email to me by tomorrow- Friday Week 4, 3rd November, and this concern will be considered seriously. However, there are no definite guarantees regarding parent requests as there is much to consider as stated above.  Please note, teacher requests are not to be included in these emails. Also requests from other years will need to be sent again if they still stand for the 2024 year. 

A HUGE thank you again to all involved in the planning and organisation for our school fete.  There are many more details about this below including a delicious recipe to try for our cake stall donations!  Thank you also to our families who I know are out in the community selling our raffle tickets!! This effort is very much appreciated! I would also like to make  particular acknowledgement to our incredibly generous sponsors:

A Message from our Dawson st Gardens community: 

Could we please remind parents/carers to keep to the roads and carparks and not drive up the kerb and on to the park.  We're pleased to say that parking in the area has greatly improved and the majority of drivers respect the gardens and don't park illegally. As the fete is coming up next month, we thought a gentle reminder might be timely.  It might not seem much, but the weight of vehicles contributes to compaction of the soil which over time can inhibit the ability of the roots to access water and air through the soil. Thank you.

Please see below for all the important information shared at our BYOD night-  although this was directed at our Year 2 families in preparation for Year 3, it is also useful information for all our parents and carers. 

Have a wonderful weekend and a peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families. 

Philippa

Quality Improvement in the ELC

The ELC is committed to continual quality improvement. We highly value your input and ask you complete the survey in the link here. There are 7 questions with the option for written feedback on each question. It should take no longer than 2 minutes.

Early Childhood Australia's Statement on Play

The ECA's Statement on Play reflects the commitment to protect and promote the right of every child in Australia to play. The Statement draws on robust evidence from diverse disciplines on the essential nature of play and its impact on every child's wellbeing, learning and development. This includes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the child's right to play.

Each Week the Newsletter will contain one of the 6 principles to promote and protect play for parents and carers.

PRINCIPLE ONE

Play is essential and valuable in its own right and for children’s learning and development: every child has a right to have play in their life.

What can we do at home?

• Learn more about the different kinds of play and how these support children’s developing brains
and their physical, cognitive and social capacities.
• Offer a variety of play opportunities and time to play each day—this might include imaginary games, making things from everyday materials or indoor and outdoor play.
• Stand up for children’s right to play in learning environments and community spaces.

Stay and Play

Stay and Play is a playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their carer each Wednesday in school term 9am-10am in the ELC Adventure Garden (weather permitting). All families and the broader community are welcome to attend.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program Information

At Holy Trinity student learning is enhanced by the integration of digital technology in the classroom. This approach supports the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate, providing learners opportunities to connect locally and globally to empower learning.  With the focus on ICT skills that provide a structure for learning, devices in the classroom are used for investigating, creating, communicating, collaborating, organising and support our learners in becoming responsible digital citizens. Each skill is developed through the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry and within subject areas. Out learners begin using iPads in the classrooms for learning and creating in preschool. Our classrooms from preschool to Year 2 are resourced with sets of iPads that the students begin to use independently to support their learning experiences. From years 3-6 the students are asked to BYOD, however if you would like support in providing a device for your learner, please contact our principal, Philippa Brearley.

Last week we presented information to our Year 2 parents about the BYOD program at Holy Trinity. After reading the information below if you have any further questions, please email: Tayla.Hart@cg.catholic.edu.au

Our BYOD Program

At the start of the 2024 school year, and prior to bringing your device to school, all students in Years 3 - 6 will participate in cyber safety and digital citizenship boot camps. Once the students and parents have signed and returned the necessary Student Acceptable Use of Digital Devices Applications and Networks Policy, students will be permitted to bring their personal devices to school.

Required School Apps

Recommended School Apps                                  

NAPLAN Requirements

 Cyber Safety

The eSafety Commissioner has an extensive library of resources for parents and children about using technology and staying safe online. We strongly encourage you to explore this website and the available resources.  https://www.esafety.gov.au/

As learners start to navigate the online world and interact more independently, they are more likely to be exposed to risks of bullying or unwanted contact, accidentally coming across inappropriate content or running up bills through in-app purchases.

Your guidance can support your children in being aware of the risks and understand what is expected of them. Let them know you are always there to support them. 

Advice for parents and carers 

• Keep the computer or device in an area of your home that can be supervised, check in regularly with your child to see what they are viewing.
• Stay engaged with their online activity.
• Explore the online world with them to help establish that this is not just a solitary activity. Play games with them. Do a creative project together.
• Think about social media readiness. Most social media sites require users to be at least 13 years of age before they can register.
• Learn about online safety with your child by exploring the kids section of the eSafety Commissioner website. https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids
• Refer to the eSafety Commissioner website advice about time online and online gaming if these are of concern.

 Technology tips for parents of children aged 5 to 12

• Ensure your own devices are protected by a password or pin, so your child cannot accidentally come across inappropriate content.
• Use parental control tools appropriate for the age and experience of your child.  Be upfront and get your child on board. Let them know that these can be reviewed and changed as they get older, and they continue to demonstrate responsible behaviour. Consider installing a ‘child-friendly’ search engine that will allow them to explore a limited number of sites.
• Explore Raising Children Network’s healthy screen time and quality media choices: 6-11 years. https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/play-media-technology/screen-time-healthy-screen-use/healthy-screen-time-6-11-years

Please reach out if you have any questions regarding devices and how to set them up for the school year.

The Countdown to Christmas Fete is approaching, and we need your help to ensure the day is a success for our community. 

Funds raised during the fete will go towards upgrading our school oval and play equipment. 

We need donations to support a few of the stalls operating on the day

Tombola

• Clean and empty jars with lids
• Temporary tattoos
• Jokes
• Small toys
• Matchbox cars
• Bouncy balls/marbles
• pencils/erasers etc
• Lollies
• Chocolates
• Glow sticks
• Balloons
• Bath bombs/balls
• Stickers
• Small games
• Cheap jewellery
• Cosmetics

Please email jessmike.talbot@gmail.com or call Jess on 0404 786 372 to arrange drop off/collection of these items.

Secondhand books

• Boardbooks (e.g. thick cardboard baby/toddler books)
• Picture books
• Early readers
• Chapter books
• Books for teens/young adults
• Books for adults

Please collate these into each category when donating to help our volunteers during sorting time. Books can be dropped off at the Front Office anytime before the Fete. 

Craft stall

• Any craft items in quantities of 5 to 20

Craft items can be dropped off at the Front Office. Please contact Kim to discuss required items on 0409 746 936 or email kimmiebowie@gmail.com.

Garden stall

• Planted seedlings 
• Small plants

Please donate these items on Thursday 23 or Friday 24 November. Contact Sarah to discuss required items on 0415 418 989.

Haunted House stall

Year 6G are running the Haunted House stall at the fete this year, with the theme of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'.  The stall is after Haunted House or Halloween related donations such as:

• Halloween decorations or costumes
• 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' decorations or costumes
• Backing sheets to block out natural light
• Old white sheets
• Coloured lights
• Balloons
• Dark Coloured streamers or tinsel
• Lollies or chocolates (no nuts please) and lolly bags
• Glow sticks
• Toilet or paper towel rolls
• Garbage bags

Donations can be dropped off to the Front Office or in 6G's classroom by Friday 17th November.

If you have any questions or queries, please reach out to Felicity (0402 324 178) or Helen (0414 428 604).  Thanks for your generous donations and support.  Year 6G.

Cake stall

Any type of cake or homemade food, e.g.:

• Cupcakes
• Toffees
• Crackles and honey joys
• Slices
• Fudge
• Jams/ Chutney/ preserves
• Scones

All items need to include a label with a list of ingredients and expiry date. Stickers will be provided to classrooms in the coming week and available at the front office.

Donations can be dropped off to the Front Office on Friday 24 November, or by 9am on the day of the Fete.  Perhaps try making some delicious cocount ice- recipe bewlo!! 

Please contact Megan on 0402 318 560.

Coconut ice

A classic childhood treat.

Ingredients

5 1/4 cup (840g) icing sugar

2 1/2 cup (200g) desiccated coconut

395 gram canned sweetened condensed milk

1 egg white, lightly beaten

pink or peach food colouring

 Method

1.Grease a 19cm (8-inch) square cake pan; line base and sides with baking paper, extending the paper 5cm (2 inches) over the sides.

2.Sift icing sugar into a large bowl; stir in coconut, then condensed milk and egg white until almost combined. Use your hands to finish combining the ingredients well.

3.Divide mixture into two bowls; tint one mixture with pink or peach colouring. Press coloured mixture into pan; level the surface. Top with remaining mixture; level the surface.

4.Cover pan; refrigerate about 3 hours or until set before cutting into squares.

Uniform Shop

With only six weeks left of the school year, it is time to think about school uniform items needed for 2024! The uniform shop is open every Tuesday during the odd weeks of the term, and provides new and quality second-hand items. 

P&F Contacts:

Uniform Shop Volunteer Coordinators

holytrinityuniformshop@gmail.com 

On 27 October Felicity Gribble (3R) competed and won Gold at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan Pacific Championships in Melbourne. Felicity came up against some very tough international opposition from New Zealand. 

This competition is the highest level of official competition someone her age can compete in, and we at Holy Trinity are very proud of her remarkable achievement of winning for the second year in a row. 

Students and Staff celebrating this week are:  Rigsel D, Liesl H, George H, Karma Y, Julian B, Sophie L, Thubten N, Emma N, Ms Gordana Grubesic

Important Dates - Linked to School Calendar

*Please note that dates can change through out the term