2023 Term 3 Week 6
From the Principal - Term 3, Week 6
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our School Vison states that being “Inspired by God’s faith, hope and love, Trinity is an aspirational and inclusive learning community”. This week I invited our Year 4 students to reflect on what our vision statement means to them. I was blown away by some of their thoughtful reflections and how proud they are to be a part of such a wonderful, Catholic community.
These were some of their responses:
- It is about being inspired to show faith, hope and love and believe in God.
- It is about believing in everyone and having a fair go.
- It involves welcoming and encouraging each other to step out of our comfort zones.
- It is ensuring everyone at Trinity feels welcome.
- It means having faith in everyone and sharing kindness in our school community every day.
- It means learning something new every day.
- It is about challenging each other to be the best person we can be.
- It is about reaching for the stars and celebrating our successes.
- It is about making a difference and being the best person, we can be.
- It is about working together as a team – teachers, students, and families.
- It is about the staff helping everyone to achieve their goals.
- It is about having respect for each other and is about following in Jesus’ footsteps.
- It is about having faith in God and ourselves and always trying our hardest.
- It is about being inspired by Jesus to never give up.
- It is about having a positive mindset and keeping Jesus in our hearts.
- It is about including others when playing and supporting and helping one another.
- It is free from judgement and about having compassion for others.
- It is hoping that we can do things and make a change.
- It is our own personal experience with God and with our own education.
- It is about everyone having a voice and a right to an education.
- It means being a learning community that is for everyone, helping students to become respectful, responsible, resilient, and safe learners.
- It involves Jesus at the centre of all we do.
Trinity is a special place to learn, grow and succeed.
Regional Robotics Competition
Congratulations to Miranda, Aariel, Aaliyah A, Anaya, Aaliyah S, Simon, Joel, Kiaan, AJ, Lauren, Jasmin & Annelle who recently represented Trinity at the Outer Eastern Regional Robotics Competition. On the day the students competed against 31 teams from 8 local primary schools. By the end of the day, our teams placed 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th, the best performing school overall. This is an amazing achievement, and the students should be very proud of themselves. Their commitment to relentlessly building, coding, and debugging Lego Mindstorm robots with the aim to compete against other schools over the past two terms is commendable. All these students are now preparing for the state event on September 2nd. We wish them all the best as they prepare for this special occasion. A special thank you to Mr Dannaoui for his commitment to training and supporting the students.
Child Safety
At Trinity we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of our students as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. Our commitment is drawn from, and inherent to, the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the gospel. We want our students to thrive and be confident students who have a strong voice. We are committed to providing environments where our students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views are respected, and their voices are heard. Our child safe policies, strategies and practices are inclusive of the needs of all students are are centred on the Child Safe Standards.
The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all organisations that provide services to children including Victorian schools. The aim of the Standards is to ensure organisations are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect. It is recognised that many schools will have existing policies and procedures that aim to keep children safe.
The new Child Safe Standards came into force in Victoria on 1 July 2022.The Standards provide a framework to identify gaps and improve policy and practices around child safety.
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) as regulator for all Victorian schools has responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Child Safe Standards in schools. The Standards are:
Standard 1: Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Standard 7: Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Standard 11: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Trinity’s Child Safety Team ensures that these standards are regularly reviewed by all staff to ensure the school is compliant and providing a safe environment for all. This week the students will have the opportunity
Staffing Updates
Next Friday (25th August) Miss Farrelly will begin her parental leave. I thank Miss Farrelly for the wonderful job she has done over the past few years in her role as Student Support / Learning Adjustment Leader and for her commitment to the students and families here at Trinity. I also thank her for her willingness to take on the Acting Deputy Principal role this year and for her continued support and encouragement to our staff. I wish Brooke and Brendan all the very best as they eagerly await the birth of their first child.
On Monday 21st August, Mrs Ged Shelton will begin at Trinity in the Deputy Principal role. Mrs Shelton is currently one of two Deputy Principal’s at St Michael’s in Berwick and we have been extremely blessed to have her coming over to us until the end of the year. I thank both Ged and the St Michael’s school community for their willingness to support the staff and students at Trinity until a Deputy Principal is appointed in 2024. Ged came to visit the students last week and I know that she will be made to feel very welcome.
Over the coming weeks we have several staff taking leave. Mrs Parker is currently on leave until the end of the week. Mrs Burke and Mrs Albert will be on leave from next week and Mrs Scarton will be on leave during the last two weeks of term. During their absence, Mr Dannaoui will be teaching the Year 6 classes. I thank Mr Dannaoui for his willingness to swap roles to support the students.
Before and After School – NO ACCESS TO SCHOOL PLAY AREAS
Just a friendly reminder that no students are permitted to play on the playgrounds before or after school. These play spaces are not supervised during these times and minor incidents have occurred. We ask that you please remind your children of this safety rule and help us reinforce it by ensuring your children do not play on the equipment as they arrive/leave.
School Car Park
Please ensure that you do not park in front of the school gates while they are shut as this blocks up the traffic trying to come down Oakgrove Drive. We also ask for your support in ensuring the safety of our students in the car park. This means not dropping them off down the side of the car park and using the crossing to walk them safely into school. It is disappointing that we continually have to give the same safety messages to families.
Save the Date - School Community Bingo Night Saturday 11th November.
The fundraising committee are busy organising an exciting event – “School Bingo Night”. Please see the flyer below for some starting details.
2024 Planning
We are now halfway through Term 3 and have begun planning for 2024. If parents have a genuine reason for class placement requests for next year, could you please put them in writing addressed to myself by Friday 8th September. An enormous amount of time and effort is put into the creation of class lists and many factors are taken into consideration by the staff. A written request will be considered on its merits but it is not a guarantee. At Trinity we work on a whole school approach and are blessed to have a committed teaching staff who collaborate to give the very best learning opportunities to all students in our care. With this in mind, I ask that you please do not request a certain teacher for your child or for their friends. The students will have the opportunity to identify a number of their peers that they work with and relate well too. Please be aware that a request has to be made for the current year, we will not be referring to requests made 12 months ago as circumstances change.
School Disco – Friday 1st Spetmeber
The Fundraising Committee have organised an exciting disco night for all the students to participate in should they wish to attend. The disco will be split into a Junior (F-2) disco from 4.30-6pm and a Middle/Senior Disco from 6.30 – 8pm. Please see the flyer below for more details. All money raised will go towards the redevelopment of the area outside the art room. A huge thank you to one of our supportive parents Francisco (Mason’s Dad in 5C) for his willingness to give up his time to DJ the event - "Beats by Francisco"
Father’s Day Events
This year we will be holding our Father’s Day stall, raffle and breakfast once again. The Father’s Day stall will be held on Tuesday 29th August. Parents will be able to pay for the gifts through CDF Pay and then the children will select their gifts on the day. This will be activated on next week. We will also be holding our breakfast over two mornings. Families with surnames A-K will be invited to attend the breakfast on Wednesday 30 August and surnames L-Z on Friday 1st September. We ask families to kindly return their forms to the office for catering purposes.
If any parents are free to help with the stall from 9am on Tuesday 29th August please let the office know.
Season for Growth
Seasons for Growth is an innovative, evidence-based change, loss and grief education program that draws on the metaphor of the seasons to understand the experience of grief. It builds the knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing following significant loss by:
- Exploring the impact of change and loss
- Learning about effective ways to respond and adapt
We will be running our Seasons For Growth Programs for students aged between 6-12 years towards the end of this term and the beginning of Term 4. It is recommended for greatest effectiveness, that students participate in Seasons 6-12 months or more after the experience of loss. If you believe that your child will benefit from this program, please contact your child’s teacher detailing why you believe your child will benefit from the program. More information regarding this program can be found on the MacKillop Institute Website.
https://www.mackillopinstitute.org.au/programs/seasons-for-growth/children-young-people
Families leaving Trinity at the end of the year
We are currently experiencing a high demand for enrolments for 2024 and have a waiting list for certain levels of the school. If you know that your family circumstances are changing and you will be leaving Trinity at the end of the year, can you please inform the Office asap as your spot can be offered to someone else.
Family Portraits - Vision Portraits - Sunday 20 August
This Sunday will be our Family Portraits Fundraiser. A massive thank you to all the families that have supported the event. We have almost 50 families booked in for photos which is capacity for the event. All money raised will be put towards the re-development of the area outside of the art room.
Book Week – Dress Up Day – Thursday 24 August
We will celebrate Book Week with a special dress up day on Thursday 24th August. The theme for this years Book Week is “Read, Grow, Inspire”. The children will acknowledge this special week in their class and on the day they may come to school dressed as their favourite book character. There will be a special Book Week Assembly at 2.30pm on the day in the hall. All families are welcome to attend.
Important Dates for Term 3 – Whole School Events Only
Sunday 20 August Family Portrait Fundraiser
Tuesday 22 August School Closure Day
Thursday 24 August Book Week Dress Up Day
Tuesday 29August Father’s Day Stall
Wednesday 30 August Father’s Day Breakfast Families A-K
Friday 1 September Father’s Day Breakfast Families L-Z
Friday 1 September School Disco
Friday 15 September Last day of term / Footy Day
Please check PAM for Year level excusrions and incursions.
Kind regards
Kathryn Pepper
Religious Education - Term 3, Week 6
Dear Families,
The scripture of last Sunday's gospel was a story we are likely familiar with. As the disciples are fishing on the water, a great storm comes upon them. Jesus sees His friends in alarm, frightened by the rough oceans, He tells them to take heart. Jesus says to His disciples “It is me, do not be afraid. So many times in the Gospel Jesus tells them “do not be afraid” - so many times Jesus would say this, 365 times to be exact! But even His disciples couldn't get to that place of confidence, of knowing He is with me, He is within me. Perhaps this is something we can relate to. That doubt that creeps into our hearts. Dear God, if you exist, please help me through this crisis…
Peter stepped out of the boat full of confidence and courage, walking on water. Then the waves overwhelm him. He loses sight of Christ and he begins to sink. Jesus, not to be outdone, reaches out, His hand reassures him. “Why did you doubt Peter?” Peter's trust is restored.
It is important to reflect on how we are called to be that hand for each other, that physical touch, that voice, that calming presence. Don’t let fear stop us from being there, from offering love and kindness to one another. We must know that God is here with us, within us.
As a member of our diocese Jim Quilinan so eloquently explains;
“God waits and quietly surrounds us in times of anxiety or pain, coming into our hearts and minds helping us to be still, to forgive, to soften the harsh times when all seems lost.”
Sacrament of Confirmation
A reminder for families with children preparing to celebrate Confirmation to attend commitment masses over the coming weeks. Please ensure that you are aware of both your rehearsal and celebration date and time. If you require clarification please contact the parish office or myself.
Kind regards,
Emily Rogers
Student Support - Term 3, Week 6
National Child Protection Week
Monday 4 September - Friday 8 September 2023
This year National Child Protection Week will continue to champion the message 'Every child in every community needs a fair go'.
This message captures the essence of National Child Protection Week which aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future.
Throughout the week, we have organised a number of experiences for students to engage in to learn about how they can be safe.
Our Foundation - Level 4 students will be participating in Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson. There are two sessions, Early Years/Lower Primary (Foundation - Level 2 ) and Upper Primary (Level 3- Level 4) to ensure content is age-appropriate. The engaging, evidence-based, educational videos teach age-appropriate personal safety strategies in an empowering manner and will provide real-world scenarios students can use when they need to give or refuse consent.
Our Level 5 and Level 6 students will be participating in a presentation delivered by State and Territoriy police, called 'Think U Know'. The presentation encourages critical thinking and learnings to prevent harm, to identify safe or unsafe situations and know when and how to seek help. The presentation also aims to build positive engagement between children, young people and police, while equipping students with the knowledge and skills to be able to take actionable steps to maintain their safety at all times.
All students from Foundation - Level 6 will be learning about the importance of First Aid and what to do in an event of an emergency. Focussing on the DRSABCS, St John's Ambulance will teach students age appropriate and practical skills that empower them to act.
Brooke Farrelly
Learning Adjustment Leader / Student Support
Visual Art-Term 3,Week 6
The Grade Four students looked at the Glass Artist Dale Chihuly and created these sculptures inspired by this artist
Well Done to the Grade One students in creating these Sheep landscapes concentrating on foreground, middleground and background.
Scholastic Book club is due back on August 28th, please log in if you wish to make an order
Physical Education - Term 3, Week 6
WEDNESDAY 2ND AUGUST - YEAR 5 HOOP TIME BASKETBALL COMPETITION
Well done to the 41 students from year 5 who participated in the Hoop Time Basketball Competition held at Dandenong Stadium. The students represented Trinity in five teams and competed against teams from six local schools. Congratulations to all the students for showing great sportsmanship towards fellow Trinity students, competitors, the referees, teachers and the families who supported them. They are to be commended for representing Trinity with pride. All the students tried their very best and it was great to see them having fun whilst developing their basketball and teamwork skills. We appreciate and thank our coaches: Dave and Brent (All Stars Boys), Andrew (Future Stars Tornadoes), Mr Watty (Rookies Turkeys), Gerard (Rookies Thunder) and Mrs Woolf (Rookies Tigers) for coaching the teams on the day. Thank you also to Mrs Schinck and Rachelle who helped with scoring and to the family members who came to support and encourage the students.
Mrs Woolf & Mrs Cahill (PE Teachers)
AWARDS & BIRTHDAYS
CHILD SAFE STANDARDS WORKING WITH CHILDREN
Trinity has zero tolerance towards child abuse and is therefore committed to complying with the Ministerial Order No. 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding Premises. All parents/guardians wishing to help in the classroom, canteen or attend excursions MUST have completed the PARENT HELPER WORKSHOP and hold a current WORKING WITH CHILDREN CARD.
Further details are available from the school office or the Justice Department website. All parent/guardian helpers must sign in at the office before proceeding to the classrooms. Your current Working with Children card must be displayed at all times when working in the classrooms and attending excursions.
A reminder to all Parents/Carers, supervision by School Staff begins at 8.30am before school and after school only at the drop off area until 3.30pm.
ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
In the case of illness/absence please call the school office by 8.30am or login to PAM to send a notification no later than 9.00am on the day of absence.
An SMS will be sent (daily) to Parents after 9.30am for any unexplained student absences.
If no contact can be made or no absence is reported the school may phone emergency contacts to ensure student safety.
If you are going away on holidays you must advise in writing to the Principal BEFORE you leave.
Thank you.
Trinity Car Park Etiquette
- For greater safety and visibility, we are requesting that all drivers reverse park into the marked bays.
- Thank you all who use the pedestrian crossing area. You are demonstrating to your children correct road safety practices. Once children cross the pedestrian crossing into the parking area, they, for their safety, need to be placed into vehicles promptly. The car park is NOT a meeting area.
- The lane around the edge of the car park (closest to the oval) are for vehicles waiting to pick children up from the Pick-up Zone ONLY.
- The two parking bays closest to the office path are the PICK-UP ZONES. These are NO STANDING zones. If your children are not ready to get into your car as you pull up to the pick-up zone, you must continue on and rejoin the end of the pick-up queue.
- There is NO RIGHT TURN when exiting the car park. All vehicles must turn left for the safety of others and to maintain traffic flow.
- THE GATES CLOSE AT 8.50am. They will RE-OPEN AT 3.00pm. The gates close for the day at 3:30pm. Occasionally they might reopen slightly later due to school activities.
- The Staff Car Park is for STAFF PARKING ONLY. Please do not use it as a drop off/pick up for students.
Thank you for your patience and consideration of others