Term 1, Week 8, 2023 School Newsletter
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
Week 8 is here and what a busy, short week it is!
Last week we had Twilight Sports - what a wonderful gathering of our school community. It was great to see everyone having fun with each other and with their families.
Last Friday our staff worked off site at St Augustine's in Creswick. They worked on our school review with 2 other schools and staff from Catholic Education Ballarat. We will involve families with the process in the coming months.
It was fantastic to see our Foundation class along with all the other new Foundation students accross Ballarat featured in the Courier. Just look at all those smiling faces below.
This Friday we will be opening our new community village and play space as part of our assembly, which commences at 2.45pm. Please join with us if you can.
NAPLAN for our Year 3 and Year 5 students begins today and runs through to Tuesday next week.
Our Foundation students begin full time classes today - we are look forward to seeing their smiling faces every day.
St Patrick's Day is Friday - please wear full school uniform with a touch of GREEN!!
Please see the information provided in the Newsletter in regrard to PAM (Parent Access Module). If you have any questions please call our office for assistance.
I wish you all a wonderful week.
Paul McDowell, Principal.
Our 2023 Foundations students featured in the Courier.
Saturday 18th March and Sunday 19th March PARISH MASS TIMES
Dunnstown – Saturday - 6.30 pm
Gordon - Sunday – 8.45 am
Ballan - Sunday - 10.30 am
P&F Meet and Greet
Our first social function for the year was held on Sunday 26th February, with new and old families coming together for the ‘Meet and Greet’ at Greendale Reserve.
It gave our parents the opportunity to put names to familiar faces that they may have seen at assemblies, in the car park or at the information night. On the other hand, it gave the kids an excuse to get outdoors and play, play, play!
The kids got to work quickly in the playground area and made full use of their time at the park, only stopping for a brief moment to grab a bite to eat and say hello to Cheryl (thanks for stopping by for a visit on your way past).
It was lovely to engage in a multitude of conversations and share stories and experiences with our parent members of the school community.
Thanks to those who attended on the day. We look forward to hosting other social events throughout the course of the year.
Kind regards, Rhonda, Cathryn & Allisha
Parent & Friends Committee
Egans Reserve Greendale
Twilight Sports Day
Thankyou to all families and friends who attended our annual Twilight Sports Day! It was wonderful to see everyone come together and have fun. There were picnics to be enjoyed and races to be run. It was great to see so many families up and participating.
On Friday at assembly it will be announced who the winner is!!
PAM - (Parent Access Module) User Guide
Dear families,
Please find instruction attachment for PAM, this provides parents online access to a range of functions and information specific to their children(s), including attendance records, student assessment area and learning areas. It also allows parents to provide medical details, give excursions and school activity permissions. Please ensure that you have updated all your child's information on PAM.
If you have any questions please ring our office.
2024 School Enrolments and NAPLAN
We are currently accepting inquiries and conducting tours for new families interested in our
school for the 2024 school year.
If you know any families that have children attending 4 year old kindergarten and considering schools please encourage them to visit us online at www.spgordon.catholic.edu.au to view our virtual tour and make contact via the website or the office on 5368 9495 or principal@spgordon.catholic.edu.au
NAPLAN has been moved from early Term Two to commence on Wednesday, 15th March for
all students in Years 3 and 5.
Information will go out families in the coming weeks around what students complete online in each assessment.
Term One Dates
Gordon Shop Hot school lunches available every Thursday (unless otherwise advised)
March
Monday 20th March Playgroup - Sports Hall - all families and friends welcome.
Wednesday 15th March – NAPLAN commences for Years 3 and 5
Sunday March 19 for the Ballan Autumn Festival (superhero theme)
Friday 31st March - Moorabool Sports F-6 Masons Lane Bacchus Marsh
April
Thursday 6th - April Easter Hat Parade and Stations of the Cross. 12.00 noon (Hall)
Thursday 6th - April Term One concludes @ 1.15pm
Term Two Dates
April
Monday, 24 th April Term Two commences @ 8.50am
Tuesday, 25 th April Public Holiday ANZAC Day
May
Monday, 1 st May to Wednesday, 3 rd May Year 3-6 Camp Program @ Camp Wilkin Anglesea
Tuesday, 9 th May, Foundation-Year Six Swim Gym Program commences (5 weeks)
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is key to our strong sense of community across the School. There are many threads to the programme – both formal and informal – and all have the intention of addressing the well-being of each student at their individual point of need.
Vivian Lunt is the Pastoral Care Worker at our school. She is a qualified and a very professional and caring Pastoral Care Worker employed at our school every Thursday.
Vivian works with individual children on request, small groups and parents and families as required. All interactions remain strictly confidential.
If any family would like to access this service, either for themselves personally or their child, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with Vivian.