Term 2, Week 6, 2023 School Newsletter
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
I hope you have all had a great week. Hard to belive that we are already 6 weeks into term with only 3 weeks remaining.
The swim/gym sessions have been going fantastically, there remains only one more session to go.
This week we welcomed Rose Russell teaching in grade 1/2 whilst Jamie is away. She has had a fantastic first week here with us and the children have loved having her in their room.
Our 2 student teachers, Emma and Amy have made a start with their placement and have been enjoying some hands-on learning in the classroom with the students and teachers. It is great having them here at our school.
Today I have been out at a Bike Education refresher course - Semester Two we will be seeing the children out and about on bikes, learning and having fun.
A reminder that we have Rapid Antigen Tests available in the school foyer, I appreciate families testing and keeping home children who are feeling unwell and test positive, keeping our school safe.
I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and I look forward to seeing everyone next week.
Paul
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews are now available for families to book via PAM.
Foundation and years 3 - 6 children, the dates are Tuesday 13th June and Wednesday 14th June from 3:45 pm - 5:30 pm.
For the Year 1/2 Class, interviews will be Monday July 10th and Tuesday July 11th from 3:45 pm - 5:30 pm.
Families, please see below for instructions on how to access PAM. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the office.
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, grant excursion and school activity permissions. Please ensure that you have updated all your child's information on PAM. You will not be able to approve permission slips until medical information is entered and approved in the system.
If you have any questions please ring our office.
Scholastic Book Club
Scholastic Book Club is now open for Issue 4. If you would like a hard copy of the issue, it is available in the foyer. Alternatively please click on the link to place your order.
https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/parent/BrowseCatalogue.aspx
Swimming & Gymnastics Program
LAST SESSION!!!
We suggest that children wear their bathers under their school uniform. Their uniform for the day will be school tracksuits or sports shorts and polos. We request that children bring a small backpack containing a towel, underwear, thongs/sandals and a plastic bag for wet swimwear.
Children will be eating lunch on return to school and we ask that they bring a small bottle of water to have during gym and a piece of fruit morning tea for easy eating.
We will be departing from school at approximately 11am and returning approximately 2.45pm.
We will be travelling on a bus provided by Ballarat Coachlines.
Thankyou for your support.
School Photos
Wednesday 2nd August will be school photo day - we look forward to seeing all the extra smiling faces on that day.
Forms will be sent home closer to the date.
School Beanie
Thankyou to our school community for providing us with your feedback in regard to the school pom-pom beanie.
This is a sample of what they will look like.
We will be going ahead with our order, the beanies will take 4 weeks to produce. We will send home an order form in the coming weeks.
Ballan Scouts
Through the amazing and generous support of the Federal, State & Local Governments a new Scout Hall has been built in Ballan. We will be officially opening the Hall on Sunday 4th June 2023 during our Community Open Day.
Playgroup
Playgroup is a fun and relaxed opportunity for children, parents, families and communities to come together for play and social interaction.
It is an inviting and relaxing atmosphere and all families are welcome to join in, it is held from 9am until 10.30am every Monday in the school hall. Heaters are turned on, it will be warm and toasty, tea and coffee making facilities available.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call the office.
Rapid Antigen Test
We have rapid antigen tests available if anyone would like to take one home.
They are in the foyer, or alternatively call the school and we will ensure one gets put into your child's bag.
Gordon Parish Mass
Please note: Vigil Mass every 4th Saturday at St Brigid's- Ballan at 6pm
(No Sunday Mass when Vigil Mass scheduled)
1st Sunday | 2nd Sunday | 3rd Sunday | 4th Sunday | 5th Sunday | |
Vigil Mass Saturday 6.30pm | Dunnstown | Springbank | Dunnstown | Ballan/Clarke’s Hill | Springbank |
Sunday 8.45am | Gordon | Bungaree | Gordon | Gordon | Bungaree |
Sunday 10.30am | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan |
School Term Dates
Gordon Shop Hot school lunches available every Thursday (unless otherwise advised)
Term Two Dates
May
Tuesday, 9th May, Foundation-Year Six Swim/Gym Program commences (5 consecutive weeks)
June
Monday, 12th June - King's Birthday - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday, 13th June - Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, 14th June - Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, 14th June - Semester Reports available to parents via PAM
Thursday, 15th June - Inquiry Expo Afternoon (2.15pm onwards) to celebrate
our Learning for the term.
Friday, 23rd June - Last Day of term Two. Dismissal of students @ 1.15pm
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.
Music lessons
