St Monica's Primary North Parramatta Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week is National Child Protection Week and we all play a part in keeping children and young people safe and ensuring they can live and learn in a safe environment.  At St Monica’s, we pledge commitment to listening to the voices of children and young people and remaining vigilant to their safety and wellbeing.  The theme of this week is “Putting Children First”, and in line with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, CEDP is committed to the establishment and implementation of child safe systems, policies and procedures.  

The aim is to have in place practices that are proactive and preventative in nature, providing children and young people with school environments where they are safe, informed, participate, and where the adult community, working together with children and young people, work towards making this happen. 

Recently, CEDP have moved from what was primarily Child Protection to Safeguarding, which requires us to do things differently, enabling a greater level of proactivity, children's voice and building all-round knowledge for what is safe behaviour when working with students and children. The CEDP Safeguarding team's role is to support the implementation of the Standards, to manage concerns raised about employees, Working With Children Checks (WWCC), and to provide training, education and support to the CEDP community. 

By providing the community with the knowledge, support and procedures to keep children and young people safe we are equipping everyone with the tools and skills needed to be ambassadors of child safety! Throughout 2020, CEDP's Safeguarding Team have been working on many projects to align with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. 

Check out www.parra.catholic.edu.au/About-Us/Building-Child-Safe-Communities​ - after all, what's more important than the knowledge to help keep children and young people safe!

Lisa Howell
Principal

Fri 18 September (W9)        Stage 1 Fizzics Education Incursion
Fri 25 September (W10)       Staff Development Day

Term 4 

Fri 6 November (W4)            Staff Development Day
Thurs 17 December (W10)  Staff Development Day
Fri 18 December (W10)        Staff Development Day

A standard email will be sent to all families who have children absent from school.

If your child is absent from school, one of the following must be done BEFORE they may return to school: 

If they displayed flu-like symptoms during their absence or were sent home with flu-like symptoms:

● Return a negative COVID-19 test and be symptom free.   Provide us with a copy of the NSW Health or COVID-19 Testing Centre correspondence (e.g. SMS screenshot or email).

If they were suffering from a medical condition without flu-like symptoms:

● Provide us with a Medical Certificate or Letter from a Medical Practitioner, clearly detailing medical condition and clearance to return to school.

If they were absent due to a non-medical reason:

● Provide us with a detailed description of the absence.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.

R U OK? Day is an Australian-wide, national campaign whose vision is a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide.

Its mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

We know that suicide prevention is a complex and sensitive challenge the world over. But we also know that some of the world’s smartest people have been working tirelessly and developed credible theories that suggest there’s power in that simplest of questions - “Are you OK?”

The message for R U OK? Day 2020 is:

'THERE'S MORE TO SAY AFTER R U OK?'

2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us. 

What do we say when someone says they’re not OK? How do we continue a conversation that could change a person’s life.

You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK. 

By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life.

We can all make a difference in the lives of those who might be struggling by having regular, meaningful conversations about life's ups and downs.

If you feel like something’s not quite the same with someone you know – there’s something going on in their life or you notice a change in what they’re doing or saying - trust that gut instinct and take the time to ask them “Are you OK?”

By acting as  ‘eyes and ears’ and reaching out to anyone who's going through a tough time we can show them they’re supported and encourage them to access help sooner.

There are places you can go if you or someone you know isn’t OK:

ReachOut.com.au 

Kids Helpline  1800 55 1800 kidshelpline.com.au

Lifeline (24/7)  13 11 14  lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service (24/7) 1300 659 467 suicidecallbackservice.org.au

 beyondblue (24/7) 1300 224 636

 beyondblue.org.au

SANE Australia 1800 18 SANE (7263) sane.org

Mensline (24/7) 1300 78 99 78 mensline.org.au

More contacts: ruok.org.au/findhelp

Mary-Anne Stenning
Assistant Principal

A reminder that Friday 25 September (Term 3 Week 10) is a Staff Development Day. 

Students DO NOT ATTEND school on this day.

Happy birthday to the following students and staff who celebrate birthdays in September!

Students are to wear their SPORT UNIFORM on the following days in Term 3:

Tennis lessons are being held on Mondays during Term 3. 

The outdoor bee boxes are also being closely monitored by students to see which class will be the next winner and what fun activity they will get to enjoy!

Information provided for schools, child care services and family day care services in Western Sydney.  Provided by Western Sydney Local Health District's Munch & Move and Live Life Well @ School teams.

The bulletins contain helpful information and resources on current COVID-19 topics, as well as practical ideas to keep everyone healthy and active during this time.

Issue 15: 7 September 2020

Issue 14: 31 August 2020

Dear Parents/Carers 

All Volunteers have until 30 September 2020 to submit a new Undertaking in the new system. 

In Catholic Education Diocese Parramatta (CEDP), we see parents and carers as partners in your child's learning journey. Parents and carers are encouraged to become involved in our schools in many important ways such as supporting classroom learning, being part of advisory groups, mentoring programs, coaching sporting teams and supporting other extra-curricular activities, canteen support and other kinds of help.

Please see the link below for more details.

CEDP has launched a new Building Child Safe Communities form and online training module that all volunteers are required to complete. 

If you wish to assist with school events, it is a mandatory requirement that you complete the new Building Child Safe Communities (BCSC) form and Online Training Module prior to assisting.  

Once your form has been “Submitted”, the system will generate an automated email to  confirm the status of your submission within 24 hours. From 1 October 2020 ALL Volunteers need a BCSC status that is Approved to provide services to our school.

You must provide your BCSC number to the school prior to assisting at an event. (Please forward the automated email to the school email address stmonicasnparra@parra.catholic.edu.au or provide a hard copy)

No Volunteer (parents included) will be granted permission to assist with a school event without a valid BCSC number. 

2 Day School Holiday Fun Camp   K - YR 7

Sept 30/Oct 1 & Oct 7/8
Gladstone Streeet, North Parramatta
1300 007 874

rushhour.net.au

Welcomeasy's new Winter Menu is now available. 

Parents can order student lunches online.  Lunches are delivered to school each  day.