St Luke the Evangelist School Newsletter

16 February 2024 - Issue #2

DIARY DATES

School Term Dates 2024

Term 1 29 January - 28 March

Term 2 15 April - 28 June

Term 3 15 July - 20 September

Term 4 7 October - 20 December (last day of school year TBC)

Tuesday 20 FebruarySAC meeting - 7pm
Week beginning 26 FebruaryPrep students commence 5 day week
Friday 1 MarchJuniors Incursion
Friday 1 MarchTwilight Sports 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Wednesday 6 MarchFamily Conferences (meet n greet) 1.30pm-7.00pm
Monday 11 March

Labour Day - Public Holiday

Tuesday 12 MarchSchool Closure Day (Staff Professional Learning Day)
Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 MarchNAPLAN
Friday 15 MarchSenior Summer Sport Round Robin
Thursday 21 MarchHarmony Day / P&F Colour Run
Friday 22 MarchRide to School (TBC)
Thursday 28 MarchEnd of Term 1 - 3.25pm finish

A message from Clare

Today we came together as a community, joined by our partner parish school, St Timothy’s at mass to acknowledge Fr Gerard leaving our communities next week. It was lovely to be part of the parish with our customary hospitality afterwards. As we gathered, we were able to reflect on the impact Fr Gerard has had on our community at St Luke’s. His careful stewardship of our school has been wonderful, his thought provoking ways of unpacking the Gospel to the children and his commitment to living out his role as custodian of faith and mission to staff, to families and to me, personally has been so special to witness. Thank you Fr Gerard, from the children, families and staff who make up St Luke’s school community. You will be missed.

It is always with a sense of joy and fun that our P&F meet. The collective energy is palpable and this week’s meeting was no different. A member arrived saying that several people could not make the meeting and out of the blue, we had a new member join us… she is one of the new families who has joined St Luke's this year; how lovely for us. There was much discussion around the events being planned this year. I’ve noted them so you can add them to your calendar as ‘not to be missed’ events.

The Colour Run will complete our Harmony Day celebrations on Thursday 21st March. More details will follow from both the P&F (about the Colour Run) and from school about the Harmony Day activities. It will be the first Day of Joy for the year. Add this to your calendar. 

The Trivia Night is planned for Saturday 15th June. It will be a fantastic opportunity to come together as adults, enjoy each other’s company and test out our trivia knowledge. Make sure this gets plotted on your calendar- it is not to be missed.

On Sunday 20th October our bi-annual Parish- School Fete will transform our school- parish spaces into a hive of activity with rides, food, stalls, music and games for young and old. We will need an army of helpers so get ready to roll up your sleeves. I guarantee you will get far more out of this incredible community day than you put in. It is an absolute game changer and really does showcase our school spirit. Get ready for the fun ahead.

Parent reps needed for Year 1 and for Year 6 please: Once again- please consider being a PARENT REPRESENTATIVE as they are a vital part of building our school community. We would love to have a parent representative from every class in 2024. Typical roles a Parent Rep would have is sending out reminders or notifications to parents/carers via the class WhatsApp group about what’s happening in the class, maybe organise a social gathering like a playdate at the park after school occasionally, adults dinner out or oversee a special lunch treat day once in the year. It is not a huge role but can be very helpful for families.

Please consider this great opportunity to make new friends whilst providing wonderful support to our school structures. Even chat with a friend from the other class if you feel you need a buddy with you. Send me your names asap so we can get the ball rolling…

principal@slblackburnsth.catholic.edu.au 

This year, Emily Chlebica has taken on ensuring our social media is showcasing many of our special school moments and strengths. She is doing a wonderful job and we are grateful for her expertise. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. The more people who embrace our social media and like our posts, the greater profile we’ll build. Look out for the posters displayed around the school to get you started.

Finally, have a great weekend ahead. I’ll be packing my bags to fly out to India first thing Monday morning. St Luke’s is never far from my thoughts so know that l’ll be thinking of you all and counting more blessings that l’m able to have a very special time with my husband, Mark.

Take care

Clare

principal@slblackburnsth.catholic.edu.au

Allergic Reactions to Food

Allergic reactions to food… can be harmful to our children. For that reason we ask parents to think carefully about what they are packing in their child’s lunch boxes. Occasionally, something might slip through and once aware, we take precautions to ensure the safety of every child. As stated in the Family Handbook 2024:

We are an EGG and NUT free school due to the allergies of children within our community.  We ask that parents respect this request and the potential harm this could do to children if brought to school.

Thank you for your care and attention to this.

P&F - Mother's Day Stall

We will be having a Mother’s Day stall in May. It would be great to have 6-7 dads or men come along to help with selling small gifts to the children when they come shopping. Please think about whether you could help out… it’s always a little disappointing when children are buying a Mother’s day gift from their Mum!

Details are: Men required on Friday 10th May from 1pm - 3.15 pm

TWILIGHT SPORTS is coming up.

Please make sure you volunteer if you can. We need as many helpers as possible. You’ll still get to watch your child, you’ll be ensuring the success of this ‘not to be missed’ community event and you’ll get to know more children. It’s a win- win so please, volunteer now!

CSEF Financial Assistance

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you wish to apply for CSEF please contact the school office to request an application form.  Forms must be submitted before 28 June 2024.

Community News

High School Open Day and Information Sessions

School Housekeeping

LOST PROPERTY:

Please check the lost property cupboard in the office foyer if you are missing jumpers, jackets or food containers.  

SUMMER UNIFORMS:

We are now wearing the summer uniform.  Please apply sun cream in the morning before school.  School hats are compulsory. Term 1 = SUNHATS!  Please make sure your child has a school hat to wear EVERY DAY or else, No hat, No play.

CHILDREN ARRIVING AFTER THE BELL OR LEAVING EARLY:

As part of our wellbeing care of children at St Luke's, every class engages in a morning routine at 8.50 am.  This quiet, calm time allows children to gather together in a circle, to greet each other by name, to pray and/or enter into some Christian meditation and get ready for the day.  Please make sure you allow enough time to get your child to school BEFORE 8.50 am.

If children arrive after the gate and student entry doors are locked, parents/carers are required to walk their child/ren to the school office and sign them in on the VPass iPad.

If leaving early (before the end of the day), parents/carers are required to sign their child/ren out on the VPASS iPad.

Buy/Sell second hand uniform:

One of our parents has kindly created a Facebook group to buy/sell uniform with other parents.  Please search for:  St Luke's Primary School Blackburn South Buy/Sell Uniform on Facebook and click join group to start trading!

Friday - School Lunches

Friday lunches can now be ordered from Classroom Cuisine. There are many options and varying prices. Orders are made and paid for on-line and delivered straight to school. 

For details on how it works, pricing and to create an account please visit www.classroomcuisine.com.au.


School Uniform - Spartan School World

School Uniform is to be worn at all times.

Online orders placed by midday on a Monday will be included in the school delivery the next day.  Any orders placed after this time will be delivered in the following weeks run.

Store opening hours Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and the 1st Saturday of the month 9am-12pm

Kelly Club

Kelly Club run programmes before and after school that our children love.  If you have any enquiries regarding availability, booking and cost, please contact Elana

Proudly acknowledging great sponsors of our Parish/School

We are St Luke's.  A community of faith, learning and partnership.

Journeying together, we strive to live the gospel so that all may enjoy the fullness of life.

We look with wonder at our world and embrace learning through inquiry, through action, through reflection to realise our potential.

We celebrate diversity and we welcome the opportunity to live and work together.

We are companions on the journey, now 60 years on ... guided by the Holy Spirit, inviting the participation of everyone.