GREAT NEWS - WRITE A BOOK IN A DAY COMPETITION

A few weeks ago we contributed with our fellow teammates, otherwise known as the PuzzlePENners, to the Write A Book In A Day Fundraiser. We were contributing to raise money for children all over Australia who are suffering from cancer, in total the fundraiser made around $600,000! Write A Book In A Day was held on the 14th of September. Schools all around Australia had teams that came together to write a book. We had 12 hours to plan our story with the parameters, which were the guidelines we had to follow.

Ashlyn, Emily, Sophie, Isabelle, Hannah, Lauren, Lucy, Sneha and Immy went through an 11 hour process to write our book in the day. We were given our main characters: a cousin, an explorer and a guinea pig, the problem; a family reunion, and we had a jumble of random words we had to use. We spent the morning planning and eventually came out with our story, The Chronicles of Explorer GP. We were doing all of our work online, through google meets. It was really tough for all of us, but our hard work paid off.

On Wednesday, the PuzzlePENners all gathered to watch the award ceremony for the 2021 Write A Book In A Day. We were all giddy with anticipation and nerves. Finally the ceremony began, our hopes up high. All of the winners were amazing, and our hope was slowly fading. Then the winners in VIC/SA/TAS were announced. The room was silent. Then we saw our book on the screen! We all celebrated, not believing it! We had won in VIC/SA/TAS! Wow! What an achievement!

We all wanted to thank Mrs Mckee, Laura, Karen, Mr Hanney, Mr Hanrahan, Mr Schinck and everyone else involved for letting us have this opportunity and achieve this sky-high goal. Also a massive congratulations to all of the amazing writers, not only in the PuzzlePENners but all the teams, also another thank you to the holders of the competition for this memorable experience. And we would also like to wish those with cancer goodwill, and we hope that you loved our book! We wish for your speedy recovery and a happy life ahead!

STAYING COVID SAFE

As we enter Week Seven of this term we now have four weeks and two school days left of the 2021 school year for our students. The children have moved back into their routines and friendship groups fairly smoothly. With positive COVID cases being reported in one third of Catholic schools since we returned from the latest lockdown I do want to do as much as possible to ensure that our students stay on site. For this reason we are keeping the current processes we have in place. This includes the current drop off  and pick up arrangements with no parents or guardians on site. It is not ideal but I do believe minimising interactions will help in keeping us as safe as possible.

Unwell Students

Everyone should consider their child’s health before they attend school and ensure that their child is free from coronavirus symptoms and has not had contact with a person confirmed to have coronavirus or a person suspected to have coronavirus. Any student who becomes unwell with COVID-19 symptoms while at school will return home and be advised to obtain a Covid test. 

The symptoms to watch out for are: 

• loss or change in sense of smell or taste 
• fever 
• chills or sweats 
• cough 
• sore throat 
• shortness of breath 
• runny nose 

Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should get tested and stay home until they receive a test result. 

If a child presents at school with COVID symptoms as listed above their teacher will contact Trish in the office. In consultation with me we will contact the family of the child to determine their health status. If you are contacted please be assured we are just being very cautious.

WELCOME

Our return from lockdown also saw us welcome Taane Bramald (5PH) and his family to the St Peter’s community. We look forward to having Taane join in the remainder of the year at St Peter’s with his classmates.

ATHLETIC SPORTS

We are planning on holding the House Athletic Sports on Monday, 29th November. Foundation, One and Two from 9:15am to 10:45am and Year 3 to 6 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Further details will be in my update on Monday, 22nd November.

PUPIL FREE DAY

Friday, 3rd  December. On this day staff plan in their 2022 Teams for the 2022 School year. OSHC Will be available for bookings on this day.

END OF 2021 SCHOOL YEAR

The last day of school for students this year will be Tuesday, 14th December with students being dismissed at the normal time of 3:25pm.

FIRST DAY OF 2022 SCHOOL YEAR

All students will start on Monday, 31st of January next year.

PLANNING FOR 2022 - FAMILIES LEAVING

As I continue to plan for 2022, I am grateful to the families who have already advised me that they will not be returning to St Peter’s in 2022. If you know that you will not be returning in 2022 I ask that you advise me via email principal@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au   as soon as possible.

PARENTS & FRIENDS MEETING - TONIGHT VIA GOOGLE MEET AT 7.00PM

A reminder that the Parents & Friends Meeting is on tonight, Monday, 15th November at 7.00pm via Online Google Meet.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, 3rd December - Pupil Free Day - Staff Planning for 2022

Tuesday, 14th December - Students Finish for 2021 @ 3.25pm

PARISH NEWS

Christmas is Coming Soon!

Expressions of interest are sought to form a Christmas Choir for Midnight Mass at St Peter’s.  Let’s really celebrate being able to gather for Christmas this year!  Rehearsals (essential) are on Tuesdays 3:45pm: 23 Nov; 7 Dec; 21 Dec. and will include vocal training.  Contact Donrita: pacholytrinityparish@cam.org.au

If there is a parent who would also like to volunteer to be “choir manager” (assist with handing out/collecting music, etc) it would be much appreciated.