2024 - Term 2, Week 3

Dear Families,

Term 2 has well and truly started with a bang and we are already right back into the swing of things! We are looking forward to another term full of learning and growing together. Already we have had Anzac Day reflection led reverently by our senior students, our annual Mother’s Day Stall, the Science of reading Parent Workshops, the Year 2 Assembly, the Year 6  Camp, a Board, P and F and Sports Committee Meetings, and of course our Emmaus Sports Day. And we are only in Week 3!

Staff News

As we step into the midst of another term, it brings us immense joy to introduce another wonderful addition to our team: Deannah Haddy.  Deannah brings with her a wealth of experience and passion for education. She will be commencing her journey with us in week 5, primarily engaging with the new mid-year class set to embark on their educational voyage next term. Deannah's exceptional skills and experience in the field promise to enrich the learning experiences of our students, and we eagerly anticipate the contributions she will bring to our Emmaus family.

Early Years Excellence Continues: Meet Alicia McCully!

In alignment with our commitment to fostering excellence in Early Years education, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Alicia McCully as our mid-year reception teacher. While Alicia's official start date is slated for Term 3, she is already immersing herself in our Little Learners' world.

Many of you may already be familiar with Alicia, as she has been an integral part of our school community, serving as one of our preferred relief teachers throughout the year. Her warm and nurturing demeanour resonates deeply with our young learners, fostering an environment where play and exploration thrive alongside academic growth. Her understanding of both the Australian Curriculum and the Early Years curriculum positions her as a valuable asset to our team, and we are confident that she will play a pivotal role in shaping the educational journey of our students.

Please join us in extending a warm Emmaus welcome to Deannah and Alicia. Together, let us continue to nurture a community where every child's potential is realized, and where learning knows no bounds.

Farewell

It is with a mix of sadness and joy that we bid farewell to Kerry Hellaby, our beloved front office person. Kerry has been a beacon of warmth and support here at Emmaus, greeting each of us with a smile that could brighten even the cloudiest of days.

Kerry's ability to laugh at herself and her patient manner have made her an important part of our school family. She has been a source of comfort and support for students seeking first aid; always ready with a bandaid, an ice pack and a kind word.

As Kerry embarks on this new chapter of her life, we celebrate her decision to spend more time traveling with her husband, cherishing moments with her family, and doting on her beautiful grandson.

Thank you, Kerry, for your dedication, your laughter, and your kindness. We wish you well in your future adventures.

Little Learners

This term we again offer Little Learners each Wednesday and Friday morning from 8.45am – 11.30am. This is our transition program for little people formally beginning school with us in Term 3 this year. Wendy Moulder, assisted by Keryn Cook develop and implement a rich, stimulating and engaging program, underpinned by the Being, Becoming and Belonging Early Years Framework. This is a program that does not hurry or push children to be school ready; rather it values and celebrates the awe and wonder of the four-year-old child. Furthermore, both Wendy and Keryn create opportunities for children to explore at their developmental level, scaffolding each as they seek to expand or extend their skills and experiences when they feel ready. These children will be ready and raring to go for our Term 3 intake.

We have found that our mid-year process is highly successful with students feeling happy and secure here at Emmaus.

Book Fair

Get ready to read more with your family as we celebrate National Family Reading Month!  Join our May Book Fair from May 20th to 24th, Book Fair invitations were sent home on May 14th. Parents can purchase books online using the Scholastic Book Fairs QR code from May 20th. Children will be given the opportunity to preview books in the library this week and create their wish list. Wendy Moulder will be available to help on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  Children will collect their purchased books in Week 4. See you at the fair!

Sports Fundraiser

Attention all parents! Mark your calendars for the Bunnings BBQ Sports Fundraiser on Saturday, June 15th, from 8am to 4pm. Join us in supporting our out-of-school soccer, basketball, netball, and hopefully cricket programs. We're seeking volunteers to lend a hand for an hour or two. Please contact Dale Sutton, Amanda Parry, or Josh Niederer if you're available to help. Soccer families, your assistance in the afternoon would be greatly appreciated, while netball and basketball families, your support in the morning would be fantastic. Let's come together for a day of fun and fundraising!

Exciting News: Clubs are back!

This term, we're thrilled to present an array of lunchtime clubs for our students to dive into. From the rhythmic beats of Dance to the tranquillity of Gardening, the creativity of Bracelet Making, the mental challenge of Sudoku and Cards, the imagination of Lego, and more, there's something for every interest and passion.

These clubs serve as not just avenues for fun and exploration but also as supportive environments for children navigating friendship dynamics, seeking engagement during lunchtimes, or honing specific skills. A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers and co-educators for generously contributing their time and effort to organize and facilitate these enriching experiences.

Parents and Friends

Last week, in honour of Mother’s Day, our Parents and Friends Committee organised the annual Mother’s Day stall. A heartfelt thank you extends to Nicole Thompson for orchestrating the stall, and to the incredible volunteers whose dedication ensured a seamless process, ensuring each child had the opportunity to select the perfect gift for their mother or significant women in their lives.

As women, we carry the dual mantle of privilege and responsibility, tasked with showing our children the delicate balance of strength and gentleness, assertiveness and compassion, while instilling the belief that aspirations are achievable with dedication. It's a challenging endeavour, one in which perfection is elusive—I, too, as a mother of four, have not always got it right and questioned myself on this journey. After all, there's no manual for parenting! We do our utmost with the knowledge and tools available to us at the time. Let’s remember to be kinder to ourselves, perhaps allowing a moment to sleep in not just on Mother’s Day but other times as well.

Embarking on a transformative journey of renewal

I'm thrilled to share that I'll be embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage along the famed Camino de Santiago in the French Pyrenees and Spain. This ancient path, trekked by countless pilgrims throughout history, traces the footsteps of St. James to his final resting place in Santiago de Compostela. During this time, I'll be immersing myself in the beauty of nature, the richness of diverse cultures, and the profound spiritual experiences that the Camino offers. While I'll be away, I encourage you to follow along with my reflections and insights as I traverse this sacred route. Your support means the world to me as I embark on this deeply meaningful journey of discovery and renewal.

During my absence, weeks 5 – 8, I am excited to announce that Kate Thompson will step into the role of Acting Principal. Additionally, Danielle McNab will be extending her responsibilities by taking on an extra day, and Alicia Sandercock will be joining our executive leadership team. Alicia, who already contributes significantly to our leadership efforts, will collaborate with Sarah Clancy in team-teaching, as Sarah generously accepts additional classroom days.

Rest assured; this transition has been carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption to our students' learning journey. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Kate, Danielle, Alicia, and Sarah for their dedication and enthusiasm in embracing these new responsibilities. Your support for them during this time will be invaluable.

Take care and be kind,

Suzanne Budd

Principal

Pentecost is not a liturgical season but rather a feast day. A single day in the life of the church that marks the end of the 50 days of Easter and marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit. On the first Pentecost Sunday, the people of God gathered to celebrate a Jewish festival - when Moses was given the law on Mount Sinai. As they gathered they experienced a strong and sudden gush of wind. What seemed like flames hovered over the heads of those gathered and they instantly began to hear the message of Christ spoken in their own languages. Those gathered received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; who moved the people to be Christ’s church. On Pentecost Sunday 19th May, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the beginning of the church. We celebrate with wearing the color red and images and flames

At Emmaus, we believe that all students have the right to learn and develop socially and emotionally in a safe environment. We offer a variety of ways to ensure this happens for our students.

The Resilience Project

The Resilience Project is a dedicated program that focusses on positive health strategies aimed at preventing mental health issues and enhancing children’s ability to manage challenges. Rooted in the principles of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness, this evidence-based program includes content tailored for students, staff, and parents/carers. Through the school partnership program, we aim to promote mental health awareness and support in classrooms, staff environments, and in family settings.

Good Beginnings

The Good Beginnings program offers an engaging program to begin the school year, nurturing positive relationships and laying the framework for a successful year.  Through a range of lessons and activities, students engage not only with their classmates but also with peers across different grade levels, their assigned buddy class, and their house team, fostering connections and collaboration.

Wellbeing Officer

At Emmaus we have a dedicated Wellbeing Officer available two days a week to support children in developing their social-emotional skills, building confidence, and fostering resilience. Our officer runs programs such as "Cool, Calm, and Confident Kids" and "What's Buzz," which are designed to enhance students' abilities to manage emotions, build self-assurance, and develop resilience.

Miss Molly

At Emmaus, we have Miss Molly, our Groodle, who plays a special role in supporting the wellbeing of our students, staff, and families. Miss Molly helps to create a positive and comforting atmosphere, offering companionship and emotional support to everyone in our school community.

Oasis

In the bustling environment of a school, filled with activity and noise, it can sometimes become overwhelming for certain learners. The Emmaus Oasis is a tranquil place to support the wellbeing of our children and can be accessed when they need time to gain control of their emotions. The Oasis has calm music and activities to promote regulation so they can reset and return to their learning.

Lunch Time Clubs

At Emmaus we have lunchtime clubs running in terms 2, 3 and 4 as part of our ongoing commitment in supporting our students and fostering a positive school environment. Offering a structured play option during lunch breaks can greatly benefit students, particularly those who may find play challenging or need a quiet space to relax and recharge. These include:

• Dance Club
• Book Club
• Lego Club
• Gardening Club
• Minecraft Club
• Making Club
• Let’s Be Active

Catholic Education Week is being celebrated in Catholic schools throughout South Australia from May 13-19, 2024.
This week is an opportunity to reflect on and share all the things that we love about Emmaus Catholic School and what makes our community special.
Join us on social media this week in sharing Facebook posts about the reasons you love our school and being a part of our community, using the hashtag #LoveMyCatholicSchool and tagging @EmmausCatholicSchool.

On Wednesday 3^rd April a small team of 9 Emmaus students attended the SACPSSA Swimming Carnival at Marion Aquatics Centre. Despite knowing that we had been promoted up a division after last years success, we were determined to put our best foot forward and give the other 7 teams in the section a run for their money. Our section included large school teams of up to 30 students, but despite being a small school team our students all showed their big hearts and determination to cover almost every race to the best of their ability. As the saying goes, '' you've gotta be in it to win it"! Each student competed in at least 3 races plus relays. The points earned meant that although we could not win every race, we were awarded fourth place in the Overall School Champion Shield. This is an amazing achievement! Congratulations to all students involved!  Alongside this, Max Schubert was the strongest in his field and was awarded the Year 6 Individual Champion medal. A big thank you to Mr Niederer for organising the trials and teams for this event, and to Mrs Beecham for attending. A huge thank you also goes out to the parent volunteers who helped with transport and organised students at the event. Without this support, such excursions that make the experiences of out students so much richer, could not occur. 

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC)

Throughout the year students from Reception to year 6 will be engaging with the Keeping Safe Curriculum, which was outlined in the letter sent home on May 10th. The KS: CPC is a Department for Education responsibility under the South Australia Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and the Safeguarding children and young people Policy to ensure that effective abuse prevention programs are implemented and that all children and young people have access to the approved child protection curriculum.

Themes

The curriculum is based on two main themes which are presented through topics and activities.

Theme 1: We all have the right to be safe
Theme 2: We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.

Focus Areas: The two themes are explored through four Focus Areas, which are examined in growing complexity in accordance with the age of the learners.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority here at Emmaus. As such, we would like to remind all parents and guardians of the multiple avenues available to report student absences or late arrivals.

To report your child's absence or late arrival, please use one of the following methods:

Reply Text to 0417 038 063. Please note that direct messages to this number will not be received.

Phone (08) 83227211: Speak to our friendly staff or leave a message on our answering machine if calling before 8:30am.

Email: Send an email to absent@emmaus.catholic.edu.au or information@emmaus.catholic.edu.au.

We kindly ask that you contact the front office for any absenteeism notifications. Due to the morning activities in classrooms, it may not always be possible for teachers to relay messages to the office before 9 am.

For extended leave requests of 5 days or more, please complete the absenteeism form at the front office.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures:

If your child arrives late to school or needs to leave early, they must be signed in/out via the iPad at the front office by a parent or guardian.

It's important to note that if a student is late to class and the arrival hasn't been reported to the front office, they will be marked as absent, and a text will be sent to parents from 0417 038 063.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students.

The Kiss and Drop zone is the yellow marked area as you enter the carpark from Todd Street, that enables you to drop off and pick up your children safely and quickly.

The intention is that drivers do not wait in these zones and that you stay in the vehicle to ensure traffic is streamlined and traffic queues are minimized.

In reality, it only takes one or two inconsiderate drivers to overstay in the zone and the system breaks down, leading to frustration and delays.

Please familiarise yourself with our Kiss and Drop guidelines:

• Kiss and Drop zone is a NO PARKING zone. If your child is not ready and waiting for you, please continue to lap the carpark. Alternatively, park your vehicle in a carpark and wait. Please do not park in the kiss and drop zone to wait for your child as this builds up traffic on Todd Street where accidents have occurred. The aim of Kiss and Drop is for free flowing traffic.
• It is an expectation that drivers continue to the end of the kiss and drop zone, to allow room for others.
• For safety, it is recommended that students exit and enter the vehicle kerbside only. Children should have their schoolbags on their lap to ensure the driver does not need to exit the vehicle.
• Do not get out of your car.
• If you are required to get out of your vehicle to assist your child with their bag or seatbelt, please do not use Kiss and Drop. Park your vehicle so you can assist your child safely. 
• Staff will be on Kiss and Drop duty to assist with free flow of traffic and child safety from 8.30am - 8.45am and 3.05pm - 3.25pm. Please ensure your child is collected by 3.25pm.
• Please use the pedestrian crossing when walking between the carpark and the Kiss and drop area.
• Please ensure you remain under the speed limit of 10km/h at all times.

Staff have been advised to remind all families to use the crossing correctly. If you choose not to use the crossing, you will be redirected by staff on duty. Please do not take this personally; it is their job to keep everyone safe.

Please visit the link to the Emmaus Catholic School Uniform Policy - about-us/uniform

In line with our SunSmart policy, students are required to wear the Emmaus bucket hat during Terms 1, 3 and 4. 

Students without a hat will be required to play under the shelter only at recess and lunch times. 

Emmaus hats are available for purchase at Lowes, Colonnades. A small number of hats are available for sale in the Front Office for $21. Sizes small or medium.