Newsletter Edition 2 2013 - St Edwards Primary School

First Aid PolicyIn response to the needs of our students wehave adopted a policy of harm minimisation inregard to food allergies.This specifically relates to peanuts and nut products. Anallergy to these foods is life threatening and can be triggeredby touch along. The policy outlined below, is the mostresponsible course of action. NO peanut butter, nutella, or products containing nuts willbe sold through our Canteen. No child can bring these products to school in any of theirforms. These items are totally banned! We recognise parental choice in determining their children’sdiets, however we stress that this allergy is LIFETHREATENING and therefore requires a strong anddedicated strategy to minimise the risk.We urge all parents who have identified their child as havingan allergy of any type to clarify with their child’s teacher theexact nature and severity of their allergy. We also ask that youprovide clear information regarding any or all treatmentprotocols, particularly if an antihistamine or other medicationmay need to be administered at school. We continue to evolvein our understanding of the changing needs of the children inour care and policies such as these are vital. We thank you foryour support in assisting us to keep all of the children in ourschool safe and happy.Pastoral CareSt Edward’s Catholic School is blessed to be part of acommunity well renowned for its readiness to help others intimes of need. The school community is a generous andsupportive one. To this end, a Pastoral Care Co-ordinator isnominated to take responsibility for assisting families in timesof special need. This year, Sally Clarke is Infant’s Coordinator,and Andy Lockwood, Primary Co-ordinator.Pastoral Care at St Edward’s School can provide assistancethrough prayers, emergency childcare, helping provide schoolrequirements for those in need, or providing meals for familieswhen someone is ill or hospitalised. The role of Pastoral Careis an important one within the St Edward’s school communityand is there to distribute invaluable help and support tofamilies where required. Discretion is assured at all times andfamilies should feel comfortable contacting the Coordinator ifthey need help.We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to be a partof this wonderful initiative. We ask that if you are able toassist, you fill out the accompanying Pastoral Care Sheet andreturn as soon as possible to Sally Clarke at the InfantsCampus, and Andy Lockwood at the Primary Campus.Heartfelt thanks to those parents who participated in 2012 andsent in meals or indicated that they are able to assist in avariety of ways. The recipients of meals and your kindnesswere extremely grateful for your generosity and assistance. In2012, we assisted many families, during times of need due toillness, circumstances in the family whereby people needed alittle extra help and to know that people cared, and sadlybereavements in the family.During 2012, we were able to do this with very few volunteers.In order to make the load easier this year, we are aim to haveat least 50 volunteers. In this way, you may be only called ononce throughout the year to assist. Many thanks inanticipation of more helpers!!If you know someone in our school community who is sickor in hospital or who has had a recent loss in the family, orif you find yourself in need of a little extra help, please letus know – we can only help when we know of people whoneed assistance.Just a general reminder to all those wonderful, generouspeople who help to keep our fridge stocked with meals forpeople in need – please use the foil containers provided foryour convenience. These can be collected from thePrimary Campus. They can also be sent down to theInfants Campus, when requested. It is also important touse the labels provided on the lids as to ingredients, dateprepared etc as many of these meals go to ill people andthis information is very important to them.Thank you again for helping us help others. If you haveany queries, please feel free to ring either Campus, andAnge & Leanne, or Sally & Andy can answer questions youhave.PVC SubsidyPrivate Vehicle Conveyance (PVC) subsidy is available foreligible school students, who are residents of NSW, wherethere is no public transport for all or part of the journeybetween home and school. PVC is paid on a daily basis forthe single distance journey between home and theschool/transport pick up point. To claim the PVC subsidy, aspecial return journey must be made each morning andafternoon between the student’s residence and theschool/transport pick up point. Pink Application Forms forInfants children are available from the Infants Officeonly and Primary children from the Primary Office only.When completed the forms are to be returned directlyto the address shown on the form not school.IMPORTANT - Pick-Up Proceduresat the Infants CampusIn the afternoons at the Infants’ Campus, we requestthat ALL parents wait for their child/children at thePick-Up Area outside the Library and NOT to waitunder the Undercover Area (unless of course it israining). We are implementing this procedure so ourstudents recognise school routine, ie. bus lines or pick-uplines. We ask parents to please abide by this rule as it isoften very distracting to students and teachers whenparents are waiting in the undercover area and outsideclassrooms.Parents also note, please do not obstruct anyneighbouring driveways when picking your childrenup from school.Infants’ Carpark – OUT OF BOUNDSInfants’ parents are reminded to not walk through the StaffCar Park when dropping off or leaving the school with yourchild/children. The pedestrian gate and yellow path isto be used at ALL times.Congratulations to....... Lesley and Jordan Ashton on thesafe arrival of a precious baby girl,Ellie Grace Ashton, born Thursday20 th December 2012, weighing 8lb9oz, little sister for Will (3K) andDemi (1B). Yasmin and Shaun Jackson on the safe arrival of aprecious daughter, Sunny Lou Jackson, born Tuesday8 th January 2013, weighing 7lb 14oz, little sister forSebastian (4G) and Kye (2E).