Friday 16 February 2018

Dates to RememberFebruaryFriday 16 School Photos Family PicnicTue 20 – Thur 22 OES Unit 1 Great Ocean Road WalkTuesday 27 Years 9–12 Swimming CarnivalMarchMon 5 – Fri 9 Year 7 Canberra CampWed 7 – Fri 9 OES Unit 3 Camp Year 5 CampMonday 12 Labour Day Public HolidayWednesday 14 First Wednesday for PrepsMon 19 – Fri 23 Open WeekSaturday 24 Open DayThursday 29 Term 1 Concludes (2.15 pm finish)

Middle School students made a splash at the Swimming Carnival!

Follow Chairo on Facebookfacebook.com/chairo.pakenham

Whole School NewsThe Role of CPOs (Child Protection Officers)It is really important that all members of the school community are conscious of the importance of reporting any concerns about child safety, and that we all know how to do this if and when necessary. Students, parents and staff members are all encouraged to identify, discuss and report child safety matters.

I thought a good way of helping everyone understand the process might be to ask Michelle Sharp, our Head of Student Welfare, some questions about the role of CPOs (Child Protection Officers) at Chairo. Michelle is one of nine CPOs across the Chairo campuses.Simon Matthews, Executive Principal

Q. What is the role of CPOs in the life of the school?A. CPOs are available to staff members, students, families and external agencies to discuss concerns for the safety and wellbeing of any of our students. They support the person disclosing the concern and the student involved, and also assist agencies as requested during any investigation. It is not the job of the CPO to investigate allegations and determine outcomes, but rather to report concerns to the appropriate agency.

Q. What sort of things should people report to a CPO?A. They should be informed of any concerns relating to the emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect of a student at Chairo. If someone has concerns that a child is in immediate danger, the police should be called immediately on 000.

Q. What if a student spoke to a CPO about something they weren’t sure about, but thought they should perhaps mention?A. The CPO would listen to the student’s concerns and reassure them that they had done the right thing in seeking help from an adult about the situation. They would then determine if there was ‘reasonable belief’ that some type of abuse may have occurred and, if so, they would make a report to the appropriate agency for further follow up.

Q. How can a student or parent contact a CPO if they would like to talk further?A. CPOs can be contacted in person at the relevant campus or by phone. Communications will be treated confidentially on a need-to-know basis.

Our Child Protection Officers are:DrouinJudy Linossier 0407 958 062 Mandy Smith 0427 003 345

Drouin EastJudy Linossier 0407 958 062 Di McAllister 0407 287 643 Mandy Smith 0427 003 345

LeongathaAnthony Collier 0412 490 724 Shelley Hermens 0402 114 616

PakenhamPeter Wells 0484 081 805 Di McAllister 0407 287 643 Peter Stebbins 5942 5632 (ext 367)

TraralgonKeryn de Bruyn 0408 527 027 Shelley Hermens 0402 114 616

Whole SchoolMichelle Sharp 0472 845 156

Q. If a student or parent wants to talk about a child safety concern, how do they know whether to contact a teacher, Head of School or CPO?A. If the concern relates to emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect, then the student or parent should make contact directly with a CPO. Whenever there are concerns that a child is in immediate danger, the police should be called immediately.

Q. If a student or parent was to tell a CPO something that needed to be reported to the authorities, how might the CPO then support them?A. We realise that this can be a very emotional and distressing time for all involved and so individual ongoing support from our welfare staff members or referral for counselling is available as needed. As reported information is highly confidential, and the person making the report is not identified by external agencies, it is not possible for CPOs to give outcomes of investigations.

Q. Where can we find out more information about the school’s policies?A. The Child Safety booklet is available on Linc and the school website, or people are welcome to talk further with one of our CPOs.

Outlook 2017 MagazineBy now, all current families with children in K4 and above should have received one copy of last year’s school magazine via their eldest child. If you haven’t received a magazine for any reason, please don’t hesitate to ask at Reception for a copy.

We trust that families and staff members will enjoy looking through the magazine, and that it will be something to keep and flick through on occasions in the years to come.

Finance NewsSchool Fees – Statement of Accounts Accounts have recently been sent out. Please note:

• First monthly deduction is from 22/2/18 (cards) or 23/2/18 (bank a/c)

• Yearly-in-advance is due 2/3/18

Four-Year-Old Kinder Subsidy Form (Blue Form) The four-year-old Kinder Subsidy is a Victorian Government Allowance provided to families that have a child attending four-year-old kinder and hold an eligible Victorian Government concession care (e.g. Health Care Card). If you think you may be eligible and have not applied or for further information, please contact the Finance Office.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Funds (CSEF)The Victorian government funding for student camps, sports and excursions is available to parents (or students aged 16 or over) with an eligible Victorian concession card.

Families were sent application forms in November to apply for 2018 funding. If you hold an eligible concession card but have not yet completed an application, please contact the Finance Office.

School Payment Commitment and Conveyance Forms The School Payment Commitment form carries over each year. If you want to change the way you pay your school fees, you will need to contact the Finance Office as soon as possible.

Conveyance forms for car or bus travel also carry over each year unless there have been changes to your circumstances.

Please contact the Finance Office if you have changed address or travel arrangements, or if you don’t believe you have filled out a Conveyance form.

Finance Office ContactsPhone: 5625 0117Email: schoolfees@chairo.vic.edu.au

Student Acceptable Use AgreementsBy now, all students and their parents should have completed and returned a Student Acceptable Use Agreement for 2018. For students in Years 7 to 12 who received new devices this year, this form may have been completed and returned at the technology information evening.

If you need another copy of the form, or wish to refer to it in the future, please note that the forms (for Prep to Year 4 and for Years 5 to 12) are available to parents in the Important Documents section on Linc. The Years 7 to 12 Student PLD User Agreement is also available in the same section.

From the Senior ChaplainIn this newsletter, you will find an invitation to Parent Prayer meetings, which are held every week at Drouin, Pakenham, Leongatha and Traralgon. You are warmly invited and encouraged to attend! Come when you can; leave when you must. There is no need to RSVP. Preschool-aged children and babies are very welcome.

We pray because God is our Father and, through Jesus, we are His precious children. We pray as individuals and as a Chairo community to acknowledge our dependence on Him.

We pray because we are in the same situation as the writer of Psalm 2. All around us, the nations conspire and the peoples plot. They rise up … against the Lord and against his anointed. All around us, in our society, in our world, and in politics, there is a massive push to be free of the Lord of the Universe, the God whose earth we inhabit, whose water we drink and whose air we breathe: For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

God’s response in Psalm 2 is to laugh, and to establish His Son as King. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalm 2:8)

The lesson for us? Blessed are all who take refuge in him (Psalm 2:12).

Chairo is a truly blessed community. We are blessed in more ways than we know, and certainly in more ways than there is room for me to write about. We are blessed with blessings that come to all who take refuge in him.

Praying, through Jesus, to the God who blesses Chairo is a privilege. Prayer expresses our desire to take refuge in him. It is a mark of our dependence on God and, more than that, of our love for Him. Whether or not you can attend our prayer meetings, please pray for Chairo and for our students!Medon Loupis, Senior Chaplain

Kinder NewsA Note From WendyWelcome to the ELC for 2018! We thank God for each new and returning family. This year, we welcome the Traralgon Kinder as part of Early Education at Chairo and we also welcome a number of new staff members.

Hannah French is teaching the Kookaburras at Drouin East; Michelle Beard is teaching the Growling Grass Frogs at Pakenham; and Lisa Schmitt is teaching at Traralgon, with Kaitlyn Versteden assisting.

The whole team has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you and your children through these initial weeks and look forward to the year ahead.

A Name ChangeWe are changing our name from Early Learning Centre to Chairo Kinder. Long day care centres in some areas are known as early learning centres, so to minimise confusion and make our centre distinct, we have changed the name to Chairo Kinder.

You will notice the CK in the graphic that represents the children, along with the painted hand prints. As I was reflecting on the whole design, it came to me that C stands for Christ, and K stands for King. So at Chairo Kinder, Christ is King!

It was Friedrich Frobel who first opened his ‘kindergarten’ in 1837. It was grounded in play and activity. His goal was to teach children how to learn, observe, reason, express and create through play. Even though Frobel was the son of a Lutheran minister, his philosophy of education was not Christian. However, his revolutionary thinking gave us the now-familiar institution of kindergartens throughout the world.

The children have settled in very well so far, and it is a thrill to see them busy at their work. I have enjoyed seeing children confidently saying, ‘Bye Mum, you can go now!’ Their confidence will ever-increase as they get to know their teachers and peers, and settle into their routines. It is sure to be an enjoyable year of learning and fun!Wendy Lowe, Director of Early Learning Centre

Kinder Rhythm Fun IncursionThe wonderful Jo from Rhythm Fun is coming with his drums and percussion instruments to see the children in four-year-old kinder on the following dates:

• Growling Grass Frogs – Tuesday 27 February• Swamphens – Wednesday 28 FebruaryThe cost for this incursion is $6.00 per child, which is to be paid at Reception as soon as possible. A payment envelope has been placed in your child’s kinder pigeon

hole to assist you with this. We look forward to sharing this special time together.

PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS Now introducing: Drums Chairo Christian School Pakenham is excited to offer drum tuition as part of the Private Instrumental Program for 2018. Students wishing to learn drums or trumpet, trombone, euphonium, french horn, tuba, flute clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, piano violin, viola, cello, double bass, voice or guitar are encouraged to collect a music handbook from reception or see Mrs Thomsen Head of Music in the Music Department at Finlay Hall for further details. Get involved and have a blast learning!

Chairoparent prayer

Tuesdays, 9.00–9.45 amReception

Pakenham Campus

Parents are warmly invited to attend, whether regularly or just when available

Prayer requests can also be emailed to prayer@chairo.vic.edu.au or text Melissa Rumble on 0439 694 444 or

Medon Loupis on 0448 560 643

Toy corner for little people

Chairo Kinder

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS NOW TAKING ENROLMENTS

Chairo has a vibrant and exciting Music Department that offers students the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of the private instrumental music program. Students wishing to learn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, french horn, tuba, flute clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, piano violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, voice or drums are encouraged to collect a music handbook from reception or see Mrs Thomsen Head of Music for further details. Some of the exciting things that you can be involved in once learning an instrument include the school’s Symphonic Winds Band, Concert Band, High Tea, Music on the Lawn, Music Camp, eisteddfods and competitions, AMEB exams, Band Tour, Clarinet Choir, Flute Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, String Orchestra and a variety of other groups. The school music program also allows students to further enhance their learning and perform at a variety of school functions and community events.

If you are unsure which instrument you would like to learn, please contact Mrs Thomsen on 5942 5632 (ext. 323) or at kthomsen@chairo.vic.edu.au for more details.

Get involved and have a blast learning!

KINDER RHYTHM FUN

INCURSION

GROWLING GRASS FROGS  - TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY

SWAMPHENS - WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY COST FOR THIS INCURSION IS $6.00 PER CHILD - PLEASE

PAY CASH AT RECEPTION ASAP WITH ENVELOPE PROVIDED

Monday 19 – Saturday 24 March10.00 am – 2.00 pm

Pakenham CamPus Kinder – Year 12 585 Bald Hill RoadDrouin east CamPus Kinder – Year 4 435 Lardners TrackDrouin CamPus Years 5–12 76 Balfour Road

Campuses also at Leongatha and Traralgon

Learning That Lasts a Lifetimewww.chairo.vic.edu.au

Families are invited to visit

us during

oPenWeek