Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Use of Sensory Toys:
In the classrooms across our school, you may notice that some students are using items such as fidget tools, noise-cancelling headphones, textured cushions, or wobble chairs. These are not toys or distractions - they're sensory supports that help certain students focus, self-regulate, and participate more fully in learning.

Sensory items are tools designed to help students who have sensory processing differences. These differences are common in students with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or other learning or developmental needs. For these students, the classroom environment can sometimes feel overwhelming - too loud, too bright, or too busy. Sensory tools help manage that input so students can stay calm, focused, and engaged.

While sensory tools might seem fun or interesting, they are not classroom toys. They serve a specific educational purpose for students who need them, much like glasses help students with vision challenges. When used by students who don’t need them, they can become a distraction or even take away from the intended benefits for others.

The use of sensory tools is not a decision made by families or students on their own. Teachers implement these tools as part of a personalised learning or support plan, often developed in collaboration with students, families, learning support teams and specialists. Each tool is carefully chosen based on the individual needs of a student, and its use is monitored and adjusted as necessary.

By understanding the role of sensory tools, we help create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all learners. Every child learns differently, and these items are one way we meet the unique needs of individual students. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing that while all tools serve a purpose, not all tools are needed by everyone.

Sports Equipment from Home:
We kindly ask that students do not bring toys or sports equipment from home to use during the school day. Our school provides a wide range of appropriate equipment for students to enjoy during breaks and physical activities.

Bringing items from home can lead to a number of issues, including:

• Lost or misplaced personal items;
• Broken or damaged belongings;
• Distractions in the classroom; and
• Unfair situations if some students bring items, and assume the boss title, excluding others from the game.

To help keep things fair, safe, and organized for all students, we ask for your support in ensuring that personal toys, balls, or other sports gear stay at home unless specifically requested by a teacher for a particular activity. 

School Uniform Update:
As the weather becomes cooler, we’ve noticed some inconsistencies in school uniform across the school. Wearing the correct uniform supports a sense of belonging, promotes equality, and helps maintain a focused learning environment. We’re asking for your continued support in upholding these important standards.

Beleza Uniform Shop has informed us that new stock has arrived, and most items are now readily available for purchase.

During school photos, we observed several uniform issues, including:

• Students wearing leggings instead of tights or school pants;
• Incorrect sock colours;
• Non-compliant black shoes; and
• Sports uniform being worn on non-sport days.

We also kindly remind families to ensure all uniform items are clearly labelled. Labels can fall off in the wash, so regular checks help avoid mix-ups - especially if your child accidentally brings home another student’s uniform.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring all students wear their uniform with pride. If you have any concerns or need assistance with uniform requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact your class teacher.

Warm Regards,
Stephen Pitt | Principal

Our Confirmation Mass with Bishop Greg will take place on Friday August 15 at 7pm at St Ita’s Church, Drouin.

Parents who intend this sacrament for their child are asked to attend an Information Meeting on Thursday June 19 at 7pm in the Marian Room in Warragul.

For more information contact Liz: warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

Parents of our First Holy Communion Candidates,

As outlined on the cover of your First Holy Communion Program folder, we are offering a Post Teaching Mass on Thursday June 12 at St Joseph's church in Warragul beginning at 6pm.

This Mass will then be followed by the sharing of a light meal together. Could I please ask that you give considerable thought to this Mass/BBQ and make every effort to prioritise it into your busy schedules. It is an important part of our program, and we also thought that it would be a lovely way to bring all our candidates and their families together to celebrate this important step in their faith journey. At the end of this Mass there will be an opportunity for a whole group photo if parents would like this. 

I need to know numbers for catering purposes and therefore would like you to please RSVP by Monday June 9.  Please let me know if you can come and provide me with approximate numbers. Feel free to invite special family members, such as grandparents.

Please RSVP to Liz at warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

Kind Regards,
Liz Schellekens
Sacrament Coordinator
Catholic Parishes of Warragul & Drouin

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Annual school photos have been taken by Arthur Reed Photos.  To view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to first register online.

1. Go to https://order.arphotos.com.au and enter the 2025 image code for your child (from their personalized flyer).
2. Tap on ‘Add another child’ to enter the image codes of any siblings.
3. Fill in your email and mobile details and then review all details before confirming your registration.

That’s it! When 2025 photos are ready, you will be notified by email and SMS.

In the webshop you can view photos and customize your photo package; Choose ANY layout, ANY image and purchase multiple digital image downloads.

All photo orders will be sent directly to the address you provide when ordering.

If your child has misplaced their code or for split families wanting to order photos for separate households, please contact the school office to obtain your childs code.

At St Angela’s we are committed to creating calm, focused classrooms. One way we can make this happen is by exposing our students to daily mindfulness practices.

Why are we bringing mindfulness into our classrooms?

• Boosts focus and attention: Short mindfulness breaks help students settle their minds, making it easier to concentrate during lessons.
• Builds emotional resilience: Mindfulness teaches students to pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully—skills that support emotional growth and reduce impulsive behavior.
• Reduces classroom stress: Whether it be anxiety or social pressure, mindfulness can help students find calm in the midst of it all.
• Fosters a more compassionate classroom culture: Students become more aware of themselves and others, leading to greater empathy and cooperation.

Please find attached a mindfulness breathing exercise you may like to try with your children at home!

Not Settling for Established Ways

Pentecost Sunday, the conclusion of the great Easter season, is a wonderful occasion to take a deep breath and set our course. Easter is about celebration and reflection on the depth and breadth of God’s love for us.         

Recently I heard “the Advocate” described as a fiercely protective presence, accompanying, and guiding us into the unknown. Jesus promises his disciples the Advocate (John 14:15-16, 23-26) and, filled with that Holy Spirit, they burst from the upper room (Acts 2:1-11) preaching confidently and fearlessly to all people. This is celebrated as the birth of the Church. In an astonishingly brief few years those Spirit filled disciples made Christianity a major player around the Mediterranean and beyond. In those same few years though was revealed an issue which has plagued us since. Some zealously fired up with passion for Jesus’ message, but forgetting to consult the Spirit were very soon proclaiming their own words rather than Jesus’.

Australian theologian Fr Frank Moloney alerts us that, “without the nourishing yet critical presence of the Holy Spirit, the “Word” of Jesus is soon forgotten, and we begin to settle for our own “words”……. abandoning the never-ending task of learning from the Spirit …. settling for established ways …. no longer admitting the uncomfortable “memory” of all that Jesus has said to us”. (Moloney, F. This is the Gospel of the Lord p110)

In stillness, openness, and humility we must contemplate, reflect, pray, chill, before undertaking any preaching or teaching or missioning and indeed in our daily lives. Allowing the Holy Spirit into our lives is often confronting; upsetting our prejudices and biases, our programs, plans and policies. Forgetting or ignoring the Holy Spirit though dooms our activities, whatever good intentions we might have. Pentecost is time to be still, to wait on the Lord, realising that Jesus approaches me as he did the disciples, wishing me peace, conferring his gift of the Holy Spirit, and empowering us to pass these gifts freely to others.

Deacon Mark Kelly

Two of Australia’s leading experts in youth wellbeing and cyber safety Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday June 18 at 7.30pm.  They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Topics in this webinar include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Misinformation and Algorithms
• Sexting and Sextortion
• Online Grooming

If you would like to be part of this engaging and insightful webinar, please see the attached flyer for more information. 

Please note: Participants MUST REGISTER PRIOR to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.