Term 3 Week 1 Newsletter 2024

Important Dates

Character Virtue:   O B E D I E N C E
Obedience means acting according to certain rules or guidelines, usually put in place by an authority.  This could mean doing as the teacher says with a good attitude, following the school's technology policy, listening to your sports coach, music or dance teacher and most importantly, being obedient to God's commandments, trusting that he knows what is best for each of us.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,
Welcome back to all the students and families for the commencement of Term 3.  I hope all of our students and families had an enjoyable holiday. 

Luke Kennedy - Motivational speaker and mental health advocate Luke S. Kennedy presented today to our 3-6 students.

Topics covered in his talk included;

• Bullying (self-bullying/Negative self-talk)
• Mental Health - Overall Wellness
• Resilience
• How to be yourself and stop worrying about what other people think

School Reports - The Semester 1 report was made available on Compass at the end of last term.  These reports outlined your child’s achievements and efforts during Terms 1 and 2, and there is the opportunity for follow-up interviews. Parent/Teacher interviews are optional at this time of year. They will take place at a convenient time upon parent or teacher's request.  Please contact your child’s class teacher if you wish to arrange an interview time.

NAPLAN Results - In Term 1, NAPLAN assessments were carried out in Writing (Year 5 online, Year 3 written), Reading and Language Conventions (online), and Numeracy (online). Students from across all schools in Australia in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participated in the assessments. NAPLAN results will be available early this term.
The main purpose of NAPLAN, from our school’s perspective, is to use the results to identify strengths and areas to improve in our teaching programs and to set improvement goals in literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN scores provide an indication of students’ achievements, but they provide only one snapshot of selected aspects of what students know and can do.  Our Semester School Reports provide a far more comprehensive and complete picture of your child’s overall ability. If you would like to discuss these results further, please don’t hesitate to contact your class teachers.

House and Line Award Morning Tea - Congratulations to La Salle who were the House Award point score winner for Term 2.  They will be joined at their special morning tea, held this Thursday, by Class 5B as Line Award winners for Term 2.  

NAIDOC Liturgy - NAIDOC Week, held across Australia in the first week of July, is an Indigenous-led celebration of the history, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We will be celebrating NAIDOC  with a liturgy and activities on Tuesday, 3rd September. 

Religious Education

Dear Parents,

Communion Registration - First Eucharist sessions are being held in the coming weeks.  A reminder that Year 3 children and their parents are required to attend one meeting per week in the lead-up to the sacrament. 

Vinnie's PJ Day - Mr Keady spoke to our SRC and school leaders about the Vinnies Pyjama Day to be held on Tuesday, 30th July.  Students are to wear PJs to school on Tuesday (with enclosed shoes/joggers). 
We also ask for families to make a gold coin donation for St. Vincent de Paul.  Thank you!

Grandparent’s Day - We will celebrate Grandparent’s Day next Friday, 2nd August.  We will commence the day with Mass at St Brigid’s Church at 10 am. Students will then return to school via bus where we will have a BYO picnic and open classrooms. 

ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's:  Saturday - 5pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 5pm
St. Laurence's Church:  Sunday - 7.30am

Book Week 2024

Sport

League Stars Clinics - Our new NRL Development Officer, Bailey Searle, hopes to run League Star Clinics at our school this term for children in Kindergarten to Year 2.
The After-School Program will be run in our playground once or twice a week, depending on the response from our families.
Introduction Clinics will be held on Friday, and Bailey will hand out flyers to all students after the 30-minute sessions are over.

Polding Rugby Selections - Girls 7's (Eligibility 11 Years to 12 Years)
Event:  Polding Ruby Selections - Girls 7's
Date:  Wednesday, 14th August 2024
Venue:  Santa Sabina College, Strathfield
Time:  9am - 3pm
Registrations are made directly through the CSNSW Sport Portal for students to trial at the Polding Selections.
Close Date:  Friday, 2nd August

ICAS

1 WEEK TO REGISTER...

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENTS FOR SCHOOLS (ICAS)

Students who have a particular talent in a specific area relevant to the subject nominated in the International Competition are invited to participate in the 2024 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), which will be held next term. Competitions are offered in English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technology and Spelling.

ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment.  This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.

Please Note:  Years 3 to 6 students who have a talent in the relevant Key Learning Area are eligible to enter.

We do not promote these competitions as a relevant means of diagnosing and assessing students who do not display a high degree of ability.  The content of these competitions does not always reflect our curriculum.  We would only encourage students that have the ability to work at a high level of competence in these particular KLA’s.

School Access Code:  RCI592
Parent Page link: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

School Fees

Term 2 Fees were emailed on Friday, 10th May 2024 and DUE on Friday, 24th May 2024.

If you'd like to start up a Payment Plan to manage your school fees, please phone the school office.  Thank you.

Attendance

Attending school special events can instill a sense of pride and school spirit among students, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere.
Why encourage your child to attend and actively participate in school events?
   -  School events often incorporate school traditions and rituals. Attending these events allows students to connect with the
      rich history and culture of their school, fostering a sense of continuity and identity.
  -   Engaging in school events provides opportunities for your child to interact with peers and staff. This enhances their social
      skills, including communication, teamwork, and collaboration.
  -   Special events can create memorable experiences for your child. Participating allows them to look back on their school
      years with fondness, remembering the unique and enjoyable moments.

Why should your family attend and participate in school special events? 
  -  School events provide opportunities for parents/carers to network and build connections with other families.
     This sense of community can extend beyond school events, creating a supportive network for both parents and students.

Community News

Condolences - Our prayers and sympathy are extended to:

Mrs Maree McAneney after the passing of her mother.  May she rest in peace.

Mrs Pixi Vincent-Cross after the passing of her sister-in-law.  May she rest in peace.

The Lee family (Harry - KG and Gracie - 1G ) and the Smith family (Imogen - 2B and Nora - 2G) after the passing of their grandfather.  May he rest in peace.

The Job family (Jimmy - KG) after the passing of his grandfather.  May he rest in peace.

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BIRTHDAYS:
Celebrating their birthday this week are:
Anna Godwin, George Jacobson, Harvey Woodbridge, Indie Wilson, Jack Peterson,
Evie Pratten, Maggie O'Neill, Wyatt Grey, Harry Bywater and Caleb Goodwin.
We hope you enjoy your birthday!

Canteen

Canteen Roster

REMINDER:   
MunchMonitor cut-off time for placing lunch orders - 9.45 am.

LATE LUNCH ORDERS: 
9.45 am - 11.00 am - Parents are welcome to phone the school office to place a lunch order.
After 11.00 am -  Students have an option of a Vegemite Sandwich, Cheese Sandwich
or Cheese and Vegemite Sandwich only.