Newsletter 19th June 2024 - Term 2 Week 8

Principal's Message

Dear Parents/Carers,

Reports

Your child’s report will “go live” on Compass on Friday 28 June, at around 4:00pm.  Please ensure that you have access to Compass to receive your child’s report. If you have trouble accessing Compass, please contact our school office for assistance.

The school reports reflect the learning that your child has engaged in, from the beginning of the school year until this week.  They are also a “point in time” report, therefore, are reflective of what your child has demonstrated in their classwork, assessments, presentations, and anecdotal teacher notes.  As such, grades achieved in previous years, may be very different to grades in this report, as content, knowledge and skills are different.

The organisation of the syllabus documents, arranges outcomes across a two-year period for Years 1-6, so some strands of Key Learning Areas, are taught once in a two-year period.  Additionally, some elements of subject areas, may not have been taught yet this year, but will be addressed in Semester 2.  Areas that have not been taught and assessed will be marked as “Excluded”, meaning they have not been taught or assessed.

Children involved in Maths Extension with Mr Konik and myself, may have areas of mathematics that will be reported on, when the remainder of the grade have these elements as “Excluded”.  This is due to the Maths Extension programs being very different in the content covered and pace of the program.

I would like to thank all the teachers involved in preparing the reports for your child/ren.  All teachers have used data from many forms of assessment, classwork, and observations to prepare these reports in a professional manner. 

Signs

As you walk through the school, you may have noticed signs with quotes from St Therese, Catherine McAuley and St Mary Mackillop.  A very big “Thank You!” to John Walker, grandfather of Bastian (Year 4), Tansy (Year 1), and Arley and Sage who both attended St Therese’s and are now St Pius X, who made these signs.  These have been placed throughout the gardens in the school, and you might see a sign with a quote that speaks to you.  These quotes bring us back to our uniquely Catholic heritage, and to the strong women, whose faith and determination have shaped our school.

Protecting our children online - Where it starts matters.

Next Monday 24 June from 6:00pm, we will be holding an information session on how we can help our children to be safe and effective users of digital technologies.  Online platforms, provide us with amazing opportunities to connect with others, but we need to ensure our children are equipped with the skills to do this safely.  This evening session will be facilitated by:

• Dr Rachel Buchanan – Associate Professor, University of Newcastle
• Steve Newman – Education Officer – Digital Innovation and Learning, Catholic Schools Office
• Kaylene Maretich – Acting Principal
• Mark Konik – Acting Assistant Principal
• Lynette Baker – Teacher Librarian
• Anthony Moore – Acting Learning Technology Coordinator and Year 5 Teacher

We will go through the trends that we as a school have identified, as well as a more global trends with online behaviours – positive and negative.  We will also provide strategies for families to try at home and provide an overview of what we do at school. There will be time for questions from parents/carers as well.  You might like to send any questions to admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au, prior to Monday.  The evening will be of benefit to all parents, as an increasing number of children are accessing online environments, from a very young age.  The evening will be presented in the school hall, rather than online, as the face-to-face environment is more effective for learning and communication.  We will look forward to seeing you next week.

Aerobics and Dance Troupes

Congratulations to Miss Toscano and the students in the aerobics and dance troupes that attended the State Championships in Dural over the weekend.  Miss Toscano said they were “phenomenal”, and all performed beautifully.  The teams received the following results:

• Zoe – first in the solo dance
• Mila - second in the solo dance
• Maddi - third in the solo dance
• Lily & Evie - first in the duo aerobics
• Kindergarten – first in dance
• Year ½ Team – first in dance
• Primary Team – third in aerobics

All these have made it through to the National Finals in Adelaide. The Primary Dance Team also performed exceptionally, but unfortunately, did not make it through to the Nationals.

I would like to congratulate all the children involved in dance and aerobics.  Their commitment and dedication are evident in the morning training sessions. Sometimes I even see them practice on the playground at lunch and recess.  I would also like to thank all the parents/carers for your commitment and support of your children and Miss Toscano.  To Miss Toscano, the biggest thank you for your energy, time and passion for dance and aerobics, I see the joy this brings to the students, and we could not do this without you.

Kaylene Maretich
Acting Principal

Assistant Principal's Message

Staff at St Therese’s took part in a whole staff Professional Development Day on Monday. Classroom teachers worked collaboratively, then in their grades, to refine and reflect on their English and mathematics programs and documentation with regards to the new syllabuses. They also worked to improve their knowledge of the NCCD. The NCCD is an annual collection of information about Australian school students with disability. The learning revolved around the necessary documentation for students on the NCCD.

The Learning Support Teachers and Learning Support Assistants took part in a course on Non-Crisis Verbal intervention which they found very useful to their roles within the school.  

It was a beneficial day of learning for all.

Mark Konik
Acting Assistant Principal

Catholic Identity & Curriculum

Faith Formation

Francis’ Focus – In Sunday’s Gospel, Pope Francis reminded us, Jesus ‘teaches us that even everyday things … are inhabited by God’s hidden presence.’

This should encourage us. As the Pope suggests, ‘with this parable Jesus wants to instill us with confidence.’ We can trust that God is still mysteriously at work building His Kingdom.

After all, the Kingdom of God is already growing – even if we do not readily see it. ‘At times,’ the Pope says, ‘the din of the world, along with the many activities that fill our days, prevent us from stopping and seeing how the Lord is conducting history.’

‘The Gospel asks us to take a fresh look at ourselves and at reality,’ the Pope says. He adds that ‘it asks us to have bigger eyes, that are able to see further, especially beyond appearances, in order to discover the presence of God who as humble love is always at work in the soil of our life and that of history.’

We should, therefore, be open to seeing God at work in the smallest of places.

But we are also called to be more than passive spectators. Jesus wants us to become cultivators of the Kingdom. While the mysterious growth of the Kingdom is the work of God, we all have a part to play in God’s plan. ‘It is up to us to sow,’ the Pope points out, ‘and to sow with love, with dedication and with patience.’

Taken from www.liturgyhelp.com

Religious Education

This week, we look at the learning in Year 6 - Topic: Liturgy

After having explored a unit on Justice and being Stewards of Creation in Weeks 1-5, Year 6 students will, for the remainder of Term 2, explore the elements of Liturgy and its place within our Catholic faith.

Prayer, Celebration & Mission

Last Thursday evening, 51 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was absolutely wonderful to see the church so full with our students and families to celebrate this important sacrament of initiation deeper into the Catholic faith. A big thank you to Fr Gregory Barker (Vicar General) who presided as the delegate on behalf of Bishop Michael, to our Parish Priest Fr Velerian who assisted him and to all others involved in ministry during the liturgy. It was a Spirit-filled moment, and the photo below was captured at the conclusion of the liturgy:

Below are some of the Faith Life celebrations and events occurring throughout the remainder of Term 2:

• Week 10:
• Busking 4 Vinnies – Our Youth Minister, Miss Soo, is coordinating this event to take place at lunch and recess on Wednesday 3^rd July. Students can perform 1 item (song/dance/etc.), either solo or as part of a group, with all money donated going towards the St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal.
• Mission Day: Pyjama Day – Last day of term: Friday 5^th July. As part of our support for the St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal, students are invited to come to school dressed in their PJ’s and bring a gold coin donation. All funds will go towards this worthy appeal.

Luke Smith
RE Coordinator

School Community News

ICAS

ICAS Assessments are scheduled for August for students Year 3 - Year 6.  If you want your child  to do any of these assessments it's time to register. School access code is BPK274. Parent applications close on the 29th July 2024. (That means parents cannot register their child to do an ICAS Assessment after the 29th July 2024). These assessments are external to the school, while Therese Jackman provides supervision for these tests on the school premises on specific dates. The school does not have anything to do with the purchasing or registering of students for the assessments.

The 6 ICAS assessments include: Digital Technology, Writing, English, Science, Spelling Bee and Mathematics.

If a child is registered for an assessment and cannot attend it please contact Therese Jackman asap so a make-up sitting can be arranged in that week otherwise the student will not be able to sit the assessment.

CogAT Testing- Year 2 and Year 4 

During Weeks 8 and 9, students in Year 2 and Year 4 will do an online test called CogAT. All students in Year 2 and Year 4 across the Diocese do this test. CogAT is an assessment tool to inform teachers about how students learn and provides them with instructional strategies to support student learning. Parents do not receive a report from this test.

2024 Vinnies Winter Appeal

We have launched our 2024 Winter Appeal. This year the appeal focuses on the working homeless, an emerging group of people who are experiencing housing hardship and disadvantage despite being in employment. These are people who hold jobs that should offer stability, however due to rising rents, cost of living pressures and a shortage of affordable housing, they are sleeping in cars, tents or relying on the goodwill of others.

This year we are asking families to support Vinnies through food donations, as well as holding our annual Pyjama Day on the last day of school, Friday 5^th July, where we ask children to please bring a gold coin in to donate towards the appeal.

Each grade is asked to bring food items allocated to their year group. Students can bring 1-2 food items each that will be collected on Wednesday and Friday each week by the members of Mini Vinnies up until the last day of the term.

Kinder - baked beans, spaghetti, tinned snacks
Year 1 - pasta, pasta sauce, noodles, tinned soup
Year 2 - tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, instant pudding
Year 3 - toothpaste, soap, shampoo
Year 4 - cereal, porridge, biscuits
Year 5 - spreads – vegemite, jam, honey. Sauces – bbq, tomato
Year 6 - coffee, tea, milo, drinking chocolate

Thankyou in advance for your generosity.
Yr 5 Mini Vinnies

Volunteering

Throughout the year, we welcome all parents/carers to volunteer at the school. To volunteer, you must complete the volunteer's induction. This process can take up to 6 weeks, so you are encouraged to complete this early.

School Fees

Thank you to those families that have been making payments towards their fees. Our preferred payment methods are BPay, direct debit or credit card. If you choose to use CompassPay, please double check the amount before you submit the payment. Refunds can no longer be given for incorrect amounts paid unless your account is in credit.

School Photos

Photos will be on 27 & 28 June and can be ordered now using the code below (410602). The schedule at this stage is in the table below. A Compass notification will also be sent next week in case there are any changes.

Sport

Cross Country Championships

We would like to congratulate our 4 representatives Lily, Mary, Cieran and Chase who went to the PSSA Polding Cross Country Championships 15 May. Special mention to Mary and Chase who have now made it through to State Championships. Well done all.

Jye Bowen
Sports Coordinator

Sports Days Term 2

Sports days for the remainder of Term 2 are below:

Kindergarten - Wednesday
Year 1 - Thursday
Year 2 - Tuesday
Year 3 - Tuesday
Year 4 - Wednesday
5N - Wednesday
5W - Thursday
5L - Tuesday
Year 6 - Thursday

Wellbeing

This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude.

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking, and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

Part 2 - Gratitude: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a gratitude journal. You can simply use a notebook to list three things that went well for you each day or use a more comprehensive Wellbeing Journal, like those created by The Resilience Project.

Source: Psychology Today

For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Canteen