PRIMARY NEWS
from the Assistant Principal

Mr Shayne Smith
ssmith14@arm.catholic.edu.au

Weekly Overview

As the cold chills of winter grasp our fingertips and noses, we're encouraging students to stay warm with their school jumpers and jackets. If your child does not have the correct uniform a note must be brought in explaining the reason and given to their teacher.

Walking around the playground last week I had the pleasure of discussing with students their hobbies and interests, it reminded me of just how important it is to communicate with one another. At HTS, all staff take a great interest in their ideas and discussions, taking the time to understand and connect with students. Words carry meaning and enable us to form connections to boost and support a child's involvement in school and gain motivation to attend school.

Area of focus:

"Our words matter and carry meaning"

With our focus this week in mind, I encourage you to continue to communicate with your child/children about the successes and skills they have learnt throughout the semester so far. A question that could be posed is "What is one skill or success that you are most proud of this semester (academic or not)?"

Gamble Aware Yr 6

Last week our Year 6 students were educated in the world of digital technology and some of the scary links that online games and types of social media have in connection to gambling. Students were bewildered by some of the fun they had that involved risk and that research has shown it leads to gambling later in life. The examples they used were mystery crates and opportunities to purchase skins, students are involved not only in money situations but learning to gamble on chances of winning linked sounds and creative features. Here are some of our student's responses to the visit:

"Wow, I never knew that people create sounds to encourage further playing"
"I'm surprised by the amount of gambling exposure to young children is out there!"
"I thought there was something with the pictures and loot creates"

Families are encouraged to to talk and discuss the digitial technology exposure students are exposed to and to monitor the way in which students engage in their games. We hope students took away the realistic view of what games and the types of risks and chances they are playing with.

K-2 Cross Country

Once again our students battled the cold and completed the laps of Cross Country with a huff and puff but most importantly their participation and commitment to the event.

We applaud all students for their preparations and commitment to the sport and the encouragement of one another to finish. Thank you families for your words of encouragement and support on the day, students faces were glowing with joy and happiness to know they are supported in all of the events and occasions they participate in.

"A good sport not only knows how to win but how to encourage others to finish!"

Well done all!

Year 3-6 Social

There is a Yrs 3-6 Social night planned for students on the 27 June 2024 from 5pm -7pm. There will be active supervision from HTS staff and a canteen that will sell goodies. Students must be dropped off and picked up from the carpark. Cost is $2 per child and $3 for a family.

ICAS - Assessment Platform (Available to Years 3-10)

We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.

How to participate in ICAS If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas/)

2. Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here:(shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)

3. Enter our school’s access code – [insert access code] (Our code is XEQ247)

4. Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase.

All payments must be done online as this is an external assessment.

English: 12-16 August

Mathematics: 26-30 August

Science: 19-23 August

Closes 15 July, 2024.

Congratulations to the following award winners
KD	Oliver Sayer, Jack Gold
KS	Tatum Ria, Alvey Pizzardi, Allegra Thomson
1E	Leo Tasker, Theo McPhee, Tully Adams, Jack Warrener, Tannah Pizzardi, Isabel Li, Bryson Amery
1M	Harrison Fenton, Toby Chrichlow
2G	Flynn Simpson, Riley Worgan, Blakey Ria
2M	Baxter O'Brien, Nixon Fisher Knox Mathers, Ollie Gaias
3M	Ava Mundy, Carter O'Connor Freya Brooker, Bella Ehsman
3W	Tilly Eddy, Elsie Guest, Esabel Jinesh, Harvey Edwards
4LD	Darcy Celler , Charlie Mason, Isabel Caskey, Sloane Garrett
4WL	Zara De Stefani, Ruby Fitzroy
5B	Ebony Hiscock, Fergus Lea
5F	Leo Schiller, Darcie Emery, Zayne Cleal, Audrey Stewart
6D	Eva Jinesh, Albert Taylor, Georgie Moore
6M	Fletcher Andrews, Seaton Higgins Zali Borrowdale
6T	Rory Orchard, Isabel Bryant, Pippa Butcher, Korinne Cleary, Jack Sweeney