General News

Dhulu - Message Stick

Cultural Learning Plans:

Our AEA staff would like to invite you to our Cultural Learning Plan meetings for 2024. It would be wonderful for you to meet the AEA your child is working with, however, if you have children at both campuses and you would only like to attend one meeting, please email sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au by Friday 8th March.

Infants: Wednesday 13th March 2024

Location: Infants Library

Time: 3:30-5:00pm

Primary: Thursday 14th March 2024

Location: The Dhirrabuu Warruwi Room - Primary Cultural Room

Time: 3:30-5:00 pm

Gamilaraay Word of the Week:

Maarubaa - thank you

Word of the Week

Each time a student uses our "Word of the Week" in the classroom they will be awarded a point and the student with the most points at the end of the term will receive a book to further expand their vocabulary.

We will publish our Word of the Week on Facebook and in the newsletter. Please support your child to use this word at home.

Term 1 Week 6 Word of the Week "MAGNIFY"

Upcoming Events...

Our first "Free Hat Friday" will be held this Friday 8th March. All students are asked to leave their school hat at home and wear another hat of choice and bring a gold coin donation for Caritas. Thank you for your support of this event.

St Edward's Open Day - Infants Campus only

Please remember to tell your friends, family and neighbours, St Edward’s Infants Campus is having an OPEN DAY on Sunday 17th March from 10:30am-12:30pm. Encourage them to come and visit our wonderful school and discover for themselves the many benefits of a Catholic Education.

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is essential if students are to maximise their potential. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. While parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, school staff, as a part of their duty of care, monitor part or whole day absences.

Classes commence at 8:45am and late arrival makes it more difficult for a child to settle in class. Leaving class early results in your child missing out on important information to help them prepare for the next day. Each day or part day missed makes the support of your child more challenging as staff attempt to ensure they are learning at an appropriate rate. The below infographics demonstrate the importance of consistent attendance at school. Every day does count and is essential to the academic success of your child. Thank you for helping to maximise your child’s potential by ensuring their attendance at school is a priority.

St Ed's P & F Easter Raffle

Our wonderful P & F committee is currently organising our annual Easter Raffle. Donations of easter eggs, bunnies and Easter gift bags from families would be most welcomed and can be left at either school office. Please note raffle books will be sent home with every student the week beginning 11th March.

St Ed's P & F - Next Meeting - Tuesday 19th March, 5.30pm

Our next P & F Meeting will be held on Tuesday 19th March at 5.30pm in the Primary Staffroom. We have an enthusiastic committee who would love you to come along, give your support and share your ideas.

Medical Action Plans

Medical Action Plans were sent home late last year to all families who have children with Asthma, Seizures, Diabetes and Anaphylaxis. Parents are asked to update these forms annually, including a signature from your family doctor. Please return these signed Action Plans to school as soon as possible, thank you. Special thanks to the families who have already returned their child's plan.

Parents of students who have been diagnosed with any of the above medical conditions since enrolling are asked to advise either school office ASAP so a Medical Action Plan can be processed and sent home.

Australian Government Collection of Data

2024 NAPLAN - Years 3 & 5 Students

NAPLAN testing will occur for our Year 3 and Year 5 students in Term 1 during Weeks 7 and 8. Please take note of the following dates and ensure that your child has a working set of headphones/earbuds at school for these tests.

Wednesday 13th March: Writing Test

Thursday 14th March: Reading Test

Friday 15th March: Conventions of Language Test

Monday 18th March: Numeracy Test

Tuesday 19th March - Monday 25th March: Catch Up Testing

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked.

The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available to see the types of questions, tools and functions used in the NAPLAN tests.

Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/naplan/parent-information).

Please contact your child's class teacher if you require more information.

SAVE THE DATE - St Ed's School Photos - Week 9

INFANTS - Tuesday 26th March (all students to wear full Summer School Uniform)

PRIMARY - Wednesday 27th March (all students to wear full Summer School Uniform)

IMPORTANT UNIFORM CHANGE: Please note that SPORT DAYS in PHOTO WEEK (WEEK 9) will be Thursday 28th and Friday 29th March so all students K-6 are asked to wear their sports uniform on those days.

Online orders must be placed via the Parent Compass Portal prior to the day. This can be found in your app, under the 'more' tab found in the bottom right hand corner and then click on the 'photo ordering' tab. If you cannot order online, please call MSP on 67723519 to arrange an alternate payment.

SIBLING Family Photos

Families wishing to have sibling photos taken this year are advised that these will be taken on Tuesday 26th March at the INFANTS Campus at Recess time between 11.00am - 11.40am. If you have children at BOTH Campuses parents are asked to arrange for the Primary children to be brought to the Infants Campus Hall by 11.00am and then returned to the Primary after the photo is taken. If you only have children at the Primary Campus, the photographers are happy to take these family photos at the Primary on Wednesday 27th March during Recess time.

Consent for Compass Events

It is important that parents and carers please ensure you regularly log onto your COMPASS parent portal and approve or decline any events shown on there for your child/children. Thank you to the families who have already attended to this.

2025 Kindergarten - ENROL NOW

Applications for Kindergarten 2025 are NOW OPEN. Please contact the Infants Campus for an enrolment pack or download the online form.

Enrolment Applications must be accompanied by the relevant supporting documents as listed on the cover page of the application form. ie: Birth and Immunisation Certificate; Baptismal Certificate (only required if your child is baptised Catholic) and proof of student’s residential address.

Please spread the word if you know of anyone with a child wishing to start at St Edward's School in Kindergarten in 2025. Please note enrolment applications close on Friday 12th April.

School Travel - Bus Passes & Concessions

Please note there is a new website where parents can access bus pass applications.

https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/ticket-eligibility-concessions/school-student-travel

COVID INFORMATION

At the end of 2022, National Cabinet announced that people who test positive to COVID-19 do not need to isolate. In line with this announcement, schools will continue to follow guidance issued by NSW Health to support the safety and wellbeing of our school communities.

Staff and Students with COVID-19 Symptoms

If a student or staff member is unwell and has any symptoms they should always test for COVID-19 and not attend school until they are symptom free.

Positive COVID-19 Cases

If a student or staff member receives a positive result with a RAT or PCR test they should:

Record the positive result through the Services NSW website or App.
Notify school of positive results as soon as possible.

Esteem Kids

Before school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00am to 8:30am, Monday through Friday during term and breakfast is provided.

After school care is available in the Infants Hall for Infants students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday. PLEASE NOTE this year that after school care is now operating from the Primary Art Room for primary students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday. Afternoon tea is provided.

Families are encouraged to make enquiries or express interest by contacting William Wong on 0410 841 628 or email: info@esteemkidsgroup.com.au or visit the website at www.esteemkidsgroup.com.au

ABSENCES - Please remember to contact (telephone or text) Esteem Kids St Edward's directly if your child is going to be absent on 0481 373 883. Thank you.