General News

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Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Education Conference 2022: Transforming with the Spirit

On Tuesday, our Aboriginal Education Assistants, Miss Brittany Cloake, Mrs Amanda Gwalter and Mr Jarrod Peachey had the opportunity to travel to the Blue Mountains to attend a NSW State Conference in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. They have attended many different sessions and are due to return on Friday with many new strategies and knowledge to continue building their support for our First Nation students at St Edward's. 

Our connection to culture, country and mob is the core connection to our identity. 

Our AEAs have had the opportunity to sit and listen to special guests who attended the conference, Anita Heiss, Linda Burney, Dr Aunty Miriam Rose, Brooke Boney and Isaiah Dawe. 

Our AEAs are so excited to continue making big changes and forming our First Nation students into the deadly miyays and birrays they are. 

Miyay - Girl in Gamilaraay

Birray - Boy in Gamilaraay

St Ed's Colour Explosion Fun Run - this Friday 14th October, Primary Campus from 4.30pm

There is only ONE DAY TO GO until our Colour Explosion Fun Run!! The Colour Run will be held at the Primary Campus tomorrow (Friday 14th).  Registration is from 4.30pm for a 5.00pm start. Families can log on to www.australianfundraising.com.au to create your child's cybersafe fundraising profile. On the day, please make sure your child wears a white shirt, old shorts and joggers for the Fun Run. Students will be covered in non-toxic, high quality colour powder from head to toe!  Families are invited to attend. A special thank you to our wonderful P & F committee for organising this amazing event and we all look forward to a bright and colourful, fun filled afternoon. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please note that any CASH donations must be returned to either school office by close of business tomorrow, Friday 14th October.  The ordering of prizes can also be placed from midnight Friday 14th October onwards.

Please see below for more information:

Join our Presentation - this Monday 17th October

We have a chance to share our story on the world stage. This coming Monday evening, 17th October, during World Education our school will be the first to conduct a free online workshop showcasing how St Edward's nurtures student learning. We encourage you to not only register, but also share the following link with your family and friends. Let's get our community on board to share the great news and help others learn more about St Edward's. Click on the link below:

http://worldeduweek.org/event/st-edwards-primary-school/

Kindergarten 2023 - Playgroup Guest Speaker

Do you have a child starting Kindergarten next year?  If so, you are invited to join our St Edward's Playgroup on Tuesday 25th October at 10.30am in the Infants Hall with Occupational Therapist, Mrs Emily Bradbery. Mrs Bradbery will share the insights and importance of how occupational therapy can help your child starting school. To RSVP your attendance, please email candicelamb24@gmail.com.  We would love to see you there! 

Kinder 2023 Orientation Mornings

We will be welcoming our new Kinder 2023 students for their Orientation mornings on:

•  Friday 21st October, 9.30-11.30am (Week 2)
• Friday 28th October, 9.30-11.30am (Week 3)
• Friday 4th November, 9.30-11.30am (Week 4)
• Week 5, 7th-11th November - small group transition in Preschool groups 

Children are asked to bring a hat, drink bottle and something to eat.  They can wear play clothes with closed in shoes.  At each Orientation visit, we ask that parents enter via the back gate on Thompson Crescent where you will be greeted by staff. 

School Fees

Thank you to all those families who are up to date with their school fees. Overdue accounts were sent home this week with the eldest students. Are you getting behind in fee payments? Why not set up a direct debit and have regular payments come out of your bank account. Please contact either school office if you wish to take up this option.

Second Hand Clothing Pool

Have you recently had a sort through your children’s summer school uniforms and have unwanted items? If so, both the Infants and Primary Clothing Pools are in need of good quality second hand items. Items can be donated or sold on consignment with 20% commission taken by the school. Most second hand items are $5 each, girls summer tunics $10 and winter tunics $15. Please note we are in desperate need of more girls summer tunics, particularly size 8 & 10.

Please pop into either school office to look through the clothing pool or alternatively phone and the ladies will happily check availability for you.  

School Uniform

We are very proud of our St Ed's school uniform and ask that you ensure your children have the correct uniform items to wear to school and that all items are clearly named. Students are now to wear their summer uniform. 

Bus Flashing Lights

You must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash.

Drivers should look out for children who are crossing the road or waiting to cross. Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. By law, a driver must not overtake or pass a bus with flashing lights at more than 40km/h.

Lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors open, and they keep flashing for about 20 seconds after the doors close. Children are most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus.

Young children are often unpredictable in their movements. They are still developing the skills that help them to judge the direction of sound and the speed and distance of vehicles.

We know that because of their sheer size and mass, buses can cause severe outcomes for other road users in crashes.  Motorists can help reduce the risk of a crash and keep children safe by:

• Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing
• Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
• Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

Parents and Carers

School-aged children might seem independent, but they still need a hand. Remember:

• Always meet your child AT school or the bus stop. NEVER wait on the opposite side of the road and call them across.
• Always supervise your child and hold their hand when walking to and from the bus stop or interchange and when crossing the road until they are at least 10
• Wait until the bus has gone then use a safe place to cross the road
• Encourage your child to take a seat quickly when they get on the bus and to buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.

Rural and Regional Areas

In rural and regional areas there are many Informal school bus stops that do not have signs or infrastructure, such as a bus shelter. They are often temporary and located at the end of a driveway or residence. Slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash, look out for children crossing the road, and be aware that a stationary bus can impede view of children around buses.

Parents and carers also play an important role in ensuring the safety of students around school bus stops. If your child needs to use a rural bus stop that doesn’t have signs or other safety infrastructure – think about whether it’s located in a safe spot that allows buses to stop away from the road, with good lines of sight in both directions, and includes a safe place for you to park your vehicle and wait. You can talk to your local bus operator or find more information in our Advice for Choosing Locations of Informal School Bus Stops (PDF, 105KB) 

Armidale Diocesan Investment Group (ADIG)

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Discover What’s On...from the St Ed's P&F

Please see below a schedule of fundraising events for the second half of the year and be sure to check out upcoming editions of the school newsletter for more information.  

St Ed's P & F Golf Day - Sunday 27th November

St Ed's P & F Mangoes Fundraiser

2023 Travel Passes

Absentee Notes

Please remember that all absences must be explained within 7 days of your child being away.  You will receive an automated SMS message at 10.00am on the day to remind you to explain the absence on the Parent Compass Portal. If you are having a trouble accessing all of the Compass features, there should be a drop-down menu on your home page which looks like 3 horizontal lines.  Open this menu and choose 'open in browser'. This will help you access the school portal features. 

Join the St Edward's Playgroup!

Our St Ed's Playgroup is held each Tuesday of term from 10am-12 noon in the Infants Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents with toddlers who are preparing to enter Kindergarten. We will be gathering together for social events, and we'll also have learning opportunities so you can get ready for big school! The playgroup is a great way to make friends, and it's also a valuable resource for getting information about our school. Information sessions plus coffee and cake will be the order of the day, as well as fun activities for the active toddler. Interested? Please contact our newly appointed Playgroup Co-ordinator (and early childhood expert), Mrs Candice Lamb, on 0402 700 039 or candicelamb24@gmail.com

Please also join our St Ed's Playgroup Facebook page where important news and information is shared about our Playgroup.   Click here for the Facebook link

Important Dates  

Friday 21st October, 9.30-11.30am

Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Day 1

Friday 28th October, 9.30-11.30am

Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Day 2 

Friday 4th November, 9.30-11.30am

Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Day 3

Friday 16th December

TERM 4 concludes (for all students)

Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th December

Pupil Free Days

Last P&F meeting for 2022 is scheduled for:

• Tuesday 8 November @ 5:30pm (everyone welcome)

Our School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting will be held on:

• Monday 28 November @ 5:30pm

Esteem Kids

Before school care is available in the Infants Hall.  It operates from 7:00am to 8:30am, Monday through Friday during term and breakfast is provided. After school care is also available in the Infants Hall from 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday through Friday and 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

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.

PARENTING IDEAS

Please follow the link to the Parenting Ideas blog. New articles are published each fortnight from Michael Grose, one of Australia’s most accomplished parenting and educational speakers.

Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box

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Athletes Foot

Don't forget when you purchase your school or sport shoes at the Athletes Foot Tamworth, to mention you are a member of the St Edward's Tamworth school community. $5 from every purchase is donated back to our school. 

McCarthy Catholic College Orientation Day

Free Parenting Workshops...

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St Edward's Primary Tamworth