Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Carers,

The term is flying by - week 6 already. Thank you for the feedback you provided on the new look newsletter. Taking your feedback into consideration and the results of the parent survey completed last year, we would like to share a newsletter weekly. On odd weeks the focus will be on student work, which each grade sharing a sample of work for parents to enjoy and understand some of what their children are engaged in at school, while on even weeks we will share the more traditional newsletter. I hope you enjoy this change.

Today is the start of the third week of Lent. 

Let us all Pray together:

Loving God,I hear your invitation, "Come back to me"

and I am filled with such a longing to return to you.

Show me the way to return.

Lead me this day in good works I do in your name 

and send your Spirit to guide me 

and strengthen my faith.

I ask only to feel your love in my life today.

Amen

International Women's Day 

Today the world celebrates international woman's day. The theme for international woman's day 2023 is Embrace Equity.

Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have.

A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA.

And it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.

The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion. We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all.

Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.

So give equity a huge embrace.

Meetings with Classroom Teachers

A gentle reminder that if you need to speak with your child's teachers, please make an appointment to see them. We ask that you do not simply turn up as teachers have many responsibilities that they need to attend to before and after school at different times. 

Gate Opening Times

A gentle reminder that supervision of students does not start until 8:35am. The Byng street gate will not be opened until the supervision bell goes at 8:35. As the first bus arrives before supervision starts, the Hill Street Gate will open at 8:25 and any students arriving on the first bus will enter the school grounds and sit in the Kindergarten eating area to wait for supervision to begin. No other children should be at school before 8:35. We do have a before school care facility if you need to drop your children before these times. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. 

As students progress through their school years, it’s important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

NAPLAN is designed to assess the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time. NAPLAN consists of a series of tests students take between 15th and 17th March. The tests are Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy in that order.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

More information about NAPLAN can be found here.

School Review Scheduled

Please read the letter below from the Catholic Education Office in Bathurst.

Dear Parents,

Re: SCHOOL REVIEW

On Tuesday, 30th May, and Wednesday, 31st May, Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School will undergo a Diocesan School Review conducted by theCatholic Education Office. The School Review is part of the continuous school and system improvement cycle and evaluates the operation and performance of the school and identifies its strengths and also areas for improvement. Evaluations made during the School Review will be used to provide guidance to the school in the development of its Strategic School Improvement Plan and Annual School Improvement Plans.

The School Review process involves:

1. The collection of data through a wide range of sources and relevant school documents. This includes staff self-evaluation and reflection based upon the Quality Catholic Education Framework over the last 5 years, a review of curriculum documents, examination of teaching programs and student work samples, and clarification of evidence of compliance.

2. The use of School Satisfaction Data collected via electronic surveys annually.

3. An onsite visit by a panel of personnel from the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst.

4. The compilation of a report on the school’s operation and performance and directions for focus in both the Strategic and Annual Improvement Plans.

Parent input - Surveys: Parent input into the process is greatly valued and is gathered via the online School Improvement Survey completed annually. We refer to the past three years of surveys completed by parents. These surveys, as you know, provide you with an opportunity to give us feedback across a broad range of areas so that we develop a clear understanding of where the school has come from, and its current strengths and future development needs from your perspective.

Parent Input - Focus Group: A Parent Focus Group will be formed by the school and will meet with a member of the review panel on the day of the School Review' .

Thanking you in anticipation of your contribution to this important process.

Yours sincerely,

Damien Carlton

Head: School Improvement