From the Principal

Week 6 

As we approach the middle of Term 1 the children have settled well into the school routines. The children are applying themselves well to learning tasks. 

Week 6 is the start of Lent for 2022. Ash Wednesday 2nd March is the first day of LENT.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Christian season of Lent.The marking of the Ashes on Ash Wednesday is an expression of our faith and a sign that we are asking God for forgiveness. 

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and giving to others. Through prayer we come closer to God so that we are better able to live our baptismal promise to act justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting joins us in solidarity with the poor who often have no choice but to go without basic needs such as food, water and shelter. Giving to the poor or ‘almsgiving’ is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may “have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  

Armidale Show 4th & 5th March

I am looking forward to seeing the class art entries in the Show this year.  Good luck to all of our students and families who are entering events in the show.

Parent Teacher Interviews Week 8 / 9

Now that COVID regulations allow parents into the school,  teachers would like to meet parents to discuss 2022 student learning goals. The school office will send out a notification to parents requesting a time for your Parent Teacher Interview via Compass.  

Kindergarten teachers will be discussing the Kindergarten Best Start Assessment results at their interviews.  The Best Start assessment checks early literacy and numeracy skills at the beginning of Kindergarten.

The class teachers are looking forward to meeting parents & discussing their child's learning goals with them. 

National Young Leaders Conference

Our four captains are going to Sydney next week to attend the leadership conference. I know they will have an amazing time. I look forward to hearing all about the conference when they return.

Thank you to the parents for taking the children to Sydney, safe trip.

Principals Meeting

This Thursday and Friday I will be joining all of the Principals of the Armidale Diocese in Armidale at the first Principals Meeting for 2022. 

Diocesan Swimming Carnival 

Last Thursday I was able to attend the Diocesan Swimming Carnival at Gunnedah. Our students should be very proud of themselves and their excellent results. 

I would like thank all of the families who travelled to Gunnedah and supported the team on Thursday. Please see the Sport page for our results & photos.

Mrs Healy from O'Connor visited Yr 6 

This week Mrs Healy visited our Year 6 students to invite them to the 2022 STEP Days at O'Connor. The first STEP Day is for Year 6 on the 24th March. Mrs Healy gave the students a folder with information  for Year 7 2023! Also a handball so they can be ready for the strong handball competition at O'Connor.

Parents and Friends 

Calling for volunteers to help with the Canteen at the Diocesan Winter Sports at the UNE on Friday 25th March. The P&F need at least 10-12 people to volunteer to help on the day. If you are available please contact JOANNE WARD  (P&F President) TODAY  mobile 0429 831 382. 

Next Meeting is the AGM on Wednesday 16th March  5:30pm Staffroom.

School Advisory Committee SAC Meeting

The first SAC Meeting for 2022 is Monday 7th March at 5:30pm in the Staffroom. 

Online Naplan Practise Assessment

Very soon, our Year 3 and 5 students will be taking part in an online NAPLAN Practise Assessment. This assessment is designed to assist schools in preparing for the upcoming NAPLAN Assessment that will be held in early May to ensure that we don't encounter any difficulties during this period. The results from this practise test will not be released as this is a dummy run, so the students have familiarised themselves with the outline of the program as well as the various tools that they will need to use to complete this assessment. 

Both of our Year 3 and 5 students will be having a number of opportunities to prepare for this assessment in the classroom. If some students/parents would like to start preparing for either of these assessments, please click on the link below. 

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

This is not the whole assessment but it gives you an idea on what certain types of tasks our Year 3 and 5 students could be asked to do.

COVID Changes

From today, Monday 28th February:

• Cohorting requirements and activity restrictions will be relaxed
• More visitors will be allowed onto school grounds
• Schools will be able to resume assemblies and school camps
• Mask requirements for high school staff and students will be lifted

From Monday 7th of March:

• Mask requirements for primary school staff and students will be lifted.

Centacare Counsellor

 Please be aware that all student cases are closed at the end of every year. If parents would like their son or daughter to continue counselling they must contact the school for a request for counselling form.

Road Safety

A reminder that when picking up or dropping off your child or children please make sure they exit or enter the car on the curb side.

Please use the CROSSING when collecting your child and walking them across to the other side of the road of an afternoon.

 Thank you for your continued support in making sure our children are safe. 

Health Alert - Head Lice

We have students with HEAD LICE at school this week. Please make sure you check your child or children's hair and treat if you see any eggs or lice. 

Please also follow cleaning recommendations at home:

Wash any machine washable items, eg  clothing, bedding, towels, stuffed animals, etc., that came in contact with the lice up to two days before treatment needs to be washed. It’s important not to let anyone else come in contact with these items until they have been properly cleaned.  Wash items on a hot water cycle and dry on high heat for at least twenty minutes. The heated wash and dry will remove and kill any lice left.

Carpets, mattresses, and flooring can simply be vacuumed and cleaned with everyday cleaning products. Be sure to vacuum your carpets thoroughly and to be safe even using some carpet cleaner may be a good idea. Other forms of flooring can simply be cleaned using any form of floor cleaner.

Hair brushes, combs, and hair accessories can also easily be cleaned after head lice. Simply bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Be sure the water is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The accessories need to soak for at least fifteen minutes in the water to kill the head lice and nits.

Please make sure if your child has long hair that touched their shirt collar it is tied back every day.

Living Well, Learning Well