General News

Dhulu - Message Stick

Catholic Schools NSW Spirit on Country Conference 2024 - Message Stick

Father Roel welcomed the Message Stick to our Mary Help of Christians Parish, marking a special moment for our school. As the final step on the journey through the 25 schools across the Armidale Diocese, we are honoured to be part of the path leading to the 2024 Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference next week at the TRECC.

The Infants students hosted the Message Stick during week 10. Every classroom had a dedicated time to display and reflect on its meaning and to deepen their understanding of its importance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The ACS Tamworth Hub Office looked after the Message Stick in the holidays before it returned to our Primary Campus.

This week our primary staff and students will explore the rich history and cultural significance, engaging with activities focusing around the Message Stick.

Our AEA team, Aboriginal Focus Teacher and School Principal will be attending our 2024 Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference in Week 2 of Term 4.

Dhirrabuu (Deadly) Learning in Cultural Immersion Groups

At St Edward's School we provide our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with an opportunity to connect with country, culture and language through Cultural Immersion Groups supported by our AEAs. Below, we will be sharing images and a small blurb about activities that are completed in each grades group.

Grade	Lesson Activity
3	First Nation Idol Research Our Year 4 students will be spending their time researching an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Idol. The students will create and present a biography in the form of a poster.
4	Acknowledgment of Country in Gamilaraay Language Our Year 4 students will be learning to say the Acknowledgment of Country in Gamilaraay Language with Mr Peachey.
5	Aboriginal Sacred Site of Australia Research Our Year 5 students will be spending their time researching an Aboriginal Sacred Site. The students will present their research in the form of a poster, slideshow or diorama. If your child has selected to create a diorama, we have asked for these to be done at home.
6	Women's and Men's business This term our Year 6 students will be breaking into 2 groups to complete Women's and Men's business activities and learn the traditional ways and reasons to why our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gathered into women's and men's groups for certain cultural practices.

Gamilaraay Word of Week - Gunagala (The Sky) & Dhawun (Country):

Week 1: Moon - Gilay

Week 2:

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

Week 6:

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9:

Week 10:

AEA team

Brittany Cloake

Primary AEA

Jarrod Peachey

Primary AEA

Amanda Gwalter

Infants AEA

Sally-Anne Clarke

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Focus Teacher

Word of the Week

Students are encouraged to continually use the "Word of the Week" in context during class, this will gain them points and the student who has used the word of the week the most will be awarded a book at the end of this term.

Term 3 'Word of the Week' Winners

Our students in K - 6 have been exposed to a new word each week and challenged to develop and extend their vocabulary through using the ambitious word to gain points towards being awarded a book at the end of each term. A huge congratulations to our Term 3 Winners:

Infants: Scarlett Gippel (1B)

Primary: Harrison Maguire (3M)

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 4 Week 1 Word of the Week "EXTRATERRESTRIAL"

Welcome Back to Term 4

It was wonderful to welcome back all of our students on Tuesday and to see their excited and happy faces returning from school holidays. We are looking forward to another action packed term of learning and fun!

School Uniform

We are very proud of our St Ed's school uniform and ask that you ensure your children have the correct school uniform items to wear every day and that all items are clearly labelled. All students should now be wearing their full summer uniform.

Colour Fun Run - Friday 18th October -POSTPONED

Due to the recent and upcoming wet conditions, along with the wind forecast for Friday, our P & F have made the difficult decision to postpone the Colour Fun Run originally planned for Friday 18th October. This wasn't a decision taken lightly, but the safety and enjoyment of our students always come first.

The new date for the Colour Fun Run is Friday 13th December, so lock it in your diaries!

Good news: registration and prizes remain open for the next 8 weeks, so there's still plenty of time to get involved. Thank you for your understanding and support!

FREE HAT Friday - Friday 18th October

Don't forget tomorrow is FREE HAT Friday and all students are asked to leave their school hat at home and wear another hat of choice. We kindly ask that students bring a gold coin donation for Catholic Mission.

CRAZY SOCK Day - Wednesday 23rd October

Our second fundraiser for Catholic Mission falls on Children's Mission Day - next Wednesday 23rd October.

We ask that students wear their normal Sport uniform and a pair of crazy socks. Students are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation for this worthy cause.

Book Fair - Next Week (Week 2)

Don't forget our annual St Ed's Book Fair will be held next week.

Primary Sale Day- Wednesday 23rd October 8.00am - 3.30pm, Primary Library

Infants Sale Day - Thursday 24th October 8.00am - 3.30pm, Infants Library

Students will have the opportunity to browse available books with their class prior to the Fair and create a "Wish List" of books that they would like to purchase at their campus. This year we will be open both before and after school to allow all parents the opportunity to come and browse the fantastic books available for purchase.

Kinder 2025 Orientation Mornings

We look forward to welcoming our new Kinder 2025 students, and parents, for their upcoming Orientation mornings on:

Friday 25th October, 9.30-11.30am (Week 2)
Friday 1st November, 9.30-11.30am (Week 3)
Friday 8th November, 9.30-11.30am (Week 4)

Children are asked to bring a hat, drink bottle and something to eat for each orientation session. 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 and staff will be there ready to support your child to happily enter the kindy space.

Whilst the new Kinder students are enjoying time in the classroom, parents will have the opportunity to learn more about our school and the people who will be supporting them at school. See flyer below for more details.

These orientation sessions are an extremely important way for your child to prepare socially for the transition to school. We look forward to welcoming our new students and their families.

St Ed's P & F Mango Orders

Thank you to Steph McCaffrey and our wonderful P & F for organising this year's mango drive. Order forms went home with all students earlier this week and each tray costs $25. Don't forget to tell your family and friends! Order forms and payment are due back at school by next Wednesday 23rd October. Payment can be made via cash or EFT bank transfer (account details shown on back of order form).

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

NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook

The “NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook” is a comprehensive and free resource to assist parents and carers, as well as teachers, on a range of topics essential to child safety.

The updated digital edition includes important content updates from: Fire and Rescue NSW (home fire safety), Transport NSW (school bus and seat belt safety), NSW Department of Communities and Justice (keeping children safe), eSafety Commissioner and NSW Rural Fire.

Please click here to view the latest digital handbook.

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.

LOWES 20% OFF SALE..

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) - Student Wellbeing and Learning National Survey

What works for your child and your family around wellbeing and learning? Catholic School Parents Australia is keen to engage with parent communities and would love to hear about the affirmations and challenges in relation to your child's learning. Have your say by completing their Survey via the link below.

Catholic School Parents Australia - National Survey