GENERAL NEWS

NUT FREE SCHOOL

St Nicholas School endeavours to be a nut-free school. Please check packaging and labels to ensure that students are not bringing food to school which contains nuts.

NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS

NAIDOC Week at St Nicholas this year for me was very special as it was my first NAIDOC Week as a member of this wonderful school. The week was a lot of fun and enjoyed by the whole school. 

Throughout the week the students participated in various activities each day that included:

● A colouring competition of the NAIDOC Week poster. 

● Students researching and decorating their own Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags. 

● Students from every grade at break times creating a large Rainbow Serpent mural. 

● Playing traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games. 

● Aboriginal art and a Yarning Circle where the students sat to read stories or talked with each other. 

● A MUFTI Day dressing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colours. 

● Traditional style Aboriginal face painting during which Primary students got to help paint some faces. 

● An Oztag match which saw the Year 6 students face off against the teachers. 

To start off our NAIDOC Week celebrations on Monday at morning line up we had an Acknowledgement of Country followed by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Year 4, 5 & 6 reading to the entire school about NAIDOC week and why it is so important to celebrate the rich history of our First Nation’s People. The students did such a great job speaking in front of a large crowd. 

The NAIDOC Week colouring competition went on throughout the week and I would just like to congratulate every one of the students that submitted entries, they were all so lovely to see. I would also like to congratulate the winners from each grade who stood out for their brilliant artwork. 

Well done to the winners: 

● Kindergarten - Stella Clery 

● Year 1 - Elijah Skilton 

● Year 2 - Max Bensley 

● Year 3 - Ava Barnes 

● Year 4 - Poppy Bensley 

● Year 5 - Ellie O’Halloran 

● Year 6 - Sophie Myers 

I would like to thank all of the staff and students for making NAIDOC Week a fun and memorable week. 

Here are a few photos of the fun had throughout the week:

Mr Trevor French 

Aboriginal Education Assistant

SPELLING BEE

Each year, one of the awaited House challenges is a Spelling Bee Championship. From each grade, the house captains help with whittling down the numbers from the nominated names to a group of finalists. All finalists earn points for their house though the final spelling champions are decided on a spelling "penalty shoot-out". 

Congratulations to the following 2020 Spelling Champions!

Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2

Year 3 and Year 4

Year 5 and Year 6

YEAR 5 LEADERSHIP DAY

Our Year 5 Leadership Day will be held tomorrow, 27th November in the school Auditorium.  All Year 5 students will take part in the activities for the Leadership Day and all students can hear the nomination speeches of those seeking to be elected as School Captains, Vice Captains and House Captains in 2021.

OUTSTANDING 'BIG WRITE' SUCCESS ACROSS ALL GRADES

Thank you parents for continuing to support your children as they prepare at home for their fortnightly Big Writes. The focus, engagement and enthusiasm with which our students are working to showcase their writing skills is truly wonderful. We are certainly seeing some sensational compositions across all grades. The value of 'Home Talk' (the night before writing) is evident in the "vivacious vocabulary", "outstanding openers" and "cool connectives" we are now seeing within our students' work.

To prove our point, take a look at the following excerpts from one of our recent Yr 6 Big Writes. Superb work Zoe Bell!

"My fingers bubbling with excitement, I delicately touched the cover of the book, not wanting to disturb the imaginative life on the other side."

"The sun danced on the pages as a blinding light filled my room and enveloped me in a tight hug."

"I let out a massive yelp as I flailed my arms at the realisation."

"Suddenly I was thrown off the dragon's back and cascaded into a pile of rocks. Flaming, fluorescent, fire flashed past me. Tentatively I crab-walked towards protection."

"an eruption of applause".       

And these excerpts from another Yr 6 student, Toby Simpson.  Tremendous effort!

"The brittle morning wind whips my chestnut hair astray; the atmosphere around me is serene." 

"As I slowly reach for the smooth, leathery paper, I'm filled with a comforting warmth, despite the weather."

"The fascinating book I am reading is daring me to go further into the intricate woods, taking my imagination on a journey beyond its wildest dreams."

"The elderly oak-wood tree starts to rustle its evergreen leaves as I feel someone , or something, lurking above me."

"It submerges itself and I am forcefully yanked into the unknown by a rogue, red fighter."

Below you will see some of our Big Write sessions in action, complete with quiet music, fairy lights and calming scents. What a perfect atmosphere for such creative focus!

Happy writing everyone!

Shelly O'Sullivan and Amanda Doyle (Leaders of Pedagogy)

ST NICHOLAS FEAST DAY - END OF YEAR-  WHOLE SCHOOL MASS

This year our End of Year Mass will be next Friday the 4th December. This Mass will be a Whole School Mass beginning at 9.30am with ALL students to be dressed in full summer uniform. Unfortunately, due to restrictions parents and friends are unable to join us here at school but avenues of live streaming the Mass are being sourced. At this Mass, we will formally acknowledge and farewell our Year 6 students.

"The Virtual Display!"

Given the restrictions in place, our annual presentation night will take on a different format this year. Instead of viewing the evening from a chair at the TRECC, families will be able to sit together in the comfort of their own home to watch the amazing talents of our students and staff celebrating a 'year that was reflection' via a pre-recorded link. Planning is well underway to dazzle our audience ensuring every single student has their moment to shine.    

SEMESTER II REPORTS

NEARLY THE END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR OUR YEAR 6 STUDENTS

It is such a busy and exciting final term for our senior students in Year 6 as they complete their primary schooling.  In many ways, these students have 'outgrown' the Primary routine and are looking forward to the new challenges and routines provided by the High School setting.

However, it is important not to look too far ahead and forget to cherish what is happening in the present.  With only weeks left, we encourage our Year 6 students to continue to work hard in class and respect the teachers and their peers who have travelled the Primary journey with them. We urge them to enjoy, for what may be the last time, the friendship and opportunities that have made their Year 6 experience so memorable.

YEAR 6 YEARBOOK

Please note that the Year 6 Year Book is currently being compiled.  We have photographs including students other than Year 6 children (eg. buddies) throughout the Year Book and we need to make all aware that if you do not wish to have your child's photograph appear in the Year Book then you must notify the school as soon as possible.  

BUS SAFETY

Our School buses are now fitted with seatbelts but we need your help!

MCCARTHY CATHOLIC COLLEGE ORIENTATION DAY - MONDAY 30TH NOVEMBER

COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL

Our office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm each day.  For any queries, the most efficient way of contacting our staff during this time is via email.  

admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au

jgrady@arm.catholic.edu.au

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

All parents need to be aware, our supervision of students

does not begin until 8.15am each day.

We are increasingly concerned that children are being dropped off and left on their own, unsupervised by parents before this time - often up to half an hour earlier. This is not a safe or acceptable practice. Currently, students are expected to come in and sit in the Holy Family Courtyard unsupervised and wait. We cannot be responsible for any accident or potentially harmful incidents occurring. Please organise alternative care for your child if your child requires supervision before 8.15am.