YEAR 6 DEBATING FINAL

Last Monday 16th September the two Year 6 debating teams went head to head in the final of Year 6 Debating, arguing the topic "That social media is beneficial." We thank Mrs Kirrilee Ringland for accepting the challenge to adjudicate this final for us! In the finish it was an excellent and well argued debate at a very high standard with Mrs Ringland narrowly awarding the debate to the Negative team.

Congratulations to all the students involved.

Affirmative: Mia Shvili, Ella Dowden, Cooper Holzigal, Amelia Traill

Negative: Cooper Darlington, Mia Wallace, Hannah Wakely and Hugh Burnett

HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN TO READ

A Parent Guide

Learning to read is a lifelong skill. In the past we have held parent reading information nights, however in an effort to reach a wider audience and to be more accessible to parents, we have created a video presentation. In this video we share information that will help assist parents to support teachers with the task of teaching our children how to read. There are five main areas that we focus on in the presentation and each week we will release a short video of one of the areas; 1 Phonemic Awareness and Phonics, 2 Supported Reading, 3 Pause, Prompt and Praise, 4 Story Book Reading, 5 Sight Words.

In this issue we look at the terms 'Phonemic Awareness and Phonics', which are foundations in early reading. These terms are explained and we look at how they are taught in the classroom.

https://youtu.be/ndZe4YRbVwI

We also explain what is 'Supported Reading' and how this can be a useful strategy to use at home.

https://youtu.be/Ql8mjKaIlsM

We hope parents will gain a few helpful tips and insights from the weekly videos as we work in partnership together to give children the best start when learning to read.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL

WESTPAC HELICOPTER SERVICE

On Sunday, 20th October 2019, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service will be holding our second Massage on the Mountain event which targets health and wellbeing as entrants walk from Oxley Lookout to the top of Flagstaff Mountain and return.

In conjunction with the event there will be a Yoga Class at Oxley Lookout, a BBQ breakfast on top of Flagstaff, a team of local massage therapists providing 10 minute massages at Flagstaff, complimentary water and a great event for ALL the family with money raised from the event ensuring no one ever pays to be assisted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

A large framed and inscribed photo of the helicopter will be presented to the school and business with the largest number of participants but it is more about getting people more aware of the benefits of being active and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

SHAKE, RATTLE, ROLL, SQUEAK

Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music

SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

Date: 8th to 12th October 2019

Time: 9am to 12noon each day

Age Group: 7-12 years

Price: $180 (includes materials)

Make your own instruments.

Music sculptures.

Masked music madness.

Music & Literacy.

Music garden.

Your tutor for the week is musician Maryanne Piper. Originally from Tamworth, Maryanne has studied in Australia before scholarship and awards took her to The Netherlands, Switzerland, USA, Canada, UK and Germany. An international performer on clarinet, saxophone, folk whistles and an array of percussion, she's active across four continents with her love of music. She is known for her crossover approach to jazz, world, classical and contemporary music and can be heard on ABC Classic, BBC, WDR Germany and more.

Please contact the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music for bookings and details.

Ph: 67666911

TAMWORTH TOWN LIBRARY

Holiday Activities

KINDERGARTEN 2020

Our Kindergarten classes are now full for 2020. If you have a child starting Kindergarten in 2020, please mark your diary with these upcoming Term 4 dates. Any queries, please contact our office staff.

PARENT INFORMATION EVENING

Wednesday, 23 October 2019 - 6.00pm

St Nicholas School - The Hub

The Parent Information Evening is important for parents to attend once their child is enrolled. Points for discussion will include:

* What we do at St Nicholas School

* School readiness

* Orientation Days

* Best Start Program

* After School Care

* Additional Needs

* First day expectations

* Religious Education at St Nicholas School and more …

Orientation Day 1

Monday, 4 November 2019 - 9.00am to 11.00am

There will be three orientation sessions for Kindergarten 2020 children. The Orientation Days for children are significant in helping children familiarise themselves with the school environment and helping to make the transition to ‘big school’ so much easier. These days are also used by teachers to make observations which may help us to cater for your child’s needs. Children should be dressed in appropriate casual clothing with a hat and closed in shoes. Your child should bring a water bottle and cut fruit for morning tea each visit.

Morning Tea for Kindergarten 2020 parents (hosted by 2019 Kindergarten parents)

Monday, 4 November 2019 - 9.00am to 11.00am

St Nicholas School Auditorium

On Monday, 4th November (first of the orientation days) parents are invited to morning tea in the school auditorium. This morning tea is hosted by our current Kindergarten parents and will give Kindergarten 2020 parents the opportunity to meet each other while having the opportunity to receive valuable information regarding uniforms and bus travel. New and second hand uniforms will be for sale as well as the school bag, hat and book bag.

Orientation Day 2 - 9.00am to 11.00am - Monday, 11 November 2019

Orientation Day 3 - 9.00am to 11.00am - Monday, 18 November 2019

Kindergarten Best Start Interviews - Thursday, 30January to Tuesday, 4 February 2020

Kindergarten 2020 students start 2020 school year (full school days) - Thursday, 6 February 2020

STUDENT ABSENCE

Please notify the school if your child is absent. Due to government legislation, notification of your child's absence must be received no later than 7 days after your child's last day of absence.

You can do this in the following three ways ....

1. Telephone our office staff (office hours 8am to 4pm).

2. Email our office staff (admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au).

3. Use the school website home page to send through a student absentee.

Many parents are surprised by their child's absence details when receiving the end of Semester reports. Please do not panic. Notifying the school can be easily forgotten, especially when caring for an ill member of the family. If you are in doubt as to whether you have notified the school, please contact our office staff and they are more than welcome to print you a list of your child's absences and rectify.

SCHOOL UNIFORM CHANGE OVER

Due to the unseasonable weather we have decided to permit our students to wear either full summer uniform or full winter uniform. This is totally optional but we ask that both uniforms be worn neat and tidy until the end of the term. Our official changeover is Week 1, Term 4.

OUR SCHOOL UNIFORM - IT MATTERS

Here at St Nicholas School we have high expectations and one particular area we expect students to show this is in the way they present each day in their school uniform.

We ask parents to support us in the following:

**No coloured scrunchies or hair accessories - The only colour to be worn is green please.

**No other earrings apart from simple gold/silver studs or sleepers. Save other decorative earrings for the weekends and holidays.

**No excessive jewellery - only a watch is to be worn. Other jewellery can be worn on weekends.

MCCARTHY CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Year 7 2020 Orientation & Information Night

ORIENTATION DAY

Monday 2 December 2019 - 9.30am to 2.30pm

McCarthy Catholic College Hall

Students from St Nicholas School will be transported to MCC at 9.00am and returned at 2.30pm with Hannafords Coaches. Students are to wear their full primary school uniform and bring their own morning tea, lunch and a drink bottle. All students will be met by senior student buddies on their arrival at the College.

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

Monday 2 December 2019 - 6.00pm to 6.45pm

McCarthy Catholic College Hall

Following the Year 7 2020 Orientation Day we will be holding a Parent Information Night to discuss important information for the transition of your child to high school at MCC.

If you have any questions in regards to Orientation Day or the Parent Information Night please contact: Mrs Belinda Gleeson-Barker

Enrolments Officer

Telephone: 02-67610802

Email: bgleeson@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 becoming 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.

SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSPORT SCHEME (SSTS)

For information visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts

Sherpa Kids After School Care

TIME TO BOOK VACATION CARE FOR OCTOBER HOLIDAYS