GENERAL NEWS
KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS FOR 2023
Applications have now closed for Kindergarten 2023. All applications now received will be immediately placed on our waiting list. Please contact the school office for an Application of Enrolment or download from the St Nicholas School website homepage.
Please Note: Enrolment forms will not be processed until all supporting documents are received:
- Birth Certificate
- Immunisation Certificate
- Baptismal Certificate (only required if your child is a baptised Catholic)
- Proof of student’s residential address.
EDMUND RICE - FEAST DAY - MUFTI CLOTHES
Thursday 5th May marks Blessed Edmund Rice's Feast Day. Students who are in Edmund Rice will be able to come to school on Thursday 5th May dressed in 'blue' mufti clothes. A gentle reminder no coloured hair spray however enclosed shoes and a hat are a must.
ANZAC DAY MARCH
Thank you to our School Captain's and Mr Clery for representing our school community at the 2022 Anzac Day Commemorations and March.
NAPLAN DATES- Year 3 and Year 5
NAPLAN testing will occur for our Year 3 and Year 5 students in Term 2 during Weeks 3 and 4. Please take note of the following dates and ensure that your child has a working set of headphones/earbuds at school for these tests.
Tuesday 10th May: Writing Test (Year 3 and Year 5)
Wednesday 11th May: Reading Test (Year 3 and Year 5)
Thursday 12th May: Conventions of Language Test (Year 3 and Year 5)
Monday 16th May: Numeracy Test (Year 3 and Year 5)
SCHOOL UNIFORM - SUMMER TO WINTER
With winter approaching, it is time to consider the conversion from summer to winter uniform. It is expected that all students will be wearing the full winter uniform by Monday, 9 May 2022 (Week 3). Please note that Lowes stock all St Nicholas Uniforms or the school second hand clothing pool has a selection for purchase as well.
CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY - FRIDAY 6TH MAY
MUFFINS WITH MUM
We would like to invite all mothers, grandmothers, aunts and friends to share in a 'muffin with mum' on Friday morning from 7.30am onwards in the Holy Family Courtyard at school.
MOTHER'S DAY MASS
A Whole School Mother’s Day Mass will be held on Friday 6th May (Week 2) at 9.30am at St Nicholas School Undercroft. Students wear sports uniform as normal.
MOTHERS DAY STALL (students only)
To be held Friday 6th May in the Auditorium at the conclusion of Mass. Students will be able to purchase their own gift for their mum or that special someone for $5. Money can be brought in and given to class teachers in preparation for Friday.
STUDENT-LED LEARNING CONFERENCES
To continue the wonderful support you have for your child’s education, please mark in your diaries the period between 6th - 17th June (Week 7 & 8) for St Nicholas School Student-Led Learning Conferences. More details to follow.
As the name suggests, the Student-Led Learning Conference will focus on learning. If parents wish to discuss matters other than learning, a meeting can be booked with your child's class teacher/s or teachers may make contact at another time.
As the Student-Led Learning Conference replaces the formal Parent Teacher interviews, please remember, every day is an opportunity for a parent to make contact with a teacher. If a parent wishes to meet with their child’s teacher, they simply need to contact them to arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
HELPING CHILDREN GROW INTO THEIR BEST SELVES
by Michael Grose - www.parentingideas
During a recent radio interview, the presenter asked “What’s the job of a parent?” I replied, “The main task for parents is to help their children grow into the best version of themselves.”
This response can be challenging for parents who want to raise their kids in their own image. Sure, parents want to share the best parts of themselves with their children but that doesn’t mean they should raise them in our own image.
If excellence is a strong value, then in all probability this is a value you may like your child to share. That makes sense. However, if sport is your strength and your child doesn’t share that interest it’s wise to assist your child to develop their own strengths and interests rather than push them down a path of your making.
The following ideas will guide you to help your child grow into the best version of themselves both socially and academically.
Encourage exploration
Young children are great explorers of territory, ideas and behaviour. Their curiosity shows no bounds and can lead them into trouble. The socialisation process that we undertake as parents is designed to keep kids social and safe. But that shouldn’t mean that we discourage the curious spirit that children possess.
As kids move through primary school into the identity formation years of adolescence, stimulate their curiosity and exploratory activities and interests, discuss a variety of ideas and topics and form relationships with different children and diverse generations.
Require self-control
Does your child react or respond to a difficult situation? Can your child wait a few minutes with food in front of them until others join them or do they eat immediately because they are hungry? Does your child spend all their pocket-money on themself or are they encouraged to save some of their allowance for later? Lack of emotional control and an inability to delay gratification until later will generally hold most kids back from reaching their full potential. Self-control is like a muscle that gets stronger with practice, so encourage your child or young person to take a breath when angry, be patient and wait, and look forward to receiving gifts at special times of the year rather than getting them on demand.
Model empathy
The ability for children to empathise with others in difficult circumstances is an underestimated skill. Sensitive children generally have empathy in spades, while bullies lack the ability or willingness to put themselves in the shoes of others. Parents, grandparents and carers are well placed to model empathy. When a child comes to you with a problem or worry, validate their concerns with a response such as, “Ah, I see you’re really worried by this.” Such a response teaches a child the empathetic language they can use when siblings and peers experience difficulty.
Convey compassion
Compassion and caring are encouraged in education and parenting circles as prime values to instil in children and young people. Perhaps this comes as a result of greater community awareness as a response to COVID-19. By developing compassion and caring in kids we lay the foundation for not only a strong sense of community but also for individual happiness that comes from contributing to something bigger than the individual.
Embed wellbeing
If there is a lasting legacy that schools are making to the current generation, it’s their recent focus on children’s wellbeing practices and principles. As a community we are just coming to grips with the fact that good mental health and wellbeing is central to a person’s long-term happiness, work and relationship success. You can assist by embedding wellbeing habits of healthy eating, exercise, sleep, relaxation techniques, regular time in nature, gratitude and mindfulness into family-life.
In closing
Helping kids grow into the best versions of themselves requires parents to focus on character development, capacity building and personal wellbeing. A broad focus with a solid understanding of what it takes to look after their mental health will help kids become productive and community-minded young people.
MANNERS MATTER AT ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL
Manners matter - not just some of the time, but ALL the time. This year we are taking time to remind students about what good manners looks like and sounds like. We begin the new term with the focus of the students making eye contact and using a person's name when speaking to someone. We have been encouraging them to stop, look at the person speaking and use the person's name to ensure they are using their best manners.
