School News
Upcoming Dates, RE News, Library News & Important Updates
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please click here to access our school calendar to view all important upcoming dates. St Edward's Parent Calendar can also be accessed via your Compass Portal. From the Compass app you can access the calendar from the calendar symbol at the bottom of the screen. If you are accessing Compass via a browser the calendar symbol is on the top left.
Semester Two Academic Reports
Please note: Semester Two reports will be available to parents via the Compass app on Thursday, 8th December at 3.00pm. (Further details can be found on the Learning Gallery page).
R.E. NEWS
A Prayer for Advent
God of Love, Your son, Jesus,
is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior,
Amen
Advent
This Sunday 4th December is the second Sunday of Advent. We light the second purple candle, typically called the "Bethlehem Candle." This candle symbolises faith; reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal
The St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal has begun! Our Mini Vinnies groups will oversee the collection and sorting of items. We ask all students and families to donate non-perishable food items that can be put into a Christmas Hamper to help those families who are struggling. Some suggestions from the St. Vincent de Paul Society are basic items such as noodles, cereals, biscuits, muesli bars, tea, coffee, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner etc. In addition to these items, they are hoping for some items to help people in need celebrate Christmas, such as chocolates, lollies, soft drink, christmas puddings etc. Thank you in advance for supporting this worthy cause, helping out local families in need. Donations can be made to the class teachers or at either School Office. Our aim is for each grade to donate a hamper.
School and Parish Fundraiser
Our School and Parish Christmas fundraising project is for the benefit of an orphanage in a parish in Myanmar, and for the education and livelihood program of two Nigerian women in Nigeria. Each class has a collection jar to place donations in. This money will be collected and counted on Thursday 15th December. If you can spare any change for this worthy cause, it would be very much appreciated!
Family Mass - Sunday 4th December
Our final Family Mass for the Year is this Sunday 4th December. Students from Years 1 & 4 will be asked to take part in the readings, procession of the gifts and to provide morning tea. Mass will begin at 9.00am at Mary Help of Christians Church. We hope to see you there.
Altar Servers
Fr Paul has asked us to reach out to any students who are interested in becoming an Altar Server at weekend Masses. Students will be trained, and once training is complete, will be added to the Altar Serving Roster.
If your child is interested in training to be an Altar Server for Mass, please contact Mrs Clarke - sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au
A note regarding details of the training will be sent home once we have a group of students.
Christmas Pageant/Nativity Play
Father Paul is currently looking for students to be involved in the Christmas Pageant/ Nativity Play at the 6.00pm Children's Mass on Christmas Eve. If your child is interested in being a part of this play, please email the Parish, with your child’s name, your name and a contact phone number - southtamworthparish@armidale.catholic.org.au
Advanced Notice:
The Year 6 Graduation Mass will be held on Thursday 15th December at 10.00am. The Mass will be at Mary Help of Christians Church. Parents of the graduating class are invited to attend. The students will be presented with their Graduation Certificate at the end of Mass.
LIBRARY NEWS
Summer Reading - please see below this article for an EXTRA summer reading opportunity
The importance of continued reading over summer holidays cannot be overstated. Students and teachers work very hard all year to improve reading skills. Nothing helps to reinforce these skills better than practise. And nothing drops reading levels off faster than a full summer vacation with no reading. And then, it's back to the drawing board in February!
And reading, is like everything else that you want to improve at:
If you want to be a great swimmer...you get in the pool and swim!
If you want to be a great cook...you get in the kitchen and cook.
If you want to be a great golfer...you get on the course and play!
Improving your reading is exactly the same. If you want to be a great reader...you pick up a book and read!
Please note ALL students have access to the online e-book platform, SORA, over summer. All classes at Primary have been introduced to this platform in library lessons, and many of our teachers access this during reading time. The instructions as to how to log on are below. Infants students will need help with this as it is fairly specific as to how it works. But, once you're in, there is a plethora of choice of all types to read, including a vast amount of online magazines. Just get in and play!
Borrowing over summer from our school library
Another fabulous opportunity to provide reading material over summer is available from our school library. If you would like your child/children to have the opportunity of extra reading books over summer, please email directly to Mrs Madden to let her know.
Email her at: amadden1@arm.catholic.edu.auletting her know your child's name and 2022 class.
Families that email Mrs Madden directly can have 5 books per student for summer. Please keep in mind the usual rules apply such as you are responsible for any loss or damage of the book. One major 'loss of book' event is when they are left at relatives' houses when visiting them, so perhaps taking the books on holiday with you is not recommended. All books will be expected to be returned during the first week of school next year.
This is another great way to encourage regular reading, love of and importance of books and reading within your family and, very importantly, keeping up reading levels over a long summer. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.
Library at Break Times
The Library is open to our students before school, recess and lunch. There is always, reading in every break and before school, various clubs at recess, and reading and drawing at recess and lunch. Borrowing is available all the time during the day and is strongly encouraged during break time.
The clubs include:
Early Bird Reading Club: from 8.15am every day when each campus is open.
Monday: Lego Club - Primary
Tuesday: Games Club - Primary
Wednesday: Lego Club or Craft Club
Thursday: Lego Club - Infants
Friday: Lego Club - Infants
Encourage your child to be a part of our busy, happy, vibrant library community by occasionally joining in with any or all of these activities. Please see below the days the library is open on each campus.
What day is the library open on each campus?
Primary: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week.
Infants: Thursday and Friday every week.
Both campuses are open:
From 8.15am for Early Bird reading and sticker collecting; and Recess and Lunch in playtime for reading, drawing and various clubs.
See you in the Library,
Mrs Annie
K-6 Teacher Librarian
SCHOOL TV
Today parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.
SchoolTV addresses this as an online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.
Check out the resources on our school website