GENERAL NEWS
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION
The last of our three orientation days for our Kindergarten 2021 students takes place tomorrow.
- Orientation Day 3 - Friday 20th November 2020 - 9am - 11am
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 that 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.
Parents are asked to adhere to directions from staff and be mindful of maintaining a safe social distance when dropping off or picking up your child.
NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Enjoy some highlights from our Naidoc Celebrations in a report written by Indi Brazier in Year 6.
Naidoc Week this year was an absolute blast and it was one of a kind! All our staff members and students participated and enjoyed it so much.
It was held in Week 5, Term 4, hosted by Mr Trevor French, who did an exceptional job and we thank him for his efforts and job well done!
To start Naidoc Week, the Indigenous students decorated Oztag shirts for the teachers which reflected the Aboriginal culture. On Friday, to celebrate this special week, all the students got to wear mufti in the native colours of the Torres Strait Islanders flag as well as the Aboriginal flag. We were able to participate in some face painting which connected to the Naidoc Week theme. Thank you to everyone who helped out and made this event even more fun!
To finish off this special week, the traditional Oztag game was played, where teachers competed against selected Year 6 players. All the other students and teachers came along to watch. It was such great entertainment and a pleasure to be able to sit and cheer. Sadly, for the students, the teachers came home with the victory but Year 6 players did an amazing job.
Thank You to Mr French and the St Nicholas family who put a smile on everyone's faces, laughter in their day and made this week as fun and awesome as it was!
Always was ,
Always will be!
PUBLIC SPEAKING FINAL
Last Thursday the finals of the Public Speaking Competition were held. 10 finalists were asked to present their speeches to a large audience consisting of peers, teachers and judges. The quality of the speeches were outstanding. Congratulations to all the students who made it to the finals. The finalists were Bailey Cini, Ella Gallagher, Sophie McMullen, Charlie McMurtrie, Stella O'Shea, Will Penberthy, Erin Tickle, Darcy Williams, Thomas Williams and Sterling Wheatley.
We thank our judges, Mrs Jen Berkeley and Miss Ellie Sampson, who awarded the following:
1st place - Sophie McMullen
2nd place - Charlie McMurtrie
Highly Commended - Will Penberthy
DEBATING
Over the past few weeks, students from Year 6 have been working diligently to refine their debating skills. Students have shown perseverance and autonomy in their application to this extra-curricular activity, and the Year 6 teachers are so proud of all of their outstanding efforts.
On Wednesday in Week 6, we held our Debating Competition, with 22 committed students being involved in this process.
The first debate topic was “Pets Should be Allowed to Come To School”, with Zara Zigic, Issy Hanlon, Sterling Rodda and Charlotte Anderson representing the Negative team. The Affirmative team comprised of Ryan Hawker, Eva Kenniff, Bailey Cini (absent) with Ella Scott, Amity Roach and Alice Fahey assisting in the absence of Bailey. Students did well to consider the health and safety effects of this prospect and provide sufficient evidence to support their claims. This debate was awarded to the Negative team, with Eva Kenniff receiving Outstanding Speaker for this round.
The second debate topic was “Santa’s Elves Should Be Paid Minimum Wage”, with the Negative team comprising of Abbie Gwatkin, Halley Buckman and Jackson Medlock, and the Affirmative team comprising of Maddi Grehan, Maddy Zell, Ella Scott and Katie Mearns (absent). This debate was highly entertaining, with attention being paid to the benefits of living on minimum wage in relation to the quality of life. This debate was awarded to the Negative team, who, with their emotive conjectures, convinced us that Santa was committing an act of cruelty by forcing these poor elves into “slave labour”. Jackson Medlock was awarded Outstanding Speaker for this round.
The final debate topic was “Disney Films Provide Bad Role Models for Children”, with Charli Manning, Amity Roach and Alice Fahey representing the Negative team and Sophie Myers, Elouise McCann, Anna George and Claudia Smith representing the Affirmative team. This debate was awarded to the Affirmative team, as they were able to highlight the lack of inclusive representation, as well as the unrealistic expectation of women depending on “Prince Charming” to find “Happily Ever After”, (something so often portrayed in Disney films). Outstanding Speaker was awarded to Anna George for this round. Thank you to Zahlee Betts for being our MC and Erin Tickle for being our time-keeper.
Congratulations to all students involved. Your hard work and tenacity made for very successful debates and you should be very proud of your efforts!
The students would like to thank Miss Jacobson for providing them with this worthwhile experience.
YEAR 5 LEADERSHIP DAY
Our Year 5 Leadership Day will be held next Friday, 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 on 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 as well as present our annual awards.
PRESENTATION NIGHT - The New Virtual Look!
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 the 'year that was' via a pre-recorded link. Planning is well underway to dazzle our audience ensuring every single student has their moment to shine. Watch this space for more information.
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
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.