Dear Families

We are experiencing very cold weather so all our children should be wearing their winter school uniform. I've been questioned about children wearing shorts during the winter months. The answer is shorts or long pants are optional.

Our Year 6 children are attending camp this week. They are at Camp Rumbug in Foster where they will have lots of fun participating in activities such as the flying fox, big swing, canoeing and ropes courses. Camps are seen as an integral part of the learning and teaching at our school as they enable our children to explore, extend and enrich their learning and their social development, in a non-school setting. We also hope that camp experiences allow our children to further develop their cooperation, tolerance and communication skills. Our Year 5 children will be going to Phillip Island for their camp in Term 3; our Year 4 children will be having an overnight camp in Term 4; Year 3 children will have an extended excursion returning to school after dinner and our Year 1 and 2 children will have a longer day at school participating in fun activities and dinner before going home.

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820. Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.

This represents 777,000 students in 1,755 schools across the country and employing over 100,000 teachers and staff.

A national theme, “Faith in the future” has been developed for the 200 years celebrations. The theme reflects the core purpose of Catholic education to form students in their faith, and to provide an education that enables our graduates to make a meaningful contribution to the world. The theme reflects our commitment to build on the great work of those who have come before us, and to provide a Catholic education for future generations of students in a world that is rapidly changing and poses new challenges for Catholic school communities. Yet, we have faith that we can face these challenges and continue to build on, and strengthen our mission of Catholic education.

Thank you to our mums who assisted us to have a very successful Mother's Day Stall, whether setting up or helping our children to select special presents for their mums. We really appreciate your support and your contribution to our school. Thank you to Jessica Amberley, Renne Verde, Marie Nikolovska, Adela Dernaj, Alpha Noguchi, Julie Rodgers, Rewa Andary, Kylie Marshall, Jade Anderson, Bec Ogle, Maria Apap, Monica Raymond, Mary Rizk, Mellanie, Emily Ballenden, Megan Galea, Michelle Sneddon, Alana Rhodes

I hope you found our recent videos explaining what each level is aiming to achieve in all areas of the curriculum this term, very helpful. Throughout the term our aim is to keep you further informed about what is happening in our classrooms. Our See Saw App is also a good way to further inform you about the focus of our learning this term.

During the week we had a visit from a nurse from DHHS who checked on our COVID 19 Safety Plan and procedures. She was very pleased to see our signage; the correct sanitiser and cleaning products and the availability of QR Scanning for visitors. She did remind me that social distancing is still very important and if we can't social distance then we need to wear a mask. Therefore, a reminder to all parent when dropping off or collecting your children that you need to social distance and if you are at school longer than 15 minutes then you need to sign in via our QR code.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Over the next few weeks our teachers will be teaching our children how to be SAFE in the classroom and yard. They will be focussing on the following expectations;

Our teaching point is;

To use our hands, feet and objects safely

Our teaching points and expectations are that our children will use their hands, feet and play equipment safely.

We will be encouraging our children to aware of the games they are playing and to use 'soft hands' . Games that involve pulling, pushing, dragging will not be encouraged. We will also be talking to our children about our expectations when we see them playing games that have the potential to get rough and then someone gets hurt.

At home I encourage you to remind your children to play safely and to avoid the rough play that can get out of control. Talking to your children about what can happen if we play roughly will be a great support to us at school.

If we work together then our children will learn the importance of being safe and how this can help them to develop positive relationships with their friends and teachers.

God Bless,

Ms Noelene Hussey

Please keep these families in your prayers

Trish Quinn and family on the passing of her mother.

The Patrice family on the loss of their house in a fire.

Magnus Clifford and family on the passing of their Grandfather.

They are in our thoughts

Events

Japanese Day for Grade 3-6