Learning & Teaching 

LEARNING AND TEACHING - Vira Pirrotta

 Thank You 

I can not believe that we are nearing the end of 2022! I remember writing my introduction to the school community as part of the first newsletter.  My first year at St. Fidelis has been a wonderful experience. I am very grateful for the support and appreciation shown by parents throughout the year. It has been such a memorable year. I am so happy that I joined such a supportive and welcoming community. 

As we end the school year, I would like to reflect on this year’s learning, especially with the last two years of COVID restricting the opportunities that we provided for our students. This year has been busy for our students with many engaging learning experiences. The teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the learning is relevant, purposeful and meets the needs of our students. I can't thank them enough for all the hard work and dedication they have shown the students. 

Parents, thank you for your continued support. We are grateful that you work in partnership with us. The students should be proud of their achievements and the perseverance and commitment they have shown towards their learning.  

Again I offer you my profound gratitude for our wonderful school community. I look forward to learning together as a faith-filled community. 

Here is a look at the exciting and engaging learning opportunities provided to the students as part of our shared inquiries. 

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT - Leanne Wenckowski

Thank you to the parents, carers and grandparents who have brought their children/grandchildren to Story Time each Monday afternoon at 2:30 pm during Term 4. The weather has not always been sunny and sometimes we were not able to get outside but lots of fun occurred on a Monday afternoon. 

This term we have created unicorn puppets, different types of dinosaurs, colourful butterflies, a Christmas tree, and wooden Christmas decorations and had a party together. 

Wishing everyone a restful holiday break and a wonderful Christmas. I look forward to starting up Story Time again in Term 3, 2023.

Leanne Wenckowski

Family Engagement Leader

NUMERACY - Colleen Monaghan

Numeracy

Enjoy the break over Christmas and the New Year. While I am not suggesting you continue homework over this time, I would highly recommend you continue to point out the maths in our world.  Reading the clock to tell the time, asking how much time until…..

Read timetables, plan trips together, what time will we need to leave, get home etc..

I also enjoyed watching my own kids budget for their ice creams on our holidays. I would give each of my children $20 for our holiday ice creams. Of course, I would have one of my children spend all their money in the first few days, and another who would buy from McDonalds and come home with money, but giving them the opportunity to choose how much they wanted to spend and understand the value of the money was powerful. They had to do the calculations and plan out their spending.  Too much spent early in the trip meant being very careful with the later part.

My children are now in their twenties so you may need to offer more than $20 but the idea of having them take control of their spending and seeing how quickly their money can go is important.   Enjoy!

Thank You 

I would like to thank my amazing maths leaders this year who have turned up three mornings a week to help support the juniors with their maths skills. They have been so patient, reliable and enthusiastic with their support. Some of these students worked all year three mornings a week, others came in later in the year.  I could not have run this program without you, so THANK YOU.

Mrs Monaghan

My Fabulous Senior Maths Helpers 

Kiara, Sarah, Hunter, Penelope, Xavier, Olivia, Maya, Alex and Alana (absent)

Here is what the leaders had to say about their work:

Tutoring Grade 1/2‘s in Maths

This year, I have been tutoring the year 1/2’s a few mornings a week for maths. Watching these students learn and look forward to these mornings really makes me feel proud and happy. I have made some friendships with some of the students, greeting them whenever I see them around the school. Tutoring these children has taught me a lot about leadership and how hard it can be to teach students something that you find really easy. Mrs Monaghan has really helped me learn how to help others and efficient ways to remember maths. I hope I can continue this next year as it was super enjoyable to teach students alongside my friends. Maya Grade 5 VC

I loved teaching the 1/2 students, they were kind and always listening. Next year I'll be there for them teaching them how to be a leader. I hope they improved with their maths.

Olivia Year 5/6VC 

Wishing all the families are safe and happy Christmas. I hope you all enjoy your time with your family and friends. I look forward to continuing to work with your children throughout 2023.

SPORT & PE - Michael Jennings

As previously mentioned in our SkoolBag app, due to the poor weather conditions, Sports Day has been postponed until next Monday 19th December. Sports day will begin at 9:30 am. All parents and carers are welcome to attend. 

STEM - Joe Frazzetto

Congratulations to the following students:

STEM Award - Giorgio 1/2SC

Visual Art Award - Caterina C 5/6VC

Kindness Award - Tommy 1/2AP

Ava (1/2AP) found St Fidelis’ Christmas tree and found her wombat decoration on the tree which made her so happy. She found it last weekend it took a while to discover the best-decorated Christmas tree in Moonee ponds.

ITALIAN - Rosa Fokianos

BUONGIORNO!

Salve a tutti! 

WOW! Che settimana! (Wow! What a week it was!)

Last week, we all celebrated our St Fidelis Giornata Italiana / Italian Day, with great enthusiasm and fun!! 

Firstly, I would like to start off this article by thanking / ringraziare a few people: Our guest visitors:

Nonna Poala, (Estelle and Veronica’s nonna) for demonstrating how to make le frittole veneziane,

Nonna Grace, (Olivia and Alessandro’s nonna) for talking, reciting a poem and reading a story about La Befana,

Michelle, (aka Claudia) from Spectacular Spettacolo for her Dammi il Cinque Italian performance ✋ 

Then of course our school helpers:

P & F Committee, headed by Rose Piotti and the rest of the team, for organising the Italian lunch of pizza e gelato…buonissimo!

Adriana Bonacci, for collecting our bocce sets from COASIT

Our St Fidelis staff, from Jane in the office, Leonie, our roving photographer and of course our class teachers and support staff, for assisting with the various activities as well as dressing up…did you notice some carte italiane e romani walking in the parade?? 😃 

and finally…

Our St Fidelis students, for dressing up in various creative Italian themed costumes, from Pinocchio, Geppetto, slices of pizza, pizzaioli, (pizza makers), venditori di gelati (gelato stall sellers), romani (Romans), Ferrari drivers, la befana, calciatori (soccer players)...just to name a few. As well as participating in various activities including making a calza per la Befana (Christmas stocking), watching a frittole veneziane cooking demonstration, the waiters race, bocce competition, and drawing a Mona Lisa portrait. 

Bravissimi ragazzi!! 👏

Also, a special mention to Thomas Ganame (1/2AP) for winning the Indovina Quanti Cioccolatini (M&M's chocolate guessing competition). He guessed 680 M&M’s in the Nutella jar…so close Thomas. There were actually 681 M&M’s. Bravo Tommaso!

If you missed out on the day’s festivities, non preoccupatevi (don’t worry), I have included some photos taken on the day from various sources. Enjoy looking at them below. 📷

Sabato pomeriggio (Last Saturday afternoon), all the Grade 6’s had their Graduation mass as well as their Graduation Ceremony. I would like to wish all the outgoing grade 6’s all the best for High School and I’m sure they will do well in italiano, should they choose to do it, if they offer it at their respective High Schools. AUGURI e BUONA FORTUNA! 🎓

I would also like to remind you all that this giovedì (Thursday), the Foundation & Grade 1/2‘s will be singing an Italian Christmas carol at the Family Christmas Celebration. I hope that they have been practising at home. I’m looking forward to hearing them sing, hope you are too! 

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the St. Fidelis community, BUON NATALE e FELICE ANNO NUOVO! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year). May this be a special time of the year to gather with loved ones near and dear to you. 

Ci vediamo l'anno prossimo! See you next year! 

Signora Rosa 🌹🎄