FROM THE PRINCIPAL

TERM 3 - WEEK 3

To the St Nicholas School Community

Welcome to Week 3 Term 3

As a school community, we continue to pray for those affected by COVID-19. This pandemic continues to be an evolving and fluid situation where we monitor health advice from authorities and government restrictions on a daily basis. Shared with you yesterday was a Letter from Chris Smyth (Director of Schools for the Diocese of Armidale) discussing the current situation, with particular reference to travel.

I request we all play our part by respecting the current advice and restrictions for the safety and wellbeing of our school and the local community.

FEAST OF ST DOMINIC

On Monday St Nicholas celebrated the feast of St Dominic with students from Dominic house enjoying a yellow mufti day. The Dominican sisters have a strong and proud history at St Nicholas and we should be grateful for their service and contribution. Today St Nicholas is an educator of choice for the Tamworth community, where we continue to build on the work of the Dominican Sisters.

FEAST OF ST MARY OF THE CROSS: MARY MACKILLOP

This Saturday Australia will celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop, who is known as Saint Mary of the Cross. She was not only a religious figure, but an educator- an outstanding educator. She respected her children’s personal dignity and treated them fairly. She was patient and tolerant. She was compassionate and reassuring. She had a sense of humour. Above all, she was kind and loved the children in her care.

During these difficult times, we pray to St Mary of the Cross for her support and guidance.

GROSS & FINE MOTOR SKILLS COURTYARD

The culture and demand for continued improvement at St Nicholas School is evident in our daily practice. Our 2020 Strategic Improvement Plan is a detailed road map that identifies areas for improvement, focuses on strategies that lead to improvement which ultimately require evidence of impact.

Our culture is one of a proactive school, setting our community up for success. An example of this is the current development of a Fine and Gross Motor Skill Courtyard. Research has proven movement and deep pressure help stimulate the mind and relax the body, creating a state for optimal learning.

After weeks of collaboration between Renee Dunst, Amanda O'Halloran, Lloyd Signs, Katrina Wakely (Occupational Therapist), and myself, I can now share with you our final design for the Gross and Fine Motor Skills Courtyard, currently referred to as the Veritas Courtyard. This space has been chosen as it is in the heart of the school and provides ease of access for all students, particularly K-4.

While the Courtyard can also be used as a calming mechanism that may help in returning a student to baseline, ready to engage and learn, the primary purpose is to be proactive and help set our children up for success.

Creating the Courtyard is only the beginning. St Nicholas Primary School has therefore formed a partnership with the University of Newcastle (Department of Rural Health). Through a research project, headed by Occupational Therapists our staff will be upskilled to ensure we are not only using the space correctly and to its potential, though setting our students up for success by creating a state of mind that is optimal for learning.

ATHLETICS

With COVID restrictions the annual St Nicholas Athletics Carnival can not proceed in 2020. While this is of great disappointment to the school community, St Nicholas is still determined to support an active and healthy lifestyle for our students.

Mrs Belinda Tyrrell is currently placing the final touches on a series of tabloid events to be run over 4 Friday’s. We have been careful to avoid attempting to replicate the carnival, though are determined to get our students moving. This event will require the commitment and support of our Student Leadership Team. COVID-19 has affected the roles and responsibilities for our student leaders and it is important we look for alternate ways to develop and foster their leadership skills.

SCHOOL TV- School Refusal

As you would be aware from previous communications, during the lockdown St Nicholas School has subscribed to School TV. School TV is a streamlined, aggregated wellbeing platform for schools and parents addressing the modern-day realities of raising safe, happy and resilient young people using credible, sound information whilst offering realistic and practical strategies.

The latest installment from School TV is on school refusal. School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different from ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often related to worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school. School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should only be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.

The direct link for school refusal installment is https://stnicholastamworth.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-refusal

To access all School TV communications, click on the community tab on the St Nicholas School website

SAFETY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Whether we engage in social media or not, love it or hate, it is here to stay and our children are drawn to it.

I continue to plead with our parent community to keep their primary aged children well away from social media, however, it is important to expand our knowledge on how to become and stay safe while engaging in social media.

Below are links to a free social media webinar titled Safe on Social Media

PARENT VOICE

Parents are the first and foremost educators of their children and have the right to be heard in the formal education of their children. At St Nicholas School, we are determined to form a positive and professional relationship with our parents, where the child sees a united front. By working together we are providing the child with the greatest opportunity of reaching their vast potential.

In 2020, the Catholic Schools Office has once again engaged the services of Survey My School to provide a platform for parents to supply St Nicholas School with feedback on our current practices and procedures.

These surveys will be emailed to parents in the coming weeks, though in the meantime please ensure you have provided our office with a current and valid email address.

Have a great week.

John Clery

PRINCIPAL