Primary School News
This term we welcomed a number of new students to the Primary School. Three of our new Reception students are pictured above
From the Primary School
I trust your holiday time was relaxing or at least a break from routine and your boys remembered the four rules of holidays. We welcome our new students to the Primary School for Term 3. Term 3, Assumption Term, requires the boys to wear their winter uniform which includes wearing the blazer to and from school and at assemblies, masses and significant events. We will discourage them from wearing them on the oval or at play.
This term also has very interchangeable weather, varying from cold with rain to beautiful sunshine. Subsequently the boys will be encouraged to wear hats on days where the UV reading is three or higher. Having their hats at school will allow for this unpredictability with the weather.
We are looking at revamping our approach to literacy support this semester. Reading is such a crucial area for the boys’ learning so the focus will be on Guided Reading, particularly with the younger boys, by having support in the classrooms to capture a greater number of children as well as withdrawals for boys with greatest needs. Our Literacy Co-ordinator, Mrs Michelle McGinty, along with Mrs Jo West, Assistant Head of Primary/Curriculum, and Mrs Caroline Wilson, our Teacher/Librarian, have been with staff to look at best practices in this area.
There seems to be a craze that children are hooked on and spending a great deal of time at home pursuing. Fortnite is the game and there have been some interesting articles on its effects on the brain. I refer you to this article that may be of interest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/12/addictive-video-games-may-change-childrens-brains-way-drugs/
Earlier this week, you would have received a note via SEQTA about the upcoming Stargazing Evening to be held on Monday 13 August. A copy is at the end of this article. Please RSVP via your son's Class Teacher as soon as possible if you would like to attend.
Rug up and stay warm.
Dates to Remember:
August 2 – Jane of Aza Feast Day
August 8 – St Dominic’s Day (dismissal 2:30pm - OSHC available)
August 10 – Assembly (Year 1RH presenting) 2:20pm
August 11 – Science Week starts
August 13 – Stargazing Evening 6:00 – 8:30pm
August 15 – Assumption of Mary
August 17 – Book Week commences (theme this year is: Find Your Treasure!)
August 24 – Book Week Assembly and Parade.
Colgate Community Garden Challenge
A reminder that the Primary School has entered the Colgate Community Garden Challenge. We are asking everyone to help us by bringing in oral care items including old toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes and empty floss containers.
Each item is worth 10 points and the more points we get, the better chance we have of winning. Prizes include 5 x recycled community garden sets and cool upcycled pencil cases packs for our school. You can even vote for Blackfriars online to help us earn Garden Points by visiting: https://www.terracycle.com.au/en-AU/contests/colgategardenvoting.
All oral care items can be dropped off at Mrs Petruzella's 3P classroom in our Community Garden Challenge box and we will be collecting until 31 October 2018.
Mr Frank Ali
HEAD OF PRIMARY