From the Principal

Monday 13th June - Public Holiday

I hope all of our families enjoy the 3 day weekend. 

Athletics Carnival

I am looking forward to seeing our families on Wednesday at the Athletics Carnival at O'Connor Catholic College.

 Students from Years 3-6 and eight year olds who have qualified for various events will travel to O’Connor by bus at 9.00am. Kindergarten and Stage1 students will join us later at around 11.00am for age races and tabloid games. All students will be back at school for normal pickup.

Thank you parents for attending...

Thank you parents for attending the PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT on  Tuesday 31st May- READING WITH YOUR CHILD AT HOME. We hope that you have been able to put some of the tips into place and have had lots of fun reading at home.

Please see the attached slide show from the evening. 

Semester 1 Reports 

All teachers are very busy finalising Semester 1 reports. Reports will be completed during Week 9 and will be distributed to parents via Compass.  If there are any questions regarding your child's report please contact the school to make an appointment with your child's teacher.

The Semester 1 Report provides parents with an overview of their child's achievement in terms of knowledge and skillin each key learning area and their level of engagement; the degree of attention, curiosity and interest they show when learning.  

The government requires a five scale grading system. 

Working towards the expected level of achievement - this is split into two sections - 

(i) Working Well Below (E) the expected level

(ii) Working towards (D)  

(iii) Working at the expected level of achievement (C)

Working beyond the expected level of achievement - this is split into two sections - 

(iv) Working Beyond (B)  and 

(v) Working Well Beyond (A) the expected level  

BISHOP KENNEDY'S VISIT

On Wednesday this week Bishop Kennedy made his Parstoral Visitation to St Mary's school.

Bishop Kennedy visited each year level. The children answered Bishop Kennedy's questions about their leaning and the children had questions prepared for the Bishop.

A Year 1 student brought in a family photo of Bishop Kennedy baptising her sister. The Year 2 students sang a song for the Bishop. Year 6 asked the Bishop about the ring he was wearing. The bishop explained his ring and that the sapphire was given to him by an Inverell parishioner, a piece of the Armidale Diocese. 

CONFIRMATION

Congratulations to the 29 confirmandi from the Parish who received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit on Sunday. Thank you to Bishop Michael Kennedy, Father Roel, the sponsors, teachers and particularly their families for guiding and supporting the children on their faith journey.  Thank you  Mrs Betty Holmes for making the celebration cake for the children. 

Rapid Antigen Test Kits

Please be advised that another shipment of Rapid Antigen Test Kits will be delivered to schools in the coming days. The kits are part of a push delivery from the NSW Government. 

Please be advised the school will distribute these - one per student next week. 

Young Archie competition at NERAM

Vern Toakley has been selected as a finalist in the Young Archie competition at NERAM.

Congratulations Vern! NERAM received more than 140 entries from 15 schools and there are only 36 finalists.

The finalists work will be on display 15 – 24 June and the announcement of the winner of each category will be made at NERAM on Thursday 16th June 4-5pm.

Polding Cross Country

 Well done to Lucy Bible who represented the Armidale Diocese at the Polding Cross Country Trials held at Eastern Creek on Tuesday. She competed against the best cross country runners from five other dioceses that covers the northern half of NSW,. Lucy you should be very proud of your achievements.

NSW State Hockey Team

Congratulations Angus Schmude! Angus has been selected to represent NSW in the combined state team. Angus was selected last week while competing at the PSSA NSW Hockey championships as part of the Polding team.  Congratulations on a great achievement.

Real Talk Parent Information Sessions

As mentioned before, our Years 4 and 6 participated in the Real Talk program on Tuesday. Real Talk is all about getting realon the topics of relationships and personal identity. Based on Christian values and using personal sharing from a team of dynamic presenters, Real Talk provides presentations, programs and up-to-date resources and want all young people to know their true value, worth and dignity and to experience love for all it was created to be.

Real Talk team will also be providing a Parent Night Sessions via Zoom with the next session on Tuesday 28th July at 7.30pm. Information is included in the flyer below.

TOYS - Football Cards, Lego, Cars, Balls

Parents could I please ask you assistance with the following:

• Children are not to bring toys to school unless it is arranged with the class teacher.
• All toys MUST have your child's name on the item /items.
• Children are NOT to bring any collectors items to school to trade.
• If your child brings home any items that ado not belong to them please return the items to the School Office.

Currently missing is a large collection of FOOTBALL CARDS from the Stage 2 area.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter. 

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Letter to parents - 

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

CLASS MASSES Friday 9am

Friday 17th June 2022 - Year 1 and Year 2 Parish Mass

Friday 1st July 2022 - Kindergarten Parish Mass

P & F TRIVA NIGHT - 25TH JUNE 

P & F 

Triva Night  25TH JUNE - School Hall (Jessie Street entrance) tables of 8!

Athletics Carnival BBQ 15th June at O'Connor Oval (Parent helpers needed phone Jo Ward 0429 831 382)

DISCOS Term 3  Week 1, Thursday 21st July & Term 4 Week 1, Thursday 13th October

Pie & Lamington Drive 1st August

The next  P & F meeting is  Term 3, 10th August at 5:30pm in Staff Room.  All parents and friends are welcome to attend. 

Fete 12th or 13th November TBC

Upcoming Event Term 3 - New England Sings 2022 Term 3  for Years 3-6

NEW ENGLAND SINGS! 2022 COMBINED PRIMARY CHOIRS REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Armidale and surrounding schools – outreach schools will have rehearsals scheduled at their own school. However, outreach schools are welcome to attend the Armidale workshops if possible.

This exciting event is beginning to take shape, 16 schools (with approx. 500 choristers) in the combined Primary choirs and 14 schools (with approx. 450 choristers) in the Secondary choir. 

The 2022 project will include:

The commissioning of two works from wonderful Australian composers – Justine Clarke for the Primary choir and Luke Byrne for the Secondary choir.

Paul Jarman will be attending workshops throughout the year and will conduct the Primary choirs at the final weekend of rehearsals and concerts.

FINAL REHEARSAL (all schools, including outreach schools to attend):

Date: Saturday 22nd October (directed by Paul Jarman) 

Time: Primary Choir 1 9:30am – 11:00am (arrive by 9:15am) 

 Venue: Armidale Secondary College

CONCERTS: Date: Sunday 23rd October (directed by (with Paul Jarman) 

Time: Primary Choir 11:00am – 1:00pm (arrive by 10:15am) 

Venue: Armidale Secondary College (Butler St)

A short video on what New England Sings! is all about is included below:

Save the Date 29th July - 14th August

LIVING WELL, LEARNING WELL

I am valued, respected and cared for

This is how we can make our school environment the best it can be:

• Attend school and be part of the team
• Be friendly; say hello
• Be positive
• Choose words and a tone that is right for good conversations
• Be a good listener
• Care for our resources, belongings and wellbeing
• Be a helper and a problem solver
• Play fairly 

COVID 19 update / guidelines