GENERAL NEWS
SMART WATCHES
We would like to remind parents and students that smart watches are not to be used for contacting parents or others during school hours. We do not want to get to a stage where we need to ban these watches, however we are finding an increase in interruptions to learning due to students using their watch to send or receive messages at school. Please activate the settings which disable calls and messages between school hours if possible and talk to your child about not using these features when at school. Please be assured that if you need to get a message to your child, the front office staff can get the message to them for you. Thank you for your support with this matter.
CYBER SAFETY WORKSHOP
Yesterday our Year 5 and 6 students attended a Cyber Safety Workshop to learn about how to stay safe online.
Here are some reflections from our Yr 5 students on what they enjoyed learning about.
"I didn't know that people could get your personal information from playing games." (Jacob)
"I learnt that Kids Helpline can help with cyber bullying." (Rhani)
"I didn't know that e-safety was such an important thing." (Tyler)
"We learned what hackers and scammers can do. It's scary!" (Armanii)
"It's reassuring that there are websites to go to so that you can feel safe, like the e-safety commission website." (Amelia)
Here is a short article written by our Yr 6 students.
By Ashton Kelaher and Angus Davidson
On the 16th of February, Years 5 and 6 had the opportunity for a guest speaker named Jake to present to us about digital safety.
He taught us about online safety. This includes things like:
- How to make a secure password so people can’t crack it.
- Don’t post personal information online.
- How to make your social media account private using the settings.
- Top 20 easiest passwords to crack.
- Don't trust people online that you don't know in real life.
- He told us a few examples of cyber crimes and how we can protect ourselves.
The most interesting part of this experience was learning how easy it is to get tracked and for someone to find your address. That is why it is so important that you don’t post personal information online and on social media.
TREAT TUESDAY
Beginning next Tuesday (22/2/22 - Week 5), student will be able to bring in coin to spend over the counter on snack food. On Tuesdays only, primary students can spend their money at first break and infants students can spend it at second break. All lunch orders will still need to go through the QKR App.
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS ....
MINIMUM INTERRUPTIONS TO STUDENT LEARNING
To keep our students 'on task' and learning, could we ask parents/carers to avoid making appointments in school hours. Taking one child from a classroom disrupts the entire class and it may take students 10 minutes to be 'back on task' and concentrating.
For afternoon pick-up routines, make these with your child before school. Not only can it raise the student's anxiety, students coming to the office during the day again disrupts the flow of their learning.
MORNING SUPERVISION
All parents need to be aware, our supervision of students does not begin until 8.15am each day.
If your child/ren require supervision and care before 8.15am please contact Esteem Kids for before school care. Currently, from when the gates open at 8:10am approx, students are expected to come in and sit in the Holy Family Courtyard unsupervised and wait. We cannot be responsible for any accident or potentially harmful incidents occurring. Please organise alternative care for your child if your child requires supervision before 8.15am.
COLLECTING STUDENTS EARLY
If you need to collect your child during the day, come to the office to sign your child out. There is no need for a phone call to the school.
We thank you for your understanding in these matters, and look forward to a fabulous year with your children.
STUDENT ABSENTEE
All student absences need to be inputted on the Compass Parent Portal. Due to government legislation, notification of your child's absence must be received no later than 7 days after your child's last day of absence.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL
Our office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm each day. For any queries, the most efficient way of contacting our staff during this time is via email.
admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au
CHANGE OF DETAILS
Please use the Compass Parent Portal to change your details. If you are unable to do this, please email and advise our office staff.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! - Book Covering!
We are so excited about the delivery of approximately a thousand fabulous new guided reading books which will be utilised across all grades. However, to keep these wonderful books in the best shape for as long as possible, we need to have them covered in clear contact before we use them. If you are able to help cover some books at home, could you please contact Amanda Doyle adoyle@arm.catholic.edu.au to arrange collection of the books and contact. Your help will be invaluable with this massive task.
PUPIL FREE DAYS 2022
Thank you for your support and understanding with having two Pupil Free Days at the beginning of this year. The following are the Pupil Free Days for the remainder of 2022.
Please mark in your diary....
Monday 18th July 2022
Monday 19th December 2022
Tuesday 20th December 2022
MANNERS MATTER ON THE ROAD
A gentle reminder that when picking up or dropping off your child/ren please be courteous and considerate to our neighbours (including upper Hill and Roderick Streets). Do not park over driveways. Be aware, that they need to access entry to their home just as you do. Please also adhere to traffic signs especially with bus zones and no stopping areas.
