GENERAL NEWS
END OF YEAR
Whole School Mass
Thursday, 6 December 2018 - 9.30am
The Undercroft
(Full School Summer Uniform)
The end of year Whole School Mass will be held 9.30am on Thursday, 6 December 2018 in the Undercroft. Students will be required to be dressed in full summer uniform for this day.
Presentation Night Rehearsal
Thursday, 13 December 2018 - 8.45am to 2.55pm
TRECC
(Sports Uniform)
Students come to school as normal with recess, lunch and water bottle packed in their school bag. Students will be transported to and from the TRECC throughout the day. There will be no canteen facilities on this day. Infant students may be collected early from school after their rehearsal (only if convenient for parents) to rest up for the big night.
Presentation Night
Thursday, 13 December 2018 - 6.30pm
TRECC
(Full School Summer Uniform)
The teachers and students are working hard to prepare entertainment items for our upcoming Annual Presentation Night which will be held at the TRECC on Thursday, 13 December 2018 at 6.30pm. Students will be required to be dressed in full summer uniform for this evening and are asked to arrive at the TRECC no later than 6.10pm to be seated in their designated area.
PRESENTATION NIGHT AWARDS
Our annual Presentation Night is always a highly anticipated event on our school calendar. The evening is an opportunity for us all to gather together as a whole school community to reflect on our busy school year and to celebrate the successes of our students in the academic, sporting and cultural areas. There are also some very special awards that recognise individual students for their contribution to our school through their actions and participation. While not all students will receive awards, it is important to remember to focus on our own personal achievements and to be affirmed in knowing we have done our best. We look forward to sharing this very special evening with our staff, students, families and extended families.
THE BELLA CONLON AWARD
Bella was one of twin students in Kindergarten twenty three years ago. She lost her life in a tragic accident. Each year she is remembered by a special award given to a student who shows outstanding citizenship and Christian Living in Kinder to Year 2. This is presented by the Conlon Family who have been long time residents in Tamworth.
THE MARTIN HENRY AWARD
In 1985 Martin Henry was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that occurs in young children. Recent breakthroughs in research have increased the odds, in 1985, this was years away. Martin fought this terrible disease all the way into remission. Sadly, the disease returned suddenly and he passed away (Oct 3, 1986) aged 8 years old. The void left remains ever empty, but his example, of courage and determination highlights who the ‘real’ heroes really are. This year, this award will be presented to a student in Year 3 or 4 who shows great courage in the pursuit of their goals.
THE BURKE AWARD
This perpetual award was donated to the school by Mr and Mrs Brian and Robyn Burke whose son David was the last primary school captain of Christian Brothers College on the site which is now St Nicholas School. This award is given to a student in Year 5 or 6 who shows exceptional citizenship and leadership.
THE JOSEPH O’HALLORAN AWARD
This award was donated to the school in memory of Joseph who when in Year 1 at St Nicholas School was killed in a tragic accident. This is awarded to a student in Kinder to Year 3 who has made a contribution to school life at St Nicholas School through their consideration of others.
THE PETER JENKINS AWARD
Peter Jenkins was an active parent and Board member in our school community until he lost his life to cancer. Peter’s three children Bridget, Marion and Alex were all students of St Nicholas School and McCarthy Catholic College. This is awarded to a student from Year 4 to 6 who shows outstanding contribution to school life with courage in the pursuit of their goals.
THE LUKE HANNAFORD AWARD
Luke Hannaford was an ex-student of St Nicholas School and McCarthy Catholic College. He is the son of Mrs Leanne Hannaford, our Educational Assistant here at St Nicholas School. In 2004, when in Year 3 Luke developed a brain tumour. After long but successful treatment, Luke returned to school however over the years that followed Luke would continue to battle numerous tumours. In spite of this challenge, Luke always had a smile on his face and never lost his sense of fun or his desire to make others happy despite his hard battle. Sadly Luke lost his long fight with cancer on the 12th July 2015 at the age of 20 and it is with great pride that his family present the inaugural Luke Hannaford Award here this evening. This award is in memory of Luke’s sense of happiness and humour. It is presented to a student who comes to school each day with a sense of fun and passes this happiness on to the rest of the community.
ST DOMINIC AWARD
As a Dominican founded school we draw on the Dominican tradition of searching for truth, learning and prayer for our inspiration. One student from each class from Year 3 to 5 will be awarded for outstanding academic achievement in Key Learning Areas.
MOUNT CARMEL AWARD
This award will complement the Dominic Award. While the Dominic Award is based largely on academic
achievement, this award will take into account outstanding application and effort. It will be awarded to students from each class in Year 3 to Year 5 at St Nicholas School.
SLOW DOWN AND STAY SAFE
Please do not use your mobile phone while driving. The risk of you not seeing a child crossing the road is a risk not worth taking!!
Make sure children exit the car kerb side when dropping off in the morning.
SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSPORT SCHEME (SSTS)
Applications now open for 2019
School student applications for 2019 open from Monday, 15 October 2018.
Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 do not need to re-apply if they:
- are continuing at the same school
- are residing at the same address
- have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.
Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification. Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply. Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply. If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2018 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2018, the system will automatically cancel a card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students should check with their operator for more information.
For further information visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts
WHEN KIDS DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES ANYMORE
by Michael Grose
Recently, I had a conversation with two parents who’s children wouldn’t cooperate with them any more. Their kids were both thirteen and they were too old for some things such as joining the family at the dinner table, but they weren’t too old to be driven to school. They cooperated with their parents when it suited them. They resisted when it didn’t. They played by some rules and deliberately broke others.
Both kids were the eldest in their family. They were both taking their parents through new parenting ground.
Thirteen is a notoriously difficult age. It’s an age of regression. This is not to excuse abusive or uncooperative behaviour but it does provide some context.
Approaching this time is tricky, as parents want to maintain good relationships but also need to ensure their kids stay safe and engaged in family and school-life.
One way of working with children and young people who directly challenge you or the status quo is to get them working for you, rather than against you.
You can’t pick and choose
Many young teens like to distance themselves from their families. Not quite teenagers in the real sense of the term and no longer children, they are stuck in the middle of two stages. It can be a struggle for many parents.
It’s common for kids in this age group to want to operate outside of the family. Teenagers need to be cut some latitude and not be expected to do the same things as they did when kids. As parents we need to make some adjustments. However expect them to come to the party for important things such as treating siblings respectfully and turning up for family mealtimes.
They can’t opt out of reasonable family obligations; nor can they cooperate on their terms only. Life is full of give and take. The best place to learn this is in the relative safety of a loving family.
Co-operation is two way
Sometimes young people need to be reminded of the tenuous nature of cooperation. One way to do this is for a parent to temporarily withdraw their assistance around activities they value such as being driven to places; having meals cooked; even having clothes washed.
If you withdraw your cooperation in this way, make sure you do it calmly so that your young person or child doesn’t interpret it as play for power. Cooperation is an all or nothing thing so let them experience your non-cooperation for a time. Think this through very carefully. You may need to outlast your young person to make a point so do it at a time when you feel strong
‘I can use your help’
One way of working with children and young people who directly challenge you or the status quo is to get them working for you, rather than against you. Acknowledge that they are older and that you could really use their help to look out for and after their siblings. Many young teens search for significance within their family so give them more responsibility rather than less so that they can feel older.
You build your skills with the outliers
The outliers in your family will always test your parenting skills. You may have to throw out the playbook that used to work and look for different strategies to bring these outliers in from the cold.
Whatever method you use I think it’s essential that you don’t allow kids to operate outside the family rules and norms for too long. It becomes tiresome for you and destructive for family life as well.
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the best-selling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
Paper copies of the newsletter are available for collection at the front office each Thursday afternoon after 2.00pm. If you would prefer a paper copy then ask your child to collect one from the front office before leaving school.
McCARTHY CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Year 7 2019
Orientation Day
McCarthy Catholic College will be holding its Orientation Day for Year 7 2019 on
Monday, 3 December 2018
9.30am to 2.30pm
Year 6 students attending McCarthy Catholic College in 2019 till be collected by Hannafords Buslines at approximately 9.00am and returned at the end of the day, departing McCarthy at 2.30pm and returning to St Nicholas School before the end of the school day so that students can catch their normal mode of transport home.
Students are to wear full summer uniform with school hat. There will be no canteen facilities available to the students and therefore they must have their own morning tea, lunch and water. Please pack a pencil case with the usual writing implements.
Any further queries, please contact Mrs Jo O'Brien at McCarthy Catholic College on 67610800.
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
Congratulations to the ten finalists in Year 5 and 6. The speeches were fabulous and a credit to the students and their teachers. Topics ranged from, 'moving house', toilets', 'magpies' and 'parenting' to name a few.
Winner: Georgia Williams
Runner-up: Archie Ringland
Encouragement Award: Lachlan O'Mullane
A great job Mrs Dickie! The MC and timekeepers conducted the competition with humble professionalism.
Thank you to Mrs Orr for her outstanding adjudication and Mrs Berkeley for her support with this endeavour.
