St Nicholas School

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

TERM 3 - WEEK 10

To the St Nicholas School Community

Welcome to Week 10, the final week of term 3.

 

As a school community, we should be extremely proud of the structure and learning opportunities our students have received in Term 3. Continually tested by COVID-19 measures, the school day has provided stability to our students and families. As with any term, we have faced our own unique challenges, though we can celebrate many accomplishments.

 

After completing their first full-term onsite for 2020, our students have consistently displayed resilience and a desire to learn. They are however exhausted and more than ever deserve their holiday. I trust their break is both relaxing and enjoyable.

 

I would like to make a special mention of the wonderful St Nicholas staff. COVID-19 has impacted the way we learn, teach and care for our students. When accompanying these challenges with personal anxiety which staff are not immune to, the dedication may waver. Thankfully St Nicholas staff have recognised how lucky we are to our have jobs, each other and the support of the school community to continue the learning and wellbeing of our students in such challenging times. Thank you!

 

Thank you to our wonderful parent community for trusting and working with us throughout the term. Directives and restrictions do cause frustration. I appreciate your understanding around cancelling or altering many of our customary practices and celebrations.

 

Confirmation

Last Saturday and Sunday during four beautiful parish masses 56 St Nicholas students received the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our students presented beautifully and their reverence throughout the services spoke of their maturity and understanding of the significance of Confirmation.

 

An enormous thank you to Renee Dunst and our Year 6 teachers (Katie Daley, Rebecca Hofman and Tim Unwin) for preparing our children so diligently. Thank you also to Bishop Michael Kennedy and Fr Chris for their support and spiritual guidance.

 

A story of worth celebrating

Enjoy a wonderful story of success for Clementine and St Nicholas:

Paleontology Day

Work boots afoot, magnifying glasses in hand, and dressed to impress our Kindergarten staff and students yesterday investigated the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Enjoy the clip below highlighting when St Nicholas School was transformed to Jurassic Park.

 

Thank you to all staff involved, particularly our wonderful Kindergarten teachers, for providing this wonderful opportunity to our students.

 

Esteem Kids: Before school care

Highlighted in last week's newsletter and on St Nicholas’ Facebook page was a call to parents and families interested in before school care. To support our parents, St Nicholas is very keen to see if this is a variable option for 2021.

 

Please contact the ladies in the front office on 67661500 or at admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au to register your interest. 

 

Year 5 Tabloid games. 

As a school community, we continue to support our children’s active lifestyle, particularly with COVID-19 restricting annual events. Enjoy the short clip below of Year 5 hopping, skipping and jumping their way through last Friday. 

Term 4: Weeks 1 & 2

For the first two weeks of Term 4, I will be on leave. In my absence Mrs Renee Dunst will be Acting Principal and Mrs Karen Dickie will fill the role of Acting Assistant Principal. I thank Renee and Karen for stepping up into these positions. I know you will join me in supporting these two highly capable educators.

 

Have a great time with your children during their two-week break.

 

John Clery

PRINCIPAL

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

RE:  COMPASS PARENT PORTAL

 

Compass is St Nicholas School's new Student Information system.

 

On Monday 31st August parents and guardians were sent home a Parent Portal Compass login and temporary password by email. This email guides parents to login to their parent portal. Parents and carers will only be able to access their own student's details and information. This email will only be sent to parents or guardians of the students. 

 

Currently, only 43% of our parents have logged in to Compass. We are aiming for 100%.

 

Compass Parent Portal

Parents will initially be able to view their child’s attendance and provide reasons at to why their child is absent or late to school. When Compass is fully operational parents and guardians will be able to use the Parent Portal to: -

  • Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences
  • View up-to-date class and school attendance information
  • Approve past absences for your child
  • Enter upcoming absences for your child
  • Access your child's Student Semester Reports
  • Download, print and approve upcoming excursions
  • Update your registered email and mobile number (used for SMS alerts)
  • Access information regarding upcoming events and news.

We ask that all parents make an effort to join the Parent Portal and when completing online information (eg. student absence), give as much detail for our office staff to be fully informed.    The Parent Portal will certainly make your life easier.

 

Compass Information

  • If you are a parent and you do not receive your email please contact the school.
  • If you follow the instructions in the email and you are unsuccessful logging into Compass please contact the school.
  • Both parents and guardians of the students will receive an individual Compass login and passwords. For security purposes, please DO NOT  share Compass logins and passwords with your family.
  • It is very important that you DO NOT share your login details with your children. When the school decides to introduce the students to Compass they will give the students their own login and password details to access the student Compass portal.

We look forward to communicating with you through the Compass Parent Portal. Any questions please contact the school office.