Dear Parents and Carers of St Kevin’s,

NAPLAN has commenced this week, and this is an opportunity for a snapshot to be taken of where our students are on their learning journey. We did have some anxious and nervous students at the start, but I would like to share some reflections from Year 3 after they had finished their 40 minutes of independent writing.

I’m nine and I’m in Year 3. At NAPLAN today I was a little scared to do NAPLAN but I had to do it. So, I faced my fears and did it. I was so happy and proud of my hard work, and I wish you all good luck. Thea.

Very, very, very happy. Georgia.

NAPLAN was stressful because we had only 40 minutes, but it was fun and I’m proud of my work. Isabel.

I felt a bit anxious and scared (it’s like you’re on stage but you don’t know what to say, but you do, or say something and the audience gives you a round of applause). That’s how I felt. Sadie.

It was hard but inspiring. Hudson

The NAPLAN test was fun, and the good thing is that we DID our best and tried to get it right and I’m very proud of everyone that tried. Adeline.

NAPLAN was ok. I don’t like writing, but that writing was the best because it was fun. Ivy.

I felt happy and proud of my work. Abigail.

NAPLAN was tricky but fun. I feel happy and proud of myself that I finished one of the tests and I am excited to do the rest. Veronique.

When the teachers first told us about NAPLAN I was scared but when we did it today, I was proud of myself. Evelyn

NAPLAN was the best. I was so excited. Gerry.

I felt a bit anxious but after I was done I felt really proud of myself. Charlie.

It was very fun, cool and a little bit hard. Oscar.

NAPLAN was good. Bella.

Incredible, amazing, grateful, happy and peaceful. Nathaniel.

I felt happy like Cat Kid. George.

Thank you, Year 3, for your positive reflections. What a great personal learning journey these students have been on and being able to self-reflect on their feelings and accomplishments. Your learning journey is in a good place.

Good luck Year 3 and 5 as you complete all the NAPLAN tests over this week and early next week.

This week also sees us continue our Lenten journey towards the most important Liturgical time of the year in the Christian calendar....Easter. Our Catholic faith is because of Easter and our belief in the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, on Easter Sunday. Father Gordon on Sunday recommended that instead of giving something up for Lent, we instead do something positive for Lent to prepare for Easter. Taking time to pray as a family, taking time to give our additional income (pocket money) to Project Compassion, or trying to make an effort to be a better friend or work colleague.

Our school motto is Caritas – caring for and loving others. May we all live by the motto as we prepare for Easter as the St Kevin’s Community.

Mary-Anne Jennings

Principal

Questions about learning and school activities

We often get asked why we don’t do more sport, creative arts, science or excursions. The school day is governed by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority). The school day has 1425 teaching minutes. These minutes are then prioritised to meet the 7 curriculum areas covered in all primary schools. St Kevin’s has 7 curriculum areas because we are a Catholic school, and Religion is a subject that must be taught.

Below is a table that provides guidance for how much time we must contribute to each subject.  

As you can see, PDHPE for example, which is Personal Development, Health and Physical Education is only allocated between 1.5 hours per week. Sport is part of the PE aspect and as such only attracts up to 1 hour per week. Staying within these guidelines is monitored and governed by NESA. This is why we are very particular about the gala days and various sporting competitions available to us, as exceeding the allocated time slot in one area will retract from the allocated time of other subjects. We try to be very creative with our teaching encompassing learning activities that cover a variety of subjects simultaneously so as to give all students the best opportunity to excel in all areas of the curriculum.

Easter Hat Parade Change of date

Apologies for the change of date for our Easter hat parade. We have had to move this fun community event to Tuesday April 8 at 9am. This is to accommodate our school athletics carnival that is booked for Thursday April 10.

Athletics Carnival April 10

Save this date in your calendar too. The carnival will again be held at the Macquarie Hills Little Athletics Park (Neegulbah Park) on April 10. We will need lots of parent and grandparent helpers. We have also listened to your feedback form last year and are hoping to make it a more of a picnic and fun event for our families. More details to follow. If you can help please send your name and contact details to Mr Vaughan and Mr Smith.

It’s official! We’re a building site!

At long last our new building works have commenced! Not sure who is more excited Mrs J, Mrs H or the students watching the excavators and trucks. We have waited a long time for this project to get off the ground, but now it is actually happening. Together with the new building, classroom renovations and playground upgrades, by the end on 2025 St Kevin’s will look very different.