Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin’s,

Being a Learner is one of our school rules. This rule is clearly being followed in Year 2.

Last week when visiting Year 2, questions about learning were asked of Angus. When asked, “Where do you go for help?”, Angus promptly replied, “Well, first I look inside my own brain! Then I go to the walls to check, then I could ask a friend and then my teacher.”  Angus was clearly articulating his responsibility for his own learning. He understands that for learning to occur he must ensure that he takes responsibility for implementing strategies to improve his learning. Well done, Angus. Congratulations Year 2 for being active learners and taking responsibility for your learning.

Being Safe is another of our school rules. This rule needs a little work in being followed by all students. Being over competitive on the soccer field or in a game of handball, or shooting hoops, can lead to accidents. We need to remind our children that when we play games, we don’t always need to be the best or the winner, and that at school it is about being fair and learning to take turns. We will as a school community continue to work on strategies in these areas.

Being Respectful is our last rule. What this looks like is how we use the MJR framework of being a WEST person. It is how we welcome, encourage, say sorry and always say thank you. It is about how we greet, treat and speak to others...and this means everyone. We need to assist the children that they must speak with respect to their peers, siblings and adults all the time. This is where we as adults in their lives must be very mindful of what we say and do, as our children will all too often mimic our words and actions that may not always be appropriate for use at school. 

Finally, a very exciting update for 2023! Next year St Kevin’s will have 7 classes! Woohoo!! This means we are truly a single stream school with no composite classes. This extra teaching position is being advertised this weekend and we look forward to employing another amazing teacher to join our St Kevin’s Community. I ask that as we complete this very important process you keep us in your prayers.

Take care and go gently.

Mary-Anne Jennings

Principal

Year 1 Teacher

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Mrs Emily Hogan has been appointed as the job- share teacher for Year 1 alongside Mrs Kim Hogan. Mrs Emily Hogan will be teaching Year 1 every Wednesday and Thursday. And yes, they are related through marriage!

Father’s Day Celebrations - Wednesday August 31

We would like to welcome all dads, grandads and uncles to our Father’s Day breakfast and Prayer Service on Wednesday August 31 starting at 8am with a BBQ breakfast. A Prayer Service will follow at 9am and following that, children will go shopping for gifts at our Father’s Day stall run by the P&F.

Father’s Day Gifts

These are $10 each and can be paid for via the QKR app.

Aboriginal Cultural Excursions

These will go ahead on Tuesday August 30 – pending weather! Please ensure you have provided consent via the COMPASS event that was emailed to you. No permission note, no attendance at the event.

Netball Gala Day

We have entered 3 teams this year in the Netball Gala Day to be held on September 1. We have an Open Boys Team, a mixed Open Team and a Junior Girls team. Thank you to Mrs Stretton for organising this event. Once again, a COMPASS alert was sent via email and we require permission and payment to attend. No permission form means no participation. Payment of $10 can be made by sending in cash in an envelope marked with your child's name, class and Netball Gala Day, alternatively you can phone the school office on 4954 0036 to pay with credit card over the phone.

Public Speaking

Congratulations to all students who participated in the St Kevin’s Public Speaking Competition. The winners from each class were Charlie in Kinder, Joseph Year 1, Arabella Year 2, Blake Year 3, Cierra Year 4, Reid Year 5 and Mackenzie Year 6.

The Regional Public Speaking Competition will be held on September 7 at St Joseph’s Kilaben Bay. This is a more difficult level of competition with entrants only being given 1 hour to prepare their speech on a set topic. There are again times to adhere to. They will be judged on the use of palm cards and not just reading the speech, being able to maintain eye contact and engaging the audience. They cannot have any help from adults or electronic devices. It is a Stage based competition, not a grade-based competition like we have at St Kevin’s. 

To progress to the next stage, staff will select students from our school competition who can demonstrate their ability to prepare and deliver a speech under the Regional Guidelines, from the pool of students who participated last Friday. Therefore, the winners from each class last Friday may not necessarily represent their stage at Regional Level.  Parents will be notified if their child is selected by August 31.

Pupil Free day

Staff will be attending a Faith Formation Day on Friday September 2. There will be no school that day.