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- Co-Principal / Assistant Principal News
- School Fees
- Religious Education News
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education News
- Library News
- St Kevin's Mission Team - "Cottage Care" donations
- Canteen News - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
- School TV - Free Webinar: Digital media literacy & safety
- Parish News
- Indigenous Game - Tambil Tambil
In flu season, it's important to ensure our students remain healthy and continue to maximize their learning opportunities. Here are some key points to consider:
Absenteeism and Student Sickness
- Stay Home if Sick: If your child is showing symptoms of illness, such as fever, cough, or sore throat, please keep them at home to rest and recover. This helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff.
- Report Absences: Notify the school through the Compass App if your child will be absent due to sickness. This allows us to keep accurate records and provide support where needed. Please note, this is only for whole day absences. Do not log any partial day absences as these are recorded through the kiosk when you arrive or depart the school.
Maximizing Learning During Flu Season
- Healthy Habits: Encourage your child to practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing, using hand sanitizers, and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Balanced Diet and Rest: Ensure your child is eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep to strengthen their immune system.
Student Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedures
- During School Hours: If you need to pick up your child or drop off resources or lunch during school hours, please come to the school office first. For the safety and security of all students, parents are not permitted to go directly to classrooms.
- Office Assistance: Our office staff will assist you with your needs and ensure that your child receives any items you drop off.
Building Project Update
- Project Stage 1: Unfortunately, Stage 1 of our building project has encountered obstacles due to severe weather and heavy rain impacting the site.
- Accelerating Stages 2 and 3: To keep the project on track, we are accelerating Stage 2 (refurbishment of the library and Year 5 space) and Stage 3 (turning the existing embankment into a playground).
- Timeline: The timeline for these stages has been brought forward, with work commencing on Monday of the first week of the school holidays. We anticipate completion by Week 8 of Term 3.
- Benefits for Students: These improvements will provide significant benefits for our students. The upgraded Year 3, 4 and 5 spaces will provide a better learning environment tailored to their needs. Furthermore, having all primary classrooms upgraded and located on one level will facilitate better collaboration among students and teachers, fostering a more integrated and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the new playground will offer a safe and engaging area for students to play and socialize, promoting physical activity and social interaction. Expanding our playground space will provide more opportunities for outdoor activities, helping students to develop physical skills, creativity, and teamwork. It will also offer a larger area for students to unwind and enjoy their breaks, contributing to their overall well-being.
We are still exploring how these changes will impact on two of our events for next term: the School Musical and the EV Challenge. Once we have more information, we will share that with you. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community healthy and thriving.
God Bless
Kim Hogan
Co-Principal / Assistant Principal
As we are nearing the end of the financial year, those families who have elected to pay their fees annually, are reminded that their fees are due by the 30th June 2025. Fees can be paid via Bpay, Direct Debit, credit card or cash over the counter.
Thank you to those families who are committed to making regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. If your payments are in arrears, you may receive an email requesting for the outstanding amount to be paid to bring the account up to date.
When fee statements are received each month, there is a section on the bottom that will tell you the amount of your weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. Please check these and make any necessary adjustments to have your account finalised by the due date of 30 November 2025.
It is the commitment of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle that no student will be denied a Catholic education due to financial hardship and that in consultation with the principal and with supporitng documentary evidence, fee adjustments can be applied. Families who can't meet full fee obligations, are encouraged to contact the school on 4954 0036 to arrange a meeting with the Principal or Co-Principal.
Understanding Religious Literacy
Religious literacy is a vital part of helping students understand the diverse world around them. It allows us to appreciate different cultures, beliefs, and traditions, fostering respect and inclusion in our communities. In schools, religious literacy means learning about various faiths so that students can develop empathy, broaden their perspectives, and treat others with kindness—regardless of their beliefs.
Just as we study English, Mathematics, and Science to understand the world, Religious Education helps us explore the spiritual and moral dimensions of life. In our Catholic school, Religious Education holds a special place. It not only teaches us about world religions but also deepens our understanding of the essential teachings of the Catholic faith.
The Diocese has made it a priority that all students develop a strong foundation in Catholic religious literacy. This means learning the core beliefs, values, and practices that define our faith, while also understanding how to live out these teachings in everyday life. Religious literacy in our diocese is guided by a three-phase model that shapes the Religious Education curriculum:
- KNOWING about the Catholic tradition – learning Scripture, Church teachings, sacraments, and history.
- UNDERSTANDING what it means to be Catholic – exploring how faith shapes identity, relationships, and moral choices.
- APPLYING the Catholic worldview – living out Gospel values in our actions, decisions, and interactions with others.
By developing religious literacy, students not only grow in their personal faith but also become compassionate and informed members of a global community. This learning is essential for all students, as it equips them with the knowledge and values needed to navigate a diverse and interconnected world with integrity and respect.
School / Parish Life
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us for Mass on Sunday, 1st June at St Kevin’s Parish. It was a joyful celebration of faith and community. It was lovely seeing the children in this year’s Sacramental Program attend with their families and take part in the Mass. A special thank you to those who served in the ministries—proclaiming the readings, leading the prayers of intercession, and presenting the offertory. Your reverence and participation made the celebration truly meaningful. We are so proud of you all!
Donna Morgan
Religious Education Teacher
Kaayi (Hello – Awabakal)
Yaama Ngindaay (Hello everyone - Gamilaraay)
Nungamanladi (Hello - Bardi)
NAIDOC Week 2025: 6-13 July
NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.
2025 NAIDOC Week Poster - Ancestral Lines
Artist - Jeremy Morgan Worrall
‘Ancestral Lines is a visual representation of the lines and ties that follow a generation and the songs that come with it.
When I think of the next generation I think towards my Ancestor Lucy Wright, Enoch Wright, Nonie Wright, all the way from my Nanna Audrie to my Mother Vanessa.
When I look back at my mob it helps me see towards the future, it gives me hope and strength knowing what my mob have survived through and accomplished amid adversity.
Each person in the painting depicts a series of lines akin to songlines, that represent what they know, who they were and what they have passed on, the first being that of lore (interpretive), hunting, protecting, and tracking, the second of care, weaving, fishing, and love.
The third is when we see the two combine into one, and the last two take unfinished elements of them all, to show the passing down of knowledge and care.
Above them is the essence of the land they live and protect/care for. It is a depiction of my home the cold skies of Tenterfield with the swirling clouds and giant moon, a place around the fire is where the next Generation find their strength, vision and legacy.’ (Jeremy Morgan Worrall)
Our school celebration of NAIDOC Week will be on Thursday 3rd July. More information to come shortly.
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This week Kindergarten read ‘Wargan The Crow’, an Indigenous Dreaming story from the Boorooberongal/Darkinjung people retold by Cindy Laws that tells us why it is important to be humble.
Wargan was a beautifully coloured crow who was a show-off. He said he could fly higher than anyone, but he flew too close to the sun which made his feathers get burnt and turn black. And that’s why the crow has black feathers to this day.
The children each designed a new cover for the story. They look fantastic!
Nginowa (Goodbye, see you later – in Awabakal)
Yaluu (Later – in Gamilaraay)
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher
We are excited to introduce the Mission Team’s new initiative ‘Cottage Care’. This term, we are working with Mum's Cottage, an organisation dedicated to providing companionship, care and essential goods to mothers, children and families experiencing hardship.
As part of this initiative, our students have created engaging board games related to Mum’s Cottage. These games are designed to educate students about the valuable work Mum’s Cottage does, while also fostering connections among students, mirroring the supportive environment of Mum’s Cottage.
‘Cottage Care’ will take place in Week 8 on Friday 20th June. On this day, students are encouraged to wear out of uniform attire and bring an item from the donation list below. These donations will benefit the families supported by Mum’s Cottage.
We extend heartfelt thanks for your continued support and generosity.
|
Kindergarten |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
|
Long life milk Shampoo Shower gel |
Tins of fruit Rice Toothbrushes |
Toothpaste Lunchbox snacks Girls/boys winter socks |
Singlets Tissues Toilet rolls
|
|
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
|
|
Zip lock bags Laundry powder Washing up sponges |
Washing up detergent Instant coffee Sweet biscuits |
Savoury biscuits Juice poppers Tuna/salmon tins Instant pasta |
|
Ellie Brownlow & the Mission Team
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our canteen is seeking volunteers to help with food preparation and service. If you have some time to spare on Fridays and Wednesdays (Week 5 and Week 10 Term 3 only), please email the school office on admin@cardiff.catholic.edu.au. All volunteers will need tocomplete the Volunteer Registration with the diocese and have completed the Food Handler Basics training | NSW Food Authority
Name our Canteen Competition
Don't forget to enter our WHAT TO NAME OUR CANTEEN COMPETITION! Put your entries into the box in the office.
Upcoming Special
Canteen orders are to be placed via the FlexiSchools App. Look out for our upcoming Mix-It-Up lunch on the 20/6/25.
Two of Australia's leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg are leading a free webinar on Digital Medial Literacy and Safety. They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigae the online world safely and responsibly.
WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part 11)
DATE: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
TIME: 7.30pm
Topics in this webinar include:
* Artificial Intelligence
* Misinformation & Algorithms
* Sexting and Sextortion
* Online Grooming
****IMPORTANT****
This webinar will not be available to replay later, participants MUST REGISTER PRIOR to the commencement of the webinar to gain access. Please use the QKR code on the attached flyer.
Please find attached the parish bulletin for this Sunday.
There are also several other attachments, regarding Jubilee, the Clinical Pastoral Education course, NAIDOC, a praise and worship event, and housie nights.
Wishing you all a safe and cosy weekend.
God bless!
Parish Team
ALL SAINTS PARISH BLACKBUTT SOUTH
