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- Tell Them From Me Survey
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- Aboriginal Education News
- RE News - Socktober
- Library News
- Wine Time
- Gifted News
- Parish Bulletin
- 5 Ways to Help Children Focus on What They Can Control
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- Bush Tucker Food
- Dads and Daughters
- Fakeways
- Food Waste
- League Stars Holiday Clinic
- 2-Day Olympics Holiday Camp
- Sunsmart Snippet
Dear parents and Friends of St Kevin’s,
Term 3 has come to an end and for the majority of our students, it is the longest period of time spent at school this year! Term 3 has seen fantastic learning opportunities provided by the teachers, with students being able to articulate what they are learning and why, where they need to improve and where to get help if required. Students are owning their learning, coming to realise that learning is a vital part of the real world in which they are active members and participants. If we don’t learn and become creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers, then the future is restricted in what we can achieve. So enjoy the holidays one and all, and take this opportunity to re-charge the batteries and return in Term 4 for another 10 weeks of awesome learning! First day back for EVERYONE is Monday October 12.
Mary-Anne Jennings
Principal
St Kevin’s Cardiff
Starting in the school holidays, there will be some repair work being carried out on the southern facing wall. We will have builders on site when we return, but all necessary risk assessments have been completed to ensure the safety of all. The classrooms will have new windows installed that will provide cross ventilation during the summer months, which we are very much looking forward too.
Please be aware that tick season has started. The children may get ticks even whilst at school, playing in our leafy, tree lined playground. Check regularly if your children complain of itchy spots that may look like a scab. Here at school we spray with Aerogard to remove and kill the tick! They simple fall off when sprayed!
School photos will be taken on Monday October 19th. Envelopes will be sent home Monday 12th October. Please be advised that there will be no family photos this year.
- Please be advised that no external providers – private Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists or Psychologists can come onto the school site at present.
- School bubblers are not in use. Please ensure your child brings a filled water bottle to school each and every day.
- End of Year awards and Captains speeches will be via a virtual platform.
- No face to face transition meetings for Kinder 2021 or Year 7 2021.
- Parents and visitors are still not permitted on site.
Messages from the Assistant Principal
Dear Parents,
Last week I watched a documentary on Netflix called The Social Dilemma. I urge all parents to watch this with your children, especially those in Years 5-6, or any who have access to their own devices. There are a number of interviews with either the creators or employees of some of the major social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as dramatized scenarios that address the major concerns for young people in relation to social media. As a parent of an 11 year old, the information presented in the documentary was extremely concerning especially around issues such as:
- Online bullying and harassment
- Mental health difficulties including depression
- Social isolation
Social media can be extremely positive, as it allows us to connect with important people in our lives, that may be separated from us geographically. However, we all need to ensure that we use it appropriately. Almost all social media sites have a minimum age of 13 years, yet many of our students, some as young as Year 4, already have social media accounts.
We have been contacted by many parents about inappropriate behaviour that occur on social media, after school hours. I have contacted the Police Liaison Education Officer, who has confirmed that issues that arise outside school hours, fall under parental responsibility.
Next term we are hopeful to have some in-school presentations by the Police Liaison Education Officer for students in Years 5 & 6. More information will be sent next term.
I wish you a restful school holiday break.
A well earned ice-block treat after our fun sports day!
All parents/carers at St Kevin’s Catholic Primary school are invited to contribute to a community consultation survey. The survey is open from 21 September 2020 to 22 October 2020.
The survey is anonymous, voluntary and easy to use. It takes about 20 minutes to complete and covers parents’ perceptions of the school’s support for learning, positive behaviours, and the promotion of safety and inclusion.
Students in Years 4–12 will also participate in the survey during class time. Parents/carers will receive a non-consent note to sign and return to the school by 20 September 2020 if they do NOT want their child participating in the survey.
The insights we gain into parent and staff communication, activities and practices at home, and parent voice on the school’s support of learning, faith formation and behaviour will build an accurate and timely picture that schools can use for practical improvements.
This is your chance to provide valuable feedback about your school and support school planning and future direction and we welcome your participation, suggestions and comments. The school community will receive findings and proposed actions for improvement following completion of the survey process.
How to access the survey Parents/carers can access the survey by clicking this http://tellthemfromme.com/stkevins2
If you have any problems or queries about the survey please contact Kirrily Corbett in the office (Th/F).
Friday 25/9/20 is the final date for all permission forms and payments to be returned to the school office. Hard copies of the ICAS testing were sent home last Friday in addition to a Compass alert.
From Little Things, Big Things Grow
I’m sure you’ve all heard this in the song by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody. You’re probably singing it in your head now. But how many of us know the story behind the song? A true story. A story which began with a strike on Wave Hill cattle station in the Northern Territory in 1966. The Gurindji stockmen, who were working for little more than rations, sat down for better pay and conditions from their British employer, Vestey’s.
The head stockman, Vincent Lingiari, realised the land they were sitting on was Gurindji land. What started as a pay dispute became a story of the land and the Gurindji people’s resolve to claim back their traditional land. It’s also a story about Reconciliation. It took eight years but the Gurindji people won their land back. In 1975, on 16 August, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam poured some of the red soil into the hands of Vincent Lingiari, saying…
On this great day, I, Prime Minister of Australia, speak to you on behalf of all Australian people – all those who honour and love this land we live in. For them I want to say to you: I want to acknowledge that we Australians still have much to do to redress the injustice and oppression that has for so long been the lot of Black Australians. Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I put into your hands part of the earth itself as a sign that this land will be the possession of you and your children forever.
Vincent Lingiari’s reply, when translated, contains the words ‘ceremony’ or ‘ceremonial’ five times. He turned to Whitlam and said, “We be mates now”.
Reconciliation is indeed a journey. The Freedom Rides and the Referendum in the 1960’s, Whitlam and Lingiari in 1975, the Mabo High Court ruling and Keating’s Redfern speech in 1992, The Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, all being important happenings along the way. Just as important however, are the steps that we all take on this journey; what is in our hearts and minds.
Our children at St Kevin’s are learning about our history. Years 5 and 6 have been researching and discussing, reflecting and evaluating events in our history. This week we read the children’s book From Little Things Big Things Grow, written by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, and illustrated by kids from Gurindji Country. We listened to the song as well.
Our kids will leave St Kevin’s with comprehensive knowledge, understanding and appreciation, along with other children learning in our schools today across Australia. This should give us great hope and encouragement for the future… From little things, big things grow.
As we all walk this Reconciliation journey together, may we always hear the voice and feel the spirit of Vincent Lingiari…. ‘We be mates now’.
Have a wonderful school holiday break. See you next term.
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher
October is Mission Month and traditionally at St Kevin’s we have had enormous support from our extended community to raise money to support CARITAS efforts overseas. Over the years we have created a number of fun activities and stalls, with our Year 5/6 students coordinating, to raise awareness and money for those less fortunate than ourselves. Our day has always either commenced or concluded with a liturgy with Mr Richard Cootes. This year things, necessarily, have to be very different.
In Term 4 our Mini Vinnies students, together with our senior class, will work together to promote our Socktober social justice action. WHAT is Socktober? Socktober invites our school to engage with mission in a holistic way within the head, heart, hands model: encouraging a learning mind, an open heart and hands for action.
Through experiencing how their brothers and sisters around the world play the game of soccer, our students can learn about life in mission countries and be moved to act in solidarity. Socktober provides children with the opportunity to lead in mission by sharing their story of support with their family and friends. In Term 4, we’ll have a chance to come together at our school’s Socktober Event Day, Friday 30th October, 2020, where the children will be able to kick goals for kids in need around the world. This is a fun and educational day which you might like to get involved in if you are able.
One of the most popular elements of Socktober encourages children to create their own recycled ‘sockball’ – a replica of the type of ball thousands of children around the world play with each day. As part of this program, we’ll be engaging with the Socktober Challenge, a learning program with activities and resources designed to be delivered in the classroom and also enjoyed at home. Following COVID-19 restrictions, we will also host a Socktober Event Day at our school. Students will interact with stories of mission from this year’s focus country, Cambodia, and shoot goals with handmade ‘sockballs’.
REGISTRATION
Please register your child at the Socktober website below. Should you choose, please consider helping your child set a target and fundraise for vulnerable children around the world to access food, education, healthcare, and pastoral support. Once registered, students can ask their friends and families to sponsor them as they complete the activities in the Socktober Challenge and shoot goals on the Event Day. Below are some examples of what our sponsorship money can provide for children in Cambodia.
Please register your child/ren at our school’s Socktober page here:
http://www.socktober.org.au/fundraising/schools/st-kevins-primary-cardiff
Then, simply share the page and encourage family and friends to get behind your child/ren’s Socktober journey. Socktober involves children completing activities in school and at home, like making their own sockball from recycled materials. To gain access to these activities it is essential that you register your child.
SOCKTOBER DAY AT ST KEVIN’S
Students will wear free dress on the day and bring a gold coin donation. They may choose to wear football socks or other colourful socks with runners for the Socktober event day. Apart from the gold coin donation and the sponsorship your child receives for kicking their goals, their will be no further monies brought in (as in previous years). We will celebrate a liturgy and have some fun activities organised for each class to participate in after their goal kick challenge.
We are very excited about our mission journey with the children. We will keep you updated as we continue to build momentum towards our Socktober Event Day Friday 30th October, 2020. Thank you for your support and for helping your child/ren ‘sock it to poverty!’
Kim Hogan
REC
Book week is coming soon!
Curious Creatures, Wild Minds
Book fair, costumes and fun, fun, fun!
Save the date: Term 4, Week 2
We will have a book character dress up day on Wednesday 21st October. Due to covid restrictions, we are unable to have a traditional parade. We’ll be sure to take lots of photos to create a virtual parade! Our book fair this year will also be virtual. More information on that will be distributed next term.
Congratulations to our PRC Champions. We had the best day celebrating this fantastic achievement.
Library Borrowing has finished for the year due to construction work around the library. Could all students please return their books as soon as possible.
Don’t forget to check out Oliver here!
It is Wine time…. St. Kevin’s P&F are hosting a wine fundraiser in conjunction with Tamburlaine Organic Winery.
All wines are 100% organic and hand crafted in the Hunter Valley. All orders are to be emailed or phoned through directly to Tamburlaine Winery. Orders will be delivered to your home.
What a great time to stock up on delicious wines and get started on your Christmas wine stock!
Gifted Education Facebook Page
The new MNCSO Gifted Education Facebook group has been launched. The purpose of this Facebook group is to share Gifted Education in the diocese including activities undertaken by the Virtual Academy students. The group will be available to staff and parents of students in the Diocese and can be found at http://mncso.news/GiftedEd