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- Messages from the Principal
- Messages from the Assistant Principal
- Religious Education News
- Aboriginal Education News
- Library News
- Kinder News
- St Kevin's Eco News
- A message of HOPE
- From the Office of Safeguarding
- Aspire 2022 Auditions
- Parish Bulletin and Meet Me in the Middle Online retreat
- Fruit and Veg Snippet
This newsletter has taken 4 weeks to write because every time I went to write it, Covid stepped in and changed my message!
So here I go again fingers crossed!
We are into our 2nd week of lockdown with another week just announced by the Premier. We pray for an end to this lockdown and containment of Covid, but we must be prepared for the long haul.
Online learning is going exceptionally well here at St Kevin’s, and I thank the staff for all their hard work and flexibility in being able to deliver quality lessons through a very different medium. TEAMS is working in Years 2-6 with students being able to work in small groups and achieve the assistance from their teacher that they require. K-1 are using SeeSaw to upload work and provide extra online learning opportunities. Teachers in all grades are tracking who is engaging in the various online platforms such as Reading Eggs, Spell -It, Initial Lit and Essential Assessment, thus being able to see who is completing set tasks and how they are progressing. The primary classes now also have research work to complete in history, and this will increase next week to include science, art and health, PE and personal development. All work is being marked and assessed and feedback is being provided for the students, so they know where they have to work harder so as to improve.
I also thank the parents for their very positive feedback on the take home learning packs and learning schedules that are sent home weekly. We hope that these resources continue to make home learning a little bit easier and more organised. Keep us posted with your suggestions and feedback as we continue to meet the educational needs of your children during these tricky times.
We are all in this together and we are all working in very different ways to how we were used to. Hang in there everyone and stay safe.
Mary-Anne Jennings
Covid Prayer from Father Joseph
Dear Lord,
May your love and light shine in and through me today
In a way that no mask can hide.
May my eyes dance with the laughter and joy
Replacing my hidden smile.
May my actions of care and concern
Speak louder than my muffled voice ever could.
And may the generosity of my heart
Radiate out through who I am
And how I respond to the world around me
So those others may not see my mask
But your image shining out
Moving in and through me today. Make me a comforting voice in this time of discomfort.
Amen
Covid update
- Father’s Day Liturgy now online
- Book parade now an at home event – please send pictures to your class teacher
- Sacramental programme for Confirmation and First Eucharist – ZOOM lessons Monday August 23 and 30 at 5pm
- Minimal supervision at school as per Government and Catholic Schools Office directives – only for students whose parents cannot find alternative childcare whilst they are essential workers completing a rostered shift.
Home Learning Protocols
- Students to be appropriately dressed
- Students to be focussed and free from other distractions such as TV
- Students are reminded not to send silly or inappropriate messages in the chat room
- Parents are asked not to engage with their child during ZOOM or TEAMS meetings as this is a breech of privacy with other participants
- Individual concerns or worries or questions about online learning from students or parents are to be emailed directly to the class teacher so that they can be addressed confidentially
- All assessments and tasks are expected to be completed and submitted by students on time
Congratulations Mrs Hogan!!!! Read Mrs Hogan’s column to see why!!!!
Messages from the Assistant Principal
To be or not to be!
To Act or to be to be permanent!
I have just been given the most wonderful news and I sincerely hope that you feel the same. I was notified today that I have been successful in my application for Assistant Principal at Cardiff.
I am over the moon! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be taking on this role permanently for St Kevin’s. I have taught in big schools, medium sizes schools and even this small school St Kevin’s. And just like Goldilocks, I think this is JUST RIGHT!
I look forward to working with you, the staff, students and my network of colleagues, to deliver quality teaching and learning for our wonderful children. Thanks for letting me be part of this journey with you all.
As far as our lockdown journey, I understand this is a stressful time for many families and our own anxieties can be reflected in our children. I believe it is important to try to be positive with our children and each other, to speak about the current situation with hope and to minimise exposure to the onslaught of media and constant barrage of negative information. As a Christian community we use prayer to offer solace and hope for a brighter future. Let’s be hopeful for a timely end to this current situation and look forward to when we will get back to school and the things we love to do, soon.
Mary MacKillop
St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop is the patron saint of Australia. Her feast day is celebrated on August 8th. On Monday 9th, the children of St. Kevin’s were planning to pause to reflect on the incredible life and story of St. Mary MacKillop with a liturgy lead by Year One. Unfortunately, Lockdown got in the way! The children will experience a live performance about Mary MacKillop’s life later this year.
Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne on January 15, 1842. She was the eldest of eight children and she grew up very poor. She dedicated her life to educating the poor and gave hope to many. Mary was the founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph – the order that opened our wonderful school.
Mary was canonised eleven years ago at the Vatican. There were at least two miracles attributed to the intercession of Mary MacKillop. This is a very long process, and a miracle must have happened where there has been no medical healing involved.
In 1961, the Sisters of St. Joseph prayed for a Sydney woman’s healing through the intercession of Mary MacKillop. This woman of 23 had been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. She was cured and even with much investigation, doctors were unable to find any traces of cancer in her body. Her healing was unexplained in medical terms and was declared a miracle by the Church.
In1990, a second Miracle occurred. Kath Evans, a woman who lived in Windale was healed of incurable brain cancer. She had lived a life of faith and prayer. When Kath was told her cancer was incurable, she was gifted a relic of Mary MacKillop which she wore pinned to her clothing. Kath’s prayer from then on was through the intercession of Mary MacKillop. When her health began to improve, doctors investigated and all they could find was scar tissue and no cancer. Kath was in Rome for Mary’s Canonisation.
The prayer of intercession is very powerful and we are so blessed to learn under the banner of such a wonderful saint.
MJR Awards
A few weeks ago, I set a challenge for our wonderful Year 5/6 students; to create an artwork inspired by their faith that will be featured on our Making Jesus Real award each fortnight. The artworks I have received so far are outstanding, deep and meaningful. It’s very special to feature our young artists on this award which recognises the multitude of ways the children make Jesus visible and very much alive in our school.
Mia B created this beautiful work of art which took pride of place on our awards at our most recent assembly. Thank you, Mia.
In my artwork, I drew Mary looking down at baby Jesus. It shows how Mary cared for Jesus. The different colours and patterns on her clothes represent the different people that Mary also cares for. I drew this to show how loving Mary was and is.
-Mia
What are we learning in Religion?
Each newsletter, we will showcase a class and give you a little insight as to what they are learning about during Religion lessons. This week we hear from…
Year 1!
Year 1 have just finished their unit on prayer. We have learnt that prayer is a way that we connect with God. Our prayers can be a simple acknowledgement that we are in God’s presence. We might pray for many different reasons that reflect how we are feeling or what we are thinking. Our prayers may be in the form of spoken words, song, meditation or contemplation. We can pray anytime and anywhere.
Challenge: Can you take some time each day to connect with God?
I hope you are all staying safe, well and sane during Lockdown! Please remember that we are all only a phone call or email away if you need us.
May God’s Spirit be with you all each day,
Mrs Jasmina Boudan
Religious Education Coordinator
Yaama,
Recently, before lockdown, the children in each class learned about National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. We viewed some video clips from the SNAIIC website and learned about the coolamon.
SNAICC is the national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
A coolamon is a multi-purpose shallow vessel, or dish with curved sides. Coolamons were traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry water, fruits, nuts, as well as to cradle babies as depicted in this coolamon.
Coolamons were carried on the head when travelling any distance, or under the arm if used as a cradle. If carried on the head, a ring pad was placed on the head, made out of possum and/or human hair string, twisted grass, or feathers. This helped to cushion and support the carriage of the coolamon.
They were also used in ceremonies, such as for aromatic smoking, which had purifying effects. They were rubbed regularly with fat, such as emu fat to keep the wood in good condition.
The children enjoyed colouring this image of a coolamon in class, and of course learned some more about Aboriginal culture and tradition.
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher
Premier’s Reading Challenge
60 students from St. Kevin’s have completed PRC. We are very proud of all the children who are adding books during Home Learning so they complete the 2021 PRC challenge.
Due to COVID-19 all children have been given extra time to finish PRC.
Premier’s Reading Challenge now closes on Friday 3rd September.
PRC Rule Adjustment update
- Students on all Challenge levels will be able to read 10 choice books.
- Students on all Challenge levels will be able to include books on their reading records that they read collaboratively as a class, in person or online with their teacher or at home with their parents/carers.
Congratulations to the following students for completing PRC in the last month.
Kinder – Essie
Year 1 – Julia, Conor
Year 3 – Matilda, Elliana, Kobe, Isabella, Tennyson
Year 4 – Reid, Braith
Year 5 – Renee, Damien, Mackenzie
Keep up the fantastic reading.
Please encourage your child to read PRC books. Please email me if you would like me to enter them online. Books can also be borrowed on SORA app.
Year 5/6 won the Library borrowing trophy for the 3rd week in a row, congratulations 5/6.
Reading Throne Art Competition
Progress photos of our Reading Throne.
1st we sanded the throne. On Tuesday we painted it black. When we are back at school we will be designing and painting the lollipops.
Thank you to all the children who have volunteered in their lunchtime to help with this fun project. You are AMAZING!
Book Week - August 23rd – 27th
Our annual Book Fair has been postponed. We will celebrate when we can and still hold our annual Book Fair.
Next week, we would still like to celebrate the joy of reading.
Dress Up Class Zoom Meetings - Thursday 26th
The children can dress up next Thursday at their class zoom. They can dress up with this year’s CBCA theme of Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds theme or a book character of their choice.
We ask that in these times you use what you have at home and be creative as we don’t want you travelling to shops to buy costume supplies.
If the children would like to get extra creative, they could make their favourite character from playdough, lego or decorate a toilet roll.
Please email me any photos so we can add them to our Facebook page
dianne.binkin@mn.catholic.edu.au
Here are some costume ideas:
Old Worlds costumes can be anything from prehistoric dinosaurs and cavemen or cavewomen, to Roman gladiators, Pioneers, Explorers, Vikings, Egyptians and even costumes representing the Biblical era of Jesus and his disciples.
New Worlds characters could be Aliens or Astronauts!
Other Worlds characters could be a Mermaid costumes , magical wizards, fancy-free unicorns, forest dwelling fairies, fire-breathing dragons and even monsters.
I know the children love dressing up each year and we can’t wait to see their costumes. I also hope lockdown has given you some lovely opportunities to share the joy of reading with your children.
Below are the Shortlisted Books the children were using to make their Movies in Library lesson. During Book Week they could make another movie on any book of their choice. I am extremely impressed with the IT skills of the children across all classes. Well done St Kevin’s!
Please let me know if I can help in anyway.
Take care and stay safe
Dianne Binkin
Teacher Librarian
Soft Plastic Packaging
A selection of soft plastic packaging can be recycled in the REDcycle bins at participating Coles supermarkets, including:
- Bread bags
- Biscuit and confectionary packets
- Cereal box liners
- Fresh fruit and vegetable bags Rice and pasta packets and frozen food bags
- Newspaper and magazine wrap
- Unwanted/broken reusable shopping bags (e.g. "Green" bags)
- Single-use plastic shopping bags
Look for the special recycling bins at the front of the store, or find a participating store online.
The plastics collected through the REDcycle service are recycled into outdoor furniture for primary schools and pre-schools.
Woolworths offer a soft plastic recycle service too. Just look at the front of the store for a designated bin or ask staff where to find it.
Plastic Bags
Unwanted plastic bags can be recycled in the designated collection bins at most large supermarkets and shopping centres.
You’re invited to create a message of HOPE to share with our community!
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many to experience feelings of isolation and despair as our everyday lives change on a daily basis. In the first lockdown, community initiatives such as painting rainbows and teddy bears in windows helped develop a sense of connection and sparked joy for many. However, months on, and in the face of ongoing restrictions, such tangible symbols of hope have begun to diminish.
This week, the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle encourages individuals and families to renew their sense of HOPE.
St Kevin’s is inviting families to create a poster with the word HOPE and place it in your front yard or front window. In doing so, you will be taking part in an initiative that’s happening in communities across the Diocese that includes more than 19,000 students. It’s also a fun activity to do with your children while learning from home and one that we hope will inspire many in the community as they go about their exercise.
Please know that this request is very much invitational, and by no means an expectation.
If you do wish to take part, follow these simple steps:
- Make a poster with the word HOPE. Lots of colour, particularly the use of the colour yellow (as it is the colour of hope) is strongly encouraged.
- Place the poster in your front window/ front yard by Friday 20 August.
- If you are happy for your child’s photo to be published in an online gallery which showcases children from across the region with their signs of HOPE, please email
mediainbox@mn.catholic.org.au and include;
- A copy of the photo
- Your child’s name (first name only will be published)
- The school your child attends including the location e.g. St Joseph’s Primary School, Taree
- Due by Friday 20 August
The gallery will be online from Friday 20 August and available for viewing at www.mnnews.today
Content will also be shared on the Catholic Schools Office Facebook page www.facebook.com/mncatholicschools and Instagram page www.instagram.com/mncatholicschools
From the Office of Safeguarding
Parents wishing to volunteer in school activities will need a National Police Clearance. Here is a great resource for up to date details and information to get you started. Call the office for more information regarding our procedures.
The following link provides all of the information you need to obtain or renew your WWCC number.
Parish Bulletin and Meet Me in the Middle Online retreat
Meet Me in the Middle
This retreat is based on Charles Peguy's Little Girl Hope from the book: "The Portal of the Mystery of Hope." Hope is both a virtue and a mystery. It is desirable yet elusive. Many dismiss it, misunderstand it, shrug it off and turn their backs on it, extolling faith and charity instead. Whilst faith and charity are absolutely critical in these times of uncertainty and fear in society, there is now a need for hope as never before since World War II.”