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Dear Parents and Carers of St Kevin’s,
Week 6 often brings challenges that we need to work through to ensure learning continues for the remainder of the term and semester. By the middle of a term, students should be well into the swing of work routines and expectations at school, after school activities and their training requirements plus home responsibilities and chores. At this stage of the term the schoolwork is harder as new content is delivered. Rules are expected to be followed and a strong work ethic is required. Persistence and resilience are required if students are to master new content in Mathematics, English, Science, Geography or History. Rules need to be followed if lunchtime play is to be enjoyable for all. So let us all assist our children by encouraging them to rise to the occasion when the work is harder, when they need to be more persistent and not give up, and when they need to display resilience when things don’t always go their way, so that their learning continues to be the priority and they succeed in this quest.
Mary-Anne Jennings
Principal
COVID Update
Restrictions eased this week. So what does it look like for St Kevin’s?
- Masks no longer required as of Monday March 7.
- Parents permitted on site during school hours to collect uniforms or pay accounts.
- Parents can attend assemblies or Liturgies.
- Children now play together at lunchtime – no more separating the various grades.
New RAT kits will be sent home with your child this week. Please keep a lookout in their school bags.
- Sick children will continue to be sent home if displaying COVID symptoms. They will require a negative RAT or PCR to return.
- Close contacts will continue to follow Public Health Orders recommendations of isolating for 7 days.
- Covid positive students will need to isolate for 7 days and return after this period if symptom free.
Sporting Success
Congratulations to Jonathan and Emerson who participated in the Diocesan Swimming Carnival. They both swam very well, achieving good results. Keep training and working hard and you never know what future years will bring.
Other Diocesan success stories as to who is representing Lakes Region at Diocesan trials include, Braith for both Cricket and Rugby League, Reid for Rugby League and Mackenzie for Soccer. We wish all these students the best in their sporting adventures.
Confirmation and First Eucharist
Last Friday saw the completion of the Parish based Sacramental Programme whereby students in Years 5 and 6 received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist, thus completing the Sacraments of Initiation. The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life.
The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity (CCC 1212).
Congratulations to Eva, Tyler, Renee, Damien, Harper, Giesela, Zavier, Ava, Jamie and Braethan.
Volunteers
At our P&F meeting plus at the various Parent/Teacher Zooms, the call has gone out for volunteers to assist with the canteen, uniform shop and various other activities such as reading and sport carnival. The response has been amazing, and we thank you. HOWEVER, before I can accept these generous offers, volunteers new to the role of volunteering or who have perhaps not been an active volunteer for a while due to COVID, will need to go onto the school website and under the tab “Parents as Partners” find a drop-down box for volunteering. There is a link here to register your interest in becoming a volunteer at St Kevin’s. This is a Diocesan mandate, and all volunteers are required to complete this registration form online (unless you are already registered and cleared to volunteer by the Diocese). It has a Police check section that is mandatory. Once this registration form is completed and a police check is completed, then we will be notified by the Diocese that you are clear to volunteer here at school. This whole process can take a few weeks, so we ask for patience. Therefore, canteen and uniform shop rosters cannot be completed until I have these clearances. I ask that you all pop on to the website and complete the registration form ASAP so you can all come on site and be part of this amazing school community in many varied ways!
Kinder Enrolments 2023
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2023 are now open. Please contact the office for an enrolment package and spread the news to friends and families that we are now taking enrolments for 2023.
Afternoon Dissmissal
Parent pick-up will continue as it currently is, with parents waiting outside the school gate on the grass area adjacent to the Church. Please do not come onto the school site at this time as it is a WHS issue due to crowding and the safe exit of our students through the Church gate.
Car lines continue to be an issue with people not obeying road rules.
- Please don’t do U-Turns in front of the school.
- Keep all driveways clear as you line up to either drop off or pick up your child. This is very important, especially in the afternoon when neighbours are having access to their properties cut off.
- Don’t pull out from behind parked cars – wait in line for the car in front to move.
- Kiss and drop zones in Andrew St outside school only permit a 2-minute parking time from 8-9:30am and again 2:30 –4pm. No parking is permitted during these time zones.
News from the Assistant Principal
Last newsletter I talked about how we have adjusted our use of staff meetings over the years. Well, this week we had a 3 hour staff meeting focused on writing, with teachers moderating writing samples across the school and working collaboratively to identify and develop strategies targeted to improve student outcomes. This week we commence our PLT (Professional Learning Teams) in Mathematics. This year Mrs Stretton, our GEM ( Gifted Education Mentor – she is also a gem in lots of other ways), Mrs Larke ( LST – Learning Support Teacher) and myself will be working with each classroom teacher on analysing their results in Mathematics and collectively mapping how to best meet the needs of the children. Our Maths PLTs will meet fortnightly across Terms 1-3.
Additionally, we have a Primary PLT in Reading. This team is focused on maximizing growth in student outcomes in reading in Years 3-6. This team meets twice per term and had its first meeting in Week 3. Thanks to the Diocese, all PMs (Pedagogical Mentors), of which I am one, have been enrolled in a 4 week SOLAR course for 90 minutes each Monday evening (takes a lot longer than that by the time you have done the professional readings!) We are using this evidence based research to inform our teaching practice across the school. Our teachers are committed to ensuring they are using current best practice.
Each fortnight I will keep you informed about what we are doing to meet the needs of your children and our practices across the school… Have you ever wondered what Working Mathematically refers to on your child’s report card each semester? I asked my students about that this week and they answered “Problem Solving” …. That was a good starting point, next fortnight “Working Mathematically” will be the subject of my newsletter. If you have anything you are curious about or would like more information on, please drop me a line kim.hogan@mn.catholic.edu.au.
Kim Hogan
Assistant Principal
2022 School Fee Statements will be issued today. They have been invoiced for the full school year. If paying fees by instalment, please ensure your payment commences before the 31 March 2022 and is paid in full by 30 November 2022. If paying fees in full in one payment please finalise prior to 30 June 2022. Our preferred method of payment is either BPay or direct debit. For Fee Payers wishing to establish a new Direct Debit, or adjust their existing direct debit, please
complete the form on the Catholic Development Fund website
For those families experiencing financial hardship, or wishing to discuss other payment arrangements, please contact the school office on 4954 0036 to arrange an appointment with the Principal.
We will commence the school fee management process after the 31 March 2022, if there has been no contact with school office or no initial payment received.
As you know, the Diocesan theme this year is Fully Alive!
Last newsletter we looked at being Created and Known by God. The second theme, which we will reflect upon this week, is Being in and Building Relationships. Relationships are key to all facets of our lives. The children are nurtured daily in their growing relationship with God. From a school perspective, positive and cohesive relationships between our colleagues prove crucial for a happy school environment. Love, trust, friendship and support of one another is visible amongst teachers and support staff at our school. Positive and trusting relationships between students and teachers are crucial for student success and something we highly value here at St. Kevin’s. The positive and open relationships built between our teachers and parents ensure that St. Kevin’s children are nurtured in their learning and in their lives.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’
When you get a moment of quiet this week, take some time to contemplate the following: Where, when or by whom do you feel loved and appreciated? When have you felt, or when do you feel God’s love?
Mini Vinnies
The St. Kevin’s children have been thoroughly enjoying purchasing ice blocks at lunch time over the past week. We have raised lots of funds already for Project Compassion, and there is more fun to come! The Mini Vinnies have planned lots of fabulous activities.
Today, the Mini Vinnies children will begin taking guesses for how many jellybeans are in this jar. Only 50 cents a guess. The children can have as many guesses as they like over the course of one week! I look forward to announcing our first clever winner in the next newsletter.
Beginning on Thursday 10th March, the Mini Vinnies children will be selling raffle tickets for one week. 50cents each or 3 tickets for $1. We 15 prizes so far and the pile is growing daily. Check out Facebook for photos of the prizes during the week!
Your generous donations over the next 6 weeks will go to Project Compassion, helping to change the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. In 2022, Project Compassion will be helping poor people in Mozambique, India, Australia, The Dominican Republic of Congo and The Soloman Islands. If you would like to learn more about Project Compassion, please follow this link https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
Project Compassion officially began on Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday March 2nd, we began the day with a beautiful Ash Wednesday liturgy for our primary students, led by Year Three. The weather played havoc with our original plans to have our whole school together, but the Infants children were blessed to share a meaningful liturgy in the library. It was lovely to have parents joining us back on site again after such a long time, thank you to all those that were able to make it. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time to pray, fast and give.
We pray to grow ever closer to God and to live as Jesus teaches us.
We fast to join in solidarity with those living with poverty through no fault of their own.
We give to show our thanks to God for all we have been blessed with and to help those less fortunate in our world.
Throughout Lent, we will be fundraising for Project Compassion, giving hope to many people throughout our world.
United in Prayer
So many are suffering from the devastating floods in Queensland and Northern NSW. May we join in a quiet prayer for resilience and strength for the people affected as they begin to face the reality of trying to put their lives back together as he flood waters recede. If you would like to donate to Vinnies, please see the information below.
I also invite you to unite in prayer for the people of Ukraine, that God may protect the innocent and place love in the hearts of the violent.
Yaama Ngindaay
Harmony Week
Monday 21 - Sunday 27 March 2022
St Kevin’s will celebrate Harmony Week onWednesday 23 March
Children are encouraged to wear something orange on this day. |
Why orange?
Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.
By wearing something orange during Harmony Week we show our support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.
What is Harmony Week?
Harmony Week is a week to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, based on the successful integration of migrants into our community. It is an opportunity for all Australians to embrace cultural diversity and to share what we have in common.
Multiculturalism is in Australia's national interest. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our nation's history and character.
The message of Harmony Week is everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
Interesting Facts (ABS 2016 Census Data)
- Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.
- We identify with over 300 ancestries.
- Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia.
- 85% of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia.
- Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi.
- More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.
In the lead up to Harmony Week to help with our school celebration we would like each child to complete a Harmony Day ‘hands’ activity at home and bring it back to school. This will be sent home in the next couple of weeks. We ask that you please help them with this. It’s a fun activity which you will enjoy doing with them. Thank you for your assistance with this.
Yaluu ngali ngamilay (We will see each other again)
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher
Library Borrowing
Please encourage your children to borrow PRC books from the Library this Friday. Congratulations to Year 5/6 for winning the Library borrowing trophy this week. Premiers reading challenge have added 230 new titles to their website. Please have a look online and encourage your children to read some PRC books. Thank you.
Lunchtime fun in the Library
Due to wet weather the children have spent some lunchtimes and recess times in the Library. Thank you to the children who have played games and read books in the Library. Below are some pictures of happy play in the Library.
Premier’s Reading Challenge 2022
PRC commenced on Monday 28th February. All children from K-6 received their passwords this week.
The children explored the Student site on the PRC website in Library lesson and they learnt how to enter a book online.
Sora app
Primary children were also shown and encouraged to borrow PRC books from Sora app, below are the instructions. Audio books can also be borrowed. Infants parent can borrow books on Sora at home for their children. It’s free!
From the Office of Safeguarding - NRMA Road Safety
NRMA ROAD SAFETY
Included in today’s newsletter is an article on “Kids on Wheels - Safety tips to help our kids on their wheels.
KEY SAFETY MESSAGES COVERED IN THE BROCHURE:
Tricycles
- Ensure the product is the right size for the child
- Ensure that it is stable • Provide a safe area to use it – away from slopes, stairs and changes in level
- A child should be able to touch the ground with both feet while seated Bicycles Most bicycle injuries are the result of the child losing control of the bike (about 85 per cent), so getting the right size is vitally important. Maintaining critical safety features:
- Helmets, wrist, knee and elbow guards
- Brakes, lights, reflectors and bells
- Visibility devices (reflective tape, flags, etc)
- Scooters, skateboards and rollerblades
- The most common injuries result from falls – there have been injuries and deaths associated with running into vehicles and pedestrians
Visibility
- Riding in poor light, at night or near traffic
- Increasing visibility to pedestrians and vehicle