Dear Parents and Carers of St Kevin’s,

This term just keeps gathering momentum and we only have 3 weeks till the Easter holidays!!!

Following on from our P&F meeting last week, I have been asked if I could pop upcoming dates at the top of the newsletter for ease of identifying what’s on and when. This is because if you read this newsletter on your phone, the column of “Upcoming Events” isn’t easily viewed. I know I use my phone more than my computer so any suggestions to make communication easier are most welcome.

Upcoming events:

MARCH

1. March 16 3-6pm -Student/parent/teacher conferences in classrooms.
2. March 15-27 NAPLAN testing for Years 3 and 5.
3. March 17 at 2:15 - Prayer service and assembly in the Church. Prayer service led by Year 4. Sports awards for Term 1 to be given out. Students wear green to school and bring some money for buying cakes and treats at lunchtime to support Project Compassion.
4. March 23 - Harmony Day observance. Students wear something orange to school.
5. March 24 – Pupil free day – no school for students. Staff attending Mathematics Professional Development.
6. March 20 – Easter raffle tickets sent home. $1 per ticket.
7. March 28 from 9-11am – school X-country for years 2-6 here at school.
8. March 29 – Out of uniform day for students. Wear plain clothes to school. Bring some Easter eggs for our raffle as your donation.
9. March 30 at 9:30 – Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 outdoor Mass in the bottom playground. All welcome.
10. March 31 at 2.30pm -School assembly in the hall. All welcome.

APRIL

1. April 3 9:15am – Palm Sunday Prayer Service – Led by K-2 students in the Church.
2. April 4- Year 6 to attend ANZAC service in Newcastle.
3. April 5 1:30 pm – Easter hat parade for all students. Easter raffle 2pm. Both events are in the school playground and hall area. Hats made at home and brought into school that morning.
4. April 6 1:30pm – Holy Thursday Prayer service followed by the story of Good Friday – led by students 3-6.

END OF TERM 1. EASTER HOLIDAYS APRIL 7 – APRIL 25 INCLUSIVE

STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL APRIL 26.

Exhausted yet? We hope to see lots of parents and grandparents at these events. A busy end to a very productive term! Well done everyone.

Enjoy the weekend ahead.

Mary-Anne Jennings

Principal

Weather and playing at school.

We have been asked what we do when the weather is very hot, or windy or wet. We are very lucky here at St Kevin’s. We face south so in warm or hot weather it isn’t too bad. We have lots of shade provided by trees and COLA for students to play under. We also utilise the hall in warm weather and open the glass doors, where children can play passive indoor games or just chat. We don’t encourage running games and do encourage them to drink lots of water.

Rainy weather means we stay inside. Infants open the glass doors between their rooms and can play inside games, draw, chat, or read in these areas. Primary, utilise the hall and COLA if not too wet, or they go to the library and play on their computers or read or draw.

Very windy weather (severe weather warning) is like wet weather, but because of the trees, we may restrict movement around the playground area even more.

The safety of students and staff is always the most important aspect when the weather turns on us, and so procedures are put in place to keep everyone safe. Trees are inspected and any associated work is done every 2 years as per Diocesan guidelines.

It seems unbelievable that we are already in Week 8 of Term – the year is flying.  I hope that you have all enjoyed hearing your children talk to you about their learning.  Each term this year we will have student- led conferences.  You will be allocated the same time each term.  Please remember this is not parent - teacher interviews they will be conducted as needed – at the request of parents or teachers. Don’t ever hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have a concern or wish to apprise us of something that may affect your child’s learning or social emotional wellbeing. 

Thank you for your generosity in making yourselves available for these conference times.  Teachers’ hours are varied.  I know we have staff that start here at 7am, some staff finish after 5pm.  The day, however, does not stop there as preparation often continues when we get home and have done our family responsibilities. My very long winded, round- about point here is that all members of our school community work full time and we all find it difficult to juggle appointments. Thankyou for being accommodating and respecting teacher hours and making this work. I love working at St Kevin’s!

Kim Hogan

Assistant Principal

Primary Mass

Thank you to those who were able to join us for our Primary Mass last Thursday. All who attended agreed that it was a beautiful and very spiritual experience for the children and adults alike. Father Joseph is very much looking forward to our next outdoor Mass on March 30 with our Infants children. In coming days, Father Joseph is approaching our parish sister schools and offering them the same wonderful experience that we had. There was something very special about hearing the birds chirping in the trees and the breeze gently rustling the leaves overhead as we prayed.

Father Joseph told the children that Formation begins with listening ... listening to our hearts... listening to our minds … listening to our spirit. What a precious message to leave us with and one that can be pondered for many years to come.

It is also a message of great challenge, though. Sometimes, particularly as adults, it is difficult to find moments of quiet to listen to our hearts, our minds and our spirits. Let’s all take on this challenge during these last few weeks of Lent. Let’s stop and simply listen.

Infants Mass

Please join us at 9.30am on Thursday March 30^th for our Infants Mass on the playground.

Project Compassion Fundraiser

The children are so excited for our Project Compassion fundraiser tomorrow!

We look forward to seeing everyone decked out in green and having a fabulous time enjoying all the activities planned.

Thank you to everyone who has already sent in cakes for us to sell, your generosity is very much appreciated. (Please remember to attach ingredients.)

This Friday, remember to:

• Wear Green (appropriate clothing for gymnastics & closed-in shoes)
• Bring a donation for Project Compassion
• Bring $1 to purchase a cake or biscuit

Project Compassion brings together Australian schools, parishes and supporters to raise funds for people in vulnerable communities across the world. This year, we introduced you to the story of four inspiring people whose lives have been transformed with your generous support: Laxmi, Tereesa, Priscilla and Thu.

Today, they are creating a better world for their families, their communities and for all future generations.

Project Compassion is a demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our supporters. It is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia – without it, we could not do the vital work we do. Thank you for helping transform lives today and for all future generations.

This Week’s Formation Flash...

What is the Easter Triduum?

The Easter Triduum (pronounced Tri-di-um), is the name given to signal the end of Lent and the beginning of the Easter with 3 very important days – Holy Thursday (the Last Supper Jesus had with his Disciples), Good Friday (Jesus death on the cross) and Easter Sunday (Jesus rose from the dead).

During Lent, we see the Church and our sacred spaces adorned in purple. The colours change for the Triduum further enhancing these important events.  

On Holy Thursday, the colour changes to white as a symbol of purity.

On Good Friday, we use red cloth and vestments as a symbol of passion and blood.

On Easter Sunday gold is used to represent Jesus’ glory and triumph over death.

May God’s Spirit be with you all each day.

Mrs Jasmina Boudan    

Religious Education Coordinator 

Yaama Ngindaay

Monday 20 - Sunday 26 March 2023

 

Children are encouraged to wear something orange on Thursday 23 March (next week)   Harmony Week Prayer Service at 9.15am in the hall   Classroom activities exploring themes of diversity, respect and inclusieness

Interesting facts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, including from the 2021 Census.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

The Census found that 812,728 people identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This is an increase of 25.2 per cent since 2016, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now representing 3.2 per cent of the Australian population. 

• Of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people counted: 91.4 per cent identified as Aboriginal; 4.2 per cent identified as Torres Strait Islander; 4.4 per cent identified as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
• Two thirds (515,347) of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population live in New South Wales and Queensland.
• There were 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages used at home in 2021 by 76,978 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The most widely reported language groups used were Arnhem Land and Daly River Region Languages (14.5 per cent) and Torres Strait Island Languages (12.0 per cent).

Culturally and linguistically diverse communities

The Census provides a snapshot of the diversity of cultures and languages that make up Australia.

Country of birth and ancestry

• Australia has a rich mix of cultural backgrounds and heritage, with the number of people living in Australia who were born overseas continuing to increase.
• The proportion of Australian residents that are born overseas (first generation) or have a parent born overseas (second generation) has moved above 50 per cent (51.5 per cent).
• The top five most commonly reported ancestries in the 2021 Census followed previous trends and included English at 33.0 per cent, Australian at 29.9 per cent, Irish at 9.5 per cent, Scottish at 8.6 per cent and Chinese at 5.5 per cent.

First generation refers to people living in Australia who were born overseas.

Second generation refers to people living in Australia who were Australian born with one or both parents born overseas.

Third+ generation refers to people living in Australia who were Australian born with both parents born in Australia.

Language and growth communities

Australia continues to be a culturally and linguistically diverse country with the growth of communities from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iraq and the Philippines.

Data from Australian Bureau of Statistics

(Reference period 2021, Released 28/06/2022)

…………………………………………………………………..

Let’s celebrate our diversity and promote RESPECT during Harmony Week,

and remember…

The message of respect and belonging can be lived by each of us, every day.

Thank you for your support of our upcoming Harmony Week celebration at school, and continuing to speak with your children about how important it is to treat everyone with respect.

Yaluu

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher

Thank you to those families who have commenced their fee payments or have reached out to make fee payment arrangements for 2023. All School fees for 2023 are now available for viewing on Compass.

I have started to make contact with all families to help with setting up payment arrangements for 2023. We have access to a fee calculator which can assist in working out installment amounts. If you need assistance with this, please email me at admin@cardiff.catholic.edu.au or call the school office. 

Payments can be made via Bpay, direct debit or credit card (over the phone). Please refrain from using Compass Pay.

Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly and must commence by 31 March 2023 and be finalised by 30 November 2023.

If you are paying your fees in full, one payment must be made by 31 March 2023 with the remainder finalised by 30 June 2023.

For families experiencing financial hardship, or wishing to discuss other payment arrangements, please contact the school on 4954 0036 to arrange a confidential meeting with Mrs Jennings. 

Kirrily Corbett

Senior School Officer

Uniform Update

Please find an attached a link from the eSafety commission, regarding uploading school pictures of your child(ren) to social medial sites. While the link deals mainly with back-to-school photos, it contains information useful for parents/carers throughout the school year.