Dear Parents and Carers of St Kevin’s, 

I write this as I thaw from attending today’s Lakes Regional Athletics Carnival! It was a very chilly day to be outside running and jumping and putting, but we all had fun all the same. The St Kevin’s students tried their best and some will make it through to represent Lakes at the Diocesan carnival in Term 3. We await confirmation of names and events. Once again, the behaviour and sportsmanship displayed by St Kevin’s students is second to none! Our new school banner stood tall and proud at the event too, with our new vision statement on display for all to read. Mr Vaughan and Mrs Emily Hogan were the amazing Team Managers whilst I was given the role of Timekeeper, using the multi lane timer!!! I had to really focus all day!!! 

Yesterday I accompanied along with Mrs Keating, 25 students from Years 4-6 to Newcastle University NuSpace Campus. This was part of the Children’s University programme that we engage in annually. Again, our students were amazing in regard to their behaviour and respect and displayed a keen interest in the learning opportunities provided. The students engaged in lessons in architecture, construction management, business and finance plus listened to a presentation from Hunter Water. A very productive and informative day was had by all. We now look forward to completing at least 30 hours per student of additional learning completed outside school hours, so that they can graduate from the Children’s University at the end of this school year. 

Tomorrow, we celebrate NAIDOC Week. Mr Taylor has prepared a day to celebrate and learn about our Indigenous Culture. We will engage in some painting, watch our Indigenous students perform a culturally choreographed dance, share a BBQ, listen to some yarns and stories from our Elders and then close with some games in the afternoon. Looks like a deadly day to me! 

So even though it is the last week of Term 2, our learning did not stop. St Kevin’s has amazing staff and students that together always work towards being the best people and school they can be. 2023, St Kevin’s the place to be!!! 

So now it is time for our students to have a 2-week rest from attending school. It is time to relax and refresh, and look for other opportunities to learn something new.....I look forward to hearing those stories next term. Meanwhile the staff will also catch their breath, and take some time to catch up with family and friends too, whilst at the same time, prepare lessons for Term 3. 

Take care everyone and enjoy your winter vacation. 

Mary-Anne Jennings 

Principal

Upcoming dates 

July 17 PUPIL FREE DAY 

July 18 Students return to school. 

July 21 100 Days of Kindergarten – Kinder students come dressed up as ”Old People”. 

July 21 Grandparents Day – See timetable below in this newsletter. 

July 28 ASPIRE excursion for Years 3-6. 

August 2 Diocesan Athletics at Glendale 

August 8 Feast of Mary MacKillop 

August 11 Meet and greet Kinder 2024 

August 15 Bishop Michael visiting Blackbutt South Parish 

August 17 Regional Public Speaking 

August 18 Years 5 and 6 visit St Paul’s Booragul 

August 23 Year 6 Orientation Day St Paul’s Booragul 

August 25 Meet and greet Kindergarten 2024 

August 29 Father’s Day stall 

Uniforms 

Thank you everyone for wearing the correct school uniform despite supply chain issues. Students are coming to school neat and tidy, wearing ties – yes both girls and boys wear ties in winter, top buttons done up and shirts tucked in if wearing long pants. Girls, please wear navy stockings only, under your winter tunic – not leggings. Girls please don’t mix and match summer and winter uniforms. Wearing the correct uniform demonstrates pride in oneself and in our school. The P&F work very hard to ensure we have a uniform that is functional, affordable and looks smart. 

If you are buying new school or sports shoes during the holidays, please follow our policy. Black polishable shoes for wearing with the regular uniform, and WHITE joggers for wearing with the sports uniform. 

One item of uniform that is not permitted is excessive jewelry. Students are permitted to have only one set of pierced earrings, and these are to be either studs or sleepers. No decorative or drop earrings are permitted. This is a WHS safety issue. 

Watches – 1 only. If a SMART watch, then it comes under the same restrictions as a mobile phone. These should not be worn at school with mobile data included.  

Other colourful jewelry – is not permitted. Wrist bands, woven bands, and other current fashion items are not to be worn to school.  

Rings – the only rings to be worn at school are simple signet rings. 

Necklaces – 1 simple chain with a cross or something similar is permitted. No costume jewelry or shark tooth chains etc. 

Grandparents Day Schedule

No canteen this day. 

SIUPERSTAN – THE MUSICAL 

Can you believe that our last musical was in 2018? COVID stopped our subsequent performances.  Superstan casting and scripts were distributed in 2020 and the children enthusiastically preparing before we were required to cancel. Our school musical will be held on Wednesday 13th September. Over the years we have relied on the school community in our preparation and staging. Can you help with the sourcing of  the various props listed below?  Additionally, below is a list of costume requirements for cast members. 

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday period with your child(ren).  See you all in Term 3 

God Bless 

Kim Hogan 

Assistant Principal

LIST OF PROPERTIES 

 From the extensive list of props required this year we have whittled down the list and are hoping that someone may be able to assist with some of the items below.  If you are able to help if you could either send a note to Mrs Hogan saying that you are able to help and indicate the item or send the item in!  In this way, we will continue to update our required props list. 

Green goo gun ( a child’s water gun that we could spray paint - The Bogeyman 

Key to the City (is it possible for someone to cut a large key with a jigsaw??) - Mayor Doughnut 

Comic book (Copies of comic books)- Set behind stall 

Shopping trolley (Child’s shopping trolley) - Gran 

Fish (a large toy fish)- Inside shopping trolley 

Slice of cake (plastic ??) - Inside shopping trolley 

Broken broom- Set behind stall 

Mobile phone- Stanley Marvel 

Candy cane shrink ray- Candy King 

Large pair of underpants - Candy King 

Large hollow cake- Set behind stall 

Beret- Stanley Marvel 

Vase- The Curat 

Candy King’s throne- Set on stage 

Large comedy syringe- Inside shopping trolley 

Silver flight case containing anti-gravity pants (an old style suitcase that we could spray paint)- Gran 

Tutu-Private Keep Out 

Shower head (Broken shower head ??) - Sunny Day 

The big red button - Sunny Day 

Mini Minion doll- Set on stage 

Large binoculars - DC 

Long roll of paper (with caption text)- Sunny Day 

Utensil belt - Frank 

Candy King doll - Superstan 

Costuming

The characters in SuperStan are straight from a comic book - so we need to achieve a fun and colourful set. Characters are grouped and need to look as other cast members in their group. If at all possible please liase with other parents when costuming a *group character -as indicated below.

Faith Life, Catholic Identity and the Liturgical Season 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday (July 2nd, 2023) 

Here at St Kevin’s, students and staff are committed to an authentic understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spirituality. At St Kevin’s, we teach proudly on Awabakal Country, recognising the impact Aboriginal Spirituality has on the teaching of Religion in a Catholic community. Every year, on the First Sunday in July in the liturgical season, Australians acknowledge and honour the gifts and impact of the First Australians in the Catholic Church. This is known as ATSI Sunday. This year, ATSI Sunday recognises it’s 50th recurrence from when it first occurred in Melbourne in July 1973. The theme for 2023’s ATSI Sunday is “A New Life in Christ”. Thematically, ATSI Sunday and the upcoming Voice to Parliament create an opportunity of reflection for those of faith alongside the Catholic Social Teachings.  

The Catholic Social Teachings are cornerstone principles and values that provide, in essence, a moral baseline for those in the Catholic Faith to reflect on important issues that require thoughtful dialogue. The National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council draws upon Catholic Social Teachings, particularly Human Dignity and Solidarity, and invite Catholics and their community to action in this period towards the important vote in Parliament.    

  Artwork: Jesus the Living Water by Troy Mardigan (Daly River). 

St Kevin’s School Community recognise and honour the importance of Aboriginal Spirituality and the gifts of story telling that predate Biblical Writing. We commit ourselves to working alongside our Indigenous families and students on a journey for justice, inclusivity, and meaningful dialogue, on the road to Reconciliation.  

Linked here are some statements from Catholic Organisations discussing the upcoming Voice to Parliament.  

2023 Sacramental Program – Dates for the calendar  

All students from Year 4 onwards, and their families, are invited to participate in the All Saints Blackbutt South Parish Sacramental program.  

The first of the important dates is the Commitment Mass at St Philips Catholic Church in Kotara on Saturday 22nd July at 5:30pm.  

For our registered candidates, please return your Confirmation slip back to Mrs Arthur by Thursday in Week 10.  

Mini Vinnies 

We are seeking motivated students to join our school Mini Vinnies chapter. More information on this will follow in Term 3. Please let Mrs Arthur know if you are interested.  

Save the Date 

In Term 3, as a whole school, we will commemorate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop with school feast day celebrations on Thursday 10th August. We are honoured to be hosting the Sisters of St Joseph in Lochinvar for Morning Tea. Everyone is welcome to celebrate with us. Mass as a school and faith community will commence at 9:30am at St Kevin’s Catholic Church, and we will move to the school hall for community morning tea.  

Upcoming Liturgical Celebrations 

Kindergarten will lead us in the celebration of Grandparents’ Day with a prayer service to commemorate the Feast of St Anne and St Joachim, patron saints of Grandparents.  

Celebrations will be in the St Kevin’s School Hall on Friday 21st July at 9:30am until 11:00am. Please bring along your grandparents to join us!  

NAIDOC Week: 2 – 9 July

Yaama,

Today we celebrated NAIDOC Week at St Kevin’s. Children painted stones and boomerangs with symbols and coloured dots in the morning, we enjoyed a community barbecue followed by a dance performed by some of our Aboriginal children. In the afternoon children participated in some Indigenous games. Thank you to everyone who helped to make our celebration so meaningful and enjoyable.

The dances were taught by Renae Lamb from Midnight Dreaming. Renae is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri/Wongaibon people of central west NSW. Her ancestral community ties are vast and wide within the central west and she and her family strongly identify with the Dubbo, Trangie, Dandaloo and surrounding communities.

The wording of many Acknowledgements of Country and Welcome to Country statements includes a reference to paying our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. May we remember our Elders past and present, and think also of those young members in our schools and elsewhere who are emerging and will one day be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.

Nginowa (Awabakal - goodbye)

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher

Thank you for another wonderful term in the library! We have had lots of new books added to our library and it has been fantastic to see so many students getting lost in a book. Lots of great things are happening in our library in Term 3- BOOKWEEK! I’m very sad that I won’t be here for it, but I’ll be keeping updated while I await the arrival of my new little bub.

A reminder for students to continue their Premier’s Reading Challenge over the break as this will close next term.

My return to St Kevin's may have been short but it’s been so much fun. Enjoy the holidays and I look forward to seeing you all when I return in 2024.

Keep on reading!