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Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin’s,
I hope you are all enjoying the Olympics and the opportunity this brings us to watch sports we may never follow or engage in. I watch and think “What sport would I have liked to do when younger, but never had the chance?” Can you guess what sport that might be?
The Olympics also brings the opportunity for the world to stop and reflect on what is important to us worldwide. The opening ceremony spoke of peace, inclusion and diversity. We here at St Kevin’s as a Catholic school share and embrace a community that reflects these values too. We follow the light of Christ, nurturing mind, heart and spirit. We display our Catholic identity through the acceptance and inclusion of those who may be different to us, coming from diverse backgrounds. We live our faith through praying for peace and tolerance within our community.
At Mass on Sunday, the prayers of intercession included the following.
- That nations will distribute their resources wisely and care for the environment.
- That we will bear with one another in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.
- That those who are starving through poverty or famine will be assisted by the many who have abundant food.
- That our chidren preparing for Confirmation and First Holy Communion will be nurtured by our prayers and encouragement.
These prayers could be shared at the dinner table, or you could create your own as we too as individual families, pray for peace, inclusion and tolerance and care of the environment. So, let’s combine the fun and excitement of the Olympics with our faith life and pray for peace, inclusion, diversity and our environment.
Mary-Anne Jennings
Principal
Upcoming dates
August 2 – LMCC Life Saving Presentation for K, Year 3, Year 6
August 7 – DIO Athletics
August 8- Feast of Mary MacKillop 9:30 Mass
August 8 – ST Kevin’s Public Speaking competition in the hall 2pm.
August 15 – Holy Day of Obligation “Feast of the Assumption” Mass at 9:30am
August 16 – Lakes Regional Public Speaking
August 20 - Todd Woodbridge Cup - Tennis - Year 4
Auguust 22- K-2 excursion to Tocal Homestead
August 23– Book week Festival / Grandparents Prayer Service 9am
August 27 – Father's Day Stall
August 29 – Years 3-6 excursion to Sydney Mary MacKillop Place
August 30 – Father's Day Liturgy 2:15pm led by Years 3,4,6
Attendance and permission for upcoming excursions
Events for upcoming excursions are available on COMPASS. Please provide permission for your child to attend before the event closes. TOCAL Homestead closes tomorrow at 3pm. Mary MacKillop Place for Years 3-6 closes Monday. Due to new guidelines for risk assessments to be completed before the excursions, late permissions will not be accepted.
There are quite a few COMPASS events in your inbox that seek parent permission. Please complete these as a matter of urgency.
Public Speaking
Parents will be advised by Monday if their child is representing their class at out St Kevin’s Public Speaking Competition. The competition is on Thursday August 8 at 2pm. Medals and certificates will be awarded.
Parent BBQ
As you know, due to construction and poor weather, we could not have our usual Mother’s Day breakfast back in May. To be fair and equitable, just like we are to our children, we will not be hosting a Father’s Day breakfast either this year. HOWEVER, we will be celebrating parenthood at a BBQ on September 26 from 5-7pm here at school. All parents and their children are most welcome.
TTFM Feedback
Recently in the Tell Them From Me, parents questioned our Homework Policy. Professor John Hattie, an education researcher, asserts that homework in primary school has an effect of around zero. While there is some evidence that homework benefits high-school students, it appears unnecessary for younger children. Based on Hattie’s research and parental feedback, Saint Kevin’s decided a few years ago to amend our Homework Policy to focus on reading. Reading to children offers numerous benefits, and it’s a wonderful way for parents to connect with their little ones. Here are some key advantages:
- Language Development: Consistent exposure to words helps build language pathways in a child’s brain. Even tactile experiences like holding a book contribute to cognitive development.
- General Knowledge: Reading exposes children to new words and information about the world. This knowledge makes it easier for them to learn other subjects when they start school.
- Empathy and Emotional Awareness: Books help children understand emotions and handle challenging feelings. Parents can discuss characters’ emotions and coping strategies during reading time.
- Parent-Child Bonding: Reading together provides a shared event that both parent and child can look forward to. It nutures feelings of attention, love an reassurance.
So, keep those bedtime stories coming—it’s not just about literacy; it’s about building connections and fostering growth!
God Bless
Kim Hogan
Co-Principal / Assistant Principal
Kaayi (Hello – Awabakal)
Yaama Ngindaay (Hello everyone - Gamilaraay)
Nungamanladi (Hello - Bardi)
Te bandola nginak (Hello, how are you? – Yorta Yorta)
Welcome to Term 3.
There are many things happening in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education this term.
- 4 August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
- 9 August International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
- 4 September Indigenous Literacy Day
- 5 September NAIDOC Week Activity: Excursions to Wetlands (3-6) and Dudley (K-2) conducted by Awabakal Environmental Education. This event is on Compass and is no cost to parents as we were successful in securing a substantial NAIDOC Week Grant from NSW Aboriginal Affairs. More information to come in the next newsletter.
What is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day?
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is our national day dedicated to celebrating our children and has been held every year on the 4 August since 1988.
Children's Day has been run annually since 1988 and is the initiative of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children.
Why is it important?
The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are thriving and growing up strong in their cultures, with support from their families and communities.
However, a significant number of our children continue to face ongoing challenges stemming from colonisation and its effects. This includes discrimination, poverty, systemic removal, intergenerational trauma, dislocation from land and culture, and community disempowerment.
To achieve equality, we must approach these challenges through a holistic approach, considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s wellbeing, safety and development.
© SNAICC – National Voice for our Children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation) 2020 – 2023
Children’s Day is an initiative of SNAICC – Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family services.
The 2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day theme Strong in Culture, Stronger Together elevates the intention of Children’s Day, focusing on the strength of our children that comes from their connection to culture.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
9 August 2024
What is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples?
International Day of the World's Indigenous People is celebrated annually to honour and recognise the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of indigenous peoples worldwide. This day is about appreciating their unique way of life and acknowledging their important role in our shared history and society. It's a time to celebrate diversity and learn more about the customs and traditions of these vibrant communities.
In 1994 the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples would be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
As we commemorate the World’s Indigenous Peoples next week, let’s acknowledge their ongoing physical and spiritual connection to their lands, care for the environment and respect for their Elders.
The children will learn about these significant events in class.
Yaluu
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher
Faith Life, Catholic Identity and the Liturgical Season
This week’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ significant followings in his ministry movements. Crowds would follow him and meet him in his travels as he moved through Galilee. During this instance, Jesus performed a notable miracle of which he fed the entire crowd with a small amount of bread and fish. The distribution of the loaves and fish once again reiterates the missionary call of Catholics to address food inequities and hospitality as service to the global family.
Also noteworthy in the Liturgical Calendar is that Sunday 28th July marked the Pontifical identified: “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly”. Pope Francis highlights this important day of commemoration in his annual message, linked here: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/nonni/documents/20240425-messaggio-nonni-anziani.html
Highlighted from Psalm 71 is the thematic quote of “Don’t cast me off in my old age …”
We will recognise our Grandparents in a Prayer Service at the beginning of our Book Week Celebrations in the school hall in Week 5 at 9:00am on Friday 23rd August.
Catholic Culture and Faith Life:
August is an important month in Catholic Culture for our School Community. We recognise and celebrate the Feast of Mary MacKillop on Thursday 8th August by attending the Weekday Mass with our fellow parishioners to celebrate role of Mary MacKillop in the foundation of the Sisters of St Joseph.
It is hoped that student participation in this event will enhance their understanding of Catholic Culture as they journey to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney at the end of August.
As a school community, we will also participate in Mass on Thursday 15th August to mark the Feast of the Assumption as a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation.
Last week, the Faith Life Roster was issued to families via Compass. In this roster you will find the weeks your child’s class will co-lead a prayer service at school. Families are most welcome to participate in these opportunities for worship as a school community.
Sacramental Programme News:
We congratulate our candidates for Confirmation as they prepare to receive this sacrament in the month of August.
Zahli (Year 5)
Harper (Year 4)
Landon (Year 4)
Julia (Year 4)
Arabella (Year 4)
Zion (Year 4)
Angus (Year 4)
ASPIRE
Joining Aspire has been incredible. It has given Ziva and I so many opportunities to learn how to become better performers. It is such a privilege to be able to be included in a program like this and to learn from the amazing ensemble directors.
At the beginning of the year, all ensembles practiced in their own spaces, then closer to the show, everyone came together to rehearse. Holiday rehearsals are more chaotic than the usual Tuesday afternoon, as they become strict and harder to keep up with. As a result of these sessions there is less time for other activities as they run from 9:30 in the morning to 4:00pm (and there are too many notes).
Ziva
In the drama department, the first few weeks mainly focus on learning lines and how to say them as well as workshopping to learn what the director’s expectations are when they give instructions. After that, we all get introduced to the plot of the musical and go from there. Once we’ve been there for the first month, we focus more on the musical and stop workshopping. We then work on positioning and projection while adding in props, mics and costumes. I have two costumes with a 15 second quick change. When I think about all of Tilly’s costume changes this doesn’t bother me so much.
Tilly
2024 is my second year in ASPIRE and its great coming to this year’s production knowing what happens throughout the process of production. In the first week we just do some corner work and getting to know everyone. The week after we move straight to choreography. Our rehearsals go for about 3hrs on Tuesdays and during that time we’ll warm up and then before we start a new dance we get told the concept and its timing in the show. This year I’m in 15 dances with 9 costumes and 3 quick changes with 30 seconds to 1 minute to do them. Getting to be in ASPIRE is so amazing, I have such great friends. Overall, it has changed the way I see myself as a dancer.
SHOWTIME!!!
Tech Run is a long and boring day for most of us, it’s the day where lighting cues are sorted and mic changes are practiced. The tech run includes; continuous stopping and starting, positioning lights correctly and slowly going through scenes.
Dress Rehearsal at the Civic is different from dress at St Pius X, quick changes happen side stage and the prop table is backstage, This rehearsal is the one before show day and most crucial to the cast. In a Dress rehearsal costumes and props are definitely required, in our sessions leading up to this usually props are mimed and it becomes a bad habit to break.
Matinee Shows are at 11am on 31st July- 2nd August. Call times are 8:00am – so that’s an early start! Wednesday will be the very first show for Ziva and she is very excited. On Thursday, we have our second show and the Friday is the third, leading into Friday night.
Opening Night is really fun, it feels like you are apart of a real Broadway Production. Closing Night is pretty much the same as Opening Night except you are more energised because there is no show beforehand. Saturday night is the final show of the year and then we start the audition process for 2025.
Tickets are still available, see the link below to buy tickets for tomorrow and Saturday night!!!
https://tickets.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/WEBPAGES/EntaWebShow/ShowPerformance.aspx
Ziva & Matilda Yr. 6
Please find attached the parish bulletin for this Sunday.
There is also attached a message from the Pope and a prayer card for the 4th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the Anointing of the Sick at Cardiff today, which was scheduled at the same time as Barry Moore's funeral. Please note that you are welcome to attend the Anointing of the Sick at Kotara tomorrow, and at Adamstown this Tuesday, both at 10am.
Wishing you all a safe weekend.
God bless!
Parish Team
ALL SAINTS PARISH BLACKBUTT SOUTH
Car Seat Rules in NSW
The driver is responsible for children under seven years being secured by an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size.
Suitable Child Car Restraint
Children aged between four and seven years must use a forward‑facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat.
Children aged seven years and over who are too small
to use a seatbelt should use an approved booster seat
or an anchored safety harness. The suggested minimum
height for using a seatbelt is 145 cm or taller.
Which car restraint is best for my child?
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Safety_Child_car_seats/
“5 Step Test”
https://kidsafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Restraint-guidelines-brochure.pdf