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Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin’s,
A trivia question for you. Pre 1983 Code of Canon Law, how many Holy Days of Obligation were there in Australia? And why did teachers like Mr Vaughan and Mr Taylor like these days so much? Can you name all the previous Holy Days of Obligation celebrated here in Australia?
We now only have 2 Holy days of Obligation in Australia, and August 15 is one of them. August 15 is the Assumption of Mary into heaven – body and soul. Our other Holy Day of Obligation is Christmas Day.
A Holy Day of Obligation is like Sunday. We as Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on these days. The students attended the Parish Mass here at Cardiff today, joining with the parishioners in celebrating the life of Mary the Mother of Jesus. It is again one of the reasons many of you chose to send your children to a Catholic school; to experience and live their faith, to acknowledge traditions and customs of their faith, together with learning the content and knowledge that is Catholicism.
The teaching of Religion in our school is prepared and delivered with the same tenacity and resolve as every other subject taught at school. NAPLAN is conducted annually to assess and track student growth and knowledge in Numeracy and Literacy. Religion is also annually assessed in Year 6 with the Diocesan Religious Education Test. Next week our Year 6 students will sit for this test which will assess knowledge of traditions and customs, knowledge of prayer and sacraments, knowledge of Church history and knowledge of the life of Jesus. This knowledge and content has been taught from kindergarten through to Year 6, with each year providing new content and depth to this understanding of our Catholic faith. Good luck Year 6 and remember everything you have been taught over the years from both your parents and teachers alike.
Our NAPLAN results again reflected this partnership in the education of our students. Parents and teachers work together to ensure that the students reach the best outcomes they can achieve regarding their academic journey. St Kevin’s was above State levels in the “Exceeding” and “Strong: Proficiency Levels for Reading, Writing and Numeracy in Year 3, and in Year 5 we are above State average in ‘Exceeding” and “Strong” Proficiency levels for Reading and Writing, which are our areas of targeted improvement.
As a village we are ensuring that our students are engaged in their learning across all aspects of the school day. St Kevin’s is definitely a school where parents can be proud of the achievements of their children socially, spiritually and academically.
Mary-Anne Jennings
Principal
Upcoming dates for your calendar:
August 16 – Lakes Regional Public Speaking
August 20 – Sacrament of Confirmation at Kotara for our Year 4 students who have completed the preparation programme with their parents.
August 20 - Todd Woodbridge Cup -Year 4 -Parents to arrange transport to and from the event 8.45am - 2pm
August 22- Kinder, Year 1, Year 2 TOCAL excursion. Students at school 8:30am for bus departure.
August 23 – Dress up Book Week parade, Book Fair and Grandparents Prayer Service from 9am.
August 27 – Father's Day stall -pre-purchase via QKR.
August 28 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Teams Meeting
August 29 – Years 3 to 6 excursion to Mary MacKillop Place 6:45am arrival at school.
August 30 – Father's Day Liturgy led by Years 3,4,6 at 2:15pm.
September 4- Indigenous Literacy day
September 5 – NAIDOC Week funded excursions to The Wetlands at Shortland/ Awabakal Environmental education Centre Dudley
September 6 - Kindergarten 2025 Playdate 9am
September 6 - School Assembly 2.30pm
September 13 – Year 5 and 6 Science and Discovery Day at Mayfield.
September 18 - Whole school photos
September 20- Year 1 and 2 Liturgy 2:15pm
September 22- First Eucharist and School Mass 9:30am Sunday
September 26 – Parent BBQ night to celebrate our mothers and fathers, grandparents and carers 5 till 7pm.
September 27 – Last day Term 3
Accessorizing the school uniform
It has been noted that some students are choosing to accessorize their school uniform with non-approved items. These include fake nails, make-up, jewelry, incorrect footwear and headwear.
School activities often include physical engagement such as playing sports, typing, craft and science experiments. The wearing of artificial or excessive, decorative jewelry or incorrect footwear can and does result in injuries.
Therefore, students are reminded and will be asked to remove artificial nails, nail polish and excessive jewelry. Students are reminded to wear the correct footwear – skate shoes are not permitted. Students are reminded that when in class, shirts are to be tucked in if wearing long pants, and that ties are to be worn with the top buttons on shirts done up. Pride in wearing the school uniform correctly is reflected in pride in behaviour and schoolwork.
Parents, your assistance in ensuring your child wears the correct uniform to school is most appreciated.
Communication
At last night’s P&F meeting we were made aware of some issues with COMPASS. If you are experiencing trouble using this app with events dropping off or not being able to be found, please ask for help. COMPASS is a Diocesan initiative and supported method of communication. We can ask for help from those who work in this space.
Dates for the term are listed at the top of this newsletter. They are also on the calendar that you can access through this newsletter.
COMPASS alerts are for gentle reminders and notifications of returning excursions.
If you have anything you wish to talk to your child’s teacher about on a 1:1 basis, please contact the teacher directly. Teachers are always available to discuss your child with you. We just ask that you make an appointment to ensure they are available at a time mutually agreeable to all.
Volunteers
The Olympics have just concluded, and the work of the volunteers was again applauded and recognised on the world stage. Volunteers are crucial to the running of all community events and even to the running of highly organised events such as the Olympics. Weekend sporting clubs that our students engage with wouldn’t survive without the work of volunteers. St Kevin’s school is no different. We can’t run without the valuable contribution of our volunteers.
Our P&F is one example. Our canteen helpers and our uniform shop workers are the others. However, many of these volunteers are now reaching the end of the voluntary service contract here at St Kevin’s as their children move onto High School. We need new volunteers to replace these wonderful people and their hours of service. Can you help? Does your work roster accommodate a day a term to help with the canteen? Does your work roster accommodate time to come and help with reading or art in the classroom? Does your work roster accommodate time to come and help in the library or with sharing your sporting skills and talents? Many of our current volunteers also work full time but have juggled and jigged their time to volunteer where they can. Your juggling and jiggling would be greatly appreciated too.
Get your Colour on, St Kevin’s Cardiff is hosting a Colour Splatacular Run 4 Fun!
Our Colour Splatacular Run 4 Fun will be on 29th November 9am to 3pm. We are fundraising this term but have held off our celebrations for the warmer weather. Together with contributions from the P & F we are hoping to raise enough money to build a basketball court on bottom playground.
Not only are we hosting an awesome Colour Splatacular Run 4 Fun, Students can order up to a total of 5 prizes based on their donations received. They can even mix and match! Don’t want the prizes, donate your donations to one of the five causes – Carbon Neutral (tree planting), Great Barrier Reef Foundation (coral planting or turtle protection), The Smith Family (reading support) or OzHarvest (providing meals).
Students have received a sponsorship book with instructions on setting up their cybersafe, online fundraising profile at www.australianfundraising.com.au. This is an entirely online fundraiser; all cash donations must be converted to online donations to redeem your prizes.
Extra Incentives to Fundraise!
- Online Golden Coins – complete fun online tasks to redeem an extra $75 towards your prize credit.
- Monty the Monstar’s Bonus Prizes – achieve milestones to unlock Monty’s bonus prizes.
- $10,000 Budget Booster Bonanza Spending Spree for one organisation’s highest fundraising student
- Our school will win an extra $5,000 if we have the highest average fundraised amount per student in 2024.
- A Play Station 5 Gaming Bundle – see your child’s sponsorship booklet for more!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me ( kim.hogan@mn.catholic.edu.au )
Happy fundraising!
Faith Life, Catholic Identity and the Liturgical Season
As a school community, we participate in Mass today, the 15th of August to mark the Feast of the Assumption as a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation. The readings within the mass today centre the importance and the mystery of Mary. Mary, by all accounts, was Jesus’ first disciple. The words of The Magnificat in the Scripture amplify the matriarchal female voice, so often unheard in the Christian Scriptures. Mary’s canticle is one theological example of the ways in which Luke’s gospel creates imagery and thematic parallel to Jesus’ mission for preference to the poor. The Magnificat highlights the powerful communication of a young Galilean girl prophesising the significance of God’s dealings with the poor and lowly. It is also within The Magnificat that Catholics can draw parallels to the themes of Jesus’s mission such as the Beatitudes. It is important to note that in the sacred writings of Luke, the influence of the poor and marginalised is often emphasised to call people of faith to action. Leading into Student Faith Formation in Week 6, students will start to consider how Catholic Social Teachings are highly influential to the core mission of Discipleship and Service in Catholic Schools.
School Led Parish Mass:
Over 30 respondents for our School Led Parish Mass have accepted our invitation to attend, please RSVP via Compass before 28th August. On Sunday 22nd September, we will celebrate our Sacramental Candidates in their final Sacrament of Initiation, First Eucharist. We invite families to celebrate with us as we acknowledge the significance of these milestones in our participants Faith Journeys.
Mission and Justice
Mrs Arthur will be opening an Expression of Interest for 10 students in Grades 3-6 who wish to be part of the McDonald Jones Stadium Socktober Celebrations this year. Like last year, students will be able to participate in on-ground activities as a group. There will be a prayer service leading the celebration. Registration will be via Compass and will close when at capacity. An alert will be issued when it is live.
Further information on how we can support Socktober in our school will be issued over the next week!
Catholic Culture and Student Formation:
Students in Grades 3-6 will head to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney to participate in Student Faith Formation as a way of connecting to the Catholic Culture and Josephite Heritage of our School. The Primary Cohort of teachers have been working outstandingly on the experience to ensure that students find this both spiritually nourishing and educational. I want to acknowledge the dedication of my colleagues in this group for their hard work as Catholic Education starts with the behind the scenes work of dedicated Catholic Educators.
Equally as hard working, the teachers in K-2 have also been planning a Faith Formation experience for the Infants classes. While this will look very different to the experiences Primary grades are participating in, Kinder, Year 1 & 2 students are participating in activities that foster Catholic Social Teaching Awareness, Scripture reflections and a very special guest – David McGovern from Catholic Missions Australia who will speak to the children about how we are called to action in Discipleship through our school communities. David’s tireless work in Socktober efforts and his involvement with the Diocese will allow students to engage with a community worldview in Mission and Justice.
Sacramental Programme News:
On Tuesday of Week 5, our Sacramental Candidates for 2024 will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This rite will be led by Bishop Michael Kennedy at St Philip’s Catholic Church, Kotara South. We welcome all families in our school community to celebrate with our students.
Kaayi (Hello – Awabakal)
Yaama Ngindaay (Hello everyone - Gamilaraay)
Nungamanladi (Hello - Bardi)
Te bandola nginak (Hello, how are you? – Yorta Yorta)
About Indigenous Literacy Day
Indigenous Literacy Day is proudly produced and presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House.
It’s an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures, and Languages.
Indigenous Literacy Day is held on the first Wednesday of September ‑ this year Wednesday 4 September. We’re sharing the diversity of First Nations languages and cultures with audiences across Australia.
This year, we’re celebrating the theme ‘Be A Proud Voice for Country’. We’ll be sharing some of the deep and diverse ways children, Elders and families connect with Country; and the significance of Country in Aboriginal Communities.
You’ll learn about Dreaming stories from the riverbank in Cunnamulla; join teenagers as they explore culture through poetry and art in Vincentia; and hear incredible stories and songs from children and Elders on the Tiwi Islands.
(https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/ild)
At St Kevin’s we have registered to view the online film and livestream presentation from the Sydney Opera House.
- 15 minute FILM ‑ takes viewers into three Aboriginal Communities to learn about their unique stories, languages and cultures; and this year explores the significance of Country through many Proud Voices.
- 45 minute LIVESTREAM ‑ this live event follows our FILM and takes place at Sydney Opera House, hosted by ILF Ambassadors. It’s a celebration of music, dance, art, language and storytelling.
This is an action‑packed, joyful showcase; sharing stories, cultures and languages. It's an engaging and thought‑provoking adventure for early learners, primary students and adults.
Students and teachers will be able to view these on the day or on the days following.
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NAIDOC Week Excursions - 5 September
As previously advised, our school was successful in securing a substantial NAIDOC Week Grant from NSW Aboriginal Affairs. Check COMPASS for more details about what to bring. There is no cost for parents.
Children in Kindergarten to Year 2 will travel to the Dudley Campus of the Awabakal Environmental Education Centre to learn how traditional owners, the Awabakal people, cared for local ecosystems. They will explore the names of tools used, learn about mapping, weather and seasons.
Children in Years 3-6 will travel to the Wetlands Campus at Shortland to learn about local ecosystems, wetlands and mangroves, mapping, compass use, bush tucker, plant and animal habitats.
These activities for all children complement the work they are studying in class this term in Geography and Science, incorporating Aboriginal perspectives.
A NSW Department of Education School which provides excursions for K to 12 students
We look forward to these exciting field trips for staff and students to learn about Awabakal culture, history and traditions.
Thank you for your great support as we celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day and continue our celebration of NAIDOC 2024
Yaluu
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher
Thank you to those families who have continued to make regular payments on their school fees and to those who have finalised their accounts for the year. There are only 4 months remaining to have your fees paid by the due date of 30 November 2024, so please look at your fees and make any adjustments necessary to your weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments to cover the remaining balance. Any family experiencing genuine financial hardship are encouraged to contact the Principal to discuss an alternative arrangement.
Please find attached the parish bulletin for this Sunday.
We've also included information for the upcoming Church/Faith Crawl and the "I call you friends" Christian Initiation Formation Day.
All the best for the weekend.
God bless!
Parish Team
ALL SAINTS PARISH BLACKBUTT SOUTH
