Term 4 Week 2
Dear Parents and Carers,
The Stage 3 Camp at Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre Lennox Head this week was highly successful. Fortunately, the Covid-19 restrictions were revised during the school holidays allowing the students and their teachers to participate in this important aspect of school life. Our Year 5 and 6 students eagerly boarded the bus on Monday morning knowing that the activities, challenges and connections with peers would prove exciting. Sport and active recreation strengthens friendships as well as supporting a sense of belonging for students. From all reports everyone enjoyed the many aspects of the camp. I would like to thank Peter, Leah, Matt and Julie for attending with the children. It is not easy to juggle families and commit to three days away. We are grateful for their commitment.
We are pleased to announce that the Year 7 2021 Orientation at McAuley Catholic College (MCC) will be held on Tuesday 24 November for students of Year 6. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet staff, to gain insights into the college’s facilities and to connect with students from the feeder schools in the Valley. Students make their own way to and from MCC. This year the parent meeting will be held via Zoom. Additional information, including the Zoom link, has been emailed to the Year 6 parents by MCC.
We are ready to welcome the Mini Mary’s students to our wonderful school! The Mini Mary’s Program begins on Wednesday 28 October. We are looking forward to enjoying the beginning of the student’s learning journey with them. Information has been emailed to families this week.
Shona Heron, our Indigenous Education Worker, has taken a position at McAuley Catholic College for Term 4. We are currently in the process of replacing Shona for this term and wish her all the best during her absence from St Mary's.
And finally, I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff. They have gone 'above and beyond' coping with the uncertainty of Covid-19 this year and are still providing quality education for your children. Our teachers deserve a big thank you. We will celebrate them all next Friday, 30 October on World Teachers Day!
Sincerely
Jacki Moore
Principal
Kindergarten News.
Welcome to term 4.
Wow! Where has the year gone?
People always say time flies when you’re having fun, and fun is a daily occurence in Kindergarten.
Our Kindergarten students all seem to have had a growth spurt over the Spring holidays and have returned for their last term in Kindergarten with a real focus on learning and getting ready for Year 1.
This past week we have had some exciting visitors in the Kindergarten classroom. The visitors read their favourite books and prompted discussions with us on what they like and dislike about books shared with them and the features the authors use to captivate their audience. The students will be sharing their favourite books with the class and discussing their choices. After examining a range of imaginative texts we will be creating our own stories so that they can be made into one big book to pass on to next year's Kindergarten to read.
This term in Mathematics we are exploring a number of different strands and learning about how maths happens all around us. In Week 1, we were combining groups of objects to show addition and take away from a group to show subtraction. We used a variety of strategies to demonstrate how to add and subtract including eating our favourite breakfast cereal to help us count backwards by ones. This week we are learning all about time. From running races to cooking times for popcorn. We are so excited to discover how time is used in the real world.
In Geography, this term we are continuing on with our learning from Term 3. Students will be learning about local and national special Indigenous places and how we can care for these places. Kindy will then take their first look at maps and locate places on pictorial maps, describing where these places are e.g. next to the shop, in front of the school. The students will have fun when they get to have a go at drawing their own map of the classroom.
This term in science Kinder will be exploring the physical characteristics of objects and the effects of these on how they move. We will investigate how push and pull forces create movement and the fundamental concepts of force and motion. We will then use this learning to design our own toy that moves.
In Religion, we are experiencing and learning about the variety and wonder of God’s creation and it’s marvelous beauty. We have begun by exploring the sky, land and water and all the amazing things we see, hear, smell and touch. We will be responding and sharing God’s Creation through our artwork and prayers of praise and thanks for this wonderful gift. We will be reflecting on the goodness of God’s gift of creation and the role we have been given to take care of it.
In PE this term we will be doing skills and games for cricket, tennis and short and long rope skipping. The students have been able to complete a few more weeks of the cricket clinic we began in Term 1.
Sacraments
Year 6 Orientation
Parent Assembly
Visitors to the school and morning arrivals
Thank you to those parents and carers who are following the guidelines regarding visiting the school. It is important that we are following the directions of the Catholic Schools Office to assist in keeping our children safe. Parents are requested not to enter the school site unless they need to visit the front office.
All visitors to the school need to complete an External Visitor Declaration Form which is available from the school office.
Staff and year 6 students continue doing an amazing job greeting students as they arrive. If you need your child to be greeted and walked to their classroom by staff and year 6, can you please assist us by using the Turf Street entrances of the school - the main gate or the Kiss and Drop zone.
Fees
School fees for 2020 are to be finalised as soon as possible unless a pre-existing payment plan is in place.
Please note: Payment plans are reviewed each year. Families intending to pay weekly or fortnightly; change fee payer details or split fees are requested to contact the school to discuss their payment plan details. The email address is: grafp@lism.catholic.edu.au
Health Update
Due to the current health restrictions we would like to remind families of the following:
- Students are not permitted to share food at break times. This also includes food items to celebrate birthdays eg cakes, icy poles etc.
- Cake raffles at school will be suspended.
- Students are not permitted to share class resources such as pencils, erasers, rules, glue sticks etc and therefore we request each student have their own items. Personal toys should be kept at home.
- No external providors may visit St Mary's except for OT and Speech Therapists.
Clarence Valley Conservatorium Scholarships
2021 Scholarships Applications now open
Application forms for Music and Drama Scholarships 2021 are now available.
Scholarships are available for both music and drama students and are awarded to students who are advanced, and to students who demonstrate potential and commitment. Scholarships are also available for ensemble students.
The Closing date for applications is Friday, 30 October.
Drama Scholarship auditions will be held on Friday 13 November, and Music Scholarship auditions will be held on Saturday 14 November.
Scholarship Guidelines are available here.
Click here for music applications and here for drama applications.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find below an outline of the events that will be taking place during Term 4. As you can understand, these events are subject to the changing Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines provided to us by NSW Health and the Catholic Schools Office.
At present, these guidelines unfortunately prevent parents and carers from attending on-site events. If this restriction is lifted, we look forward to welcoming you to any events we have planned.
Please ensure you have access to the Skoolbag app or Facebook for the most recent updates and changes to these events.
Sport
Infants (Kindergarten - Yr 2)
Students will participate in a cricket program delivered by a NSW Cricket Development Officer. In week 9 of term, students will participate in a four day intensive swimming program with instructors from Grafton Swim Academy. A note with further details will be sent home closer to the date.
Primary (Yr 3 - Yr 6)
These students will participate in elective sports from week 3 to week 8 (inclusive). A note detailing this information was sent home in week one and students will be advised of their elected sport this week.
Students will also participate in an intensive swimming program at Grafton Pool in week 9.
The school swimming carnival is booked for Friday 11 December (week 9). At present this will be a CLOSED event for students only.
Summer Sport Trials
Students of a representative level have the opportunity to trial for selection in the Zone team in the Summer Sports Trials for Cricket, Tennis, Touch Football, Basketball and Softball on Tuesday 3rd November in Grafton. Notes have been sent home with students who meet the criteria. Successful students go on to play for Clarence Zone and will then trial for selection in the Diocesan team for their sport.
End of year Mass and Awards ceremony
The End of Year Mass and Awards Ceremony is currently booked for Tuesday 1 December. At present, this will be a student only event but the option to live stream to members of our school community is being investigated.
Canteen
The school canteen will continue to remain open on Fridays. There is a new Canteen Menu which can be accessed via skoolbag.
Final Day of Term
The final day for students in Term 4 is Wednesday 16 December.
In addition to the activities outlined above, the following events are also scheduled to take place this term.
Regular attendance at school for every student is essential if students are to achieve their potential and increase their career and life options.
Students arriving to school late are signed in at the school office. Office staff will provide the student with a late slip to be given to the classroom teacher.
Students leaving before the last bell will be called to the school office for collection.
Detailed information for changes to attendance are to be provided to staff.
PROCEDURES FOR ABSENT STUDENTS
Planned: Families may provide staff with details concerning planned events beforehand eg medical appointments, allowing the attendance roll to be updated. Documentation is required when students go on extended leave. Please contact the school to arrange the application.
Unplanned: Families may use the skoolbag app to notify the school of an absent student. After the roll is marked by the class teacher an SMS will be sent to the nominated parent. Please reply to the sms with the reason as soon as possible.
Further information: https://bit.ly/2XzEkyt
CODE OF CONDUCT
Staff
This Code of Conduct Policy applies to all those employed by the CSO and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore. It outlines the obligations, responsibilities and standard of behaviour required of all employees to uphold the values, integrity and reputation of the Catholic Church, the CSO and all parish schools.
Employees are required to be familiar with the requirements of this document and ensure they comply with the behaviours and obligations outlined within it.
Student
A Code of Conduct applies to students at St Mary's Primary School based on four broad bands:
- RESPECT
- SELF RESPONSIBILITY
- SAFETY
- EFFORT
CHILD PROTECTION
Children and young people have a fundamental right to grow, develop and feel safe in environments that are free from violence, exploitation and harm. The Catholic Schools Office Lismore has clear expectations that all students in Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese of Lismore will be protected from all forms of harm including sexual, physical and psychological harm as well as ill-treatment and neglect. The Catholic Schools Office and Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese have certain responsibilities and expectations to ensure the safety and protection of children in their care, including supporting measures to ensure that children and young people will be taught how to protect themselves and to seek help if they are concerned about their safety.
Employees are required to be familiar and comply with child protection legislation as varied from time to time, including but not limited to:
● Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW)
● Ombudsman Act 1974 (NSW)
● Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
● Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW)
Failure to comply with the child protection responsibilities and obligations required by legislation or the Policy will result in disciplinary action being taken, up to and including immediate termination of employment, termination of contractor agreement, notification to external agencies and/or criminal charges.
An employee who becomes aware of a possible breach of the policy or legislation by another employee must report this to their Principal or Human Services at the Catholic Schools Office. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
COMMUNICATION
Open communication is very important to us. This link outlines the different ways to 'stay in touch' at St Mary's: https://bit.ly/2RlDSBp
If you have a concern please contact your child’s teacher directly. Should you require additional assistance concerning the matter, please make an appointment with the Principal.
Further information: https://bit.ly/2yERBNZ https://bit.ly/3dcEORY