Term 4 Week 8
Year 2’s loved having Year 6’s in our room for buddy reading!
Dear Parents and Carers,
It was with pleasure that we were able to celebrate 7 years of primary schooling with the Year 6 students and their parents on Wednesday evening. Fine food and accolades for our 2020 Year 6 students tributed to an enjoyable evening for all who attended. Thank you to the staff of the Clocktower Hotel for providing a lovely environment for our celebration. The community of St Mary’s Primary school would like to wish these students well in their future endeavours.
A highlight of the school year is our End of Year Mass and Assembly, providing us with a time to prayerfully thank God for His blessings and to acknowledge the achievements of our students. Awards were presented in the fields of Academic, Personal Improvement, Mercy Values, Creative Arts and Sports achievements in each class. The following major awards were presented and we congratulate each student for applying themselves to their studies:
Principal’s Award - Maile Gilbert
Dux - Kate Morgan
Sportsperson - Hazel Golding
Mercy Values in the Infant School - Danielle Hay
Mercy Values in the Primary School - Paisley Padayachee
Sr Betty Carroll Memorial Award - Jonah Stocker
Numeracy and Literacy Award sponsored by Grafton Rotary - Kane Patricks
Kevin Hogan Award for Commitment to School Life - Ivy Hiatt
In term 4 the student body elects its school leaders for the following school year. Each candidate addresses the school presenting a speech, and the process of election takes place afterwards. As in previous years, we were delighted with the standard of the speeches which provided us with an insight into the candidates expectations, their values and dreams for the future of our school. Congratulations to all of the students.
We would like to announce that Kane Patricks and Sieanna Sutherland were elected School Captains, and Jed Rediger and Steffany Nudo were elected Vice Captains. We know that these children will represent our school with pride.
The much anticipated Book Character Parade was a fantastic event! So many characters from our favourite books arrived at school that morning! Thank you to the parents for their enthusiasm for creating amazing costumes and for supporting our promotion of reading at school.
Mr Isaac Hegedus, Indigenous Education Worker, organised the NAIDOC Week celebrations this week. The variety of activities that the children could participate in were Sports and Games with Kerry Skinner, Arts and Crafts with Debbie Taylor, Language with Nora Hegedus and Izaac, and Storytelling with the class teachers. We would like to congratulate Izaac and thank Kerry, Debbie and Nora for their generosity in enhancing our cultural awareness.
Mr Green and I were privileged to facilitate a series of tours around our school this week for the parents of the Mini Marys students. We proudly showcased the facilities and were able to talk to the parents about programs and our vision for their child’s education. We look forward to welcoming the families in the new year.
Next week will be another busy time with Mrs Bancroft giving all of the children an opportunity for an Intensive Swimming Program. Then we will hold our annual Swimming Carnival on Friday 11th December.
Sincerely
Jacki Moore
Principal
Stage 2 Newsletter
Stage 2 students have been very busy finalising their units of work for Term 4. Across all KLA’s they have been producing some amazing work individually and as a member of various groups.
The English focus this term has been on persuasion. The students have worked to link their ideas about sustainability from Geography to persuade their audience on a variety of issues. They researched advertising on websites to assist them with ideas for a persuasive poster on saving marine life. The students have created their posters using digital technology and written a persuasive text to be presented orally, using palm cards.
In Mathematics, the students continued to develop mathematical thinking and use efficient mental and written strategies to solve problems. During STEM the students designed and created a prototype device for cleaning up the ocean using available resources from the classroom. They then tested their model using a tub of water filled with rubbish.
The students have also been investigating a variety of interactive information technology tools, including spheros, VR goggles, Spike Lego, Edisons and Beebots. The students worked in teams to discover the capabilities of the various technologies.
During Visual Arts, the students incorporated our sustainability theme, to create art works with an environmental message. They used a variety of mediums, such as oil pastels, paint and collage to achieve this. With Christmas fast approaching and Advent beginning, the students have been preparing a Christmas surprise with Mrs Worley’s expertise.
Stage 2 students are enjoying their elective sports and are looking forward to the intensive swimming program next week.
The Hebrew word for Peace is ‘Shalom’ which appears over 250 times in the Old Testament. While the two terms are interchangeable in today's usage, the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary notes that Shalom includes not only “the lack of war or conflict” (peace), but also “wholeness and wellbeing”. Shalom then, is an ideal for our individual lives and for God’s creation at large.
Today, we take refuge in Jesus Christ’s words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Through God’s Holy Spirit we experience this peace which transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). But God does not mean for us to just sit back and indulge in this peace. He calls us to work along with the Spirit to restore God’s shalom here on Earth (Matthew 5:9).
As we reflect on God’s peace this Advent season, may we be reminded of our role to actively make peace as we await the fullness of God’s shalom through the second Advent of Jesus Christ. How can you help usher in God’s peace this Christmas season?
Adapted from Advent Peace.
Sport & PE
Intensive Swimming Week 9
Infants students will participate in an intensive swimming program at the South Grafton Aquatic Centre each day during Week 9 (Monday 7 December through to Thursday 10 December). Instructors from the Grafton Swim Academy will deliver the program. The cost of instructors will be covered by grant money from the Sporting Schools Grant.
Primary students will participate in an intensive swimming program at the Grafton Pool during week 9 (Monday 7 December to Thursday 10 December) of this term. Students will engage in swim survival, stroke correction and water safety activities throughout the week and will be grouped in ability levels. All students will walk to and from the pool as part of their Personal Development and Health program.
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS
- All students are expected to participate and a note is required for anyone who needs to be excused.
- Sporting Schools Grant money will cover the cost of instructors and buses.
- Pool entry: $15.00 for the week including the Swimming Carnival (for those without a season pass. Students with season passes will need to provide the pass number to the school.)
- Due to supervision requirements, non-swimmers still attend.
- Students must have a change of underwear.
- Students must have a swimming bag / plastic bag for wet gear.
- Goggles are highly recommended and a rash/sun shirt is optional.
- All clothing must be clearly labeled.
- Primary students may wear their swimmers to school underneath their uniforms.
Swimming Carnival 11 December
On Friday 11 December we will hold our annual St. Mary's Swimming carnival. Unfortunately, this event will be a closed event, similar to our other events this year.
All students, from kindergarten to year 6, will walk to the Grafton Aquatic Centre in their Sports House Groups on Friday morning as part of the opening procession to our carnival. This is always a great display of colour and sportsmanship as students march with their house, chanting wars cries dressed in their house colours.
Students who are confident swimmers are encouraged to compete in as many races as possible on the day. Students who are turning 8 in 2021 and who are confident swimmers, will also have the opportunity to complete in the 50m freestyle race to qualify for the St. Mary's Zone swimming team. AT the end of the carnival, students will walk back to school for collection or to catch busses home.
The infants students will participate in a variety of events in the wading pool in their house colours for the morning and will catch the bus back to school at around 12 noon.
If you have any questions regarding this years carnival, please dont' hesitate to contact the front office.
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
All school fees for 2020 should have been finalised. Families who have not yet fully paid their fees are requested to complete their final payments unless a pre-existing payment plan has been 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.
OOSH Holiday Program
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
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find below an updated outline of the events that will be taking place during the last weeks of 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.
Term 4 Events
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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.
Canteen
The school canteen will continue to remain open on Fridays. The Canteen menu can be accessed via skoolbag.
Staff Professional Development
With the Queensland border opening we have been able to reschedule two Staff Development Days which had been postponed from earlier in the year. All staff will be attending Berry Street Training at McAuley Catholic College on Tuesday 15 December and Wednesday 16 December.
Final Day of Term
The final day for students in Term 4 is Monday 14 December.