Term 1 Week 6

Dear Parents and Carers, 

You may have noticed that we have a newly constructed carport to house the school bus! Both the bus and the shelter were generously donated by Mr and Mrs Peter and Pam Dougherty. The bus has made such a positive difference for our students as we can now take students to weekly Mass and go on other small excursions around town.

It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the generosity of Tony Patricks from Grafton Brake and Steering for allowing the bus to be garaged at his premises for more than 2 years. The bus is a resource that is used regularly and having a dedicated space on the school grounds makes that use more efficient. Tony’s generosity towards the school community is greatly appreciated. 

The UNE Science Incursion was a fantastic day of specialised Science learning. The students and teachers were engaged and fascinated with the content of the workshops. These workshops were interactive and curriculum-aligned in the STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Arts & Maths) field presented by members of the Armidale University of New England. Mrs Tricia Niethe organised this opportunity for our school which enriched the learning of every student.

Kindergarten 2021 enrolments are being accepted via our online enrolment form. If you are enrolling your child next year, or know of a family intending to enrol, please complete the application form early to avoid disappointment. We have already received a number of applications for our beautiful school. 

The enrolment process has begun for students entering Yr 7 in 2021 at McAuley Catholic College. An Open Evening is planned for Tuesday 17 March with enrolment applications available and guided tours of the college offered. Please indicate your ability to attend by replying to the College on their website on this link http://www.grafslism.catholic.edu.au

We would like to remind you that the UV Disco Party is on Thursday 19 March here at school. A flyer was sent home with the children this week. Please ensure that your child will be supervised on the night by a parent or another responsible person over 18 years of age during the disco.

The P&F are organising the annual Easter Tombola event which will occur on Wednesday 1 April. Each child is asked to donate an Easter chocolate to a maximum value of $5 and bring it into the school office. The children will also need to bring $2 in a clearly marked envelope with their name and class in order to participate in the Tombola draw.

Sincerely

Jacki Moore

Principal

Stage 2 News.

Stage 2 students have settled into their new learning environment with enthusiasm which is evident in the high quality of work they are producing. Mrs Rediger and Mrs Myson are working together to bring exciting learning tasks that meet the needs of each student. 

In Religious Education, Year 3 have studied the 'Creation Story' and the 'Parable of the Talents' and how they are gifts from God. Year 4 are focusing on the Ten Commandments and how these are relevant to them today. The students have been engaging in scripture stories through storytelling and responding by exploring with drawing, drama or modelling with playdough. Our focus now will be on the Lenten units leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

English, this term, is centred around a variety of genres and how authors use different structures for their target audience. The students have enjoyed writing sizzling starts for imaginary texts and arguing about the menu in the canteen. We will be looking at advertising and how food is presented to make it appealing. The students are enjoying listening to the rich language and humour of Roald Dahl’s, ‘BFG’.

In mathematics, Year 3 and 4 are working to build on their mathematical knowledge and understanding using a range of strategies and materials. Each week the students begin with a warm-up task and then move through explicit teaching to a rich task to demonstrate their conceptual understanding. 

Mrs Neithe is leading Stage 2 on a learning journey ‘From the Farm to Families’. Students have been able to tour a virtual farm showing different farming techniques. 

During Art, the students have been viewing and critiquing the work of Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement. The children have enjoyed creating bright, colourful and repetitive images in their artworks. We are now studying the techniques and the purpose of aboriginal artwork making links to our History unit, ‘First Contact’. We are creating dot art pieces, followed by x-ray artworks.

INCITARE

Incitāre is a one-day retreat experience for Year 6 students from parish primary schools based in regions of the diocese to celebrate their faith at a diocesan level.

The retreat will be a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people who practice their faith. The activities will be a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating a liturgy together. The program has been geared to meet the needs of these Year 6 students.

The activities and experiences will allow attendees to build relationships with other students from throughout their region of the diocese and allow the students the opportunity to talk about and share their faith journey.                 

What: Incitāre – a retreat experience for Year 6 students from every parish school in each region of the diocese.

When: Friday 13 March

Where:  McAuley Catholic College

Cost:     Nil. All transport and venue booking expenses will be met by the Catholic Schools Office.

Lunch/Morning Tea: Students to bring their own.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Bishop Gregory will join us in the Clarence Valley Parish on Tuesday 26 May for the sacrament of Confirmation. This celebration will be held during the 5:15 parish Mass at St Mary's Church. 
Students in Year 2 completing their Sacrament of Confirmation will begin their preparation for this sacrament in the coming weeks. Notes about the program were sent home last week. If you have not yet completed the Registration form and returned it, your prompt action in regards to this is greatly appreciated. 

Lenten Program 2020

Winter Sports Trials

The Winter Sports Trials are held annually and allow students the opportunity to display their skills and trials for selection for various winter sports such as Netball, Soccer, Hockey, Rugby League and Rugby Union. Students who are selected for the ZOne team will then go on to trials for the Diocesan team for their respective sports at the Diocesan Trails held in Grafton on Friday 13 March. 

I would like to congratulate every single student who attended trials for the Zone Winter Sports teams in Woolgoolga. The feedback from selectors and conveners was nothing but praise for the sportsmanship and effort they displayed during the trials. 

The following students were successful in gaining selection in the Zone teams...

Netball

Amber Powell

Kate Morgan

Soccer

Liam Salvestro

Beckett Albert

Kane Patricks

Hazel Golding

Steffany Nudo

Rugby League

Timothy Baker

Hockey

Sam Brophy

Ben Smith

Maile Gilbert

Cricket Summer Sports Trails

Sam Brophy

Gus Lobsey

We wish all our students who are trialling for Diocesan teams next week the very best. Play hard, be a great sport and most importantly have fun!

Parents and carers of students who will be enrolling in Year 7 in 2021 are invited to attend the McAuley Catholic College Open Night. 

MCC Open Night

Order forms for Issue 2 were sent home this week.  Completed orders are due back to school on 20 March 2020.