7 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Principal’s Messages

Captains 2020

Last Monday at the P&F meeting the need for a new model of School Captains was discussed again. It was a very productive discussion with the idea of making all the Year 6 class “Leaders” and giving them all the opportunity to represent the school at various occasions. We would still like the Year 5 children to prepare to present themselves to the rest of the school community as leaders of the future. They are preparing themselves for this with Ms McGann.

Uniform Option

We had a very eloquent speaker at the last P&F Meeting who presented a very strong case to have the option of shorts for girls as part of the summer uniform. It was pointed out by Olivia, on behalf of students at school, that the Diocesan Uniform Policy requires school to offer that option. The policy states:

“Diocesan schools are committed to ensuring school uniform requirements will:

• be developed in consultation with the school community
• be consistent with health and safety considerations
• comply with anti-discrimination legislation
• consider affordability, functionality and durability of uniform items
• provide uniform options, including shorts and pants, in all uniform categories for all students, regardless of gender.

It is an expectation that all students will wear the correct uniform, and are supported by their parents/carers to do so.”

From this, the different options were presented for discussion and it was agreed by those present that a shorts option for the girls summer uniform will be investigated with the view that this option be provided from next year if supply is possible and designs are agreed upon.

Well done, Olivia, on your great presentation – a real legal advocate in the making.

Public Speaking

Our eight children did a wonderful job at the North Region Public Speaking last week. A special mention to Grace G who was named as a finalist for her division and will represent the school and region at the Diocesan Public Speaking Competition later this month. Awesome effort everyone.

Canteen Money

Parents are asked to ensure that orders sent for lunch from the Canteen are clearly marked and with the correct amount enclosed. If you don’t have the correct change, please mark on the front of the bag how much money is enclosed. If you expect change, that could be included also. Just remember that if a lunch order comes in an envelope only, then there is a charge for the bag.

Year 6 Retreat

Our Year 6 class will be on retreat on 22 November. Year 6 will be participating in a retreat at AVEO Retirement Village Shortland Conference Room.

During the day the students will reflect on Gospel stories, their primary school years and their future. During the day we will have a few ex-students, who now attend San Clemente, to help run some of the group activities.

Our Year 6 students will have the opportunity to ask these students questions about high school to help ease the stress of this transition. The students will also be able to affirm their peers by identifying their positive qualities and have some reflection time.

Year 6 Fun Day and Talent Quest

Year 6 will be putting on their Fun Day on Friday next week, 15 November. There will be stalls and games for the children to enjoy, beginning at 10am, as well as a BBQ lunch for those who want to partake. After lunch is the OLV Talent Quest from 12 noon – so get your entertainment shoes on kids and start practising. This is always a fun community day. Our awards assembly will follow the Talent Quest.

Kinder Orientation

We welcomed the 2020 Kinder group to the school last week. It was great to see how quickly the became comfortable in their new surrounds. This was so, because of the way their big buddies took to their roles.

A big thanks to those that were able to help out and provide morning tea. The Kinders did a great job entertaining the newcomers as did the dancers. We look forward to their return on 19 November.

Newcastle Permanent maths Competition

Last term, all students in Year 5 and 6 participated in this Maths competition and last Friday at our assembly, the students who received a Merit or Distinction certificate were presented with these.

Congratulations to all the students who received an award.

APSMO Maths Games

Throughout Terms 2 and 3, Year 5 participated in a problem solving competition which saw them complete 5 questions each month over 5 months. It was a great opportunity to use the problem solving strategies they have been learning in a different way.

All students received a participation certificate last Friday. Particular mention needs to go to Deacon Williams (top 20%), Olivia Kunkel (top 25%) and Ewan Olejnik (top 25%) who were awarded a ‘Maths Star’ keyring for their achievement in this competition.

Buddies

Last Tuesday we were fortunate enough to be able to put into action all of our ‘buddy training’ as we welcomed our new Kinders for their first Orientation Day. It was beautiful to watch the buddy groups heading off to different activities and getting to know each other. As I spoke to the big buddies after their morning, there were big smiles and happy stories to be shared. With this first ‘hurdle’ completed, they can’t wait for the next opportunity to be with their little buddies again in Week 6, if only for a short time during this visit. With such confident and capable senior students ‘in charge’, the transition to school next year for our new Kinders looks like being incredibly smooth. Well done!

Morning Drop Off and Supervision

A reminder that there is no supervision of students before 8:30am each morning. Students should not be dropped off at the gate prior to this. Our OOSH educators are aware that this is the rule, and for security reason are unable open the gates for any student arriving before 8:30am. If you require supervision before 8:30am, OOSH is an option that you can explore.

RE News

Grandparents Day

I would like to thank all the people who helped cook the lovely goodies for our morning tea on Grandparents Day and for the people who helped serve morning tea. The day was a huge success. It was fabulous seeing grandparents interact with their grandchildren. I would like to thank all the teachers and students for the effort they put into making Grandparents Day such a successful day.

School Christmas Appeal

This term we will be fundraising for St Vincent de Paul to help local families have a happier Christmas. Each Wednesday we will sell Zooper Doopers for 50c. This week St Vincent de Paul Christmas envelopes will come home with the eldest child. If you would like to contribute extra money, please place in the envelope and return to school by 20th November.

Buy Regional this Christmas

How can we as a community help our struggling farmers? Last week driving to school I was listening to the radio and heard about this fantastic idea. I have added the website and the blurb to go with it.

NSW is facing one of the worst droughts on record. The impacts are being felt well beyond the farm gate in all parts of the regional economy, including retail trade and small businesses. One of the best ways you can support regional communities in NSW is to Buy Regional this Christmas. Browse the product categories below to buy direct from the producer or small business owner. NSW has incredible and unique products. You’ll find country stores, fine food, fresh produce and wine, original fashion and jewellery design, and beautiful things for kids, from across the state. There’s cute kids clothes from Broken Hill, goat from Collie, silver craft from White Cliffs, wine from Orange, curated homewares from Coonamble and even healthy treats from Inverell. By partnering with fellow advocates of buying regionally, and with individual makers, this page brings all these into one spot. You’ll have the chance to find and buy special items directly, and to make a difference for those struggling through the drought.

P & F News

CANTEEN NEWS

We are always looking for volunteers to help out with the activities of the P&F. If you might be available for the canteen in Term 4, please access the following:

TERM 4

Pastoral Care News

The Christmas cards that were created by OLV students are being sent away this week. OLV students were generous in giving up their time in the attempt to let our children on the land know that we are thinking of them. May we keep the farmers and their families in our prayers and pray for rain.

Mini Vinnies are fundraising this term to ensure other children in our area have a Christmas. A donation envelope will be sent home this week, and ice blocks will be sold to assist with this appeal. Every little bit helps.

Our OLV scarecrow is getting a facelift. We have a couple of volunteers helping him look handsome again.

Thank you to everyone who attended afternoon tea on Tuesday.

May your days be filled with good thoughts, kind people, and happy moments.

Take care and God bless you

Karen

From the Office

Office Hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 11.30 am and 12.00pm to 3.00pm

The office is unattended between the hours of 11.30am to 12.00pm.

School Fees

Term 3 school fees are now overdue. It would be appreciated if all accounts are paid promptly.

If you would like to manage your account with regular payments, please contact Leanne in the office, who can help you with a payment plan. Those who are experiencing legitimate financial hardships, can make application for consideration by making an appointment to see the Principal.

Swimming

I would like to thank all the parents who have paid in advance or weekly prior to swimming commencing.

Swimming commenced Week 1 in Term 4 and will go for 6 consecutive weeks. Payment of $10.85 is to be made weekly prior to swimming or you may pay upfront for the six week program cost of $65.00.

Family Discount Form

A form was sent home at the beginning of Term for parents to complete in preparation for 2020 school fees. This is an important form that we then use to calculate the fees for the coming year. It is vital that all parents complete this form and indicate if we need to apply a family discount (including siblings across both primary and high schools within the Catholic system), Health Care Card discount and the optional contribution to the Diocesan Pastoral Care program. The Diocesan Pastoral Care program contributes to the ongoing wellbeing of those most in need within our Diocese. Please ensure this form is returned to the office by Friday 15th November, 2019.

Class News

Kinder

Kinders were buzzing with excitement on Tuesday of last week as they welcomed the new Kinders for 2020 with a magnificent performance of ‘The Music Man’, sung and played on percussion instruments. This was followed by an energetic rendition of “Move and Freeze” from The Learning Station. It was great to see so many of our new Kinders for 2020 and their parents joining in and sharing in the fun. They also got to spend time in the Year Six classroom with Mrs. Francis while Years Four and Five accompanied the new Kinders to the Kindergarten classroom to participate in a number of indoor and outdoor play activities.

In Religion we enjoyed viewing video clips from the Bible. Our first clip was ‘Noah’s Ark’ and we learnt that God looked after Noah and his family when the flood came. We also learnt about “Joseph” who had a coat of many colours and got to create a multi coloured coat for Joseph out of coloured paper squares. We learnt that the Bible is a very special book. It is God’s book and it teaches us how to love God and other people.

In English we have been using the text ‘A Year on Our Farm” by Penny Matthews to learn about the seasons of the year and the jobs that need to be done on a sheep farm each season. In Literacy groups we take turns to build a farm, help the farmer do his jobs and play with the farm animals. We use our writing skills to write sentences about the animals and the food they produce.

We love our Literacy groups each morning as we have a turn on the computers, get to work in the Office to improve our writing skills with Mrs Bradley, play with and write about our Farm and use a colour coded sentence maker to write sentences using Adverbial phrases.

Maths is challenging as we are learning about Australian notes and coins. Please talk to your children about the value of coins. Simple adding of coins will help them develop an understanding that the same amount of money can be made using different coins eg. Twenty cents is also two ten cents or four five cents.

Visual Arts is providing opportunities for outdoor learning as we get to make sculptures using the rocks in our creek bed. This week we will be making Stone Cairns. A cairn is a man-made stack of stones, found all over the world, marking special places and used since ancient times.

Year 1

We’ve been working hard in the last fortnight on our persuasive writing. Yr 1 have looked at techniques and language used to put forward their point of view in an exposition format.

In Geography, we have been looking at places in Newcastle we identify as having both natural and human features.

In Maths last week we were learning about addition equivalent number sentences. We were trying to work out the missing number.

For example: 6+2 = 4+__.

We enjoyed doing a variety of different activities in learning centres and rotating to have a go at different activities.

This week we are learning about measuring length. We have compared the length of different objects using informal units. We have also found a way to measure lengths of objects that aren’t straight.

In Religion, we have been doing many activities to help us understand the Ten Commandments. We have discussed different ways we can follow them in our day-to-day life.

Year 2

AVEO Visit

Last week Year 2 were privileged enough to be the first class to attend AVEO Retirement village at Shortland. Both the children and the residence had such a fantastic day interacting in different activities. The following are a few of the students own words about their experience.

Today I went to the retirement village. I made a new friend his name was Trevor. By Mark

Today I had the best day ever. Me and Lochlain read our PM readers to Elma. We also played cards and with the Bee Bots. I also meet three other residents. By Margreit

On Thursday I went to the retirement village. I was with Harrison and Ian. We played Bee Bots, cards and then we read a book. By Ava

On Thursday my class and I went to the retirement village. I made two new friends. Their names are Greg and Bob. Freya and I read to Greg. Then we played Ten Pin Bowling. We also played with the Bee Bots. Then we moved and played fish. I won it was fun. By Suma

Excursion to Murrook Cultural Centre

Just a reminder that all notes and money need to be in by Friday 22nd November.

Year 3/4

In Religion, we have been discussing the meaning of ‘justice’ and ways that we can act justly. We read some scripture passages that reminded us that Jesus’ wants us to be just and fair. We also have discussed the concept of ‘gifts and talents’, and that we need to use them to serve God and others. In English, we have been reading the book ‘My Awesome Japan Adventure’ and learning about aspects of Japanese culture and way of life. We are currently researching the Japanese kimono – where and when it originated, various designs, occasions when it is worn, etc. We have used the book to model our own writing. Some of the titles of our stories are: My Awesome Sydney Adventure, My Awesome Thailand Adventure, My Awesome Gold Coast Adventure. In Maths, we have learnt some new strategies to use when adding and subtracting numbers. This week we are working on Patterns and Algebra. We are looking at the patterns we see in multiplication tables and using these patterns to solve division. The Great Barrier Reef is our case study in Geography this term. We are learning about the affect of climate change on the GBR, the various groups that use the GBR, elements that damage the GBR, the traditional uses of the GBR by Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

Year 5

What a busy two weeks we have had, the highlight of which would undoubtedly be meeting our buddies! I was very proud of the care and concern they students showed their little buddies and know that they will be amazing with them next year.

In Religion, we have been looking at Catholic Social Teachings (CST) and linked these to the fact that because we are created in the image and likeness of God, and are loved by God, then we all deserve dignity and respect. We have also looked at scenarios and used CST and a strategy called ‘See, Judge, Act’ to decide on the most appropriate action.

In Maths we have worked hard on understanding and applying our knowledge of decimals and are now delving deeply into division.

In English and Geography, we have looked at historical records about Macquarie Island and looked at the degradation of the island over time due to human intervention. On several occasions we have viewed the webcam footage of current activity on Macquarie Island and have also watched time lapse footage of the previous 48 hours, noting temperature, wind speed and animal activity.

Everyone should be working hard on their homework assignment on bushfire survival plans. There is a task to be completed each week. This is important information that is currently, incredibly relevant. Please ask your child where they are up to with this.

We look forward to everyone joining up next Monday for our liturgy which is for Remembrance Day and will begin at 10:45am.

Year 6

In Religion, we have studied the story of Creation in the Book of Genesis. We each wrote a twenty-word summary of the message it gives to us. We studied and discussed a very unusual painting of Creation called “Onement” by Barnett Newman. We also created a portrait of ourselves and wrote, underneath it, the things that are important in our lives. It was good to take the time to reflect on what we value in our day-to-day existence.

In English we have read the picture book, Angel of Kokoda by Mark Wilson. The story is about a Papua New Guinean boy helps a young soldier as his village is torn apart by World War II. We have discussed the way the author tells the story and the effectiveness of the colours and illustrations in imparting an understanding of the Kokoda Track. We also noted the symbolism used.

In Maths, we worked on addition and subtraction and tested our abilities to add and subtract mentally, as well as through formal algorithms. We revised the concept of Cartesian Planes and had fun creating shapes on an axis, recording the coordinates and giving them to a friend to plot. It was fun to see if they could replicate our shape exactly!

In Science, we have been researching the various foods and products produced in Australia and now we are looking at the sustainability aspect of this produce. We are using the knowledge we are gaining to help us “organise a Farewell Dinner” for the end of Year 6 that will have the least impact on the environment. It will be great to see what everyone comes up with at the end of the unit!

In Geography, we are learning a lot about Papua New Guinea. It is really interesting to find out about our nearest neighbour and to learn about the rich and varied the culture of PNG.

We are enjoying Swimming and are participating well in the lessons each week. Great work, everyone!

Swimming Carnival

The children have been working hard at the pool, developing and honing their swimming skills each week. They are all looking forward to the School Swimming Carnival coming up in Week 8 – On 6 December. Parents should keep an eye out for the nomination forms coming out soon. There will be some slight changes to the events. We will not be conducting the Individual Medley. (If children wish to nominate for this event for the Regional Carnival they will need to provide a time from their club within the qualifying time.)

Class Awards

OOSH

One issue that may arise is the need for Casual Care on occasions. If you think that you might need this, it will be necessary to be enrolled in the service prior to making a booking. Remember that you need to contact St Nicholas OOSH to book your child in, as we can’t do it through the school.

Their contact details are, Christine 0447 288 040 or tracey.sweetman@stnicholasoosh.org.au

If you intend to use the OOSH either before or after school, you might like to download the application forms, fill them out and send them into school to pass on for processing.

Check out this link for more information on St Nicholas OOSH.