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11 September 2020
Email Us
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Dear Parents
St Kieran’s Day celebrations yesterday looked quite different to those of the past. The focus has always been on fun activities to raise funds for SVDP and Catholic Missions, but conscious of the financial strains on families at present, the focus shifted to fun activities for the students in what is a challenging time in our lives. The video posted to our school’s Facebook page captures the enjoyment that the children had during the day. A big thank you to Mrs Wetzlar for coordinating the activities.
Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) were installed this week in Years 3 and 4 which now completes the upgrade of all IWBs in the school. Beginning in Week 10 and continuing during the school holidays, eight of our classrooms will be refurbished with new carpet, the painting of walls and the installation of specially designed pin boards. At the same time we are planning to upgrade the lighting in these rooms to environmentally and cost efficient LED panels. During Week 10, classes affected by these fit-outs will be required to relocate classrooms within the school. We will endeavour to limit the impact this has on student learning. Work is due to be completed before we return in Term 4.
The warning given by the eSafety Commissioner this week regarding the disturbing video posted to TikTok and other social media platforms, is a timely reminder on the potential dangers of children’s access to the internet, online games and the use of sites such as TikTok, which is only supposed to be accessed by children 13 years and over. As we reach the end of National Child Protection Week, which focuses on child abuse and neglect, we also need to be mindful of protecting our children against the dangers of the internet.
The School Advisory Council (SAC) met on Monday evening to begin the process of reviewing and actioning the feedback received from the recent survey. There were a few themes arising from the feedback which will be explored more closely over the coming weeks. A letter from the SAC will be sent home today acknowledging the efforts of our families in completing the survey and for the rich data that we can use in planning for the future.
God Bless
Principal
Michael Gallagher
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2020 School Dates and Terms
September
Thurs 17: Kindy 2021 Transition 1 via Zoom
Fri 18: AFL Yrs 3-6 and Yoga Yrs 3 & 4
Fri 25: AFL Yrs 3-6
Fri 25: End Term 3
October
Mon 12: Term 4 commences
Thurs 15: Transition to Kinder - tbc
Fri 16: Yr 5 Camp
Fri 16: Yoga - Kindergarten
Thurs 22: Transition to Kindergarten tbc
Fri 23: Yoga Yrs 5 & 6
Mon 26: School Photos
Fri 30: Yoga - Kindergarten
December
Wed 16: Term 4 Ends for students
Please note that dates may be subject to change. Remember to check your Compass App for any updates.
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More on Assessment
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, teachers regularly use assessment to identify how students are progressing. As well as this there are other standardised assessments that are administered to students during the course of the school year. A standardised assessment is one in which the same test is given in the same manner to all test takers and graded in the same way for everyone. Standardised tests allow educators to compare class and student progress across a wide geographical area and are considered to be a beneficial format of large-scale testing due to the consistency in questions asked and grading style. Naplan is one example of a standardised assessment.
At St Kieran’s we also administer PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests) Assessments at the same time each year. We administer a Reading Comprehension Assessment and a Maths Assessment. The Reading Comprehension Assessment will be administered next week to students in Years 2-6. The Maths Assessment will be administered early next term. These standardised assessments are analysed by teachers as they provide great insight into student progress. They allow for analysis of specific aspects that may need further attention for individual students and they also provide a snapshot of growth from one year to the next.
Should you require any further information about PAT testing, please contact your child’s class teacher.
Have a good weekend,
Marisa Bombardieri
Assistant Principal
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Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week.
7 Sept: Ashleigh W
8 Sept: Amelie PT
10 Sept: Sienna C and Freya M
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Enrolments 2021
Enrolment interviews for Kindergarten 2021 are currently taking place followed by letters of offer. If you have a sibling due to start school next year please ensure you have submitted their application to the office.
Regards
Julia Postle
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School Fees
School fee statements were sent home recently. If you pay in 3 standard instalments, a reminder that the 3rd instalment was due on 31 July.
The Diocese of Broken Bay is committed to supporting families as the impact of COVID 19 continues to be felt in the community. To apply for COVID fee relief please click here
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Congratulations to the following students who received Merit awards this week:
KB: Lauryn W, Florence C and Gordon T
1B: Emily L and Harry H
1W: Olivia P, Ryan W and Kate L
2B: Andrew G and Madeleine G
2W: Poppy E and Sarah C
3B: Joey H and Dylan G
3W: Scarlett M and Benjamin P
4B: Eli W, Ed W and Zach T
4W: Blake L and Ivy V
5B: Keira L and Freya M
5/6: Makayla T and Max H
6B: Amy S and Braylon D
PE: Marcus F and Jaden W
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Religious Education
Congratulations to our Year 3 students who have completed their First Holy Communion. This weekend eight more students will make their First Holy Communion.
This is the last week of First Communion Masses. We sincerely thank our priests of the parish for their time and effort in preparing these celebrations. We also thank Mrs Janette Davison for her leadership in guiding our school and parish community through this special Sacrament.
Thank you to parents and children who have been sending in photos of their First Holy Communion. Keep them coming as we would like to share this special occasion with our whole school community over the next few weeks.
At Monday assembly prayers, we prayed for our fathers, grandfathers and male influences in our lives. Here are two of those prayers we shared.
- We pray for our fathers. May they continue to be an example to their families of love, respect and faith. Lord hear us.
- We pray for fathers who have lost jobs and are affected by the COVID virus. May God protect them and give them strength. Lord hear us.
During the week, students learned that St Kieran set up a monastery, a place of learning and prayer, at Clonmacnoise, Ireland. St Kieran’s Catholic School is also a place of learning and prayer.
On Thursday, the students and teachers enjoyed 70 minutes of fun games and activities as a way of celebrating the feast day of our patron, St Kieran. Following morning tea, students rotated through a variety of fun games in the school playground and Church yard area. Thank you to Grace M who ran the ‘Go Noddle’ dance station. Thank you also to some Year 5 students who assisted with the setup of events prior to school. Your assistance was greatly appreciated. All students are to be commended on their positive attitude and the polite and respectful way in which they participated.
Yours in Religious Education
Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar
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From the Library
There will be no borrowing from the Library during Week 10 - 21 to 25 September.
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Kids | eSafety Commissioner
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Volunteers - Please remember to sign in at the Compass Kiosk at reception when you arrive at school.
Please follow our Canteen Facebook Page. Volunteer opportunities are posted here.
Week 9 Volunteers:
- Wednesday 16/9 - Andi West, Michaela Browne (Morning), Kate Foley (Afternoon);
- Thursday 17/9 – Domeniki Tsagaris, 1 x Volunteer needed;
- Friday 18/9 - Tammy Brichta, Natalie Mirabitto (Morning), Eleanor Hill (Afternoon), Di Hall (Afternoon).
Thank you
Hannah, Canteen Coordinator, 0438 433 231
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Parenting Ideas- Michael Grose
Michael Grose is a former teacher and one of Australia's leading parenting and educational writers and speakers. He is the author of nine books for parents, plus 'Parenting Ideas' which offers a wide variety of parenting and educational resources from renowned experts including himself.
We would like to share one of his articles with you:
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Compass Guide for Parents
Compass is now our main form of communication with all families. If you are experiencing any issues with logging in, booking parent teacher interviews, viewing school reports or adding attendance notes please refer to the Compass Guide for Parents. If you need to have your password reset please email or call the office.
Compass Guide
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Before and After School Care
Please be reminded of our contact details:
All calls, emails and texts will be returned to during Coordinators admin hours which is 9am to 10:30am and 2pm to 3pm.
Alanna Kellendonk
Coordinator St Kieran's OSHC
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Entertainment Memberships
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The school holidays can be a wonderful time for families, friends and community groups to come together and enjoy the fun activities, dining options and shopping experiences that their city has to offer. This is the perfect opportunity to make the most of utilising an Entertainment Membership and saving on all those family favourites, not only for the school holidays but all year round!
Start now or later? If you want to wait a little while, you have 3 months to activate your new Membership after you renew. Once you activate, you will have a full 12 or 24 months to use your Entertainment Membership.
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Masses
For all Parish Bulletins from the Catholic Community of North Harbour please click here.
Parish Gospel and Homily Live Streaming Facebook or via YouTube.
Congratulations to all the children who celebrated their First Communion last weekend and will celebrate their First Holy Communion this weekend and coming weekends. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, only the children’s immediate family may attend. A special parish celebration is planned for later in the year when the children can invite their grandparents and extended family and friends to celebrate this significant milestone in their lives.
For further information please contact Janette on 0408 866 521 or via email.
Janette Davidson - Family and Sacramental Minister, Catholic Community of North Harbour
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COVID-19 Updates
For COVID-19 updates and latest news, click here.
Peninsula Softball
Come and try softball. All levels and abilities catered for. Ages 4 and up. Registrations are now open. To find out more click here.
Net Set Go - Queenscliff Netball Clinics
Term 4 Summer Clinics for children aged 6 - 9 Years. Click here for registration, dates and times.
Football Factory Holiday Camps
For information regarding the spring holiday camps click here.
Manly Warringah Basketball
Programs are recommencing. Holiday camp, Learn to play, Aussie Hoops and pink ball for the girls). Click here for further information.
OzTag School Holiday Clinic
Australian Oztag will be conducting a junior school holiday clinic at Warriewood Valley Sportsground (opposite Warriewood Square shopping centre) on Friday, 2 October from 9am to 1pm. The aim is to get the kids outside during the school holidays, play some Oztag and have a heap of fun! All conducted under the Oztag COVID Safety Plan. Click here for details.
Voyager Tennis Multi Sport Camp
School holiday camp - book online.
Manly Nippers
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