Dear Parents
 

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the term! With less than five weeks to go, we are preparing for what we hope to be a more “normal” 2021. Among the many things happening at present are the writing of reports, the finalisation of staffing, swimming carnival preparation, goal setting and the transition of our 2021 Kindergarten students.

Teachers are also beginning to look at class placements for next year. They collaborate in determining classes, considering many factors. These include gender mix, peer relationships, academic needs and the students’ own nominations for friends they would like in their class. Students will be placed with at least one nominated friend. Each new year is an excellent chance for them to cultivate new learning partnerships with a variety of students within the grade.

Next week I will be providing more information on the Parents and Friends Association AGM which will take place before the conclusion of the year. The current Association will stand down at this meeting and nominations and voting for a new P&F team will take place. As we move into 2021, one of our top priorities is to reconnect as a school community, with more opportunities for face-to-face contact, depending on the easing of restrictions. If you feel that you have the energy and time to become involved, you may wish to nominate for one of the positions on the executive team. More details next week.

The Tell Them from Me survey for parents is still open. To date we have had a very limited response. Catholic Schools Broken Bay is hoping for a minimum of a 30% response rate from parents. I encourage you to complete the survey over the next week. CSBB is using the results as a measure of a school’s impact on student learning and parent satisfaction. Both positive and constructive feedback would be appreciated.

Last week’s Year 6 day camp at the Collaroy Centre was a great day for all the students and teachers. Between activities such as archery, rock climbing and high ropes, the students were pushed to their limits, physically and mentally. They encouraged each other to persevere and congratulated each other on their achievements. It was a pleasure to spend the day with Year 6 in their last few weeks of primary school.

Today the school has focused on World Kindness Day with the theme of “The Courage to be Kind”. Our students have been encouraged to perform random acts of kindness at some stage through the day, whether at school or at home. This week is also NAIDOC week, a time to remember the First Nations of our country. With the theme of Always Was, Always Will Be, we recognise the connection between the land and the first inhabitants who have been part of this country for over 65,000 years. And with one other significant occasion during the week, each class stopped for a minute to remember those who have sacrificed their lives or who have served our country during times of conflict. It has been a busy week!

Principal
Michael Gallagher

Congratulations to the following students who received Merit awards this week:

KB:  Hayden B, Max D and Ryker C
1B:   Callum D and Emme O
1W:  Addison S and Fletcher C
2B:   Mateo B and Luke W
2W:  Leon A and Marcus F
3B:   Stella N, Zofia K and Patrick H
3W:  Lysander B, Felicity B and Bhavesh K
4B:   Ed W and Darcy B
4W:  Josh G and Brooke B
5B:  Thomas K and Addison L
5/6: Joshua A and Eve C
6B: Tadhg M and Lucas M
PE:  April U and Ollie F

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Thank you to all involved in making our Rice Day experience a huge success. Most of our senior students took on the ‘feeling hungry’ challenge and now have greater empathy for those who do not “live life to the full.”  Rice Day also opened up a topic of conversation about those who ‘HAVE’ and the ‘HAVE NOTS’ in the world and in our community. One again thank you to Hannah, Katrina and Jasmine in the canteen for their fantastic organisation.  

Students will be completing their Mission learning modules in the next few weeks. We will then be moving on to learning about Advent and Christmas. As always, our teaching is firmly based in the Scriptures at an appropriate level to the students' age. 



Last week two grades prepared and celebrated a Class Mass. As part of their preparation for the Mass, Years 3 and 5 made promises about their behaviour towards others to be brought forward at the offertory.  Thank you to the children and teachers for their thoughtful preparation of this sacrament.  The beauty of the class Mass is that the students help prepare the Mass, furthering their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and the priest is able to stop and explain some of the prayers and offerings of the Mass to the students. We offer our sincere thanks to Fr John Sullivan O.S.A. for the effort and care he puts into our class Masses. 

Yours in Religious Education,
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

The Tennis Gala Day was a very physical, exerting day for all the students who attended from the Diocese of  Broken Bay. Parents drove us to Oxford Falls Tennis Centre to compete in friendly matches against other students. 

The goal of the day was to promote students to have a healthy lifestyle across Australia. At the end of the day there was no reward for the winning competitors. Awards were given for sportsmanship and the most valued player. Tennis was the winner on the day as students improved their skills. 

The Tennis Gala Day was a true success
    By Kieran H

Applications for student travel in 2021 are now open. Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody). 

For full details click here.

Friday 4 Dec 2020
Urban Tadka 7.00pm

 

I am pleased  to announce Dads Xmas Curry night will be on againat the Urban Tadka  _ Terry Hills. They do a great package Banquet and Drinks .

There will be a limit of 30 people so first in best dressed.
As I can't do the coach this year, I will talk to Uber and see what Cars/ Transport we can arrange or if this is possible.

Looking forward to a great night.

Howie    
Email Howardgiles100@hotmail .com   Tel 0438888528