Dear Parents

Congratulations to our Year 4 students who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. May the healing and peace be in all our hearts and minds as a reminder of the grace we receive when we make good choices in our lives, say we are sorry and return to God in our relationships with each other.
 
We are especially proud of our wonderful Year 3 and 5 students who completed the NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy tests. The students were so confident, calm and easy going during the testing period. Thank you to you and your child’s teachers for preparing the children so well to manage the pressure of the testing conditions.
 
We are currently underway to convert Room 12 upstairs (next to the Library and Music room) into an innovative learning and teaching space for STEM and inquiry. We hope to share with you early next term what exciting learning takes place here.
 
I look forward to seeing you on Monday morning for the open mathematics classroom visits. The students are excited to share their learning with you and you are all welcome to attend.

You would recall the announcement last Term from Bishop Anthony Randazzo, and Director of Schools Danny Casey regarding the formation of a Strategic Working Party, focused on strengthening CSBB schools in the Southern Peninsula of the Northern Beaches. I am pleased to provide you with an update on this work to date. 

The Strategic Working Party consists of a core team of CSBB staff, from the Strategic Panning Unit, Community Engagement, and HR Business Partners. The team have been consulting with our key stakeholders, analysing current data and planning our community engagement. We are now pleased to announce that we have engaged in a partnership with “Woolcott Research & Engagement”, who are highly experienced in community engagement within the education sector.

Community Engagement with parents, staff, students, and the broader community will commence towards the end of Term 2 and follow into Term 3. Direct school engagement will begin with St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly in Week 9 this Term and following on in our four Primary schools.

Further updates will be sent out in the coming weeks with information, dates, expressions of interest to be involved in parent forums and access to an online ‘Have Your Say’ Survey to capture additional feedback and a collective vision for the future.

We are excited to hear the voice of our community to strengthen and enhance Catholic Education across our schools.
 
Welcome Juana M in Year 3 and her family to St Kieran's. 

    Anna Marsella
    Principal

Our principal Ms Marsella is currently conducting interviews for next years enrolment of Kindergarten students. Please return your application forms to the office as soon as possible.

The safety of all our students is very important to us and this is why we have a number of procedures linked to arrival and dismissal times for our students.  Please remember that no child is to exit the school from Gordon Street unaccompanied. 
Parents wishing to pick up their children from that side of the school must:

• park their car  
• walk into the playground
• collect their child from the playground and then exit the gate onto Gordon Street together. 

 When using car park drive through for either drop off or pick up, parents must not open the boot of the car (from the driver’s seat) and ask the child/ren to go to the back of the car to collect bags. 

Bags should be kept on the floor near where the child/ren is/are seated for easy access when getting out of the car. 

Arrangements must be in place so that students get into the vehicle on the left hand side. 
Children are not to move around to the right side of the vehicle and parents are not to get out of the vehicle. 

Please click here for a copy of the schools Carpark Etiquette guidelines. 

Next Wednesday the whole school will be participating in National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) after morning tea. This year the book being read is “Family Tree” by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh. 

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), attracting nearly 2 million participants. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 22nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

The aim of NSS is to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy,
• promote the value and fun of books,
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,
• promote storytime activities in libraries and communities around the country,
• and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

Premier's Reading Challenge

CONGRATULATIONS to the 22 students who have already finished this year’s Challenge! Let’s keep that total rising.

The teachers have all been given their student’s user names and passwords which they will pass on so books can now be entered online. Please note that any PRC books read in K-3 Library lessons this term have been entered into each student’s PRC reading record.

The student site is easily accessible and can be used to enter the books that have been read:

The Todd Woodbridge Cup is a Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4), tennis team-based event, that is not just about selecting the best students or even students with experience playing tennis, but rather encouraging all students to participate in an inclusive event, providing a positive experience playing tennis, growing friendships, and giving every student the opportunity to represent their school in a team environment. Events will be hosted at various venues throughout Sydney with the winning teams from each event progressing through to a State Final which will be held at Sydney Olympic Park in Term 4.

Competition Information:
·  Teams of 4 boys & 4 girls (1 additional boy and 1 additional girl as substitutes may also be named if required, teams can only substitute players between rounds)
·  Cost is $40/team to cover event costs
·  All players to wear school sports uniforms
·  Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from the venue

Dates:
·  Monday 8 August: Keirle Park Tennis Centre
·  Tuesday 16 August: Collaroy Tennis Club
 
If you are interested in registering for this opportunity, please send an email to the office to be forwarded to Nick Labone (re Todd Woodbridge Cup).

To reschedule your session the available dates are Sat 14 May, Sunday 15 May, Sat 28 May and Sunday 29 May for time slots between 3pm-5pm due to best lighting at this time of day.
Please email Natasha Obad Tashyo@live.com to change your photo session times.

The Canteen is open Wednesday to Friday for online orders only for recess and lunch. Orders will be taken to the classroom for students.  There is no over-the-counter orders or service.  
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 Thank you,
     Nicole and Domeniki

Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's "Parental Guidance", the founder of happyfamilies.com.au, and one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. He is the owner of Parenting Ideas. His article for parents this week is: "Connecting with your kids"

Evergreen Music
Junior and Senior Band has commenced with Evergreen Music.  Please click here for information regarding enrolment. 

Young Investigators Science - Term 2 Marine Biology 
We have two classes available in Term 2 on both Wednesday & Thursday mornings. To enrol or for further information please click here.  
    Alana Wylie PhD - Eye Heart Science 

Drama
To enrol click here.

     Stephanie Waites, Drama Teacher -  0407 235 914

Chess
Term 2 Chess has commenced on Fridays from1pm - 1.50pm. For further information and to register click here.