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29 January 2021
Email Us
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Dear Parents
A very warm welcome back to school for 2021. It was a delight to see the enthusiastic faces of the children and many of our parents yesterday morning as students in Year 1 – 6 returned for the new school year. This year we welcome back three students and their families; Raphy M, Maeve S and Violet S, returning to St Kieran’s after a year or more absence and Mia L to Year 2. Kindergarten formally starts on Monday morning.
As we saw at the end of last year, COVID outbreaks can creep up very quickly. I know many of our families had holiday plans altered due to the sudden changes but I do hope that you were able to have a decent holiday. With the start of the new school year, we have the opportunity to instil in our students a sense of hope and positivity for the year ahead while at the same time being conscious that the situation can change very quickly. Last year we learnt that we could adapt swiftly to new circumstances. Positive talk is very important for our children in maintaining an optimistic view on things. As Michael Grose recommends, “There is great power in kids watching us practise how we manage hardships, frustrations and difficulties. Whether we use self-kindness or self-put downs, either will leave an impression on our kids. Not only do they see how we react when we stumble or make mistakes, but we give them permission to act in the same ways.” Let us be prepared but optimistic for what the year might throw at us.
Some COVID restrictions continue to ease however many remain in place. If you are visiting the school to meet a teacher or volunteering for canteen, you still need to sign in on the Compass Kiosk or using the NSW Services app. Sanitise upon arrival at the school but do not visit if you feel unwell. The change in dismissal times means that car park pick up is busier this year but we will continue to monitor. Please remember car park pick up is open to 3.10pm so waiting until the end means less traffic and congestion in King St.
Due to COVID restrictions, our Beginning of Year School Liturgy on Friday 5 February will be held in the playground. During this liturgy, we would normally welcome our families and students, especially those new to St Kieran’s. Unfortunately, parents will be unable to attend. Our student leaders will be commissioned and presented with their badges at this time as well as welcoming our beautiful Kindergarten students.
As was advised in the last few newsletters of last year, Friday 12 February is the Mathematical Assessment Interview (MAI) day where the class teacher assesses a number of students. This is a Pupil Free Day. More information about online bookings will be available next week.
Last year we called for volunteers for a variety of roles for 2021. While we had a reasonable response, however we are still in need of carpark and canteen volunteers. Please contact the school office if you are able to help, even if it is only once a month or so.
I ask you to remember in your prayers the Conlon family (Year 6) after the sudden passing of Kirsty’s father during the school holidays.
Finally, I pray that the year ahead be a safe and prosperous one for all our school community, where we are blessed with the support of each other, our parish and our loving God.
Principal
Michael Gallagher
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No Entry Reminder
Due to COVID restrictions parents are reminded not to cross the school grounds. For the first few weeks of Term 1 K - 2 parents are permitted to be on the playground if necessary.
Parents may only come to Reception via the Gordon St entrance.
Dismissal Times
2.50pm for Carpark
2.55pm for Bus and Gordon St collection
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2020 School Dates and Terms
February
Mon 1: Kinder commence
Fri 5: Opening School Liturgy
Mon 8 Cross Country
Fri 12: MAI testing - Pupil Free Day
Tues 16: Kinder Parent Information evening 6pm
Wed 17: Ash Wednesday
Fri 19: Yoga Yrs 3 and 4
Tues 23: Year 3 Boys to St Paul's
March
Mon 1: Open Classrooms for Literacy 9am
Tues 2: Northern Beaches Combined Swim Carnival
Fri 5: Yoga Ys 3 and 4
Tues 9: 6pm Broken Bay Swim Carnival
Fri 12: Yoga Yrs 3 and 4
Tues 16: Open Day tbc
Mon 22: Parent /Teacher interviews this week
Tues 23: Stage 2 Gala Day
Thurs 25: Stage 3 Gala Day
Fri 26: Yoga Yrs 3 & 4
April
Thurs 1: End of Term 1
Mon 19: Term 2 commences
May
Mon 24: Athletics Carnival at Narrabeen
June
Thurs 24: End Term 2 for students
Fri 25: Staff Development Day - Pupil Free
July
Mon 12: Term 3 Commences
Fri 23: Grandparents Day tbc
August
Thurs 12: Northern Beaches Athletics Carnival
September
Thurs 16: End term 3 for students
Fri 17: Staff Development Day - Pupil Free tbc
October
Tues 5: Term 4 Commences
December
Wed 15: Last day for students
Please note that dates may be subject to change. Remember to check your Compass App for any updates.
2021 Term Dates
Term 1: Wednesday 27 January to Thursday 1 April (Good Friday 2 April)
Term 2: Monday 19 April to Friday 25 June
Term 3: Monday 12 July to Friday 17 September
Term 4: Tuesday 5 October to Friday 17 December
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Student Assessments and Information
Welcome back to a new year! It is wonderful to see so many happy, well-rested and eager students back at school. A new year brings with it the hopes and aspirations of many wonderful things for all.
Teachers spend the first few weeks of the year establishing routines and developing connections with their students. Students are assessed so that teachers can identify their specific “point of need” in order to then design learning programs that meet those needs. Our 2021 Kindergarten students have spent the last two days being assessed in Literacy and Numeracy as part of the Best Start program. On February 12, our students Years 1-6 will undertake the Mathematics Assessment Interview. There will be more information regarding arrangements for this day to follow.
Teachers also spend time finding out about their students’ talents and interests. We understand that parents are the ones who know their children best and so are asking if you could share some of your insights regarding your child/ren with the class teacher. We have sent home a form “About My Child” in the hope that you can share with us, information that will assist your child’s transition to a new grade. We ask that the form kindly be returned to the appropriate class teacher by Tuesday 2 February.
MAI Assessment Day Friday 12 February
We have set aside a day for MAI (Mathematical Assessment Instrument) assessments on Friday 12 February. This assessment is crucial to identifying the exact needs of your child in Maths and as many of you know, involves an in-depth, one to one, 30-minute interview. The teachers in Years 1-6 will be at school conducting the assessments but the school will not be open as a regular school day for students.
This means that parents will have to book an assessment session with their child’s class teacher. This is to be done via the Compass Portal
Instructions for booking through the Compass Portal will be sent home to parents via email early next week.
The bookings have been organised for 30-minute intervals. Some teachers may wish to organise times as early as 7.30 am with the latest assessment period being 4.30pm. Teachers will also need to have break times during the day and so there are a possible 16 or 17 time slots available.
With classes being much larger than this number of time slots, we ask that a system of “first in” is considered for booking assessment sessions. If parents miss out on booking an appropriate time, alternate arrangements will be made for them. It is ideal, however, that parents attempt to secure a spot for 12 February.
Enjoy the weekend!
Marisa Bombardieri, Assistant Principal
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Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week.
29 Jan: Archer M
30 Jan: Ivy A
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Important
All visitors to the school must sign in via the Compass kiosk located at school reception.
Also any student who shows COVID symptoms must not attend school and requires a negative test result before returning.
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Religious Education
Each year our school calendar is populated with Masses and Liturgical celebrations which follow the official Liturgical Year as well as the ebb and flow of our school teaching year. These dates are booked into our school and parish calendars in Nov /Dec the year before. Therefore, as I list the proposed celebrations for Term 1, it is in full knowledge that we are in a fluid situation and that we will adapt to COVID health recommendations as we go. At the moment our game plan is as follows.
Prepared by Yr 6, our Opening School Liturgy will be in the playground at 10am with Fr Dave Austin OSA and all classes in attendance. There will be a commissioning of our Yr 6 Leaders and Kindy will be welcomed into our school community.
The Burning of the Palms in preparation for Ash Wednesday will occur in the area between the Parish Centre and the Church on Tuesday 9 February, led by Fr Paul Maloney OSA. Yrs 3 & 4 will be attending.
Ash Wednesday Mass to be attended by Yrs 2-6 will be celebrated at 10am on Wednesday 17 February. Our celebrant will be Fr Paul.
Holy Week Liturgies will be held in the week commencing 29 March with K -6 preparing and leading the Liturgies.
At this stage, Sunday Family Masses have been postponed.
At the moment we are only allowed to gather as the student population. As soon as we are able to invite parents and friends to our celebration we will joyfully do so.
Fr John Sullivan OSA will be visiting each class this term to celebrate a class liturgy or Mass prepared by the students.
Yours in Religious Education,
Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar
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2021 Teaching Staff
KB: Mrs Jane Hocking
KW: Miss Sarah Morgan
1B: Mrs Michelle Leydon and Mrs Karen Hughes
2B: Mr Nick Labone
2W: Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar and Mrs Lucy Middleton (Thurs)
3B: Mrs Karen Sullivan
3W: Mrs Monique Wright
4B: Mr Tim Huskins
4W: Mrs Geraldine Watson
5B: Miss Jedda Kassis
5/6: Miss Gabrielle Williams
6B: Mrs Christina Ucchino
Library: Mrs Liz McGuire
PE: Mrs Lucy Middleton
Music: Mr Jordan Waller
Italian: Ms Fabiola Pellegrino
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Homework Term 1
Homework for Term 1 will commence in Week 3 and since Week 7 is “Fallow Week” in our term calendar, there will be no Homework during Week 7. The last week of term is Holy Week and so Homework will not be sent home during Week 10. Homework for Term 1 will be send home Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
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Library News
Welcome back for another exciting year in the library!
Please take note of the day your child is able to borrow books as they must have a library bag.
Parent Help – I always need help for shelving and covering books. If you would like to continue, or to start helping in any way in the library, please email the school or fill in the linked form. If you have not contacted or covered books before or would like a refresher, I will hold a very quick session straight after school at a convenient time.
We will send home about a dozen books for covering once or twice a term at most. If you wish to help shelve books you can choose to come in the morning or afternoon – whichever suits you.
Many thanks
Liz McGuire
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Student Medications
If your child requires medication at school please send their medication and plan to school as soon as possible. Please ensure that all medications are within their expiry dates. If you have new plans please include a copy of the plan.
No medication will be administered unless authorised by a doctor. This includes Panadol, Nurofen, cold and flu remedies, creams etc.
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Uniform Expectations
A very special THANK YOU to the parents and students who have ensured that the correct sports shoes were purchased to start the new year.
It was really noticeable this morning on the playground that so many students were proudly wearing the correct sports uniform, in particular the appropriate sports shoes and socks. Wearing the right St Kieran’s uniform validates pride in being a part of our wonderful learning community and demonstrates respect for our school. We are very proud of our students and want to ensure that they too take pride in being a part of St Kieran’s.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Summer Uniform:
Girls
- Girls summer dress
- White short socks
- Black leather polishable shoes - no coloured markings of any type
Boys
- White short-sleeved shirt
- Navy shorts
- Navy socks
- Black leather polishable shoes - no coloured markings of any type
You will note that the shoes for the summer uniform are “black leather polishable shoes” and the socks for girls are white short socks whereas for the boys they are navy socks.
We ask that black, three-quarter length, socks are not to be worn by either girls or boys as they are not a part of our uniform.
Sports Uniform:
Girls
- Unisex short sleeve polo shirt with school emblem
- Unisex long sleeve polo shirt with school emblem
- Navy pleated sports skirt / skort or unisex shorts
- Navy dance pants
- White socks
- White sandshoes - minimal coloured markings
- Unisex navy track / jacket / pants
Boys
- Blue collared T-shirt with school emblem
- Navy sports shorts
- White socks
- White sandshoes - minimal coloured markings
- Navy tracksuit / jacket / pants
The expectation for all students is that sandshoes for the sports uniform are predominantly white. Minimal coloured markings are allowed and there are a variety of shoes that are mainly white with minimal coloured markings available at sports stores.
Please note that fleuro or brightly coloured sandshoes are not a part of our uniform. There has been an increasing number of these shoes being worn to school, but they are not a part of our school uniform. We ask that if you are purchasing new sports shoes for 2021 that you adhere to the school uniform expectations. The type of sports shoes suitable for school are easily found at the following locations.
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Student Absences
If your child is absent from school please remember to log their absence via Compass. By law, all student absences must be explained. If you don't enter your child's absence on Compass you must send a note to the school.
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Volunteers - Please remember to sign in at the Compass Kiosk at reception when you arrive at school.
Upcoming Volunteers
Week 2
Wed 3 Feb: Nicole Wall
Thurs 4 Feb: Susanne Foale
Fri 5 Feb: Susan Nicols
Week 3
Wed 10 Feb: Nicole Crane
Thurs 11 Feb: Lauren Shaw
Fri 12 Feb: Pupil Free Day
Thank you
Hannah, Canteen Coordinator, 0438 433 231
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Young Investigators Term 1 - Great Scientists
Hi St Kieran’s Manly Vale Science lovers!
We are excited to announce that enrolments are now OPEN for Young Investigators Term 1 2021.
This term, we have two classes available running on both Wednesday & Thursday mornings.
We have a jam packed, exciting term planned, and we hope your Young Investigators are just as eager as we are to get back into the school term.
Please see the enrolment details below and follow the link to enrol!
| Young Investigators Term 1 2021 |
| Topic |
Great Scientists (experiments include: Crystals, D.I.Y Dinosaur Poo and back by popular demand, Chocolate Rocks!) |
| When |
Wednesday & Thursday mornings |
| Time |
7:30- 8:30am |
| Where |
Classroom TBC |
| First Class |
Wednesday 3rd February & Thursday 4th February |
| Last Class |
Wednesday 31st March & Thursday 1st April |
| Cost |
$220 (9 week term) Creative Kids Vouchers accepted* |
ENROL HERE FOR YOUNG INVESTIGATORS TERM 1 2021: https://www.eyeheartscience.com.au/term1-2021
Got a Creative Kids Voucher?
*To use your Creative Kids Voucher, please email us through the following:
- Child’s full name
- Creative Kids Voucher number
- Child’s Date of Birth
Once we have received this, we will send you through a discount code to use when checking out.
If you haven’t yet received your Creative Kids Voucher for 2021, apply here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher
Hope to see you all there!
Cheers
Alana
Alana Wylie PhD
Eye Heart Science
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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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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. Please click on the link for this week's article Helping children grow into their best selves.
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State Government Transport Changes
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Before and After School Care Contact Details
All calls, emails and texts will be returned during Coordinators admin hours which are 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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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.
For information regarding the Sacraments please contact Janette Davidson on 0408 866 521 or via email.
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COVID-19 Updates
For COVID-19 updates and latest news, click here.
VIP Music
Learn Music on Keyboard in the Parish Centre. Click here for information.
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