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Dear Parents
News came through last night that places of worship are now permitted to increase the number of worshippers from ten to fifty from 1 June. This is good news for our parish community, where for many there has been a great sense of loss as they were unable to join their fellow worshippers in the celebration of the Eucharist. Coincidently, the relaxation of restrictions comes the day after Pentecost Sunday, the traditional birth of the Church. Pentecost also marks the end of the Easter season. We look forward to the time when we can unite again in the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of the Eucharist in Mass. Students are asked to wear a touch of red this Monday in recognition of Pentecost.
This week has seen a successful return to school for our students and teachers, and I would imagine parents too! The pastoral care of our students has been our priority. We have all been through a time of deep impact in our lives and on the education of our children. Despite this, I can confidently report that our students are very happy to be back at school with their peers once more and learning in what is the optimum learning environment. This success has hinged upon the preparation of the teachers and the willing cooperation of our families. Each day this week, the procedures for pickup have run more smoothly every afternoon. I want to thank all our families for your cooperation and support, to those who have volunteered with the afternoon dismissal and the messages of support from parents.
While we have been focusing on the wellbeing of our students, the week has been full of activity. (Mrs Rose put a call out on behalf of Vinnies for baby items that are desperately needed.) We have been overwhelmed with donations! The Civics and Citizenship Leaders remembered National Sorry Day with classroom visits explaining the significance followed by an Acknowledgement of Country for the Guringai nation who once walked on this land. On Wednesday, members of our school community took part in a recording for a promotional video. The same day saw all our students take part in the Simultaneous Storytelling Time while throughout the week I have been conducting interviews for next year’s Kindergarten. The Year 1 classrooms have had an upgrade to the interactive whiteboards with the installation of new projectors and ceramic boards that are more versatile and user friendly.
Members of the Advisory Council have planned for a gathering of up to ten parents on Monday morning in the hall. There is an online gathering planned as well for Wednesday evening. (Details can be found in the newsletter). The wellbeing of all our community is at the front of our minds at this time and I thank the Advisory Council members for taking on this initiative. I encourage any parents who feel the need to share their experiences or who may need the support of others to attend one or some of these gatherings.
Canteen reopens next week. Many thanks to Hannah Davidson who has been preparing with the ordering of stock and organising volunteers, while at the same time working in the role of school hygienist. Thank you Hannah for all your work over the last three weeks. We look forward to seeing you back in the canteen. A new hygienist will take over the role from Monday (please read canteen news below).
As already mentioned, the afternoon pick up has been working much better than anticipated. Two things that would assist to make it even smoother:
- Ensure your family name is visible
- Stay in your car during pick up
Finally, a link was emailed this week to a survey from the CSO regarding HBL and the lockdown period. I encourage you to complete the brief survey, as it will help inform and prepare for future arrangements if necessary. The school will also be sending home a questionnaire over the next few weeks in the lead up to parent teacher interviews. More information regarding reports and interviews will be sent home at a later date.
God Bless
Michael Gallagher
Principal
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2020 School Dates and Terms
June
Mon 1: Wear a touch of Red to celebrate Pentecost
Mon 8: Public Holiday
July
Thurs 2: End Term 2 for students
Fri 3: Staff Development Day - Pupil Free (CSO mandated)
Mon 20: Term 3 commences
September
Thurs 24: End Term 3 tbc
October
Mon 12: Term 4 commences
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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Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week.
27 May: Allegra C and Lachlan D
31 May: Alana R
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From the Assistant Principal
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Homework Term 2
As explained at the start of this newsletter, our focus this week and for the remainder of this term is the well being of our students. It is crucial that our students settle comfortably back into their learning routines and that the teachers use the time to analyse their students’ needs while structuring strong learning experiences to meet these needs.
As such, we’ve made the decision that for the remainder of the term, the only expectation around Homework will be reading. We encourage all students to spend some time each night reading as this enhances the sense of student wellbeing, particularly if it is a text they enjoy. Reading is a positive way to further develop a variety of skills in Literacy as it can boost the development of vocabulary, comprehension and even writing skills.
If you have any queries about this, please contact me at school.
Kind regards,
Marisa Bombardieri
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Enrolments 2021
Do you have a sibling starting Kindergarten in 2021? Enrolments are now open.
Regards
Julia Postle
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KB: Clancy B, Lauryn W and Emma H
1B: Emme O and Charlie C
1W: Fletcher C and Jude C
2B: Nadi I
2W: Sofia M and Oscar M
3B: Ian G and Erica K
3W: Aidan C and Jacob B
4B: Sophie O, Lauren O and Sam M
4W: Ivy V and Max D
5B: Zoe M and April U
5/6: Ronan H and Maddi R
6B: Braylon D and Mila C
PE: Sophie N and Asten F
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Religious Education
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHOLIC CHURCH
We will be wearing a touch of red on Monday to celebrate Pentecost.
Acts 2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Pentecost is the time the friends of Jesus were strengthened by the Holy Spirit. They left their hiding place and went forth into the world to teach the lessons they learnt from Jesus.
Like Jesus and the disciples how might we spread God’s message of love to those around us?
Celebrate at Home
Red is the liturgical colour for Pentecost. Add a red festive touch to your meal table: eg, red candle, red flower, red serviettes, red balloon. Enjoy!
Pray
Teach your child this simple, powerful prayer: "Come, Holy Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love."
Remember
As a parent, you are doing an amazing job. Ask the Holy Spirit for whatever grace, gift or strength you most need this week.
The Diocese of Broken Bay invites parents to participate in Home based spirituality.
Please use this link to reflect with other parents about their spirituality
The second link is a prayerful reflection on how your day is going so far.
Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar
Religious Education Coordinator.
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COVID 19 Procedures for Students
Students are to:
- Wash their hands when arriving at school
- Wash hands after recess, lunch and sport activities
- Bring their own water bottles. Do not drink from bubblers.
- Sneeze or cough into their elbow
- Not to touch their face
- Not share cups, food, drinks or utensils
COVID 19 Procedures for Parents
- Do not enter the school. Please drop children at the gate.
- If you have been given permission to enter the school, sanitise hands before entry.
- Late arrivals and early leavers will be entered by the office staff.
- Keep students at home if unwell.
COVID 19 Procedures for Visitors
- Sanitise hands before entry into the school
- All visitors required to sign in using the Compass device. When finished, wipe screen with antibacterial wipe/spray.
- Complete the questionnaire
A school hygienist has been employed until the end of term and is sanitising high contact surfaces. You may wish to provide your child with sanitising wipes which they can use for their personal belongings and workspace.
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Library News
LIBRARY BORROWING
Borrowing from the school library will resume from next week. Please ensure that your child has returned all the books they borrowed last term and remember to have a library bag when it is their day to borrow. K, 1, 2 and stage 3 borrow on Tuesdays, Year 3 on Wednesdays, 4K on Thursdays and 4G on Fridays.
BOOK COVERING
If you are one of my wonderful parents who cover books, I would like to resume sending books home. There are quite a few to be covered! Please let me know if you are unable to continue doing this either via your child or the school office. Otherwise I will recommence sending books home from next week. Thank you.
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National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday, the whole school participated in this event with over 1 million other students around Australia and New Zealand. The year 6 students were able to watch it with their buddies and they were all very excited to be together again. This was a wonderful whole school event to encourage the joy of reading.
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Premier's Reading Challenge
Congratulations to the 30 students who have already completed the PRC this year and well done to those students who are logging their books to reach their goal. Remember, the PRC closes on August 28.
It is still quite difficult to access hard copies of books but don’t forget there are some very good online
- eBooks: Login Id: SKMV Password: school
- Storybox: username: stkieransmv password: school
Many classes are also using Epic! to access books.
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Year 3 Art
During HBL (Home Based Learning) the Year 3 students showcased their artistic talents by recycling and putting finished paper rolls to good use. The students created mandala style artworks and some made 3D sculptures. The results were creative and beautiful. Well done Year 3 artists! Click here to view their creations. |
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We are excited to be re-opening the Canteen next week (Week 6). Thank-you to those who have confirmed their availability for the coming weeks.
In light of the current situation, we are making a few changes in the Canteen:
- All recess and lunch orders need to be pre-ordered via QKR. Cut off time is 8.30am. We are changing to a cashless Canteen so that we can reduce the number of volunteers required due to the size of the Canteen and for hygiene reasons. This will not affect the availability of any items, they will just need to be pre-ordered.
- There will be no over-the-counter service
- We will only require 2 volunteers maximum each day.
- We can no longer accept IOU’s. If you miss the cut off or if your child forgets their lunch, you will be contacted to make payment via the office using EFTPOS for the order to be confirmed.
- Additional hygiene practices will be in place throughout the day, including extra surface cleaning, hand washing and gloves will be provided to our volunteers.
Thank-you again to our volunteers.
Hannah Davidson, Canteen Co-ordinator
0438 433 231
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Orders are due by Saturday 6 June 2020
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Vinnies Request
Social Justice Update
A huge thank you to all in the community who were able to contribute to the current “all things baby” drive we are holding at the moment for Vinnies.
I was able to deliver quite a large quantity of mostly nappies and wipes to the centre at Brookvale on Wednesday afternoon. They were speechless and so grateful that we have the plight of Mums and their bubs in our hearts. We will continue this drive and I will continue to drop whatever we collect down to Vinnies each Wednesday afternoon until the end of the term. Thank you again.
Nappies and baby things are expensive and we have been told that Vinnies is also in need of anything canned, so with that in mind there will be a box left outside in the office area that has the label “Can you spare a Can”
If, and only if you are able, we would love you to drop a can or two of tinned food into the box and I will see that these get delivered to Vinnies as well. Last year we had a competition between grades but, in these highly challenging times, we think it better to just make giving an option for those who can.
I have added the Vinnies note from last week (below) just in case you didn’t get to read it as it has a list of items that Vinnies are the most in needed. Vinnies are also requesting items for their Youth Winter Appeal and a copy of their requirement are linked here.
Your generosity and community spirit does not go unnoticed. I am so proud to be a part of the St. Kieran’s School Community.
Thank you again.
Wendy Rose, Karen Hughes and the Mission Team.
For those of you who are financially able at this time, St Vincent de Paul are looking for the following items to be brought into school and given to your child’s class teacher. We will then deliver them to the collection and distribution centre at Brookvale.
Things that are in desperate need are:
- Nappies: Newborn, 6-11kg and 10-15 kg Nappy Pants.
- Nappy rash powders and cream
- Baby wipes
- Baby formula
- Baby bath wash
- Baby bottles (BPA free)
- Baby food
- Any tinned food.
Once again, thank you for your unending support and please be totally at peace to know that we are only asking for support from our community who are able to offer it at this time.
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Insights - 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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Parent Hub
The Catholic Schools Office Broken Bay has launched The Parent Hub COVID 19 to support parents and carers during this unprecedented time. The Hub includes information on fee relief, wellbeing, working from home and other helpful resources. To access this site click here Parent Hub.
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Masses
Parish Masses have recommenced with a limit of 50 people from 1 June. You can still view Masses online.
For all Parish Bulletins from the Catholic Community of North Harbour please click here.
Parish Masses Live Streaming Link or via YouTube.
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Walking the Way
This is a school-based initiative in the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, designed to encourage parents in their sacred task of accompanying their children on their journey with God. There are four elements:
- Book and Video
- E-Bulletin
- Parent Gatherings
- Annual Retreat
To access their latest E-Bulletin please click here. |
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