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3 February 2022

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Dear Parents

A warm 2022 welcome to all our families for the new school year.  I trust after a well deserved holiday break you feel rejuvenated for a brand new year of excitement with new adventure, opportunities and priorities for the school. I am so excited to be here with you and to serve this welcoming and family oriented school community as your new principal. I hope you had a chance to see my FaceBook post introducing me as the new principal. This post will tell you a little about me.
 
It was so uplifting to see the students’ smiles and excitement mixed with nervous energy as they entered the school gate on Monday.  They were so happy to see their friends again and in awe of their new teacher.  Yesterday we welcomed the new kinder students and their families with a morning tea.  It was obvious the students were so well prepared by the family, pre-school and transition to school orientation led by the school late last year.  Parents, you have done an amazing job to prepare your child for a successful start to the year. I look forward down the track to a back to normal school life.  I know I can not wait to be able to meet with you personally in the playground and to engage with you in all the activities, events and invitations we have planned for you.  Let’s be patient for a little while longer as we manage this new wave of Covid restrictions. Then we can reap the benefits of a full school life program and celebrate together our mission: “To learn and to love” as a community.
 
I met the teachers for the first time on Friday 31 January.  I led them through a vision and mission collaborative exercise so we could focus on our priorities, values and intentions for the school, but importantly for each child. We are committed to ensure we assist each child flourish in their learning growth and wellbeing.  Through our differentiated learning programs we will help our students ‘reach for the stars’ by setting realistic and achievable targets that help them reach their potential and be the best version of themselves. We will set high expectations, high challenges and provide students with high support as a road map to reaching their potential.  I have every confidence that the dedicated teaching staff will do the very best for your child because they deserve it.  We are scheduled to have a parent information evening when we can either meet with you personally or online to communicate the school priorities and class expectations. It is very important that we work from the same page and know what is our common work together in partnership.  More information will come about this event.
 
Student voice and developing student leadership is very high on my agenda.  In addition to all Year 6 having specific leadership roles in the school, we are introducing a Student Representative Council (SRC) in Years 3 to 5. Students elected by their class peers will have an opportunity to lead class meetings and discussions about topics they believe are important to improving student and school life.  Children have an enormous capacity to view the world around them and bring their perspective to reaching solutions.  We want these young leaders to have a say to shape the school we are all part of as a community. This initiative is also a stepping stone to Year 6 leadership roles. Year 6 will have a role to mentor these young leaders as well. I will communicate to the Year 3 to 5 parents shortly the criteria and selection process for this new initiative.
 
During this Covid time of restrictions we will endeavour to do our very best to bring to the students and at home the same types of programs like the extra curricular activities (Band, Science Club, Drama Club, Coding and Yoga) and school assemblies through a covid safe way.  For example our Monday morning Assemblies will be online in classrooms so the students do not miss out on receiving their Merit Awards, have their birthdays acknowledged, sing the Anthem, have the Acknowledge to Country, Flag raising and pray together).  To keep the community safe we need to keep the classes in their cohort groups and avoid mixing where possible.  The RAT testing routine of twice a week for staff and students will help us monitor any outbreaks early, isolate for 7 days and return to school after a negative result while keeping the school operating as normal. It’s been an unsettling two years of remote learning at home. We want to do everything we can to keep the school open and avoid going back to home learning.  Your cooperation with this strategy is so greatly appreciated.  If you do need to come onto the school site you must wear a mask and be double vaccinated. We can do this so we can return to normal school life and engagement.
 
I conclude my first newsletter with this prayer I wrote for the school community and shared with the teachers when we met for the first time.  It is called ‘I Dream a School’. It outlines my vision for St Kieran’s and what I dream for each family, child, staff member in partnership with the parish and you.  It will tell you a lot about me and my educational philosophy.  I hope it brings you comfort in this way of getting to know me and what I aspire for you at St Kieran’s.
 
I am here for you. Please feel free to contact the office to make an appointment to see me or make time to talk via phone any time.  The journey for us is to begin with an ambitious dream, to listen to each other and talk about the things that are important to addressing your children’s needs.
 
With my best wishes for the year ahead for us.
Anna
    Anna Marsella
    Principal

  Staff List 2022 - meet the staff

Welcome new staff and families:
Mrs Donna Hoy - new Music Teacher
Mrs Vanessa Ryan - return from maternity leave.
Students & families:.....

Premier's letter to families

Proposed 2021 School Dates

February
Tues 8:  Opening School Mass
Fri 11:  Pupil Free Day - MAI testing
Mon 14:  Robotics Yr 6
Tues 15: Kindergarten Information Evening 6-7pm - Meet the new Principal and Kinder teachers
Thurs 17:  Yrs 1 - 6 Parent Information Evening - Meet the new Principal and teachers (via Zoom) tbc
Sat 12:  10am Kindy Family Picnic
Mon 21: Yr 6 Robotics
Fri 25:  Primary Soccer Skills Clinic
Sun 27: Yr 4 Family Mass 9.30am
Mon 28: Yr 5 Robotics
              NSW Premier's Reading Challenge opens
March
Wed 2: Ash Wednesday
Fri 4:  Primary Soccer Skills Clinics
           School's Clean Up Australia Day
           Kindy Parents Night out
Mon 7: Northern Beaches Swim Carnival
            Y5 5 Robotics
Fri 11: Primary Soccer Skills clinic
Mon 14:  Yr 4 Robotics
Tues 15:  Yr 3 boys to St Paul's
                Open Day for prospective parents 9:15am and 6:30
                Broken Bay Swim Carnival
Fri 18: Yr 6 Assembly Sun 20: Yr 2 Family Mass
Mon 21:  Yr 4 Robotics
               Parent / Teacher interviews this week
Fri 25:  Kindy mum's catch up tbc
Mon 28: Yr 3 Robotics
April
Mon 4:  Yr 3 Robotics
Tues 5: Stage 2 Cricket/Soccer Gala Day
Thurs 7:  Stage 3 Cricket/Soccer Gala Day
Fri 8: Cross Country tbc
         End Term 1
        Kindy End of Term Picnic 3pm
Fri 15:  Good Friday
Monday 25:  ANZAC DAY
Tues 26:  Term 2 Commences

Please note that dates may be subject to change.  Remember to check your Compass App for any updates.
 

2022 Term Dates

Term 1:  Friday 28 January Teachers return to Friday 8 April
               Monday 31 January Yrs 1 - 6 commence to Friday 8 April
               Wednesday 2 February Kinder 2022 commences 
Term 2: Tuesday 26 April to Friday 1 July
Term 3:  Monday 18 July to Friday 23 September
Term 4:  Monday 10 October to Friday 16 December (students)

 

Did you know that the Compass Calendar updates automatically to our website?  It's easy to view on your mobile phone. Click on the button below to access.

School Dates

Religious Education 

Prayer
Is an uplifting of the heart,
A glance toward heaven,
A cry of gratitude and love,
In times of sorrow
As well as of joy.

 
The range of prayer Jesus offers us in the gospels are extensive. Using Jesus’ example, we too pray in many forms. Like Jesus in the desert, we practice mediation and mindfulness, contemplating our life and our place in the world. As Jesus cried out on the cross, we too turn to God in times of need and great sorrow. As Jesus welcomed the children, we too gaze with wonder and awe at the world around us. Jesus gave us the words for the ‘Our Father’ and the template for many styles of prayer.

Prayer is about finding God in the present moment of our lives: in our relationships, in the choices we make, in our anxieties and hopes, and in the challenges that make up our day. Prayer is not just about reciting set verses, although set prayers play their part in community prayers.

During the day students are given time to touch base with God. They pray age-appropriate formal prayers of our Church and parish. They reflect on the gifts they have been given and how they can share them with others. With an attitude of gratitude, our school prayers acknowledge the hands that make our lunch and provide us with a safe home in which to live. The wonder and awe with which the children view their world is a prayer. Perhaps, most importantly the way the students care for each other is the ultimate prayer of the day. 

Children can teach each us much about prayer. Their prayers are simple prayers of love, gratitude and asking for their needs. They see the God of creation in the simple experiences of life. Life at school incorporates many types of prayer throughout the day.

Yours in Religious Education
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

Student Medication

If your child requires medication while at school please send it to the school office with the appropriate instructions and updated documentation.  Any medication must be approved by a medical practitioner.  Please check the expiry date on any medication before sending it to school.

Student Supervision

Teachers are on duty at school from 8.15am to 3.10pm.
Classes commence each day at 8.45am.
Dismissal times:

  • 2.45pm for Carpark - Blue and Green Colour House
  • Colour HousesYellow and Red 2.55pm for Carpark -
  • 2.55pm for bus and playground pick up

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated a birthday during the holidays and this week:

2 Jan: Violet S and Xavier P
10 Jan: Sebastian DS
13 Jan: Sofia M
15 Jan: Emily R
16 Jan: Charlie C and Lorenzo R
17 Jan: Sophia D and Blake D
20 Jan: Sarah C, Valerie D and Olivia M
29 Jan: Archer M
2 Feb: Jake B
5 Feb: Emilia G

SCHOOL  NEWS

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

KB: Leon C and Louisa K
KW: Stella L and Jad M
1B Xavier P and Anneliese H
2B:  Caden B and Ryker C
3B: Harry H and Jack L
3W: Carter A and Chloe P
4B:  Oscar M and Sofia M
4W: Tash M and Toby S
5B: Chelsea A and Riley R
5W: Milla C and Jacob B
6B: Asten F and Michael L
PE: Jack L and Bailey K

Important

All visitors to the school must sign in via the Compass kiosk located at school reception and the Service NSW QR code.

Dismissal Times: 
2.45pm for Carpark - Blue and Green Colour Houses
2.55pm for Carpark - Red and Yellow Colour Houses
2.55pm for bus and playground pick up

Any student who is attending and shows COVID symptoms will be sent home and must return a negative COVID test result before returning.

School Uniform



A reminder that any student with long hair must have it tied back. 

Wearing the correct St Kieran’s uniform affirms the pride our students have in being a part of such a wonderful learning community.  Our students maintain a level of regard and esteem by ensuring they are wearing all the correct components of our school uniform.  We ask parents to ensure that the correct items are purchased and thank you for your consideration.

Internet Agreements and Safer Internet Day

Internet Agreement Forms
This week your child would have received their Internet Agreement Form to bring home for both you and your child to read through together.

Please take the time to read the expectations of using school devices with your child and return the returned form no later than Monday 7 February. Please be aware that the form for K-2 is different to the form for 3-6 students. Unfortunately any student who has not returned their form will not be permitted to use devices until their teacher has received the completed form. We thank you for your support.
 
 
Safer Internet Day 
Celebrated in 170 countries, Safer Internet Day is designed to bring the world together to make the internet a safer, more positive place. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner’s campaign theme for 2022 is #PlayitFairOnline.
 
Next week students will participate in a range of activities to recognise Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 8 February. As part of recognising the day, students will be reminded of appropriate and respectful behaviour when using the internet and will be encouraged to “play it fair online” by engaging appropriately with others online and to report any hurtful language or harmful content to a trusted adult.  
 
Sadly the eSafety Commissioner recently published that 1 in 5 young people reported being abused, threatened or socially excluded online. With students having an increased online presence, it is essential that they feel confident to speak up and know who to seek assistance from if such a situation arises. 
 
To learn more about the day and to seek further information on tips to guide your child to have safer experiences online, please access the parent resources on the e-safety commissioner’s website

Lost Property

The beginning of the year is a great time to check that all your child's property is labelled. Name tags fade and 'run' in the wash and are often illegible. Teachers ask students to pop their jackets and belongings in their bag as soon as they take them off. A chat at home about looking after personal property, being responsible and putting belongings straight in their bag would be greatly appreciated. Lost property will be hung on the hooks outside the girls' bathrooms or left in the lost property bucket outside the Year 1 room. 
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, 
     Mrs Wetzlar 

Sport Days - Sport Uniform

Students are to wear their sport uniform on the following days:
  • Kinder:  Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Year 1:  Tuesday and Thursday
  • Year 2: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Year 3:  Tuesday and Friday
  • Year 4: Tuesday and Friday
  • Year 5 & 6: Wednesday and Friday

Library Days 

If your child is in Kinder, Yr 1, Yr 2 or Yr 3 please ensure your child has their library bag each Tuesday.  Students will be unable to borrow books without a library bag.

Students in Yr 4 will have library on Friday and Stage 3 students on Thursday.

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen Open - Online Orders Only 

The Canteen is open 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.  
Facebook

EXTRA CURRICULA OPPORTUNITIES

Evergreen Music
Enrolments are now open for Mixed Ensembles on a Tuesday morning prior to school.  All instruments including voice are catered for. Please click here for information. 

Young Investigators Science - Term 1 Enrolment
We have two classes available in Term 1 on both Wednesday & Thursday mornings commencing next week.  The topic for Term 1 is 'Space - Exploring the wonders of the universe'. To enrol or for further information please click here.  
    Alana Wylie PhD - Eye Heart Science
 

Term 1 Drama
To enrol click here.
     Stephanie Waites, Drama Teacher -  0407 235 914


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:
Screen time habits for good eye health

Before and After School Care Contact Details
Compass Guide for Parents

PARISH NEWS

Masses

First Reconciliation Information Session for Parents scheduled for Tuesday 8 February and Wednesday 9 February cancelled.  The information will be presented via video and the link will be sent to all parents (with children who received the sacrament of Confirmation last year) this week. Group Facilitator meetings with Janette will be held via Zoom.
 
Our Baptism of Young Children Program (for children aged 7 – 11 years) will commence on Sunday 13 February 2022, prior to the beginning of the 2022 – 2023 Children’s Sacramental Program.
 
Interested in becoming a Catholic? If you are an un-baptised adult, a baptised adult from another Christian faith, a baptised Catholic who has not received all the sacraments or attend Mass because of a loved one and are seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith, you are warmly welcome to join others on a similar journey. Our first meeting is planned for Saturday 5 February at 10.30am and will be held in the parish centre.
For further information about the above please contact Janette on 0408 866 521 or at sacraments@northharbourcatholic.org.au

MASSES Livestreaming will continue for the next week and once that ends recorded Homilies will continue. 
  • 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.
Copyright © 2022 St Kieran’s Manly Vale, All rights reserved.


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