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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to Term 4, which is always an exciting term, Year 6 start to prepare to move on to high school and we welcome our new Kindergarten students to our school for Early birds transition.
Changes to student drop off and pick up
You will have by now noticed the new fence has been installed. This week the video security system will be attached to the gate. All students and visitors need to enter the school grounds, via the front gate or the gate between the church and administration building. There will be no more access to the school near Kinder, or through Mary’s door on the back verandah.
The gates will be unlocked for student access from 8.20am and will lock at 9.20am. The gates will then unlock at 3.00pm and will lock again once all students have left the site. If you require access to the school during the day to drop off or pick up your child, you will need to press the intercom to be let in.
I would like to thank the Diocese for their support in increasing our school security.
My Visit to the Holy Land
During my time in the Holy Land, I had the opportunity to visit many holy and historical sites. I was so incredibly lucky to have met so many wonderful Israeli and Palestinian people and was struck by the desire of the people living in the Holy Land to live peacefully. I am so sad to be hearing the news coming out of the country and am thinking how the innocent children and their families are now impacted so severely again by the inhumane acts of others.
We also visited the Holy Child School in Bethlehem. This school provides specialist programs for children who suffer from complex mental health and exposure to intergenerational trauma. These children showed such joy at being able to welcome us to their school and loved playing soccer and basketball with us at lunch time.
I will share more of my visit in upcoming newsletters.
Welcome Fletcher
I am very happy to let you know that Mrs Bonser, Jarrod, Jack, and Hugo welcomed Fletcher to their family during the holidays. All are doing very well.
NSW teaching gems – celebrate your teachers.
The wisdom and expertise of teachers shines brightly in our NSW schools, communities, homes, and vibrant workforce.
Tell us who illuminates your school community by logging a NSW teaching gem this #WTD2023. A gem is a teacher or educator who is important to you.
Access the NSW teaching gems map and let your teachers know you care by pinning a gem to the map in their honour.
JAFA
Thank you for all your support for JAFA last term. I was extremely disappointed to miss it. But am looking forward to seeing the video when it is ready. Keep an eye out in the next week or so for the DVD and photo order forms.
Please join me in a prayer for all the innocent people who are caught in the terrible conflict in the Holy Land. I pray that they can feel safe and that the countries are able to work towards reconciliation and sustained peace.
God Bless
Prime Minister Award
'Being a steward of creation’, ‘Trying your best’, ‘Speaking with kindness’ and ‘Being a responsible learner’ are some of the qualities that teachers consider when awarding ‘Prime Minister’ at our weekly assembly. It is an acknowledgement of the student’s efforts and they have the privilege of wearing the badge with honour, of suggesting a focus the school can work on, award Gotchas to other students at lunch time as well as earning Gotchas for themselves. Congratulations to
Mary Mackillop Award - Term 4
This award is presented to one student each term that consistently goes above and beyond to put the needs of others first. This award is founded on one of the most motivating and known sayings of Saint Mary MacKillop “never see a need without doing something about it” (1871). We present this award to someone who follows in Saint Mary’s footsteps by reaching out to the most needy and vulnerable in our school community. Congratulations goes to Ella Housen-Helmer!
As part of our MJR system, we acknowledge and congratulate the following students;
Harley, Peter, Alyssandra, Thomas and Ashlea.
ICAS ASSESSMENTS
Congratulations to Eleanor, Susannah and Sienna on their results in the ICAS Assessment for Science and English.
Teaching Focus Week 1 & 2 Term 4:
Explicitly teach students the four school rules and explain how we can MJR every day by following them.
Explicitly teach students the four school rules and explain how we can MJR every day by following them.
RE News
Catholic Mission’s “Socktober” Launch –
McDonald Jones Stadium Newcastle
On Tuesday 9th October, Will, Ella, Emily and Penny from Year 6, along with Mr B, travelled down to McDonald Jones stadium in Newcastle to attend the launch of Catholic Mission’s ‘Socktober’ fundraising month.
The morning began with a liturgy led by Bishop Kennedy and included a special message of thanks from Sister Carolina from Timor Leste, the country of focus for this years Socktober campaign.
After the liturgy the students then joined in activities on the field at McDonald Jones stadium and we left the day remembering the important message from Bishop Kennedy, in the words of Pope Francis of having our “Hearts on fire and feet on the move”.
The money raised from our ‘Crazy Sock Day’ on Friday 13th October will be donated towards this worthwhile charity as our way of putting into action our ‘feet on the move’ for Catholic Mission.
On Saturday 16th September, Rebecca, Sophie and Olivia Hook completed the sacraments of initiation by making their First Holy Communion. They celebrated their special day by having a supper and cake with the parishioners following mass. We congratulate the Hook family on becoming full members of the Catholic Church. We are so proud of you!
Library News
Each week students come to the library to participate in HSIE lessons and library borrowing, which allows their classroom teacher to complete required tasks. Sometimes this means that library lessons are swapped to accommodate teachers completing training, attending meetings or due to absence. We encourage all students who miss their library lesson, forget books or when lesson days are changed to return and borrow books on any other day.
Tuesday: Year 4,Year 6 & Kindergarten
Wednesday: Year 5
Thursday: Year 2, Year 1
Friday: Year 3
New Books
Book fair is such an important part of our library program. Each book and item sold enables us to earn a commission and spend on new books.... We are so excited to purchase and prepare these new books for borrowing thanks to every person that supported book week and book fair!
Children's University
It has been great seeing all the learning that the Children’s University students have been doing, lots of new skills being observed and practiced. Our Newcastle representative Ave will be here in week 2 to measure and try on graduation gowns in preparation for the big event on the 22nd November. Permission notes have gone home. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me (kate.monkley@mn.catholic.edu.au)
| WEEK | DATE | EVENT |
| 2 | 20th October | Kinder 2024 Orientation Morning |
| 3 | 27th October | Yr 6 Fundraiser - Snow Cone Day |
| 28 October | Paint and Sip Fundraiser event | |
| 4 | 3rd November | Earlybirds Program starts |
| 5 | 6th November | Wingham High Info night |
| 10th November | Earlybirds | |
| 6 | 17th November | Earlybirds |
| 7 | 22nd November | Children's University Graduation |
| 24th November | Earlybirds - Yr 6 Fundraiser - Fun afternoon | |
| 8 | 28th November | Wingham High Yr 7 2024 Orientation Day |
| 29th November | Treasure Trove | |
| 1st December | St Clare's Peer Support Day | |
| 9 | 5th December | Yr 6 Graduation |
| 10 | 12th December | Awards & Advent Liturgy |
| 14th December | Movie Day and Disco | |
| 15th December | Term 4 ends | |
| 18th December | PUPIL FREE DAY | |
| 19th December | PUPIL FREE DAY |
