Week 10 Term 3 2020
Aboriginal Acknowledgement
As we come to gather we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We commit ourselves to actively working alongside Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.
Dear Families,
As we come to the end of another term I look back with a great sense of gratitude and thanks. With everything that is happening in our country and around the world I am thankful that, as a school community, we have been able to operate in our ‘new normal’ so that our students are still achieving their educational and social goals in a safe and supportive environment.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the children, staff and families for all the hard work and commitment which they have shown this term. The goal posts have been continually shifting, however, we have felt nothing but support and understanding throughout this. Not being able to have our families on site has been very challenging but as always it has always been about the health and safety of all that has remained at the forefront of all our decisions. We do not know what next time will bring but I know that we will work together to overcome the obstacles to continue yjr great learning that is happening each and every day.
So THANK YOU, to all who continue to make St Carthage’s School a safe environment which is rich in learning and where students are challenged to do their best in all their endeavours.
I would like to congratulate all students on their achievements this term and I wish students, staff and families all the best for a well-earned break, to relax and refresh to commence Term 4 on Tuesday, 13th October.
Cathedral Fire
Thank you for your support on Friday when the Cathedral was on fire. Unfortunately we had very little notice to alert parents to the change of arrangements but I thank you all for your support and understanding. This incident was random not a targeted attack
Poetry and Public Speaking Finals
Congratulations to students who performed in the Poetry and Public Speaking competition last Monday. Teachers commented positively on the confidence and poise of each of these students as they presented their practiced piece. We were overwhelmed by the professional and skilled way the students spoke, the clarity of their voices, their expression and the maturity displayed by each of them. I would like to thank each of them for accepting the challenge to perform in front of their peers - well done! I would also like to say a huge thank you to Mr Sheridan for his enthusiasm, commitment and foresight in allowing our students the opportunity to expand their literary experiences through this performance!
Our winners:- Poetry Year One - Henry Hogan
Year Two - Tobin Huet
Year Three- Bonnie Hogan and Hayden Ellem
Year Four - Amirah Shah and Elijah Hogan
Year Five – Milla Zorzo
Year Six – Lizzie Maginnity and Tayla Matthews
Public Speaking Year Five – Maude Webster
Year Six – Rue Heffernan
Book Parade
Today we held our annual Book Week Parade. The Book Week theme is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds. What a great book parade we celebrated together. The creativity and thought that went into costumes was amazing !
Well done to everyone for your participation and enthusiasm. A very big thank you to our Year Six students who led our parade today. Thank you also to Mrs Maginnity, Mrs Atlee and Mrs Yates for organising the parade for us!
The videos will be uploaded to Class Dojo soon.
Professional Development Days
Just a reminder that we have a Professional Development Day (PUPIL FREE DAY) on Friday, 25th September and the first day back at school next term, 12th October. Active Kids will be operating on these days if you wish to take advantage of this service. Go to the Active Kids tab on our School Website for information on how to enrol and make a booking. We thank you for supporting us in our Professional Development opportunities.
ICAS Results
We have had a number of students sit the ICAS assessments this term. Whilst we are yet to receive the certificates we have been able to access the results online. We are extremely proud of all the students who sat the ICAS tests. Those student who were absent during the ICAS testing will have the opportunity to sit the tests they missed during the second sitting window in weeks 1 and 2 next term.
Digital Technologies
The following students participated in the Digital Technologies assessment:
Massimo Fuiano, Aiden Boyd, Archie Da Fre, Phillippa Kirch, Georgia Herman, Duncan Kirch, Ellie McKay, Ziggy Lake, Augustus Norwell and Chloe Ryall.
A special mention goes to Duncan Kirch who achieved a distinction.
English
The following students participated in the English assessment:
Adrian Brickhill, Massimo Fuiano, Zachary Johnson, Aiden Boyd, Archie Da Fre, Jimmy Field, Phillippa Kirch, Murphy Ware, Georgia Herman, Lachlan Johnson, Ava King, Duncan Kirch, Ruby Lake, Ellie McKay, Emily Thorneycroft, Ziggy Lake, Augustus Norwell, Chloe Ryall and Scarlett Ware.
A special mention goes to Archie Da Fre, Ava King and Chloe Ryall who all achieved a distinction.
Mathematics
The following students participated in the Mathematics assessment:
Ben Ryall, Adrian Brickhill, Massimo Fuiano, Zachary Johnson, Aiden Boyd, Zachary Cohen, Archie Da Fre, Jimmy Field, Phillippa Kirch, Jenna Ryall, Murphy Ware, Oxford Childs, Georgia Herman, Lachlan Johnson, Ava King, Duncan Kirch, Ruby Lake, Ellie McKay, Emily Thorneycroft, Max Alcorn, Ziggy Lake, Augustus Norwell, Chloe Ryall and Scarlett Ware.
A special mention goes to Ben Ryall and Adrian Brickhill who both achieved a distinction.
Science
The following students participated in the Science assessment:
Adrian Brickhill, Massimo Fuiano, Aiden Boyd, Archie Da Fre, Phillippa Kirch, Murphy Ware, Georgia Herman, Duncan Kirch, Ellie McKay, Jasmine Boyd, Ziggy Lake, Augustus Norwell, Chloe Ryall and Scarlett Ware.
A special mention goes to Duncan Kirch, Ellie McKay and Chloe Ryall who all achieved a distinction.
Spelling Bee
The following students participated in the Spelling Bee assessment:
Adrian Brickhill, Massimo Fuiano, Aiden Boyd, Archie Da Fre, Phillippa Kirch, Jenna Ryall, Murphy Ware, Georgia Herman, Duncan Kirch, Ellie McKay, Jasmine Boyd, Ziggy Lake, Augustus Norwell, Chloe Ryall and Scarlett Ware.
Encouraging students to move from their Heads to their Hearts to their Hands...
Learning from Home Community Conversation - Parent Input
Last week families and school met together via Zoom to discuss the results of the recent family survey on perspectives during COVID lockdown. There was good discussion with a number of outcomes and suggestions for the future.
- Sincere appreciation expressed by families for the efforts of the school staff during difficult times.
- It is a challenge to meet the needs of so many differing family situations at this time.
- The use of ClassDojo was very widely appreciated by parents. Keep using Classroom Dojo post Covid as a communication tool with families.
- There was appreciation that at the beginning of lockdown for the message that parents were only to do what parents felt capable of doing. Parents should not need to see themselves as teachers.
- There was a wide range of educational and social needs mirroring the wide range of families.
- Google Classroom was very much valued. How can we use this to satisfy the diverse needs of families?
- The use of video messages and Zooms was widely appreciated. This could continue as a method of communication and connection for as long as restrictions of parents' presence on school grounds remain in place.
- Parent Assembly could work with class parents to host Parent Assembly facilitated zoom opportunities for family connection during future times of isolation.
- Parents really appreciated feeling more engaged with the learning. Continue to share what students are learning regularly with parents e.g. through simple ClassDojo sharing.
Future steps:
- Continue this conversation at a staff meeting
- Parent Assembly Presentation in Term 4 using Zoom - information to come
- Community Conversation via Zoom focused upon 2020 Kinder Parents
- Community Conversation focused upon 2021 Kinder Family Orientation
Freezer food
Our ‘FAMILY IN NEED’ freezer is usually full of homemade meals thanks to the marvellous generosity of our families. These meals are offered to families who may be going through a rough patch and need some pastoral care. Unfortunately, our freezer is empty!
We would really appreciate it if you could contribute just one meal to our Freezer store. Any meals may be brought to the School Office. (Meals need to have an attached date of cooking and ingredients please.) Thank you in anticipation!
Sacramental News – On the 11 September 2020, Bishop Greg has advised the following:
After taking the advice of the Council of Priests, I have decided that from next year, 2021, Confirmations will begin in grade 3. First Communion will be in grade 4. This will ensure smooth continuance of our Sacramental Program without the need for gigantic Confirmations and First Communions in 2021. This is consistent with the practice in a number of Dioceses. Let’s pray that we will be able to have Confirmations in 2021.
As a result, St Carthage’s draft plan for the 2020-2021 Sacramental Program might look like this:
Soundwaves -
The focus sounds for the following two weeks are:
Support your child in Mathematics
Throughout the holidays there are a variety of ways to engage your child in
Mathematics.
"Talking to children about how Maths is important in their everyday life makes it relevant and real."
Assoc Prof Janette Bobis, University of Sydney
Celebration of Learning (3MW)
3MW has been learning about Cinquain Poems. Cinquain Poems are five-lined poems that describe a person, place or thing.
Sunshine Online
If you are looking for a reading resource to use over the holidays, don't forget Sunshine Online is available to all students at St Carthage's Primary.
Username: stcarth20 Password: school123
Holiday Sport Clinics
Attached below are a range of clinics that will be held in our local area during the holidays. If you require further information please refer to the contact details located on each of the flyers.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Happy Birthday to all the Staff and Students that have a birthday at this time.
Mia Clarke, Jake Holmes, Rhys McNall, Caitlin Blainey, Macy Field, Kyna Rhodes, Charlotte Woods, Willow Degier, Thea Blok, Arrabella Frare, Madeleine Donnelly, Reuben Donnelly, Damon Stone, Ethan Elsley, Lucas Harmon, Nyah Marshall, Lincoln Cormack, Yussef Beshara, Claudia Curtin, Oliver O'Shea, Annika Allen, Ethan Golding, Joshua Kirkland, Ethan Stapleton, Linh Nguyen, Bella Sauer, Ashton Yates, Callum Faulkner, William Bullpitt, Elley Smith, Oscar Gordon, Alethea Moore-Hill, Chase Cowan, Emily Thorneycroft, Mya Weekes, Archie Da Fre, Layla Preston, Veralee Curoux, Caitlyn Marsters, Tyce Monckton and Jodie Maginnity.
Helping Families Thrive Online Webinar
Active Kids
