Week 6 Term 4 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,
Presentation Day
On Saturday 21st November, the Presentation Sisters around the world celebrate their Foundation Day, known as Presentation Day. Our school was founded by the Presentation Sisters 134 years ago so their history and involvement in our school, is an integral part of our history. Nano Nagle founded the sisters and we now have a Colour house named after her – Nagle House. Nano Nagle was born in 1718 in Ballygriffin in Ireland. She had 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Catholic schools were not allowed so Nano attended a forbidden ‘hedge’ school. When Nano was 12 she was smuggled to France for the education forbidden in Ireland. She was well educated, talented and enjoyed life in France but she decided to return to Ireland and teach the poor children. Nano found that this was not possible as the strict laws had not changed. She returned to France in order to become a religious sister and to be able to pray for her Irish people. Nano could not settle to this and knew that she had something important to do. She returned once again to Ireland and lived in Cork with her brother Joseph where she secretly taught children. Soon there were 7 schools being taught by Nano and some other ladies. When she wasn’t teaching, Nano was visiting the sick, poor and lonely around Cork. When it was dark she carried a lantern and soon she was known as the “Lady of the Lantern”. At age 57, Nano Nagle founded the Order of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary – the Presentation Sisters. There were three ladies with her and she knew that a Religious Order was needed to carry on the work they were doing. She was a sick lady and on the 29th April 1784, she died. In 1886, a small group of sisters left Lucan in Ireland and came to Lismore to establish a Convent and schools. On 11th October 1886, St Carthage’s School was opened.
May the Spirit of Nano Nagle and her Sisters who have been a part of our School’s history, continue to grow in each of us.
Naidoc Week Celebrations
Last week we celebrated Naidoc Week at school. The theme for the week was; Always was, Always will be. Mr Condie organized various activities and visiting speakers for our students. Aunty Delta and Aunty Thelma and Uncle Mick spoke to our students sharing stories, artefacts, language and culture. There was great feedback from both students and staff! Mr Condie also recorded Indigenous stories for the students to listen do and provided them with art activities. We say a very big thank you to Mr Condie for his hard work and commitment to organizing and reorganizing! (due to Covid) Naidoc Week experiences for our students.
Farewell and Thank You
We would like to say farewell and thank you to Mrs Anne Ross. Anne has been working at St Mary's. Casino this year and has accepted a permanent position there from the start 0f the 2021 school year.
Christmas Concert
Unfortunately, we are unable to have a Christmas Concert this year due to Covid number restrictions and social distancing protocols. With our students and staff we would have over 1000 people on site and we would be unable to adhere to the guidelines.
This concert has always been a highlight of our year, bringing our school community together and we are extremely disappointed that we are unable to go ahead this year, however, we look forward to coming back bigger and better in 2021!
Year Six Final Assembly
We have been given the green light to have a final assembly for our Year Six students. This will give the school the opportunity to say thank you and farewell to our Year Six cohort. The assembly will be on Friday, 11th December. Unfortunately we are unable to have parents and carers at this assembly.
School Reports
School Reports will be sent home on Friday, 11th December. Some parents may not feel that an interview is required at this time and may prefer to wait for our interview period early in Term 1, 2021, to catch up with your child’s new teacher. If you feel the need for an interview, please contact your child’s teacher directly.
Mathematics Assessment Interview Bookings
Bookings are now open for Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAI) for next year. MAIs will take place on Thursday 28th January and Friday 29th January 2021. To make a booking go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au
The event code is: 8qmnj
Follow the prompts to make your booking/s. Please remember to select the grade your child/ren will be in next year (2021).
Bookings must be finalised by Wednesday 2nd December at 4pm.
Remembrance Day
For Remembrance Day, KBE read Anzac Ted by Belinda Landsberry. It is a powerful, poignant story of a little boy's teddy bear that was passed down to him from his grandfather. Battered, torn, missing an eye and an ear, he might look scary but he's got a great story to tell. For Anzac Ted went to war, keeping soldiers company and giving them comfort.
Encouraging students to move from their Heads to their Hearts to their Hands...
God of love, fill our hearts with your spirit of love and gratitude, so that, like Mary, we will also say YES to you. Today we remember the gifts that Nano Nagle and all Presentation Sisters have given us: Fill our hearts with your spirit of courage, hope, simplicity, welcome and compassion.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
We also say 'YES"
NAIDOC WEEK 2020
Last week we had our NAIDOC Week at our amazing school.
The theme for this year is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ and is something that was highlighted all around this country.
I would like to give a big thank you to all the jarjums (children) and teachers for the respectful way they were involved in this celebration.
On the Monday we had Aunty Delta Kay from Byron Bay visit our school. She belongs to the Arakwal clan of the Bundjalung Nation and told us stories of the ocean and life on the coast for local Aboriginal people. Our jarjums really liked the clapping game and learning about some of the traditional plants used by Aboriginal people. I thought it was pretty amazing how the dolphins helped to gather the fish for the Arakwal people!
Throughout the week jarjums did some great things in classrooms like Dreamtime Stories and we had a poster and colouring-in competition as well.
On Wednesday we had local Elders Uncle Mick Roberts and Aunty Thelma James start the day off with a smoking ceremony. The thousands of years ritual is to bring in the ‘good’ and get rid of the ‘bad’. It is also a sign of goodwill, peace and harmony for those involved. I’m sure it is something that our school community will remember for a long time. It was great hearing the wisdom, knowledge and stories from our Elders. Uncle and Aunty then showed us activities like bead-making, weaving and clay sculpture. These were great things to do because they were hands-on and a different experience for our jarjums. I did see some great bowls and animals made over the sessions we had too. One group of boys also got to use the ‘bullroarers’ with Uncle Mick.Many thanks to our special guests Aunty Delta, Uncle Mick and Aunty Thelma for spending time with us for NAIDOC Week.
We do have planned some more activities in Week 8, so stay tuned for that. In the next newsletter we will have our NAIDOC Poster and Colouring-In Competition winners too.
Thanks Everyone - Yours in Reconciliation
Mr Condie
Indigenous Education Worker (IEW)
MY EXPERIENCE OF NAIDOC WEEK - by Dane Buchan - (Thank you Mr Condie)
Visit by Aunty Delta
We were also fortunate to have Aunty Delta speak with our jarjums (children) about Bundjalung culture. Aunty Delta works as an Aboriginal Education Officer with NPWS and shared many stories handed down from her mother and her aunties. Aunty Delta is very passionate about sharing her culture! Aunty Delta taught us lots of language, like the names of animals and how to greet one another including
Jingi Walla Widja - Hello, how are you?
bugulwan - thank you
yoway - yes
yagam - no
Here are some pictures of Auntie Delta with Mr Condie. Thank you Mr Condie for organising this excellent opportunity!
NAIDOC Week Reflections - Kindergarten
Soundwaves -
The focus sounds for the following two weeks are:
Celebration of Learning - Kindergarten
This term, Kindergarten has been using Learning Intentions and Success Criteria to help them with their writing. They have been learning about characters and have explored how authors bring characters to life in their writing.
Bump-it-up walls provide a visual for students with explicit focus areas aligned to writing examples. It allows students to reflect on their own writing and set goals to improve.
St Carthage's Swimming Time Trials
The St Carthage’s Swimming Time Trials will be held on Wednesday 2nd December at the Lismore Memorial Baths. I am pleased to announce that due to the easing of restrictions, parents are now able to attend the trials. All spectators will be required to pay $3.40 upon entry to the pool.
The online nomination form, permission slip and money is due this Friday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Happy Birthday to all the Staff and Students that have a birthday at this time.
Lola Rielly, Eamon Bailey, Chloe Rhodes, Eleanor Golding, Georgia O'Brien, Kale De Re, James Grace, Lindsay Scott, Kate Wolton, Olivia Thompson, Jet Monckton, William collins, Elouise Evans, Elijah Auld, Elliot Jensen, Jaja Wongkruth and Kristine Mumford.