Week 6 Term 2 2020
Dear Families,
It is great to see the majority of our students and staff returning to school and enjoying getting back to face to face learning and enjoying catching up with friends and classmates. I would again, on behalf of our staff, like to say thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support and positivity in this time of uncertainty and unpredictability. It was a steep learning curve for all of us but together we managed to overcome the obstacles and come out the other end relatively unscathed! Staff and students (and I'm sure parents!) have all increased their skill sets and I am sure each will use these to enhance further learning and teaching. The National Education Standards Authority (NESA) has advised the loosening of some curriculum directives for the rest of 2020 therefore there is more flexibility in how and what is taught for the remainder of the year.
As restrictions continue to be lifted it is still imperative that we follow guidelines in our school to keep everyone safe.
- If any student or staff member are unwell (cold, flu like symptoms, cough etc) they are to remain at home until the symptoms disappear or medical advice has been sought.
- If any member of the school community is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is identified by any state or territory Health Department as a close contact of a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they are to immediately advise the School, self-quarantine, seek medical advice and follow all directions of the relevant Health and Government authorities.
- Whilst we have a limited number of bubblers in use we encourage all students to bring a water bottle to school each day.
- We ask that you drop your child/children at the gate as encouraged by State and Federal Governments. It is important that parents/carers do not engage with children who are not a part of their family. This is very important so that we can keep our students safe whilst in the school grounds.
- We particularly ask that parents DO NOT enter classrooms.
- We also encourage Cathedral pick up in the afternoon to avoid large numbers of adults on school grounds.
- Thank you to parents for adhering to our social-distancing protocols when
in the school grounds and for refraining from gathering in groups.
We thank you for your support in these matters.
Pentecost
Last Sunday we celebrated the great feast of Pentecost. The Church celebrates Pentecost (so called because it is fifty days after Easter), as the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, gathered in an upper room with Mary, mother of Jesus, "as a mighty, rushing wind", fulfilling Jesus' promise when he "breathed on them", as recorded in John's Gospel (Chapter 20). This event, which marks the beginning of the Church, is recorded in the book of Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2. The liturgical colour for Pentecost is red, a reminder of the flames that "rested on them". Another symbol for the Holy Spirit is the Dove, usually emitting golden rays of light. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles gifts of grace through which they would undertake the evangelical mission of the Church. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were given the miraculous "gift of tongues", so that everyone from every country understood the Christians’ inspired message of salvation as if they were hearing it in their own languages. Thousands were converted by the preaching of Peter and the other apostles.
The Solemnity of Pentecost ends the Easter Season. For centuries, the Sundays of the Catholic Church year between Pentecost and Advent were numbered as "after Pentecost". Since the Second Vatican Council, this period is called "Ordinary Time" (the first period of Ordinary Time is that between the Epiphany and Lent). Three Solemnities are celebrated in the weeks immediately following Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ) and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
As parents, you have given life to your children and are their principal educators. It is in the family group that Christian values are first instilled and Christian attitudes formed. As you took your children to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, it is your role to walk with them as they continue their initiation into the Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Unfortunately, this year, due to the pandemic, all churches have been closed. This means that the sacraments have been postponed. Our students were to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation last week, however this is now on hold as we await news of our churches reopening. It is quite probable that all sacraments for this year will be held over until next year but we will wait for further direction from the Bishop and Fr Bing.
School Reports
As stated in our last Newsletter School reports for Semester One will look quite different this year. It has been decided by NESA and higher authorities, that we cannot/could not report on A-E grades, given the turmoil of the last couple of months. An alternative plan to report, through comments, has been formulated by the Catholic Schools Office. Reports will include an English and Mathematics comment and a General Comment that will include Religious Education. The Catholic Schools Office has also advised that there would be no need for formal Parent/Teacher Interviews this semester. School Reports will be sent home in Week 2 Term 3. This will allow teachers some time to evaluate where students are at after returning to school from the home Blended Learning environment.
Kindergarten Enrolments 2020
Parents of children who are ready to start school in 2020 are asked to fill out an Enrolment Application and return it to the School Office.
Please pass on this message to family and friends who are intending to enrol children in Kinder next year. Children must turn five by 31st July 2021 to be enrolled in Diocesan schools.
National Sorry Day
Last week we acknowledged a very important week for Australia and our Indigenous culture. National Sorry Day is held on 26th May each year to acknowledge and recognise the Stolen Generations, those that were forcibly removed from their families and communities. On this day people have the opportunity to come together and share in the healing process for those impacted by this event.
We thank Mr Condie, our Indigenous education Worker for preparing a very special prayer for us.
National Reconciliation Week
Following Sorry Day is National Reconciliation Week which runs from 27th May to 3rd June each year. The theme for this year is ‘In this Together’. The organisers could not have foreseen how appropriate this would be, given the current COVID-19 crisis. Last week was a time to reunite, adjust and harmonise with what is important to us. Reconciliation Week encourages us to continue to build relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a time for all Australians to learn more about our shared histories, cultures, achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
School Banking
The CBA School Banking Program is temporarily paused until further notice. Please do not send your weekly deposit book into school. We will notify when banking recommences.
Lost Property
All students are encouraged to be responsible for their own belongings, but from time to time articles of clothing, drink bottles, lunch boxes and library/communication bags are found lying around the school. We currently have a large amount of unclaimed lost property. As of last Friday, all lost property that had names on it have been returned to their rightful owners but there are still numerous items without names that need to returned.
Please encourage your child/ren to check the lost property area if they are missing anything. Please ensure that you label all clothing items, drink bottles and lunch containers clearly with your child’s name. As these labels sometimes fade it would be great to check older items to make sure names can be clearly seen.
The Lost Property is located near the canteen.
Any unclaimed and unlabelled items will be donated to the second hand clothing pool or disposed of at the end of each term.
ICAS Assessments
ICAS Assessments are going ahead for 2020. As of last year they are now online assessments. The assessments are based on the curricula for the relevant year. Students are asked to demonstrate a deeper, integrated, and thorough level of learning. To ensure an engaging and beneficial experience for all students, new ICAS assessments are developed annually for each subject in every year level. These assessments are available to children in Years 3-6 in the areas of Digital Technologies, Science, Spelling, English and Mathematics. Due to COVID-19 the Writing assessment is no longer available this year. These are non-compulsory and the cost of each test is $15.95. If you would like your child to sit any of the ICAS tests we now have an online payment portal with UNSW Global. Click on the link below or go to https://shop.unswglobal.com.au/pages/pps. You will need enter the school access code KAF749. It is as simple as completing the student details, selecting the assessments you wish your child to sit and then paying by credit card. The closing date for entries is Monday 3rd August. No entries will be accepted after this date.
Subject | Sitting Dates | Price |
ICAS Science | Monday 17th August to Friday 21st August | $15.95 |
ICAS Writing | NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN 2020 | |
ICAS Digital Technologies | Monday 24th August to Friday 28th August | $15.95 |
ICAS English | Monday 24th August to Friday 28th August | $15.95 |
ICAS Mathematics | Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September | $15.95 |
ICAS Spelling Bee | Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September | $15.95 |
Encouraging students to move from their Heads to their Hearts to their Hands...
Supporting child wellbeing
1. There are a number of ways to support children's wellbeing during times of change. Good advice is available from a number of agencies here.
2. Interested in a webinar sponsored by the Parent Assembly covering topics such as: The culture and psychology of gaming; Why gamers love to play; Is the gaming a hobby or habit?; Does gaming affect academic performance? while getting tips on being a 'screen-smart' family? To register go to shorturl.at/nopD0
For more information phone 0436 666 578.
3. The Seasons for Growth Program
This Program is based on the belief that change, loss and grief are a normal and valuable part of life. Trained adult 'Companions' facilitate small groups where students support and learn from each other. At St Carthage's, this program is offered to students in Years 1-6 over 7 or 8 weeks (40 minutes per session). The program does not provide counselling or therapy and further information about the program may be found here.
If you feel your child would benefit from this program please nominate their names on the form here by this Friday 5th June.
Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit
Counsel is the ability to see the best way to follow God's plan when we have choices and Fortitude is the courage to do what one knows is right. Piety helps us pray to God in true devotion and Fear of the Lord is the feeling of amazement before God, who is all-present.
Year 1 students are very proud of their work - "Come Holy Spirit, Come'.
The Voices from the Field project - Catholic Schools Office, Lismore
The spread of COVID-19 has seen educators, school leaders, students and families working in ways which were previously unimaginable. School leaders and educators worked to navigate rapidly changing circumstances as we sought to collectively meet the challenge of providing quality learning-from-home experiences for all students, whilst caring for the wellbeing of all community members. Just as swiftly, schools have moved with agility to effectively manage the transition back to face-to-face learning.
The unprecedented response of our schools to the crisis that is COVID-19 offers us a rich opportunity to engage in reflection and dialogue around the remarkable successes schools have achieved in such a short amount of time. Moreover, this also presents the moment to craft the ‘new normal’ for our schools by asking the question ‘What are we learning from this experience that will change the way we learn, lead and educate into the future?’
The Voices from the Field - Discerning the New Normal project aims to learn with and from our schools and to allow schools to learn from one other, as we begin to re-imagine the future of education in the Diocese of Lismore. The project aims to capture answers to key questions from students, parents, educators and leaders to help discern how schools might reshape learning and teaching in light of recent experiences within their own contexts.
To capture and share this important learning from the experiences of those in our schools a survey has been developed by the Catholic Schools Office for parents and carers to complete. Click the following link to access the survey - Draft Google Form for parents
Sound Waves Spelling
The focus sounds for the following two weeks are:
Transition Back to School
We have been delighted to see lots of smiling faces back in our classrooms ready to learn with their friends.
Celebration of Learning - "Australia"
Year Five
Daring soldiers
Our overseas warriors
Never had a second thought about saving
Our country as a
Team
Friends, brothers, fathers and more fought so
Our generation can live in peace, we all need to
Respect them for
Giving their service
Even though they knew that
They might not come home in one piece
Australian army
Uniforms with patches of blood aren't worthless they just
Show that someone else gave it
They're all there as well
Remember those who have come before us
All those years ago,
Lest We Forget.
In our hearts, let's acknowledge
Australians
Molly Corcoron
The Fire
The flames are coming, they’re here to stay, the people
packed and ran away.
We cannot stay very long, we need to go long before things go wrong.
The ash is raining down like hail, our place is going rather pale.
The flames licked a nearby tree, we have to go, we have to flee.
Lots of other younger ducks were rescued and put in nearby vet trucks.
We are all waiting for rain as is this monster's bane.
The fire roared like a bear. I won’t go back, I will never dance.
Sparks are flying like a firework show, while the flames attack another doe.
As the flame started to die down, it left only black, grey and brown.
All the bees had buzzed away, it will be long before they can go home to play.
Isobel Rose
Dear Mother,
It has been a rough couple of months but we are getting close to Gallipoli. Your cookies are amazing - please send me more. The temperature is really hot! We had to stop in Egypt for 3 months. It's crazy but we played a couple of cricket games. The Sergeant keeps telling us to keep training - we need to be sharp.
We always have to pack up all the time for a 6 hour walk with our stuff on our backs. I thought we were going straight to Gallipoli and fight for our country. But last night Sergeant told us to get back on the ship going to Gallipoli. I was filled with excitement. Later on the boat, we played boxing matches and other games. I went to bed that night and the Sergeant jumped into our rooms saying get up, it’s time.
I’ll write again Mother.
From Henry
Sebastian Scott
Dear Mother,
These annoying and wonderful days have begun to set in. We have been miserable and annoying the generals haven’t helped.
Each day we would pack up and walk long, hot distances with the unbearable weight of our packs and tent. Only to be told that after we get to what we thought was camp, that we have to walk another six blooming hours!
Although, this morning I got roughly woken up with someone saying something about “We’re leaving now, get up you” “Up now! We’re going to war!” At first I thought it was a drill but I got up and felt cold metal on my feet. I looked down to see some pennies I won from two up last night.
I quickly threw on my socks and shoes and crawled out of the tent with sand in my mouth and saw my mates packing up too. I packed up my tent and looked around. I am actually going to miss this place, I thought. “Remember when we always beat the Kiwis then old Warnie scored a six” I said to Matt.
We climbed upon the boats as we set off to war and here I am writing this letter. Thank you for the socks and biscuits, I am wearing the socks now. I hope you all keep happy and well.
Yours sincerely Alec
Andreas Pereira
24th April 1915
Dear Mother
Thank you for your letter. I’m glad to hear you’re all doing well. So far my adventure has been very boring and uneventful. All we have done is train and train. To fill in time, we have been playing two-up, cricket and there have been many boxing matches. We have also been watching many movies. It has been frustrating because I thought we were going straight to war to fight. But no, we stopped at Egypt to train. None of us soldiers wanted to stop here.
Finally, we got on the ship and we were all so excited to finally go and fight. This afternoon Sergeant Warren said we will be fighting tomorrow. So I put my army uniform on and I am going to sleep now. I am so excited for tomorrow.
Thank you for the biscuits and socks. I hope you all keep well and happy.
Your loving son Bert
Lilly Sibthorpe
St Carthage's Athletics Program
Due to scheduling issues at the beginning of Term 3, the St Carthage’s Athletics Program is planned to be completed before the end of Term 2. We are seeking further advice from Catholic Schools NSW and the Lismore Catholic Schools Office. Further information will be provided in the Week 8 Newsletter. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions, no spectators will be allowed to attend these events this year. We apologise for any disappointment that this may cause. Located below are the events and the week/date that they will be held.
- Long Jump & Shot Put (Year 2-6) – Held at a grade level during sport in Weeks 6-10
- Colour House relay selections (Year 3/4 and Year 5/6) – Week 8
- Athletics Carnival (K-6) – Friday 3rd July (Term 2, Week 10)
- 100m/200m/800m; 5-7 year olds
- 50m/80m - Kindergarten; 8 - 12 year olds
- Novelty events; K-6
The St Carthage’s Athletics Carnival will be held on our school ovals. It is a participation event, with an emphasis on house spirit and enjoyment. At this stage we have not been notified if the representative pathway for athletics (Zone/Diocesan/Polding/PSSA) will progress this year. All events will be conducted in a manner that will allow students to progress down this pathway, should it go ahead.
Thank you Mr Gordon for preparing the students for our Athletics events during PE lessons.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Happy Birthday to all the Staff and Students that have a birthday at this time.
Arabella Lombardo, Talisha Stone, Eli Connolly, Oscar Pidcock, James Heath, Cooper Munro, Zachary Cohen, Harry Jenkins, Alexa Johnson, James Curran, Arlo Landers, Torah McCarthy, Mia Harvey, Roxanne Anderson, Amelie Doig, Gemma McPherson, Martin Barca, Carly Hughes, Maudie Lynch, Chloe Ryall, Darcy Hodges, Ryan Simeoni, Ardjn Thind, Wez Weekes and Loretta Farmer.
Sorry Day
Last week we recognised an important day in our calendar and for our nation. On 26 May each year we remember the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal Children Taken From Their Families. This day we now know as National Sorry Day. Most indigenous families have a story to tell from these painful events.
We have this day to foster reconciliation between the non-Aboriginal and the first nations people of this land. By acknowledging the pain of our past, we let healing to happen for these families and communities. Sorry Day is not about guilt or feeling bad, but about taking collective responsibility for mistakes in our history. It is about understanding, compassion, harmony and forging a path together into the future.
PRAYER
Today we join with people all over Australia to say sorry for the actions that have robbed the First Australians of their life, culture, law and language.
And we pray……
God, Mother of Mercy, stir within us compassion and a deep desire for reconciliation. On this
National Sorry Day, may this compassion and reconciliation be strong and true so that justice flows, action flourishes, a difference is made and peace is accomplished.
Amen
Many thanks to Students and Teachers
Mr Condie
Indigenous Teacher Assistant.
PUPIL FREE DAYS TERM 3
Monday 20th July
Friday 25th September
School Photos
The School Photographers have notified us that we should receive our School Photos late June. Due to COVID-19 the local Alstonville office is still closed and head office is running at a limited capacity. We will keep you updated.
Book Club
A reminder Book Club closes on Thursday 4th June.
Baby News
Congratulations to Theah Kelly and her family on the birth of their baby daughter and sister Nora.
Lost
Boys Casio watch with a black band. The lost watch is similar to the watch in the picture. If you find this watch please bring it into the School Office.
St Carthage’s Cathedral Mass Times
Weekdays
Tuesday 8am
Wednesday 8am
Thursday 8am
Friday 12noon
Weekends
Saturday 5:30pm *
Sunday 9am *
Sunday 11am *
NO SUNDAY EVENING MASS
* Bookings for weekend Masses at the Cathedral should be made through the parish office on 66260200. Contact details will need to be recorded and on arrival at the church you will need to be checked in, sanitise your hands and observe social distancing.
If the weekend Mass you wish to attend has 50 people booked ahead of you we can book you in for the following weekend.
The Bishop, realising that not all parishioners can be accommodated with the 50 person limit, has continued the dispensation from the Sunday obligation.
Cathedral - Confession Times - No Face to Face
Saturday 4.45pm – 5.15pm
Sunday 10.15am – 10.45pm
Carmelite Mass Times
Weekday Masses 7:00am **
Saturday Mass 8:00am **
NO SUNDAY MASS AT THE MONASTERY AS LIVE STREAMING WILL CONTINUE.
** As the Carmelite monastery can only have 20 Parishioners you must book for all Masses by ringing the Monastery on 66241240.
Three Free Webinars for Parents and Caregivers
The Lismore Diocese Catholic Schools Parent Assembly is offering three free webinars for all parents and caregivers in our Diocesan schools.
Carer Gateway National Phone Counselling Service
The Carer Gateway National Phone Counselling Service is a free counselling service for carers. The phone counselling service is available from 8am to 6pm nationally on weekdays. Please see the flyers for further details.