Week 6 Term 3 2022
Aboriginal Acknowledgement
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 very busy fortnight we may wonder how we will get the energy and motivation to keep going. In this week's Soul we read about how we can be nourished.
We all need to be nourished and nourishment comes in different ways for each of us. Sometimes we need to reach for that piece of fruit, have a short nap or a longer night’s sleep, pause in the middle of our day or listen to an uplifting song. This edition is designed to nourish our mind, body and soul.
The vegetable garden was one to envy. The bounty was plentiful. The dinner plates were full. Everything on that dinner plate came from that veggie patch. Sometimes we desire the harvest but forget what it takes to get it. We want and need sustenance but often forget to nurture and care for the garden. Plants require food, water and sunshine to grow. Without them, they are lifeless.
Our faith needs nourishment too. Without feeding our faith, we too can become lifeless, mindlessly moving through our days without stopping to pause for spiritual nourishment.
Prayer, song, scripture, quiet reflection and coming together as a community of faith are some of the ways we can receive this nourishment. Central to our spiritual nourishment is the Eucharist. It encompasses all of these things in one place at one time. It is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. It nurtures us, feeds us and allows us to grow. Ron Rohleiser OMI explains there are a number of ways the Eucharist nurtures us: ‘by giving us God’s physical embrace (“the real presence”), [it gives] us a oneness with each other that we cannot give to ourselves, it provides us with a life-sustaining ritual, a regular meeting around the Word and person of Christ that can become the daily bread of our lives and our communities.’
He goes on to say, ‘The Eucharist is meant to be God’s regular nourishment for us, daily manna to keep us alive within the desert of our lives.’ And some days our lives can feel like the desert, especially when our to-do lists are long and others are asking for more than what we feel we can give. Sometimes it takes everything to just show up in life, let alone at the table of the Lord. This is precisely the time that we need to come for nourishment. When we come and encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, his words echo in our hearts:
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Father's Day
I hope you enjoy the following reflection:
A FATHER’S REFLECTION
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
I can teach you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I cannot say no for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I cannot prevent you from using them.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God’s family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you unconditionally all of my life...and I will!
Happy Fathers’ Day to all dads, step dads, granddads and father figures for Sunday. Have a wonderful family day!
Fathers’ Day Sausage Sizzle Reminder
A flyer went home last week about our Father's Day sausage sizzle. This will be held on Thursday afternoon, 1st September 4.15-5.45pm on the bottom playground. This will be a great opportunity to catch up with other families and to celebrate our dads.
Father’s Day Stall
Our Fathers’ Day Stall will be held on Thursday, 1st September. Our gifts will again be supplied by the Carmelite Sisters. Gifts will be $3.00 per gift.
St Carthage's Kindergarten 100 Days of School Celebration
What a wonderful celebration we had last night with our Kindergarten students and their families coming together to celebrate 100 days in Kindergarten! It was exciting seeing so many people there not only partaking in the celebration but also enjoying each other's company. We all joined together to share a meal, play a game, pray and participate in a family craft activity.
A very big thank you to Mrs Jo Kelly, our Parent Assembly Coordinator, for her wonderful organisation and for making the evening such a fabulous community event.
Thank you also to our kindergarten teachers; Mrs Yates, Mrs Farmer and Mr Evans and Mr Hatchman for their preparation to ensure the night an smoothly.
Book Week Parade
This morning we celebrated our Book Week Parade. This year's Book week theme is “Dreaming with eyes open...”. There were many wonderful and creative costumes and our students were very excited to be able to dress up as book character. It was fantastic to see our school staff also entering into the spirit and dressing up.
There was definitely a buzz on the playground throughout the parade and during our shared morning tea. Everyone was excited to be able to have our families back on site to share these special occasions.
A big thank you to Mrs Atlee, Mrs Yates and Miss Overell for organising our Book Parade today.
Canteen Supervisor
Last week we farewelled Mrs Barratt who has retired from our school canteen. Mrs Barratt has worked tirelessly at the school canteen for over 37 years. Mrs Barratt has undertaken many additional roles during this time such as; organising Masterchef, providing costumes for our Christmas Concert, running the canteen at sports carnivals, always giving of her time generously.
We said thank you to Mrs Barratt at a small assembly last week.
This week we welcomed Mrs Lana Marshall to our school staff. Lana will organise the canteen for the remainder of the year. Lana is looking for volunteers to assist her in the canteen so if you are able to assist please fill out the google form (See Assistant Principal post)
Poetry and Public Speaking
We are going ahead with our Poetry and Public Speaking competition this year. The finals will be held on Friday morning, 16th September.
More details will follow.
Professional Development Day
Just a reminder that we have a Professional Learning Day (PUPIL FREE DAY) on Friday, 23rd September. Staff will be working through our school data to develop our School Strategic Management Plan for 2023-2025.
Additional Professional Learning Day
Please see the following correspondence from Jenny Allen, Acting Director of Catholic Schools and Michele McDonald, Assistant Director, Learning Services regarding an Additional Staff Professional Learning Day in 2022
As we move into Semester 2 NESA has reminded the system of the significant changes underway in curriculum preparation for 2023. Schools are required to implement the new English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses and both must be taught in all NSW primary schools from Term 1, 2023.
The syllabuses are designed to improve student outcomes by focusing on essential learning and building foundational skills and are available on the new Digital Curriculum platform which shows clear connections between subjects and across stages.
New evidence-based support materials for teaching and assessing are available for teachers and schools to prepare and plan for implementation.
The Leadership Team acknowledges the wonderful work schools are currently engaging in through the professional learning modules required by staff to commence 2023. We also acknowledge how tight the time frame is and the amount of change, particularly in English.
All primary schools have been granted one additional Staff Professional Learning Day specifically dedicated to:
● Professional learning in the syllabus.
○ DoE Professional Learning Micromodule Update – New K-2 Syllabus
● Training in Dibels and/or Probe for the new evidence based assessment approaches
● Co-planning in teams.
Schools are to plan for this day to occur from Week 5 Term 4 at the discretion of the school.
At St Carthage's we are organising this Professional Learning Day for Friday 18th November.
We acknowledge the relatively short notice of this additional day but trust that you will continue to support the Professional Learning of staff in order to achieve the best educational outcomes for our students.
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.
Canteen Volunteers
Our canteen can not operate without the help of our wonderful community of volunteers. Volunteering in the canteen is a great way to practically engage in your child's schooling journey. We need your help! Can you commit to helping out in the canteen on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 9am? If you can spare some time could you please complete the following google form.
https://forms.gle/8jMYuBqgHzJ7cjmk7
School Photo Reminder
Just a reminder that our school photographs will be taken on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Class and individual portraits will be taken on Monday with sibling and any catch-up photos on Tuesday. Wednesday will be the Year 6 group photo.
We ask that all students wear their full school uniform on Monday 29th August. Please note that Year 5 and Year 6 will not wear their PE uniform on this day. Year 6 are asked to wear their Year 6 shirt on Wednesday 31st August.
You can place orders through the online portal at https://store.theschoolphotographer.com.au/ by using the following code X6034VT43S or return the photo envelopes that were sent home on Wednesday. These envelopes need to be return to school on Monday morning.
LISMORE NAIDOC CELEBRATION
This week our school attended the NAIDOC Celebrations put on by Lismore City Council. We took 39 students this year and we travelled up the road by bus to the Turf Club. This was the first community NAIDOC celebration since the pandemic and it was great to be a part of the festivities again.
There were many schools from our region that went and supported the theme GET UP, STAND UP, SHOW UP. Our students checked out the information stalls and enjoyed the food that was on offer. They caught up with old friends and there was lots of fun things to do like the Jumping Castle and Rock Climbing Wall. Some students got their face painted, did art activities and patted the animals. On the stage there was important messages, music and dancing to enjoy.
Our students had a great time and I know the non-indigenous students that we took did as well. What impressed Mr Hatchman and myself was how they showed respect and represented the school so admirably. I received a message later that day from a parent saying that their child said “they had the best day in their life”.
Well done to everyone for being involved in our Lismore NAIDOC!!!
Mr Condie
Indigenous Education Worker
NAIDOC Week Poems
National Week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
As spiritual as a Goddess
Inclusion for all cultures
Dancing at a ceremony
Original owners of the land
Ceremonies are a respectful time of the day
Will always honour ancestors
Evonne Goolagong (a tennis champ)
Eddie Mabo (a fighter for his culture)
Keeping the rituals alive
By Caitlyn Marsters 5Red
NAIDOC Week is a special week for the Indigenous People
Aboriginal body painting uses ochre
Indigenous people pay respect to the land
Dance and songs are special to them
Outstanding tribes
Celebrates the history and culture of Indigenous people
We should all show respect
Eddie Mabo campaigned for human rights
Each year in July we have NAIDOC Week
Kangaroo, koala and kookaburras are all Australian animals
By Charlotte Connors 5 Red
A Catholic school not only cares for the academic, physical, emotional and social growth of students but seeks to help each student grow as spiritually healthy people.
How does St Carthage's do this? Well we do encourage students to understand that 'Saying Sorry' is a healthy choice. Likewise, saying sorry to our God is a spiritually healthy choice! Followers of Jesus have a special Sacrament to do this called First Reconciliation.
First Reconciliation - a spiritually healthy choice - HEAD, HEART AND HAND
Children from St Carthage's will make their First Reconciliation next Monday evening. Having the courage to say 'sorry' when we need to apologise takes courage but is important if we wish to mend our relationship with that person. Saying 'Sorry' is a HEALTHY CHOICE.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation allows us, when we make the wrong choice, to say 'sorry' to God - a HEALTHY CHOICE for our spiritual wellbeing.
This past week the students had an opportunity to reflect upon their learnings and prepare for Reconciliation through a Mini-retreat where the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke was explored.
The students and teachers explored a number of 'I Wonder" questions such as
- how the father would have felt when his son went away
- if I would like to work all day feeding pigs
- how the son felt going back to his father after spending all his money
- how the father felt when he saw his son coming home
- if it is easy to forgive someone who has upset me?
- if I know someone like the father in this story
We meditated for a short time and thought about times when we may not have made the 'right choice' - especially at home and at school. Finally we closed with prayer (which anyone can say to any child).
God our Father,
we belong to you.
You welcome us with open arms.
Thank you for your love.
May we always be welcoming to all those around us.
Thank you for your love.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
GOD MOMENT AWARDS - SERVICE TO OTHERS - HANDS!
At Assemblies our whole school community takes pride in awarding our GOD-MOMENT AWARDS. These are special awards given to students who have been nominated by someone in the community who has witnessed them putting into practice wonderful choices. There are so many of these moments each day because our students really try hard to 'be like Jesus' in their decisions!
The last three God-moment awards have been given to Claudia Curtin who was nominated by a teacher who saw Claudia helping a few other students sort our a problem in a way which saw 'justice' for all! Thank you Claudia!
Another award went to Heidi Cormack. A teacher nominated Heidi for a very simple action - Heidi was walking in the Quad area and walked past a piece of paper on the ground - Thank you Heidi for caring for our school enough to stop, turn around, and then go back to that piece of paper and put it into the right bin! Thank you Heidi!
