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 Parents,

On Tuesday, 1st November the Church celebrated the Feast of All Saints. The feast of All Saints recognises all the saints – those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven – both known and unknown, in a single celebration. November is the special month in our church year when we celebrate, remember and give thanks for the lives of the people we love and hold dear who have died. We pray that they are now at peace with God. 

We imitate the saints because they offer examples of how to be disciples of Christ, and to ensure that those who remained offered models of discipleship which are relevant for the Church in all ages and places.

 As always, what the church believes is expressed in its liturgical prayers:

 “Today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place.

May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love.”

(Opening Prayer for All Saints) 

All Souls' Day is celebrated on 2nd November directly following All Saints' Day, and is an opportunity for Catholics to commemorate the faithful departed.

Year One Excursion

There was great excitement in infants school yesterday! Year One students were heading off to their excursion at Summerland Farm. The anticipation and excitement for this day has been building over a number of weeks and yesterday Year One students were finally able to enjoy their fun day! They had a great time patting animals, planting sucklings and exploring the natural environment.

Remembrance Day

Next Friday morning students will acknowledge Remembrance Day. At 11am on 11th November, 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The red poppies, a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day, bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War 1. Mr Hatchman will prepare a prayer that will be celebrated in each classroom.

World Teacher's Day

Last Friday we celebrated World Teacher's Day. This was a great opportunity to say thank you to our teachers who work tirelessly to ensure our students are learning and growing each and every day. We say a special thank you to our teachers for meeting the challenges of the past couple of years with positivity and hope always keeping the students at the forefront!

Professional Development Day Reminder

Just a reminder that we have our last Professional Learning Day (PUPIL FREE DAY) on Friday, 18th November. 

Active Kids will be operating on this day. 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.

Christmas Concert- save the date!
We ae finally able to have a Christmas concert! St Carthage’s School’s annual Christmas Concert will be held on the evening of Monday, 12th December. Further details will be sent home at a later date.

2023 Date Reminders
Dates for starting school next year:

• Staff: - Administration Day: Friday, 27th January 2023
• Years 1-6: - Complete Maths Assessment Interview (M.A.I.): Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st January 2023. We will advise when bookings are open.
• Years 1-6 return: Wednesday, 1st February 2023.
• Kindergarten: - Complete M.A.I. & Best Start: Monday 30th January -Thursday 2nd February 2023.
• Kindergarten begin: Friday, 3rd February 2023.

Mathematics Assessment Interviews 2023

At St Carthage’s we are always evaluating and reviewing the way in which we do things in the learning and teaching process, in order to make it more productive and engaging for all students. Over the last five years, we have conducted Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAIs), with all our students from Kindergarten through to Year Six. We are continuing with these interviews next year in 2023.

The staff at St Carthage’s have continued to engage in professional learning in Mathematics based on the data, collected at the MAIs, in their Professional Learning Teams. This has strengthened our understanding and practices in the way children learn mathematical concepts and skills, in order to be able to meet their learning needs.

The information gathered as a result of the MAI is imperative in helping teachers understand how children learn, assessing where a child's understanding is at in order to plan teaching that meets the student's next 'point of need'. In addition to this, the data assists us in being able to identify children who are at risk in their learning — at risk of having gaps in their mathematical understanding which could impede their ability to develop appropriate number concepts and skills for continued learning.

During the MAI your child will be observed individually whilst completing a range of numeracy-based activities to determine their conceptual mathematical understandings in the areas of counting, place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division. This assessment provides rich information to guide ongoing mathematics planning for teaching and learning, allowing the teacher to ascertain what growth points your child is at in mathematics at the commencement of the new learning year. This valuable data on your child will be shared early Term One, when the school conducts its parent meetings.

We will endeavour to have the interview conducted by your child's teacher for 2023. The MAI is deliberately timed after the holidays as it measures their conceptual understanding or the learning which has been deeply embedded in your child. Those students who were at St Carthage’s in 2022 have data recorded, which will determine where they start the assessment and move them forward to where they demonstrate understanding. New students from K-6 will start at the beginning to record accurate data and move through to where they demonstrate understanding.   

Mathematics Assessment Interview Bookings 2023

Bookings are now open for our Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAI) for next year for our Year One to Year Six students. MAIs will take place on Monday 30th January and Tuesday 31st January 2023. To make a booking go to: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/9fygg

or use the QR code below:

Follow the prompts to make your booking/s. Please remember to select the year level your child/ren will be in next year (2023).

Bookings must be finalised by Friday 2nd December at 3pm.

At our recent Pre-Kinder Information evening I reminded the parents that their children will change the world!

At St Carthage's we endeavour to nurture each student grow as spiritually healthy people so that the change they make is STUPENDOUS!

How do we attempt to do this? By keeping in our minds that it is important to treat the children to experiences of HEAD, HEART AND HAND!

When I was at school my experiences were mostly just trying to force information into my HEAD experiences!

At St Carthage's we try to mix this up a little and provide some worthwhile HEART AND HAND EXPERIENCES! Such as...

The students joining into the Exuro retreat - (Exuro is Latin for ‘on fire’.)

A number of Year 5 students attended the Exuro retreat sponsored by the Catholic Schools Office. Companioned by Mrs Sudiro the students met with a number of other students from other Catholic Schools. The purpose of the Retreat is to nurture and celebrate their faith and students experienced:

• listening to the stories of other students
• playing 'community-building' games
• lots of songs to move the whole body and
• shared prayer experiences.

This is an excellent opportunity for further developing a sense of the importance of their faith before they enter into leadership positions in Year 6. Thank you to Mrs Sudiro and the students for their commitment to this important occasion.

Support from our loving God - in good times and not so good times

At times our lives can be difficult but as believers in a loving God, we are given gifts which support us during these times. Recently families and Sponsors of students who were to be Confirmed by the Bishop, along with their wonderful Year 3 teachers, gathered in the Cathedral for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This Sacrament brings to students a greater awareness of the fruits and gifts received through the Holy Spirit which enables them to continue the mission of Jesus - in good times and in not so good times.

Thank you to the families who brought their children to this important occasion. Everyone remarked on the reverence shown by everyone which made the occasion a most memorable and enjoyable occasion!

Thank you so much to our Bishop and Fr Bing for making our families feel so welcome!

How is the Holy Spirit is alive in each one of us?

A special mention must go to our Year 3 teachers and support staff who ensured that the Confirmation Candidates enjoyed and benefited immensely from their "I've Got (Holy) Spirit" Retreat. Their focus was upon opening up in children the question "How is the Holy Spirit is alive in each one of us??"

To conclude the Retreat the children flew the kites they had made as one of the activities in the Retreat! Have a look at these photos of children learning about their faith in a HEART-felt way!

But...there's more!! Check out these photos taken during the actual RETREAT!

The Sacrament of Eucharist - First Holy Communion

Year 4 students and older students are involved in the preparation for this Sacrament. Eucharist is the final step in the process of initiation when one can fully participate in the Eucharist by receiving Holy Communion. Eucharist is a unique sacrament as it is central to the Catholic Faith. During this time, participants encounter the real presence of God. 

There is only one Mass for First Holy Communion - Sunday 27th November at 5:30pm.

Information for families will be sent home next Monday.

In other news....

Please note: What a success our Crazy Socks Day was! $600 raised!

Thank you to the children and teachers who joined in the crazy-i-ness of this day and brought a Gold Coin! Money raised goes to help Catholic Mission help families in need - this year in Ethiopia. I believe the money raised is going towards the building of a centre where goats and cows may be placed - the milk from these beautiful animals is used to assist families feed infants.

Thank you to Year 5 Red who ensured the success of the event through their advertising efforts!

Don't forget!! Catholic Schools Week

Kindergarten Orientation

This term, our 2023 Kindergarten students have been having lots of fun participating in learning and making new friends as part of orientation. They have enjoyed; listening to stories, singing, dancing, engaging in fine and gross motor tasks and completing a variety of art and craft activities. 

The most important part of the orientation experience is becoming familiar with the school and classroom environment, building relationships with teachers and making lots of new friends.

We are looking forward to supporting these students and their families in 2023 as they begin their schooling journey.