Term One Week Ten 2024
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 near the end of our first term and as this is our last Newsletter for Term One I want to thank all members of our school community for the contribution each of you has made to ensure our school continues to be a place of quality learning. We have had several opportunities for parents and carers to visit our school in both a social and educational context and we look forward to continuing this next term.
Over the past week we have celebrated Holy Week. This is the most important time in the Church’s calendar. On Holy Thursday, we re-enacted the Lord's Last Supper, which He shared with His apostles on the night He was betrayed and arrested. This is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the entire liturgical year. On Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord, the Church venerates the Cross. The Holy Saturday Mass begins in darkness and a new fire is kindled and blessed by the Bishop. This new fire symbolises the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through Christ's Resurrection, dispelling the darkness of sin and death. From this fire is lit the Paschal candle, symbolising the Light of Christ. This Paschal candle will be used throughout the season of Easter, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the Lectern, and used throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, reminding all that that Christ is "light and life."
We look forward to our holidays as an opportunity to rest, relax and recharge in preparation for the coming term and we ask that God stays close to each and every one of us as we enjoy this family time together. I hope that everyone has a very safe and happy holiday and I look forward to a very productive and positive return to school on Tuesday, 30th April. Just a reminder that the student's last day of school for Term One is Thursday 12th April.Catholic Education Week - 8th-12th April
Our school will join with more than 45 schools across the Lismore Diocese to celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). This will take place next week.
This year’s theme is “Innovation and Faith’. The transforming power of innovation and faith working in unison to ensure our students experience the fullness of life (John 10:10).
For many of the great innovators throughout history, their faith motivated them to explore and understand the wonders of the universe. Our Catholic schools walk alongside clergy, parishioners and families to prepare and nurture our future innovators and faith leaders on their journey.
I would like to extend a warm invitation for you to participate in our Catholic Education Week events and faith celebrations. Please take the opportunity with members of our parish and wider community, to experience innovation and faith in our Catholic school.
Below is a schedule of events for the week;Monday 8th April
11.30am - Catholic Education Week Prayer
Tuesday 9th April
2.15pm - Open Classrooms - come along and visit your child/childrens classroom
3.15-6.00pm - Open Afternoon - School Tours for current and prospective new students and their families.
Please let anyone you know who may be considering St Carthage's as a school option to come along next Tuesday afternoon. Everyone is welcome.
Thursday 11th April
Colour Run - 11.30am - 1.00pm
Final day of Term 2 for students
Friday 12th April is a Professional Learning Day for staff (student free)
Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing you during our celebrations for Catholic Education Week in 2024.
St Patrick's Day
We thank our students for letting their lights shine and helping those in need.
Teddy Bears and Prayers - Kindergarten Celebration
It was great to see so many of our Kindergarten students and families at our annual Teddy Bears and Prayers evening. There were many happy faces as children arrived clutching their teddies and soft toys. The prayer began with a beautiful gathering song that the children sang to welcome their families. They then participated in a little prayer service before completing a craft activity.
Families then shared a meal together and took the opportunity to meet other families.
We thank Leanne Robbins (CSO Parent Assembly Cluster Coordinator) who provided the hospitality for the evening and the Miller family for serving and cleaning up for us
Tell Them From Me - Parent Surveys
In the Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 2 we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Carthage's Primary School.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL that we will provide when the survey opens.
More information will follow.
Classrooms - Before School
Please be aware that students or parents should not be going into classrooms before school unless there is a teacher present in the room.
Thank you for supporting this request.
Active Kids - Staff Carpark
The Staff Carpark is for school staff only. If you are dropping off or picking up children from Active Kids please park in the Visitor's Carpark or by the kerb. We have had a couple of near misses with children running through the Staff Carpark.
This is not a safe drop-off or collection area.
Thank you for supporting this request to ensure our children remain safe.
The service station is also not a safe area to park for drop off and pick up off as cars are continually entering and exiting and are not looking out for children.
Anzac Day
We have received notification from the RSL Lismore Sub-branch that the Anzac Day March will again be held. Thursday 25th April is Anzac Day. This is in the holidays. We invite all students to join us for the March. We value our students making the effort to join us on this day and appreciate the effort from our families in allowing this to occur. Students will be required to assemble at the Clyde Campbell Carpark by 8.45am on Thursday 25th April and the march will begin promptly at 9.00am. Students wear their normal school uniform with their school hat. Staff will be at the carpark to meet students as they arrive. Students may stay for the Memorial Service at the Cenotaph in front of the Lismore Baths or may be collected at the end of the march. Students will stay with school staff until they are collected by a parent at the end of the service.
Online Enrolment
Enrolment Applications are now done online. The online application form can be accessed via our school website. There is a tab on the top right-hand side of the launching page that says ENROL ONLINE. By clicking on this button you can begin the application form. If you require a paper copy please contact the school office.
Parents of children who are ready to start school in 2025 are asked to fill out the online Enrolment Application. 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 2025 to be enrolled in Diocesan schools.
Release of Information and Digital Technology User Agreement
You would have received a Compass notification/email regarding our Release of Information and Digital Technology User Agreement form with the following information.
As a school, we have moved to an electronic Release of Information and Digital Technology User Agreement. In line with our commitment to ensuring a safe and secure digital learning environment for all students we, with the support of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office, have developed a Digital Technology User Agreement that now can be signed online. This agreement outlines the responsible and acceptable use of technology within our school community, including guidelines for internet usage, device handling, and online conduct.
We kindly ask that you carefully review this agreement with your child and provide your signature where indicated to signify your acknowledgement and agreement to adhere to the terms outlined. Your cooperation in this matter is vital for promoting a positive and productive digital technology environment that fosters learning and growth while prioritising safety and respect.
To facilitate this process, there was a link to follow in the email. We ask that you click on the link and take the time to read through the document thoroughly and complete the online consent with your child by Monday 29th April. After this date, if the agreement has not been signed your child/ren may have limited access to digital resources until we have the signed agreement.
Should you have any questions or require further clarification regarding any aspect of the agreement, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing support in ensuring the wellbeing and development of our students in the digital age. Together, we can create a secure and enriching environment that empowers our children to thrive responsibly in today's digital world.
Prime Minister's Spelling Bee
Last year Year 4 participated in the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee. Students had to individually sit the Spelling Bee via an online competition. Their results were ranked on accuracy (how many words they spelled correctly) and speed. The top 100 ranked entrants from the School Competition Round in each state and territory were invited to participate in the State and Territory Finals Competition Round.
Congratulations to Brody Johnson who was named a State Finalist for NSW. He did a fantastic job and we are extremely proud of his results.
Lismore Diocesan Winter Sports Trials
Hockey Trials
The Lismore Diocesan Hockey Trials were held in Grafton on Wednesday 6th March. St Carthage's had a large number of students represent our school at the trials; Maggie Hughes, Georgia O'Brien, Mason Smith, Priya Vantaggiato, Dusty Zorzo and Sassy Zorzo. Thank you to Mrs June Blunn who also attended the trials as a selector. Maggie Hughes, Mason Smith, Priya Vantaggiato and Dusty Zorzo were selected in the Lismore Diocesan Hockey Teams. These students will attend the Polding Hockey Trials in Tamworth on Friday 3rd May. We wish you the best of luck!
Football, Netball and Rugby League Trials
The Lismore Diocesan Football, Netball and Rugby League Trials were held in Grafton on Friday 8th March. St Carthage's had a large contingent of students attend the trials; Tyler Bell, Cole Ruane-Taylor, Fraser Wright, Luca Lombardo (football), Ebony Andrews (netball), Tohbi Olive-Conte, Jordy Williams, Cooper Bennett, Oliver Collings, Lachlan Elphick, Reggie Field and Archie Sauer (rugby league).
The standard at these trials were exceptionally high this year. The staff who managed the Richmond Zone teams only had exceptional things to say about our students. It is great to hear that you represent yourselves, our school and the Richmond Zone with maturity and excellent sportsmanship.
Congratulations to Tyler Bell, Fraser Wright (football) and Reggie Field (rugby league) who were selected in the Lismore Diocesan Team for their respective sport. They will now travel to Tamworth on Friday 3rd May to participate in the Polding Trials. We wish you all the best of luck!
Thank you to Mrs Toni McRae for attending the trials as a Richmond Zone manager. The girls in the Richmond Zone Netball Team were fortunate to have a coach with your experience and knowledge.
Parent Assembly
All parents are warmly invited to attend the upcoming Parent Assembly Conference to be held on 15th June at Opal Cove where we'll delve into the theme "Your Child Our Schools: Nurturing Hearts and Minds." Discover valuable insights and strategies to support your child's holistic development. Register soon as places fill quickly.
