Term 3 2024 Weeks 1&2

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome back to what promises to be a vibrant and bustling Term 3. We have an exciting array of events and activities lined up, ensuring that our school community remains engaged and inspired.

Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up:

• NR & Dio Athletics: Get ready to cheer on our athletes as they compete and showcase their talents. These events are always a highlight, fostering school spirit and healthy competition.
• Book Parade: A delightful day where students and staff dress up as their favourite book characters. It's a wonderful celebration of literacy and creativity.
• Grandparents Day: A special occasion to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our grandparents. We look forward to welcoming them into our school and sharing in the joy of their company.
• Jeans for Genes Day: Join us in supporting this important cause by wearing jeans and making a gold coin donation. It's a great way for our community to contribute to medical research and help make a difference.
• Father's Day Breakfast Celebration: We are excited to host a special breakfast to celebrate our amazing fathers. It's a great opportunity for dads to spend quality time with their children and engage with the school community.
• Teacher PD Days: Our dedicated teachers will participate in professional development days, continuing their growth and ensuring they provide the best possible education for our students.
• Soccer Gala Day: Our students Year 1-6 will enjoy a day at Dubbo for the annual Soccer Gala Day.
  
• Little Hearts Playgroup: Our playgroup sessions will resume, providing a fantastic opportunity for our youngest learners to engage and explore in a nurturing environment.
• Kindergarten 2025 Parent Interviews: We'll begin the process of welcoming our future Kindergarten students with parent interviews. This is an exciting time for new families joining our school community.
• Feast of the Assumption: We will celebrate this significant event in the liturgical calendar, coming together in faith and unity.
• Kindergarten Transition: Our efforts to ensure a smooth transition for our incoming Kindergarten students will continue with various activities and orientations.

In addition to these special events, our everyday learning and growing continue. Our classrooms remain vibrant spaces where curiosity is encouraged, and every student's potential is nurtured.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. Let's make Term 3 a memorable and successful one.

God Bless,

Kylie Scott

Religious Happenings

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day (August 8)

Saint Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross, is Australia’s first canonised saint. She was born on January 15, 1842, in Melbourne, Victoria, and dedicated her life to the service of others, particularly in the field of education. In 1866, she co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart with Father Julian Tenison Woods. This order was committed to providing education to children, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities.

Her feast day on August 8 is a significant celebration within the Catholic community in Australia. On this day, schools and parishes often hold special Masses and activities to honour her legacy and contributions. These celebrations highlight her commitment to education, social justice, and her unwavering faith.

At our school, we will commemorate Saint Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day with:

• School Assembly: We will gather for a special assembly to honour Saint Mary MacKillop, reflecting on her life and contributions.
• Educational Activities: Students will engage in activities and lessons about Saint Mary MacKillop’s life, her work, and the values she embodied
  

Feast of the Assumption (August 15)

The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated on August 15, is one of the most significant Marian feasts in the Catholic Church. It commemorates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. This belief highlights Mary’s purity and her role as the Mother of God, emphasising her close connection to Jesus.

The Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning that Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass to honour this important event. It is a day to reflect on Mary’s faith, obedience, and her role in the salvation history.

At our school, we will observe the Feast of the Assumption with:

• Special Mass: 14th August, 9:15am, a Mass will be held to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, allowing the school community to come together in faith and devotion.
• Marian Devotions: Primary students will participate in Marian devotions, such as praying the Rosary, to deepen their understanding of Mary’s significance in the Catholic faith.
• Educational Programs: Lessons and discussions will be held in classrooms to teach students about the Feast of the Assumption, its history, and its theological importance.

Important Dates

Term 3

Week 1

23/7/24- Book Fair- 2 weeks

Week 2

29/7/24- Northern Regions Athletics Dubbo

30/7/24- Little Hearts Playgroup 9-10am

31/7/24- Book Week parade + Grandparents Day

1/8/24- Jeans for Genes Day

Week 3

2/8/24- Feast of St Mary MacKillop of the Cross Assembly/Liturgy

5/8/24- P&F Meeting 3.30

6/8/24- Little Hearts Playgroup 9-10am

9/8/24- Soccer Gala Day - Dubbo Years 1-6

Week 4

14/8/24- Mass 9:15

Week 5

19/8/24- Kindy Interviews

20/8/24- Kindy Interviews

23/8/24- DIO Athletics Dubbo

Week 6

30/8/24- Fathers Day Liturgy and activities

Reminders for parents

-Please remember that no supervision is provided at school before 8:30am 

- Please send fruit cut-up in a separate container, ready for students to have at fruit break.

SPB4L Focus

Weeks 1&2

We are Respectful, Responsible and Safe Learners.   

3/4 Mrs Ellery and Mrs Scott

In Years 3-4, students embarked on an exciting journey into the world of 3D shapes. They have learned to identify and classify various 3D shapes such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, and pyramids. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, students explored the components of these shapes, including faces, edges, and vertices. They understood how these elements came together to form different structures. Additionally, students delved into the real-world applications of 3D shapes, discovering how they are used in everyday objects and architecture. This comprehensive exploration enhanced their spatial awareness, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, providing a solid foundation for future mathematical learning.

3D shapes 3-4

5/6 News with Mrs Kitchin

Year 6 Religious Education Test
Last term, all Year 6 students in the Bathurst diocese participated in the annual
Religious Education Test. The test consisted of 40 multiple-choice questions
covering various strands such as Scripture, The Liturgical Year, Church History,
Sacraments, and Beliefs, based on the material taught throughout their primary
years.
I am delighted to announce that our students performed exceptionally well,
achieving some outstanding results. Both Libby and Darcy earned High
Distinctions, with Libby achieving a perfect score of 100%. Congratulations to all
the students who took part in the test. Your efforts and hard work are truly
commendable.

Creative Arts
The students have been diligently working on their artworks and scripture
passages for this year’s Christmas Art competition. The Christmas Story Art
Competition provides Stage 3 students with the opportunity to create artworks
and written reflections inspired by scripture passages depicting the birth of Jesus
Christ. The completed works are then taken to Bathurst, where they are judged.

English
In English, we are doing a 5-week unit on exploring the textual concepts of
imagery, symbol, and connotation, as well as the supporting concept of genre,
through the text ‘Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief’ by Katrina Nannestad. After each
chapter, we create a story map to help us understand these concepts within the
novel. A story map is a graphic organiser that helps students identify the
elements of a narrative. By distinguishing a story's characters, plot, setting,
problem, and solution, students read more attentively to grasp important details.

Sport

A big thank you to Hamish Kitchin for visiting the school last Friday to coach the
students in the art of high jump. Hamish provided some incredibly useful tips to
help them perfect their skills. The students thoroughly enjoyed the coaching
session and eagerly absorbed all the guidance Hamish offered.

Last Monday, our students travelled to Dubbo for the Northern Region Athletics
Carnival. Despite the chilly weather, they had a wonderful day, bringing home
numerous ribbons and making us all very proud. A special mention to Rex, who
came second in the 1500m and, along with the first-place finisher, broke the
record. Although he won't be recorded as the record holder because he came
second, it's still an amazing achievement! The students displayed remarkable
sportsmanship, courage, and perseverance throughout the events. It was a
fantastic day filled with excitement and accomplishment. A big thank you to the
parents for transporting the children, cheering them on, and helping out with the
field events.

The Wellbeing Barometer - 2024

The Wellbeing Barometer survey has become a crucial tool for schools, offering insights into youth mental health and wellbeing. By understanding community concerns and the nature of these issues, schools are better equipped to support families and foster meaningful conversations, thereby building stronger relationships.

This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year.

Participating in this year's survey, will assist your school in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. The survey aims to capture a comprehensive picture of young people's lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.

Community Events

Three Rivers Athletics season commences 5th August

Coolah Library: The Winter Reading Challenge began on 1 July and runs until 31 August - this is for adults and children and great prizes are drawn weekly.

The Book Week, Book Mark Competition commences on 1 August  and runs until 15 September. There are 3 age categories - 4 - 7, 8 - 12 and 13 - 18. The winners of each category will have their designs professionally printed and receive a book prize pack.

Contact the Coolah Library for more information: 02 6377 1910

eSafety parent webinar Wellbeing and digital technologies

Join the eSafety Commissioner's expert education and training team for a FREE live webinar
Tuesday 20 August from 7.30pm – 8pm

Strategies from Beyond Blue; Supporting Students Return to School - School Refusal

From the University of Melbourne Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown in collaboration with Michael Harrison; Since neurodiversity seems to be such a large piece of the school refusal puzzle, it’s crucial that understandings of the phenomenon take this into account and respond to the distinct needs of neurodiverse students.