SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

16 December 2022| Week 10

Upcoming Dates

19th December 2022: School Office closed
17th January 2023: School Office reopens 9 - 3 pm daily
25th January 2023: Uniform Shop open 9 - 3 pm
1st February 2023: Students resume school for the 2023 school year

Principal's News

Week 10, Term 4, 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

By the time you read this article, you will have received your child/ren’s academic report card. Terms 2 and 4 are always high in stress for both educators and parents, mainly due to report cards; in regards to the preparation for teachers and the receiving for parents. From an educator’s point of view, our main priority is to ensure that our students are learning; achieving standard level (C) is where we ultimately want as a minimum for our students. However, my belief has always been not to focus on the grade alone but the learning cycle, and how much growth has been achieved. The reason I focus on ‘learning growth’ is because all students learn at different rates, have varied learning behaviours that either hinder or enhance growth, and respond to different styles of learning. For this reason we especially acknowledged these children at last week’s Showcase of Stars Assembly.

I am not saying that grades aren’t important because they are for many reasons; however, I am saying that just like Professor Geoff Masters, past CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Research, “A to E grading doesn't tell the whole story when it comes to student achievement”(2014). Grades alone do not tell parents what their child knows, understands or can do; or the progress that they have made throughout the year. Therefore, I cannot stress enough how important it is for parents to read their child’s comments contained within the report card and to have learning conversations with their child’s teacher to understand ‘more than just the grade’.

Even at a system level, when our school data is tracked, (for example in reading), the focus is not primarily on how many levels your child has moved from year to year but the actual growth, demonstrated as low, typical or high. That is not to say that low growth is negative but it highlights to us as educators the rates of growth that individual students are having and what we need to do to further challenge and progress their reading. As of the end of 2022, the majority of students have shown typical or high growth in reading at St Mary’s, which is something that we should all be celebrating.

Part of our learning culture here at St Mary’s is to focus and encourage students to have a growth mindset with their learning; to embrace the challenges and to have a ‘I haven’t got it….yet’ mentality. Research from Jo Boaler (2019) subsequently confirms that “for students to experience growth, they need to be working on questions that challenge them, questions that are at the edge of their understanding. And they need to be working on them in an environment that encourages mistakes and makes students aware of the benefits of mistakes.” As educators, we do not teach in the middle of the curriculum but we aim to allow our students to show higher ways of working and opportunities to extend upon the standard level skills they are required to have.

With the change in our pedagogical approach to teaching Mathematics over the past 2 years we have seen a shift in student thinking in the area of Mathematics in regard to ‘Fixed Mindsets vs Growth Mindsets’. Evidence demonstrates the importance of having a growth mindset to shift our thinking when challenged with learning; whether it is academic, social or emotional. “Every time we learn, our brains form, strengthen, or connect neural pathways. We need to replace the idea that learning ability is fixed, with the recognition that we are all on a growth journey” (Jo Boaler, 2019). This message is integral in each child’s development and as role models we need to demonstrate how this can occur both in the school and home environment; we are in this together.

Thank you to our wonderful staff for the preparation of the students for fantastic Carols and Thanksgiving Mass. Special acknowledgement to Miss Clare Nolan who does so much behind the scenes to make our school Masses and Liturgies so meaningful and special. To finish our school year with such amazing singing at Carols and our Thanksgiving Mass is so uplifting and special.

We also once again say farewell to those staff leaving St Mary’s and wish them every blessing for the journey ahead. You will all forever be part of the St Mary’s family.

I would like to acknowledge the Leadership team members, Christine Ferreira, Clare Nolan, Sinead Walsh and Shannon Feldtman for their dedication and unwavering strength in their roles. We are truly blessed to have such a dynamic, resourceful, compassionate team working within our school community! Thank you for all you do each day.

Finally, to our parents/carers, thank you for all that you do to support St Mary’s and we truly appreciate this. At times, we know that school life can be tough for our families, and it is a great feeling to know that our parents wholeheartedly trust and support us. Please enjoy your time together over the Christmas/New Year period, stay safe and we look forward to working alongside you all in 2023!

Included in this Newsletter is a Reflection on Babies written by Bishop Charles. He writes and reflects on Baptism and the importance of connection to our faith. I can’t help but think that this same connection applies to parents enrolling their children in Catholic schools. A parent described to me last week that coming into St Mary’s school feels so welcoming - like a big warm hug. As a Catholic school leader, I love this analogy and thinks it sums up perfectly what we, as a community strive to achieve for our children and families. This is the St Mary’s Way - learning in faith and love at the forefront of all we do.

Thank you, families, for all that we have achieved and grown together in 2022. Have a wonderful Christmas break and I look forward to seeing you all safe and well in 2023.

In Faith and Love

Rosie Harrison

Principal

Bishop Charles Reflection

People ask me why we baptise babies.

Every society passes on values to the next generation. Loving parents want the best for their children. We do not have to ‘reinvent everything’.

We build on the discoveries of previous generations.

In our Christian understanding baptism connects a person with the people of God. It is the embracing of a special connection with Jesus and His values, especially, unconditional love.

A child cannot comprehend the implications of baptism. They also cannot comprehend why their parents do most things for them like hygiene, proper nutrition, education, home environment, etc.

Parents decide what is best for their children since they want the best for them and a child is as yet not able to make these decisions.

This applies to baptism. Parents who value their Christian faith wish to share this with their children just as they share their other values.

I was fortunate to have had loving parents who shared their faith with me.

I remember when my brother John died my father got us children together and shared his faith as to where John was now…that he was not nothing. I remember that event so clearly almost 60 years later!

As I was growing up I questioned all my beliefs.

I was not going to stay a Christian if it did not make sense to me.

I reassessed and made my own young adult commitment to my faith.

My faith is now my own not my parent’s.

However, I am forever grateful that I freely share it with them and for the great start that they gave me when they baptised me 70 years ago. It gave me an experience and a direction that I treasure.

Tips for Transitioning to School

BE PREPPED FOR SCHOOL: TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING
Your little one’s introduction to Transition can seem equal parts anxiety-inducing and exciting – and it’s important to be prepared for a range of emotions from both yourself as parents and carers as well as from your child. Finding the right school for your family and being prepared to support your little one’s emotional needs can make the process much easier than you may think.

Starting Transition is not just about the first day of school, but rather setting your child up for a smooth transition from early learning to a life of education. Parents should work in partnership with their chosen school to make this big step much less daunting. According to the Victorian Education Department, “successful transition programs contribute to 60 per cent of student learning improvement in academic and social development”. With this in mind, the school’s transition program is imperative to not only your little one’s adjustment into Transition, but also their long-term academic outcomes so be sure to attend information sessions and educate yourself on the school’s transition period and how it can assist your little one is to insert text.

Finding the Right Fit for a new school
Choosing a school with a successful transition program offers families and schools the opportunity to get to know one another and brings the entire family on the journey from enrolment right through to the first year. It gives your child the chance to build relationships with teachers and peers, as well as feel comfortable, confident and supported in their new learning environment.

Common objections: “I don’t want to go to that school!”
Make sure your child has the chance to be heard. Get down on their level or bring them up to your level so you are eye-to-eye. Ask them what they are concerned about and reassure them that their feelings are valid rather than dismissing how they are feeling. It is likely they are worried about not knowing anyone or not fitting in, so you can comfort them by letting them know their classmates will be feeling the same way and will want to make new friends, too. You could also reassure them by explaining their pre-transition days will give them the chance to meet new friends.

The Big Day
Offer plenty of opportunities for communication prior to their first official day so your little one has an understanding of what to expect. You can start to mention big school, school uniforms and how proud you are of them or involve school talk in playtime at home. The Queensland Government offer a ‘Starting School Game’, which is available to download online and includes games and information encouraging parents and kids to talk about starting school in a playful way. If you find your child is overwhelmed or worried about starting school, this is a fun way to get them accustomed to the idea.

Common objections: “I want to stay home with you!”
It can be so difficult to see your little one upset at drop off, but reassuring them and being prepared for how they may react will help you to respond to the situation. Kids Matter recommends learning from other transition periods and tailoring an approach that suits your little one’s temperament. For example, think about a time your child experienced another transition period. What approach helped them through this stage? Use this experience and tailor it to this situation.

Transition class and Beyond
Once your child is settled into school, clear communication with the school is crucial for ongoing success. Schools see education as a partnership between schools and families and parents and carers are welcomed as members of the school community.

Christmas Prayer

Religious Education News

Advent

The fourth and final week of Advent, we light our final candle. As we near Christmas, we spend this moment in prayer so that we are better prepared to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and into our lives. When we think that we are in charge and in control, that’s when we need to remember it is God who has provided everything we have and made us everything we are.

Prayer at the lighting of the fourth candle

God of our waiting,

We light this candle to remind us that the birth of Jesus is imminent.

We pray that you may deepen our spirit of love, so that our hearts will be open to warmly welcome your Son, Jesus into our lives, into our families and into our world

Thank you to the families who have supported our St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal.

Clare Nolan

Religious Education Co-ordinator

Farewell to Students and Families

To the following students and families leaving our school community this week -

Tahlia; Clay; Ivy; Nataliia; Garvan, Esrom and Sybil; Ellodie, Georgia and Theo; Hayden and Sophie and Isaac and Lilly.

And to our Year 6 students and families heading to middle school in 2023 either in Darwin or interstate.

Alden, Raori, Krisztian, Spencer, Jackson, Rachel, Sienna, Samar, Ethan, Cooper, Raine, Kim, Isabel, William, Clare, Robert, Brylie, Felix, Grace, Vincent, Makenzie, Hayden, Matilda, Lienanne, Frederick and Ava.

Digital Technologies News

During Term 4 in Digital Technologies the students explored different Google programs, such as Forms and Sheets, as well as learning about Canva. Using data gathered from Forms and Sheets during the term, Room 9, 11 and 16 designed and created a Christmas card project in Canva. Within each class, the students voted for their favourite card which is displayed below on behalf of their room. Room 11 voted for Makenzie’s card, Room 16 tied for Dylan and Kim’s card and Room 9 tied for Eliza and Evie’s card as their favourite. Room 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 all designed a card together as a class.

Please note: some of the cards are linked as they are animated.

Kathryn Fisher

Teacher

Room 6

Room 5

Room 8

Room 16 - Kim Nguyen

Room 16 - Dylan Carmen

Room 11 - Makenzie Dutton

Room 9 - Evie Pollard & Eliza Richards

Room 14

Semester Two Academic Reports

Semester Two reports have been emailed to parents during the last week of Term 4. These have been sent to the nominated email address kept on file at the school. The email is generated by our reporting system and is sent from 'CENT Gradexpert'. Please do not reply to this email address, please direct all queries regarding your child's report to your child's classroom teacher or admin.stmarys@nt.catholic.edu.au

If you would like to request a printed report, please email the front office.

Please advise the office if you have not received your child's report by Friday 17th December. Please double check your span or junk email folders.

2022 School Fees Reminder

School fee statements were sent out early in Term 4. We would appreciate all families finalising outstanding school fees as soon as possible. Banking details are listed below or you can pay in person using card at the Front Office.

BYODD Program 2023

Click here to access the Edunet Parent Portal

ORDER NOW FOR DELIVERY PRE-2023 SCHOOL YEAR

In 2023, we will be expanding the BYODD program to students in Years 3 to 6. Children moving into Year 3 next year are eligible to join the BYODD program.

Please find linked below the documents that were shared at our Parent Information Session last term:

- BYODD Parent Letter 2023

- Parent Information & Frequently Asked Questions

- Edunet Device specifications & ordering instructions

These documents contain all the information that you need to know regarding our 2023 BYODD program.

Our BYODD purchase portal is now open and taking orders for devices for pre-Christmas delivery. You can learn more about our supplier Edunet by watching this video.

In the chance that you have purchased a previous BYODD device for an older child who will be moving into Middle School next year and will not be requiring the device, it can be passed on to the younger sibling.

We know of a family seeking to sell their exisiting BYODD device as they have needed to upgrade for Middle School.

If interested please contact our Deputy Principal Christine Ferreira. christine.ferreira@nt.catholic.edu.au

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing News

Do Good December

Music News

Please note that lessons for this term will finish in week 8, Thursday, 1 December. There won't be lessons in weeks 9 and 10.

Lessons for 2023 will resume in Term 1, week 2: Thursday, 9 February.

Piano lesson enrolment forms for 2023 are now available from the front Office.

Thank you

Carolyn Gray

Piano Teacher

Start of the 2023 School Year

The 2023 school year begins on Wednesday, 1 February 2021 at 8.15 am for all students. Children are asked to be at school at least ten minutes before classes begin in order that they may find their classrooms and be ready to begin classes at 8.20 am. Please remember to pack lunch, fruit break and recess separately as lunch goes in a container in the cool room in the canteen. The children are also able to have a water bottle in the classroom with them each day.

The School Book Room will be operating from Wednesday, 25 January 2022 (closed Thursday, 26 January public holiday) from 9.00 am to 3.00pm each day. All uniforms and book packs can be purchased from the library from this date.

Please note, book packs are paid for at this time and will be distributed to teachers for use in the classroom.

New School and Library Bags

We are very excited to share that in 2023 we will be introducing a St Mary’s school bag! We will have two sizes available to accommodate our younger and older students. The new school bag is made of a lightweight yet durable fabric. We will also have waterproof library bags available for purchase in the new year as well.

Cost of the school back packs will be $45 and $10 for the library bags, both will be available for purchase at the start of the school year (see dates above).

2023 School Terms

Term 1, 2023 Monday, 30 January 2023 - staff return

Wednesday, 1 February 2023 - students return

Thursday, 6 April 2023 - last day term one

Term 2, 2023 Monday, 17 April to Friday, 23 June 2023

Term 3, 2023 Monday, 17 July 2023 - staff return

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 - students return

Friday, 22 September 2023 - last day term three

Term 4, 2023 Monday, 9 October 2023

Thursday, 14 December 2023 - last day for students

Friday, 15 December 2023 - last day for staff

2023 School Fees

Outside School Hours Care and Early Learning Centre Fees

Year 7, 2023

Download School Stream

Why download the App?

Receive instant notifications for important news and classroom updates.
Complete permission and absentee forms.
Keep up to date with events and save event details directly to your own calendar.
Order from our school canteen.

Don’t forget to turn your notifications on – so you don’t miss any important notices!

Click here to download schoolstream

Want to avoid fees when topping up your Flexischools account?

Click below to download a step-by-step guide on how to top up your Flexischools account without a surcharge via Electronic Bank Transfer

Click here to learn more

To streamline processes across the school, in 2022 we are now only accepting online orders for lunches.

All families need to set up an account for online ordering through Flexischools, which is linked directly in the School Stream App. Details on how to set up an account can be found in the “CANTEEN” tab of School Stream. There is no need to download the Flexischools App, it can all be accessed from the School Stream App.

You can find the updated 2022 Canteen menu in School Stream. Please note daily orders close at 8.40am. Any orders received after this time, will be fulfilled subject to availability of stock and may be substituted for a basic sandwich.

Click here to set up a Flexischools Account

Cyclone Season

As we are now in the cyclone season in the Top End, families are reminded of our school procedures in the event of a cyclone.

School closures are announced by the Department of Education and are broadcast to the public on the local TV and radio stations. In the event that government schools are closed, Catholic schools will also be closed.

Please listen to the radio or TV for updates in relation to school closures and reopening.

We will endeavour to keep families informed via school stream, but this will be dependent on the availability of power and personnel.

Visit www.securent.nt.gov.au for more information.

For up to date weather alerts please refer to www.bom.gov.au . (http://www.bom.gov.au/)

Heat Wave Information

Bureau of Meteorology has issued a ‘Heatwave Warning (NT)’.

Heat illness occurs when the body cannot sufficiently cool itself. Factors that contribute to this include:

Temperature
humidity
amount of air movement
radiant temperature of surroundings
physical activity (metabolic heat load).

Heat illness covers a range of medical conditions that can arise when the body is unable to properly cope with working in heat. These conditions include:

heat stroke - a life threatening condition that requires immediate first aid and medical attention
fainting
heat exhaustion
heat cramps
rashes (also called prickly heat)
heat fatigue
worsening of pre-existing illnesses and conditions.

Signs and symptoms of heat illness include feeling sick, nauseous, dizzy or weak. Clumsiness, collapse and convulsions may also be experienced as a result of heat illness. People with these signs or symptoms need to seek immediate medical attention.

Common heat exhaustion symptoms: