|
|
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
|
19th November 2021| Week 6
|
|
|
|
|
|
Important Dates
|
- 26th November: Advent Liturgy led by Year 3/4 and Spirit Cup Fun Day
- 2nd December: Year 6 Graduation
- 6th to 8th of December: Life Education Van visiting St Mary's
- 9th December: School Carols Evening & Carols Around the World
- 13th December: End of Year Mass and Awards Presentation
- 14th December: Step up Day & Transition Parent Information Session for 2022 Families
- 15th December: Year 6 Big Day Out
- 16th December: Last day for students
|
All Term 4 events and details are published on SchoolStream. Please check the EVENTS tab to add event details direct to your calendar!
|
|
|
|
Principal's News
|
|
|
Week 6, Term 4, 2021
|
|
|
|
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
|
“By Celebrating what’s right with the world, we find the energy to fix what’s wrong.” Dewitt Jones
|
With so much uncertainty in our lives at the moment this quote really resonates with me. It’s a gentle tap on the shoulder and reminder to keep ourselves positively focussed. We are being constantly bombarded in news and media with all that is wrong in our world, we have forgotten to relish the positives and great things right in front of us. I am generally a very positive person, but just lately I find myself being sucked into the negative vortex of all that is unfolding in our current context in the Northern Territory. The following article and clip from Wilson McCaskill is a great reminder for us as parents, around the importance of keeping ourselves emotionally secure in order to support the emotional security of our children.
|
|
Emotional Children, Emotional Parents: “How do I stop my children from upsetting me?” Wilson talks about the importance of emotional security from parents – how children need security and rational thought over emotional parenting. Bottom line: be the adult in the relationship between your child and you. Be rational with your decisions and parenting. Don’t let irrational emotions drive you as a parent.
|
Staffing Announcements: I hope to be in a position to make all our 2022 Staffing announcements next week once we have finalised all our Teaching roles. You will be pleased to hear that all of our current ISA Support staff will be returning in 2022.These amazing men and women do a brilliant job every day in support of student learning in our school.
|
|
Student Leadership 2022: This morning 15 incredibly confident Year 5 learners delivered a leadership speech in front of the Years 2-6 students, their teachers and parents. Over the next few days, the students and teachers will vote for the positions of School Captain and House Captain positions for 2022. The recipients of these leadership positions will be announced to the school community at the final Mass on Monday, 13 December 2021 at 8.30 am.
|
|
|
2022 Class Preparations: As we commence the preparations for student placement for 2022, parents are requested to trust the staff at St Mary’s with the process of class allocation. Our practice at St Mary’s is very transparent – we invite every child to trace around their hand and, after some helpful tips from their teacher, the children write the names of friends they work well with inside each of the five fingers. Staff then work through these lists and endeavour to place the children with at least one of their selection. This first draft is then shared with previous teachers and specialist staff to ensure that past experiences can be taken into consideration. The Leadership Team then cross reference these lists with any other information we might have, and the lists continue to be circulated until we are satisfied with the combination.
|
Parents are welcome to contribute to this conversation, but we ask that you do not request a specific teacher for your child. Requests such as these cannot be met. If you do have any concerns or queries, please book a time for a chat with your child’s current class teacher who will be more than happy to put your mind at rest, or put your request in writing to the Principal. And don’t forget, positive conversations at home about the inevitable changes ahead to ensure a happy transition.
|
2021 Existing Student Enrolments: As we are beginning class preparations for our 2022 year levels we kindly ask that families who are aware that they are relocating to please notify the school admin via the Schoolstream App or email to admin.stmarys@nt.catholic.edu.au. We understand families may be unsure at this stage but ask that when you have received notification that you advise the school as quickly as possible.
|
As we currently have a waitlist for some year levels for 2022, we would like to confirm our existing enrolments for next year before making offers to new families. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
|
2022 Outside School Hours Care (OSHC): A reminder that the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) are now accepting bookings for 2022. If you have not already done so and wish to utilise the facility for either Before School, After School or Vacation Care for 2022, please contact admin.stmarys@nt.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible as positions are limited and spaces fill quickly.
|
Farewell to Elsie and Billy and to Samantha and families who leave our school community this week. We wish you all the best for the future.
|
|
|
|
|
Uniform Reminder
|
|
Please ensure that your child has the correct uniform requirements including the correct footwear, socks and school hat. Please support us in our endeavour to adhere to our uniform guidelines, which can be found in our Parent Handbook or school webpage.
|
|
|
|
|
Religious Education News
|
please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart.
|
|
My soul is like a turbulent sea.
|
|
I can't seem to find my balance, so I stumble and worry constantly.
|
|
Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me.
|
|
I trust your Love God and know that you will heal this stress.
|
|
Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night.
|
|
Please bring me clarity with the light of God.
|
|
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
|
|
We are continuing to collect donations for our annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Thank you to all those who have donated so far to help support and bring joy to families and individuals in need.
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Room 8 and Room 7 for leading our Assembly last week by focusing on the MJR and where they have seen the ‘Spirit of Jesus’ in our school.
|
Our theme for week seven is ‘Leadership’. The Year 5 students presented their leadership speeches today to lead us into next week. Some of the things children will be exploring include the qualities of great leaders such as honesty, commitment, positive attitude and many more.
|
It is great that all parents are able to join us for Masses and Liturgies at the moment. We will let you know should this arrangement change.
|
|
We have three remaining Masses/Liturgies for the term:
|
|
Friday, 26th November (Week Seven): Advent Liturgy
|
|
Thursday, 2nd December (Week Eight): Graduation Mass
|
Monday, 13th December (Week Ten): End of School Mass
|
All are welcome to attend.
|
|
Religious Education Co-ordinator
|
|
|
|
Classroom News: Room 11
|
Last week in Room 11, we had the privilege of hosting the Remembrance Day Liturgy. The students excellent effort with their speaking, prayers and artwork made for lovely a Liturgy.
|
|
|
|
|
Every Friday Room 11 has been exploring some science based experiments, engineering challenges while participating in some fun hands-on STEAM activities! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. So far, 'Paper Flight' tested our plane making talents, 'Windy City' had us concentrating hard to balance cards and Amazing Architecture let our creativity with spaghetti and marshmallows, shine through. As you can see from the photos, the students very much look forward to their fun Friday afternoons!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spirit Cup Fun Day
|
Congratulations students of St Mary’s! You are invited to the St Mary’s Spirit Cup Fun Day. Throughout the term we have seen you try and demonstrate our school expectations:
|
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Resilience
- Ready to Learn.
|
Important information for parents/ guardians:
|
|
What: Waterslide and fun on the oval, Sausage sizzle lunch (provided by school), ‘Minute to Win It’ games
|
|
When: Friday, Week 7, 26/11/2021
|
|
Where: St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
|
What to bring: Sun safe bathers, Towel, thongs, hats and water bottles, School will provide sunscreen
|
|
An idea of what’s in store:
|
|
|
|
|
21st Century Dance Concert USB
|
|
We are so excited to re-live the fun of our 21st Century Dance concert!
You can now order your copy of the concert which was professionally recorded by Dreamedia. To order now online, click the button below or complete the "Concert USB Order Form" found in the FORMS tab on School Stream.
|
|
Received USB orders to date have been processed and have been either sent home with your child or are ready for collection from the front office, as per your selection when ordering.
|
Thank you once again for making our 21st Century Dance concert a very memorable evening!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to Front Maths
|
Fluency in Mathematics is about developing number sense and being able to use the most appropriate method for the task at hand; to be able to apply a skill to multiple contexts.
|
Teaching students a wide range of strategies allows them to choose the most effective and efficient way to solve a given problem.
|
How would you solve this 247+74?
|
There are many ways to solve it and arrive at the correct answer.
|
For example some students may use a decomposing strategy to split the numbers based on their place value.
|
|
Other may choose to use compensating.
|
When students are fluent Mathematicians they are able to identify a strategy that allows them too quickly and accurately arrive at the answer. This allows students to use their brain power for the more complex tasks of Problem Solving and Reasoning.
|
|
Curriculum Leader Mathematics
|
|
|
|
|
Bishop’s Daily Reflection – Friday,19 November 2021
|
Intentional living
As I write this reflection I am looking out of the window. I can see the dappled rays of the sun through the palm fronds. The wind is gently playing with the fronds.
It is reminding me of this morning. I was celebrating the Graduation Mass for Year 12 students at MacKillop College here in the Palmerston area. After processing into the assembly, I turned around and looked at the trees in the bush beyond. I found it very grounding, settling.
It has been a very full week and is not over yet. I caught my breath.
I shared my experience with these young people during the homily. They have just been through their Year 12 exams. Now they are waiting for their Year 12 results. They are also about to embark on a very new chapter in life as young adults into the big wide world out there away from the security of school life.
So many changes! The Gospel of the Mass echoed the words of Jesus telling us not to worry, not to be afraid. I shared with them that we cannot always control what happens, but we can control how we react.
Looking at nature, connecting with it, feeling the air coming into us as we breathe, feeling the earth underneath, help us to stop and remember that God is with us.
We can react to life and its challenges with hope and courage.
We are never alone.
Living our Faith is a daily commitment. Living our Faith is much more than intellectual assent. Although this is important, however, it is not enough.
Attentiveness, intentionality, affirmation are all part of living our Faith.
As we reach out of ourselves, we are open to God and to others.
|
Yours in Christ,
+Charles Gauci
Bishop of Darwin & NT
|
|
|
|
|
Semester Two Academic Reports
|
At this time of year, you might be forgiven for thinking that students and teachers are beginning to slow down as we head towards the end of the school year – not so! Our teachers in particular are very busy putting together student Academic Reports and their Evidence of Learning Portfolios.
|
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School’s reporting processes reflect the requirements outlined in the Northern Territory Department of Education’s Assessment and Reporting policy. The following information provides further background and details on the academic reporting process and how judgements are made in order to award the overall results seen in your child’s report.
|
|
What requirements are there for reporting to parents?
|
Schools are required to provide written reports, at least twice a year, on student achievement. A 5-point scale is used to outline student achievement against the year level achievement standard.
|
|
The approved 5-point scale used at St Mary’s is outlined below:
|
|
The grades awarded on this report are based on:
|
|
A = Evidence of learning demonstrates outstanding achievement at this year level.
|
|
B = Evidence of learning demonstrates high achievement at this year level.
|
|
C = Evidence of learning demonstrates sound achievement at this year level.
|
|
D = Evidence of learning demonstrates limited achievement at this year level.
|
|
E = Evidence of learning demonstrates very limited achievement at this year level.
|
|
What does a ‘C’ Sound achievement standard mean?
|
For all Australian Curriculum subject areas, students are assessed against the relevant Achievement Standard for that year level. It is important to recognise that the Australian Curriculum achievement standards clearly outlines the expectations of a ‘C’ standard. If your child receives a ‘C’ or ‘Sound’ achievement, they are operating at the year level standard and expectation. This means that the student is achieving everything required for the subject at that stage in their corresponding year level at school. Therefore, attaining a ‘C’ or ‘Sound’ achievement means your child is on target for their age and year level.
|
|
When will I receive my child’s report?
|
|
Semester Two reports are emailed to parents during the last week of Term 4. If you would like to request a printed report, please email the front office. Please ensure that we have the most up to date email address on file at the office to ensure you receive your child’s report.
|
|
|
|
Friendships and Conflict
|
During primary school children go through many stages of making friends and along the way will experience conflict at some stage. As the weather starts to build-up and we draw closer to the end of the year, we find ourselves more tired and less patient when it comes to conflict and problem solving. Friendships enable children to learn and practise important social and emotional skills. Within friendship groups, children develop their ability to communicate effectively, empathise, self-regulate emotions, listen, manage conflict, negotiate, compromise, collaborate and problem solve.
|
Some children may get confused when they have a disagreement or conflict with another person and may call this bullying. It is important that we teach our students about this and ensure they understand what bullying is and how to get support. The ‘Bullying No Way’ website is a great website to access student and family fact sheets and resources.
|
At St Mary’s we use a number of tools to develop our students’ social and emotional learning and promote student wellbeing. Earlier this year our entire staff took part in the national ‘Keeping Safe’ curriculum training. We use the consistent language of our Four Rs (Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Ready to Learn) and our Making Jesus Real philosophy to create clear expectations and promote positive learning, student wellbeing and positive behaviour. The MindUp for Life program infuses developmental neuroscience, mindful awareness practice, social emotional learning, and positive psychology to foster children’s wellbeing and resilience. Our students thoroughly enjoyed NED’s visit to the school to teach them about the ‘power of YET’ and growth mindset, a key tool for learning and wellbeing. Most recently out students have been taking part in ‘STEM Fridays’ a fun way to develop their problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.
|
Developing children’s social and emotional learning and giving them the skills to deal with conflict can teach our children:
|
- How to give and take
- How to come to an agreement
- How to compromise
- How to solve problems
- To build empathy
- To understand others and their needs
- To build teamwork skills
- How to develop positive relationships.
|
|
|
Apple for the Teacher
|
|
|
Show these absolute legends how much we appreciate them!
|
|
The annual Hot 100 Apple for the Teacher competition is an opportunity for families and schools to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our teachers!
|
|
This Year 3 of our amazing teachers; Ms Zufferey, Mrs Coccetti and Mrs Carew and one of our Early Childhood Educators Ms Hargreaves have been nominated.
|
|
There are awesome prizes for the both the winning teacher, their class and the school so please click the link below to show your support and vote!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parents & Friends Christmas Raffle
|
|
This term the Parents and Friends committee are holding a Christmas Raffle to continue raising funds to upgrade the technological learning supports for our school, this includes iPads, Laptops, desktop computers and associated educational resources.
If you have a business that might like to contribute a donation of goods or services as a prize please contact Briony via email on parentsandfriends@stmarysnt.net or drop your donation to the office.
Raffle booklets will be sent home with students in the coming weeks and our raffle will be drawn at the school's Carols event in Week 9.
The parents and friends committee would like to take the opportunity to thank you for considering our request of a donation and will be thanking all businesses who contribute via our school newsletter.
Thank you, Parents & Friends Committee
|
|
|
|
BYODD Program
|
|
|
Technology is an educational tool to support learning... it does not replace the learning of key fundamental skills!
|
|
Our BYODD program has proven to be extremely successful and popular providing opportunities for teachers to integrate technology meaningfully into the learning and teaching program and for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom. From 2022 students moving into Year 4 will also be eligible to join the BYODD program for the start of the new school year.
|
|
Please take the time to review the BYODD Parent Information and device specification guide which was sent home to all Year 3/4 students and those without a designated school device. These documents include answers to frequently asked questions as well as information regarding the chosen device options and how to order. We also encourage you to learn more about our device supplier Edunet by watching the short video linked in the button below. If you have any questions regarding the BYODD program, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding School Fees
|
Thank you to the many families who have already finalised their school accounts for 2021. To those families who still have fees outstanding please be aware
that payment is now due and fees need to be paid assoon as possible.
|
If you believe that that you will not be able to pay your school fees account by the end of the school year (16th Dec, 2021) or are having difficulties making payments, please contact the office and make an appointment to arrange a payment plan. Payments can be made at the School office by cash or EFT. Credit Card payments can be made over the phone or electronic payments can be made directly to the school.
|
Our account details are as follows:
Account Name: St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Branch Number: 085-933
Account Number: 39 686 0268
Reference when processing your payment:
|
|
School Fees: Please quote your Family Ref (at the bottom right of the statement).
|
|
Out of School Hours Fees: Please quote your Family Name and OSHC
|
Community of Learners: Please quote your Family Name and COL
|
|
To request an updated statement for School Fees please contact our finance officer Louise Higgins on louise.higgins@nt.catholic.edu.au.
|
|
OSHC and COL statements are processed and sent out weekly by our Bookkeeper Kathy Zerafa.
|
|
|
|
School Fee Information
|
|
|
|
Christmas Carols Evening
|
|
The classes have started rehearsing their Christmas Carols for our upcoming Christmas Around the World! On the night students come dressed in their best Christmas outfit - a Christmas tshirt, santa hat or accessory - be as creative as you like!
|
|
|
|
|
Enrolments for 2022
|
|
|
Help spread the word! Enrolments for 2022 are now open
|
If you would like an enrolment package, please contact the school office. If you have already received an enrolment package for your Transition 2022 child, please complete and return to the school office as soon as possible so your enrolment interview can be scheduled. If your child is currently enrolled in the St Mary’s Community of Learners Pre-school program you will still need to complete a School enrolment form for Transition.
|
As a result of our current enrolment numbers for Transition in 2022 we are delighted to share with our school community that we will have two small Transition classes of around 15 students. This will give 2022 Transition students an optimal learning environment for their first year at school.
|
Please note, that until enrolment paperwork is received at the school office, we cannot hold places for Transition 2022. Therefore, if you currently have a child at St Mary's and have a younger sibling starting Transition next year, please let the school office know as soon as possible.
|
|
Our Transition Orientation program has commenced. Only children who have completed enrolment forms will be able to attend the Orientation program, so please kindly finalise all Transition enrolments as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
In the Event of a Cyclone
|
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 our school app – school stream, facebook and email, but this will be dependent on the availability of power and personnel.
|
|
|
|
New Way November 2021
|
|
|
|
Download our School App
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canteen Online Orders
|
|
|
To streamline processes across the school, this term we will be phasing out paper bag lunch orders from our canteen.
|
|
We encourage families 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please help spread the word!
|
|
We are so excited to be running our very own Playgroup sessions at St Mary's.
|
|
These sessions are open to families outside of the school and cater for babies and toddlers of all ages. You can find us every Friday (school term only) in the Mary MacKillop Hall, please enter via the Parish entrance from Smith Street.
|
|
|
|
St John's Catholic College, Darwin
Year 7 2022
|
|
Information regarding Year 7 2022 at St John's Catholic College.
|
|
|
|
|
What is happening in Darwin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  
|
|
|
|
|
|
