Term 1 Week 8 2024
St Joseph’s Day Celebrations
On Thursday we celebrated St Joseph’s Day. It was a day filled with community spirit, faith and fun, and we are incredibly grateful for the participation and support of our families.
Our day began with a beautiful assembly by Bella and her friends to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. This was followed at midday with a lovely liturgy, thoughtfully led by our Year 1 and Year 2 students. The liturgy was followed by open classrooms and school tours, offering a glimpse into the daily lives and learning of our students. The shared lunch with our families was a highlight, as it allowed us to come together and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed atmosphere.
The festivities concluded with an afternoon of fun tabloid sports, with lots of laughter and friendly competition. It was a fitting end to a day that celebrated not only St Joseph but also the spirit of our school community.
We acknowledge Mrs. Leah Toole, Mrs. Leanne Hyland, Mrs. Lorna Aldridge, and Mrs. Maria Wilson for their dedication and hard work in organising the liturgy. Their efforts ensured the event was both meaningful and memorable.
A special thank you also goes to Ms. Josie Lulham and Year 5 and 6 leaders, whose coordination of the tabloid sports was instrumental in providing an enjoyable and engaging experience for all. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making St Joseph's Day a truly remarkable event. We look forward to many more celebrations with you all throughout the year.
Catholic Education Week
Our school will join with more than 45 schools across the Lismore Diocese to celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). This will take place in Week 11, Term 1 from April 8-12.
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.
We 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 that you are invited to attend:
Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you during our celebrations for Catholic Education Week in 2024.
Congratulations to Mrs Alfina Jackson
Cybersafety Information Night
One of the highlights of Catholic Education Week is our Kindergarten 2025 Open Information Evening, scheduled for Monday, April 8th, at 4:30 pm. We are thrilled to welcome prospective families and showcase the exceptional, caring, and innovative learning environment our school offers. The interest we've received so far has been outstanding, with numerous expressions of interest and enrolments.
We would deeply appreciate your continued support in spreading the word about this event. Please help us by liking, sharing, and commenting on our posts regarding Kindergarten 2025 on Facebook. Furthermore, if you are aware of anyone contemplating becoming a part of our school community in 2025, kindly encourage them to attend our Kindergarten Open Night. Please complete the form below to register your interest for this night.
Best wishes from the leadership team
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Mr Rick Galvin Principal |
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Mrs Maria Wilson Assistant Principal Mission |
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Mrs Jessica Koenig Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching |
Term 1 Week 9 2024 |
School Events |
Monday 25th March |
Regional High School Visit Guitar Lessons Year 5/6 Library Day Canteen |
Tuesday 26th March |
Kinder Craft Afternoon 2-2:45pm Yr 1/2 Library Day |
Wednesday 27th March |
Kindergarten Library Day |
Thursday 28th March |
Stations of the Cross Liturgy - Hall 12pm Assembly - 2pm EASTER RAFFLE - 2:30pm |
Friday 28th March |
Good Friday - NO SCHOOL TODAY - Easter Long Weekend - Happy Easter!! |
MASS TIMES |
Holy Thursday Mass - 28th March - 6:00pm - St Peter the Fisherman Church Good Friday Mass - 29th March - 3:00pm - St Peter the Fisherman Church Easter Vigil - 30th March - 6:00pm - St Peter the Fisherman Church Easter Sunday- 31st March - 7:30am - St Peter the Fisherman Church |
Up Coming Events |
Term 1 Week 10 Easter Monday - 1st April Stage 2 Science Excursion - 3rd April Stage 2 Theatre Excursion - 4th April School Cross Country - 5th April Kinder & Year 1 Catch Up - 7th April Year 2 Picnic Kendall Pool - 7th April Term 1 Week 11 Catholic Education Week Kindergarten 2025 Info Night - 8 April Project Compassion - Out of uniform fundraiser - 11 April Last day of Term 1 - 12 April Year 3 Catch Up at Lake Cathie - 14th April 10am Term 2 Week 1 Staff Development Day - 29 April First day Term 2 - 30 April
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World Down Syndrome Day, observed annually on March 21st, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and promoting understanding of Down syndrome. This day serves as a platform to celebrate the invaluable contributions and achievements of individuals with Down syndrome, while also advocating for their rights, inclusion, and well-being. It aims to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and highlight the unique abilities and talents of people with Down syndrome. Through various activities, events, and educational initiatives, World Down Syndrome Day encourages communities worldwide to foster a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive and fulfill their potential. It's a day of celebration, empowerment, and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Year 3 Whiddon Nursing Home Visit
Kinder and Buddies Easter Craft Afternoon
Lunchtime Fun!
Bush Tucker
In Science & Technology, Year 5 and 6 explored a variety of bush foods in preparation for their design project. Students used their senses of taste, touch and smell when trying and smelling a variety of fresh, preserved and dried bush foods. Mrs Jackson brought in fresh strawberry gum leaves and saltbush, and made lemon myrtle tea. Students tried ground Dorrigo pepper, whole wattle seed, Davidson plum jam and rosella jam. Students' favourite was the lemon myrtle tea as we needed to make an extra pot! This was a great experience as students begin to research bush tucker plants that they can add to their bush tucker garden proposal.
This year we will be holding the Easter raffle on Thursday 28th March.
Once again you can purchase raffle tickets via Flexischools. We also sent home 5 paper raffle tickets with each child on Monday. Please return the money to the school office by Tuesday 26th March. Please also return any unsold tickets by this date. Tickets are $1 each.
In addition, donations of Easter eggs for the raffle can be made to the school office or via Flexischools.
If you are available to help out with the wrapping of Easter prizes, please contact the office.
Thank you again for all your support.
Privacy Collection Notice
Hi Parents & Carers, We would like to advise you that the Australian Government Department of Education will be undertaking a residential address collection this month.
The Catholic Schools Office will centrally collect, collate and furnish this data from the schools' Compass system. This information is collected and used with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data to inform the Australian Government school education policy and funding calculations.
Your personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988. Any use or disclosure of your personal information must occur in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Australian Education Act 2013 and the Australian Education Regulations 2023. Please see attached for more details.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Early next term (in Weeks 2 - 4), our school will participate in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey. The student survey (Years 4-6) will provide valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school, and how teachers interact with them.
WHY DO WE SURVEY?
Each year this survey is used to help inform the school staff about what we are doing well and what we need to improve upon. At the end of the survey period, the school will receive a report on our school’s survey results. The school will again analyse these results and share with parents and carers key findings, usually through the newsletter and School Community Group Meetings. This data is then used to improve our school, whether with short-term initiatives or long-term school goals.
STUDENT SURVEY
The survey is run by an independent research company, The Learning Bar, which specialises in school-based surveys. Find out more about The Learning Bar and the TTFM survey here - https://thelearningbar.com/
The TTFM survey is confidential, and staff will not be able to identify individuals from their responses.
To ensure confidentiality, participating students in years 4-6 will receive a unique username and password. All information will be handled according to relevant privacy legislation. Students’ personal information will not be disclosed by the school to any other person or body other than as required by law. Individual students will not be identified in any publications. The survey is conducted online, takes 15 to 30 minutes, and will occur at school during school hours.
Participating in the survey is voluntary. If any survey questions make your child uncomfortable, your child can skip the question or can choose to stop the survey at any time. If you do not want your child/children to take part in the survey, please let your child's class teacher know by the end of Term 1, 2024.
PARENT/CARERS AND TEACHER SURVEY
In addition to the student survey, parents, carers and teaching staff will have the opportunity to participate in the TTFM survey. We hope, over the past 3 years, our families have seen their feedback taken on and will take the time to complete this survey.
Please keep an eye out for information on how to participate early next term.
Please check your Compass Events Module for:
Theatre Excursion - Dogman The Musical - Years 3 & 4
Covering of Books - Volunteer from Home 2024
Covering of Books - Volunteer from Home 2024
Please find below the Canteen schedule for term 1.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to assist; every minute you can help makes a massive difference.
| Monday 25th Mar | Friday 29th Mar | Monday 1st Apr | Friday 5 Apr |
| Karina | GOOD FRIDAY | EASTER MONDAY | CROSS COUNTRY |
| Bel | |||
In order for the canteen to run efficiently we need at least one helper on a Monday, and two helpers on a Friday. If you can help at all, please contact Emma Hockham at emma.hockham@lism.catholic.edu.au
Please remember you will need a current working with children's check and sign-in through the office to pick up your name badge.
Thank you
Emma Hockham
