Week 10 - Term 4 Newsletter 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Families and Friends,
It has been a busy couple of weeks to finish off our year, from our Year 6 Graduation Dinner & our End of Year Prize Giving to our End of year Fun Days. Thank you to all of our families for your support this year. It has been a wonderful year of learning where we as a school have continued to strengthen our Vision for Learning - "Learning Begins with Me - Head Heart & Hands".
End-of-Year Awards & Prize Giving
Last Thursday, we held our End of Year Awards & Prize Giving, which was a wonderful time as a school parish community to acknowledge our school leaders for 2024 and recognise students in all classes under the following categories: Academic Achievement, Faith in Action and Learning Begins with Me.
Our 2024 Award Winners:
- Year 6 - St Joseph's Award - Grace Bell
- Year 6 - Faith in Action Award - Zoe Brett
- Year 6 - Leadership Award - Meesha Ellis
- Year 6 - Sportsmanship Award - Roo Coulson
- Year 6 - Dux - Flynn Crowley
- Year 5 - 'Academic Achievement' Award -Owen Moss
- Year 5 - 'Faith In Action' Award - Marlie Cook
- Year 5 - 'Learning Begins with Me' Award - Brock Camilleri
- Year 4 - 'Academic Achievement' Award - Zee Coulson
- Year 4 - 'Faith In Action' Award - Isaak Bailey
- Year 4 - 'Learning Begins with Me' Award - Poppie Weedon
- Year 3 - 'Academic Achievement' Award - Lawson Bell
- Year 3 - 'Faith In Action' Award - Oliver Want
- Year 3 - 'Learning Begins with Me' Award - Dotti Kemp
- Year 2 - 'Academic Achievement' Award - Sylvie Donaldson
- Year 2 - 'Faith In Action' Award - Jasper White
- Year 2 - 'Learning Begins with Me' Award - Maeve Connor
- Year 1 - 'Academic Achievement' Award - Adam Smith-Khan
- Year 1 - 'Faith In Action' Award - Luna Wood
- Year 1 - 'Learning Begins with Me' Award - Lilah Horne
- Kindy - 'Academic Achievement' - Alby Anderson
- Kindy - 'Faith In Action' Award -Greta Donaldson
- Kindy - 'Learning Begins with Me' Award - Banksia Lee
2025 School Starting Dates
- Years 1 - 6: Monday 3rd February
- Kindergarten: Friday 7th February
Just a reminder for all families to please note our starting date for students (Year 1 - Year 6) next year will be Monday 3rd February 2025. The preferred and suggested model from Catholic Schools Office is for schools to have a staggered start for 2025 school year, with students to come in for a scheduled Maths Assessment Interview. However, we are conscious of the stress & complications this model places on our families (particularly after a lengthy summer holiday).
Similar to this year, during Weeks 1/2, students will be withdrawn from classroom learning to participate in a Maths Assessment Interview. Teaching staff will schedule these interviews during normal school hours. Please note that for this to occur, students may not have their regular classroom teacher for the full day.
Please note the starting date for all Kindergarten students will be Friday 7th, February.
Early Term 1 Dates to Remember
- Swimming Carnival (Years 1-6) - Week 2, Monday 10th February
- Beginning School Mass - Week 2, Friday 14th February
- Parent Information Night - Week 3, Tuesday 18th February
Departing Families
Lastly, I would like to thank and farewell the following departing families who will be leaving our school community at the end of the year. We wish all of them well in their new school communities and thank them for their involvement and partnership with the school : Hodgson family (Sophia - Kindy), Donaldson family (Greta - Kindy & Sylvie - Year 2), Cook family (Max - Year 2 & Marlie - Year 5), Coulson family (Zee - Year 4 & Roo - Year 6), Anderson family (Ava - Year 6), Brett family (Zoe - Year 6), Crowley family (Flynn - Year 6), Gibbons family (Taj - Year 6), Maycock family (Jesse Jae - Year 6), & McIntyre family (Jacob - Year 6).
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas break with your families & I look forward to working alongside everyone in 2025.
Kind regards
Dale
Leaders of Learning
Keeping the Spark Alive Over the Holidays
As we wrap up the year, I’d like to thank our students, families, and staff for their hard work, support, and commitment throughout 2024.
The holiday break is a well-deserved time for rest and family connection, but it’s also a great opportunity to keep learning alive in simple, meaningful ways. Over the holidays, you can support your child by:
- Encouraging daily reading – explore books together, visit the library, or enjoy an audiobook.
- Practising real-world maths – cooking, measuring, shopping, or playing board games are fun ways to build these skills.
- Keeping curious – explore nature, ask questions, or try creative activities like art, journaling, or building.
Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and a safe, restful holiday. We look forward to seeing you in 2025 for another year of learning and growth!
Mrs Senz & Mrs Mclennan
Mission & Values
Advent - Week 3 - Joy
As we move into the third week of Advent, our focus shifts to Joy. This season invites us not only to prepare for the celebration of Christmas but also to open our hearts to the profound joy that the birth of Jesus brings into the world. The third candle on the Advent wreath, often called the "Joy Candle," is a symbol of the hope and happiness that Christ's presence brings into our lives.
In the midst of the season's busyness, it can be easy to forget the joy that is at the heart of Advent. Between the preparations, shopping, and the rush of activities, we can sometimes lose sight of the quiet joy that comes from knowing we are preparing for something truly wonderful—the birth of our Savior.
This week, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on the joy of the season. Consider these questions as a family:
- How can we bring joy into our home and share it with others?
- Is there someone we can reach out to, offering a word of kindness or a gesture of love to lift their spirits?
- What simple moments of joy can we create together, whether through laughter, kindness, or time spent in each other’s company?
As we continue our Advent journey, let’s take time to embrace the joy that surrounds us—the joy of togetherness, of love shared, and of preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. May this week remind us that joy is not just something to be felt on Christmas Day, but something we are called to share and live out in every moment of this Advent season.
Year 6
As the end of the school year approaches, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our Year 6 students, wishing them all the best as they embark on the next exciting chapter of their education at high school.
This week, we came together to celebrate their many milestones—honouring their achievements, the friendships they've forged, and the meaningful connections they've built with staff and, most importantly, with each other. The Graduation Dinner last Thursday was a beautiful reminder of the strong bonds within our school community. It was truly special to celebrate the end of their primary school journey with their families and friends.
Congratulations to all of our graduating students and their families. We are so proud of all that you've accomplished and can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes you.
Christmas Mass Times
As we approach the joyful celebration of Christmas, students and families are all warmly invited to attend Christmas Mass. This is a special time for our parish community to come together in faith, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and to reflect on the hope, love, and peace He brings to the world.
Whether you attend as a family or come with friends, these Masses offer a beautiful opportunity to pause and connect with the true spirit of Christmas.
Lastly, I would like to wish all our families a happy, holy, safe and fun-filled Christmas and I look forward to seeing everyone next year.
Mrs Senz
Pastoral Care - School Chaplain
Community Connect
A huge thank you to St VIncent De Paul for your generosity that you have given towards our Breakfast club throughout the year. This has provided ongoing work to ensure all students can fully participate in their learning at school and build happy and healthy lives. You have made Thursday mornings such a wonderful time for our students to gather together and serve others.
Thank you to all our amazing students that have given up their playtime to volunteer in our Breakfast Club. Without your service this would not have been possible. You are so appreciated by our school community.
LAP
Thank you so much to our wonderful LAP volunteers Colleen, Sue and Mike for your kindness, time and effort you have shown to our students this year. We are so fortunate to have you as part of our school family and we hope to see you next year.
We wish you the Merriest Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
A special thankyou to Sue Winter for your expertise in teaching us Spanish every Tuesday and Thursday at lunch. We have thoroughly enjoyed learning another language with you. You are an absolute treasure.
Student Representative Council
We wish to congratulate all of our 2024 members of the SRC/ Minnie Vinnies on a remarkable year of leadership for this year. The students have continued to lead their year groups, enthusiastically coordinated a number of highly successful fundraising initiatives and participated in leadership opportunities.
An overview of their achievements in 2024 are;
- Project Compassion
- Pancake Tuesday
- St Vincent De Paul’s Winter Appeal; Hot Dog Day
- Mother’s Day High Tea
- Catholic Mission; Socktober
- Fathers Day
- SRC Fundays
- Jersey Day
The SRC is supporting the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal as our final project for 2024. Eleven hampers were presented to our local St Vincent De Paul representatives on Thursday. We thank each and every SRC member for all they have given to their school community, local community and the global community.
Well done!
Mrs Juana Mead
Pastoral Care - School Counsellor
MAKING THE MOST OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
School holidays can be a great time to reconnect as a family and create memories. Despite the challenges that can come with the extended school holidays, these breaks can be an enjoyable and enriching experience for everyone.
1. Prioritise Quality Time
Amid busy schedules, school holidays are an opportunity to slow down and focus on being present with our children. You can plan simple activities like family meals, board games, or a nature walk. These moments foster connection and don’t require extravagant expenses.
2. Encourage Creativity and Exploration
Holidays provide a chance for children to explore interests they might not have time for during the school term. Support them in trying out a new hobby, such as painting, cooking, or gardening.
3. Plan a Mix of Activities
Balance is key. While structured outings like a day out in town or trip to the movies are exciting, leave space for downtime. Unstructured play, reading, or simply relaxing together helps children recharge.
4. Get Outdoors
Take advantage of local parks, walks, or beaches. Fresh air and physical activity are great for everyone’s mental health and energy levels. We can also turn outdoor adventures into learning experiences by teaching our kids about plants, wildlife, or local geography.
5. Set Realistic Expectations
Not every day needs to be packed with activities. It’s good to have quieter days at home. Keep communication open with your children about what they’d like to do while also considering your own energy levels.
6. Capture the Memories
Encourage your kids to keep a holiday journal, scrapbook, or photo diary. These creative outlets help them reflect on their experiences and preserve the memories.
7. Take Care of Yourself
Remember, holidays breaks are for you too! Try to carve out moments to recharge, whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee or reading your favorite book. A happy parent contributes to a happier family environment.
The school holidays can be challenging at times, but are also a chance to embrace the joys of family life and create positive shared experiences.
Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season and I'm looking forward to seeing students and families when school returns next year.
Jess Jones - School Counsellor
Technology News
With the holidays upon us, your children might be spending more time online for entertainment and to connect with their friends.
As a parent or carer, you can help them have safe and positive experiences online. Have a conversation with your child today about:
- Staying safe online
- Dealing with cyberbullying
- Avoiding inappropriate content
- Managing unwanted contact
The eSafety Commissioner website (eSafety.gov.au) offers excellent advice and resources for parents and carers to help keep young people safe online.
Mrs Mclennan
