Dear Parents and Carers

I hope that you enjoyed the holiday break with your family. Students have returned to school in a positive way and seem happy and well-rested, ready for another term of learning.

This week many classes have launched into their Storyline topics with provocations and wondering experiences. In Kindergarten students were introduced to Oreo the rabbit as well as baby quails who they will care for during the term as part of their learning about farming. Year 6 students re-enacted the experience of border control this week, imagining the experience of a refugee as they departed their country of origin. Storyline is an approach that brings learning to life, where teachers design opportunities for students to step into the lives of real life characters and eventually create their own 'storyline' as they acquire knowledge and understandings.

In the final week of Term 3, parents and other community members are invited into the school to view the Storyline learning in each classroom. Please keep Tuesday 19 September free in your diary for this special school event.

Microsoft Digital Technologies

On Monday, all staff participated in professional learning facilitated by Adrian Francis of Using Technology Better. Teachers learnt new skills in using the Microsoft Suite of digital resources with the aim to enhance teaching and learning outcomes for students. As part of the Reinvent the Classroom project, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to engage with up-to-date technologies. The new skills that teachers have acquired will be a key feature of Storyline this term.

Knowledge for Teachers Podcast

During the holidays an episode of the 'Knowledge for Teachers' podcast launched, highlighting the journey that our school has undertaken as early adopters in our Archdiocese of the Explicit Direct Instruction pedagogy. Jo Wain, Jennifer Smith and Rebecca Brady were interviewed by Brendan Lee, who visited our school last term. The link to the podcast is here

NAIDOC Events

As NAIDOC Week took place in the school holidays, we are celebrating with three key events over the coming weeks. Tomorrow, Aboriginal students from Years 1-6 and the Student Representative leaders will be attending a regional NAIDOC Mass for Catholic schools and parents in the Southern Region. The Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Moruya beginning with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country offered by Trish Ellis and will be followed by a presentation of awards. 

On Thursday 3 August, students are asked to come to school dressed in the colours of the Aboriginal flag or other Aboriginal designs. Supporting Trish in her lessons will be a member of the Djinama Yilaga choir who will teach and sing the Welcome Song to students in Dhurga language.

The Yuin Banaan Cultural Day, will be held on Friday 4 August, when all Aboriginal students and some invited participants will gather at Captain Oldrey Park, Broulee, along with students and their families from Carroll College and St Mary's Moruya. A range of activities will be facilitated by Year 10 students of Carroll College and members of the Aboriginal community including art, dance, ochre face painting, damper making, ball games, bush tucker walk and Aboriginal Trivia. We thank NIAA for the grant we received from them to support the day, as well as community groups who have generously accepted our invitation to attend.

Bridging Aboriginal and Christian Spirituality

An invitation has been extended to members of our school community and their friends and family to attend a Gathering at St Bernard’s Parish Church on the theme ‘Bridging Aboriginal and Christian Spirituality’. The gathering will take place on Tuesday 22 August at 10am – 3pm in the Church Meeting Room. 

Guest Speakers include Loretta Parsley, First Nation’s Elder and facilitators Carolyn Evenden and Marie Weatherall. There is no cost and morning tea will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their own potluck lunch to share with others. 

All are welcome. Bookings are essential by Tuesday Aug 15 by calling Marie [m] 0405 028 057.  

ICAS

ICAS is an educational assessment designed to target students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. Students from Years 2-6 will have the opportunity to enter this online competition for subjects listed, with the exception of Writing, which is available to students in Years 3-6. It is important to note that the assessments are targeted for students wishing to extend themselves academically and to take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment.
 
Every student who enters will receive a printed certificate and an online result report. Top performers in Australia will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.
 
ICAS Assessments Sitting Date Schedule
Digital Technologies         Monday 7 August
Writing (Years 3-6)          Tuesday 8 August
English                           Monday 14 August
Science                          Monday 21 August
Spelling Bee                   Wednesday 23 August
Mathematics                   Monday 28 August

Cost for each Assessment (excluding Writing)- $19.25
Cost for Writing Assessment- $23.65

Online Parent Payment

If you would like your child to participate in any of the subjects listed above, please visit the online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments. Payment can be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card.

Closing date for entry and the online payment system is Monday 31 July, 2023

P&F Meeting

All parents and friends of the school are invited to the next P&F meeting which will be held next Monday 24 July at 5.30pm in the Staffroom. At the meeting ideas for Term 3 fundraising will be discussed among other topics. We hope that you might be able to attend.

Tomorrow Beatrix F of Year 3 is competing for a place at the National Cross Country Championships. This is an excellent achievement and we wish her the very best!

As you know, Jo is currently on leave. She will return next Wednesday 26 July.

Have a lovely weekend

Karen Hadley