Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 3! It is hard to believe we have passed the halfway mark for 2023 and are already in Semester 2. Staff began the first week of school on Monday, 17th July having a Staff Development Day. Professional learning focused on our Annual School Improvement Plan and using data to improve student learning. Thank you for accommodating this day and making various care arrangements. The day was insightful and productive, and staff look forward to bringing our Annual School Improvement goals to fruition as the year progresses. The Annual Improvement  Goals we will continue to work on throughout semester two are: 

• revision of our vision and mission statement to articulate who we are as a Catholic community;
• growth in student writing with impactful teacher practices.

We look forward to sharing our progress with you.

It was lovely to welcome the students back to school on Tuesday, 18th July. I visited various classes and had an opportunity to ask students about their school holidays. Some students relaxed at home whilst others travelled, most importantly they enjoyed spending time with family and friends. This term will be busy but fun, with high expectations and enriching learning experiences for our students. We hope to continue to work together for another great term.  

On Friday, 21st July, Year 6 Mini Vinnies Students joined Mrs Mathieson, Mr Anderson and Miss Milsom overnight for the Winter Sleepout raising money for the Homeless in our local community. The Winter Sleepout is a Social Justice initiative concerned with respect and response to the dignity and rights of all human persons, especially those most vulnerable in our community. Social Justice teaching is based on the examples provided by Jesus, as shared in the Gospels. These teachings guide us in how to live a life showing love, justice, peace and forgiveness. Thank you to our students and teachers involved in the overnight experience. I also appreciate Mrs Royston, Mrs Heffernan, Mrs Palmer and Mrs Luxford for assisting with the sleepout. Thank you to St. Vincent de Paul and all who supported the fundraising event with various donations. The Winter Sleepout was successful and a wonderful learning opportunity for our students.

Today we celebrated 100 days of Kindergarten with our Kinder students. The teachers and students looked amazing dressed as though they were 100. We are very proud of how well they have settled into the beginning of their primary school education.

Our students are looking forward to using the new soccer goals purchased by our Parents and Friends Association. A very special thank you is extended to all parents for supporting the fundraising initiatives in our school, to members of our P&F and Sam George, Samantha Gough and Walter Montgomery for spending Wednesday afternoon putting the goals together. New goals have been on the wish list of our students for some time so they are very excited about putting the goals to good use.

We have many grades going on excursions and students participating in various sporting events. On Friday 4th, August, we will have our very special Grandparents Liturgy. Please share this date with grandparents and significant people as we would love you to join us for this celebration. 

As the term proceeds, I ask for your continued support in ensuring the safety of all students regarding school drop-off and pick-up procedures. Supervision by staff begins at 8:15 am. Please wait with your child until this time. In the afternoon at home pick-up time, please accompany your child across the road using the school crossing zones. Due to safety concerns, we will dismiss students at the classroom at 3 pm when a parent/ carer is present or later at the crossing zone when students can be accompanied by an adult to the car. I appreciate your continued commitment to the safety and concern of our students.

CUPCAKE DAY - WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST

As is our tradition in Year 6 raising money to provide a graduation gift for the school, this year our 2023 students are fundraising to purchase a school banner. The banner will feature designs by our Year 6 artists, including our school values, bridges and the black cockatoo.

The cake day will be held on Wednesday 9 August, offering items for sale between 25cents and $2. Please send an appropriate amount with your child.

We'd like to thank our Year 6 students and their parents/carers in advance, for providing a range of cupcakes, cookies, muffins, donuts and biscuits for this event.

Mr Paton is due to return from his well-deserved long service leave in the coming week. In his absence, I have appreciated the ongoing support of all staff and families. Wishing you a lovely weekend, I look forward to working with you throughout the term.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL

A BIG THANK YOU to all our families for supporting our St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal last Friday. $700 was raised along with four baskets of Winter apparel.

Thank you for your generosity.

On Friday night, 24 Mini Vinnies students participated in the Winter Sleepout. They braved the cold and went without their usual luxuries and comforts of life to experience those in our community doing it tough every night. They collected sponsorship and raised well over $1300. We are still waiting on some donations.

Judith Walker from the Vinnies Conference at Nowra was our guest speaker. She was delighted with the students’ efforts. With the increase in food prices, Nowra Vinnies distribute $3000 each fortnight in vouchers, so the monies raised will be well spent. 

Thank you to Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski, Mrs Michelle Heffernan, Mrs Cathy Palmer, Mrs Sam Luxford and Mrs Bernie Royston for their support in assisting with this important event. A special thank you to Miss Hayley Millsom and Mr Dylan Anderson who slept overnight with myself and the students. It was a great experience.

Having the mufti day and sleepout to support those in need, just like Jesus did is an important part of Catholic education. Well done Mini Vinnies!

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY- FRIDAY 4 AUGUST

CLASS MASSES

Year 6 attended their class mass this week. Thank you to the parents who were able to join them to celebrate mass.

The following class masses will take place over the next two weeks:

It would be lovely if you are able to join your child’s grade mass. Celebrating the mass with your child is an important of our faith. We look forward to welcoming you at the class masses.

Thank you

Martine Mathieson

Religious Education Coordinator