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SIGNS OF GOODNESS, WORDS OF THANKFULNESS AND ACTS OF KINDNESS
As we end Week 5 of Term 4, we wonder where on earth the time has gone! We observe friends or even our own families, where students are getting excited about moving from preschool into “big school”, Year 6 students are preparing to complete their journey with us and Year 12 students are graduating from high school. All of these milestones are incredibly important and special to our learning and personal journeys.
What about all the other days in between? What is so special about those? How differently would we see the world if we believed that every day was a gift and worth cherishing? Would we treat others differently?
What we know right now is that the world is still a good place but we may have trouble seeing it because we are worried about what’s happening in it and many are struggling with something that no one may even see or know. We know that even through all of the challenges of the past 2 years (and maybe because of them) we still see signs of goodness around us. They don’t need to be big, they can be a kind word, a smile, an apology for hurting someone, giving of ourselves to another person because they need it.
We also hear words of thankfulness, including our beautiful thankful tree now residing in our admin block which has helped our community refocus our minds on the things that are good in our lives, and there are many things that we can acknowledge.
In our current state of worry and uncertainty in the world, it is easy to place our needs and wants ahead of others. We can even think that what we are experiencing is bigger than anyone else and not place it in perspective around how others are coping. Wouldn’t it be great to come to the end of this year with a sense of connectedness to others and an understanding of how simple thoughts, words and actions can make an immense difference to another person. How much better would we feel too!
We invite you to recognise where you are right now, and how you can start the ripple with yourself and your family back into our community to acknowledge that we all are in this together and most likely, are all struggling with something. Before we make a comment or act let’s recognise the struggles of others and measure our response and make a positive difference. At school we spend a lot of time modelling restorative practices that heal relationships when something goes wrong. If we as adults can model this for our children, we will have more compassionate, respectful and resilient children. Don’t they deserve that from us?
Congratulations
Special congratulations to Charlize Miller (KSC) and her family who welcomed a baby girl named Frankie.
Celebrating Faith
This week, our Year 2 students led us in prayer to celebrate All Saints Day. We pray to the Saints we nominated for our Confirmation names, the Saints who have demonstrated heroism in following Jesus. We also recall to mind the many Holy souls that have departed, unknown but with God. We pray for all Saints to inspire our works of compassion.
Socktober
A special thank you to all students and families that supported Socktober. As a school, we were able to raise $3,475 a big increase on last year’s $452. These funds go towards helping the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Thailand look after vulnerable children and their families. It is really empowering for the students to know that together, we can make a difference.
Maths Olympiad
Each year 30 students are selected from Year 5 and 6 to participate in 5 monthly Maths Olympiad contests. The Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) provide opportunities for students to engage in creative problem solving experiences whilst developing logical and reasoning skills as well as how to be resourceful when solving more complex problems. The programs are unique in that they focus on students' ability to solve mathematical problems in a creative manner - as opposed to simply reaching a solution using a prescribed method.
Creative problem solving focuses on the real-world application of maths, encouraging children to think for themselves and explore a range of problem-solving options. By encouraging our students to think through a problem or challenge in a holistic manner, we are helping them to reach their full potential in relation to mathematical problem solving and, in essence, to make sense of mathematics.
The Maths Olympiad competitions main aim is to:
Introduce students to important mathematical concepts- Teach major strategies and develop flexibility for problem solving
- Foster creativity and ingenuity and strengthen intuition
- Stimulate enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics
- Provide for the satisfaction, joy and thrill of meeting challenges
This year our students were extremely privileged to be supported by Mr Pat Kelly. Mr Kelly worked alongside the students to build their capacity to problem solve as some challenges were extremely difficult. Unfortunately COVID-19 created some disruptions, however, students were still able to complete the 5 contests. We would like to acknowledge the following students who both finished in the top 30% in Australia: Eva Francis (6B) and Riley Robinson (6B).
Mr Kelly and I would like to congratulate all of our participants and we are looking forward to next year's challenges.
As Mental Health Month 2021 draws to a close we want to share with you our whole school wellbeing activity - Our Thankful Tree!
Giving thanks or having gratitude has been shown to have a positive impact on a person's emotional wellbeing.
- Gratitude can improve your mood
- Gratitude can make you more optimistic
- Sharing gratitude can improve social connection
- Practicing gratitude can improve your physical health
With these benefits in mind, each student received a leaf sticker to write down things they were grateful for in their lives.
The things that shone through the most were family, friends, nature, pets and community.
You can see our new 'Thankful Tree' in the administration block hallway.
What a wonderful school community we have!!
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
Last Friday, Year 5 and 6 were very fortunate to attend an information session with Entomologist, Dr Francisco Garcia. Dr Garcia is a world expert on native bees and provided a very informative session to our students about pollination, various bee species and the way in which we can care for the environment. This experience provided essential learning for our upcoming Indigenous Garden and Native Bee Hive. Students were able to identify and name various local native bees and are very excited for the upcoming garden project.
Elise Howard
Year 6 Teacher
Leader of Learning Stage 3
volunteers
We are awaiting information about the possibility of welcoming volunteers back soon. We will let you know.
lunch orders
Canteen lunch orders can be placed via Flexischools or by dropping them in the basket on the counter each morning.
Flexischools is our preferred method for submitting lunch orders.
Reminder - Cutoff time for online orders is 8:30am
- Download the Flexischools app from the App Store or from Google Play.
Note: for iPhone and iPad please select ‘Allow’ notification - Click “Register Now” to create account
- Top-up your balance
- Start ordering immediately
- Alternatively Go to www.flexischools.com.au or you can find the link on the school website.
Don’t forget you can place your online orders days or even weeks in advance, making the morning rush even easier!
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coodinator
KBC | Sienna-Maree Canty | Abaigeal Ashton | Oliver Hardy |
KSC | Ashton Giurissevich | Conor Grieves | Leo Rushworth |
1R | Isabella Connor | Oliver Godwin | Wyatt Hough |
3D | Byron Thompson-McLeish | Jack Cunneen | Emily Smith |
3H | Advik Thapa | Alivia Johnson | Gemma Cooper |
4F | Benji Connor | Sebastian Bennett-Tonkin | Laila Thorburn |
4MG | Lacey Sinclair | Lilliana Anderson | Ryder Monckton |
5L | Ada Zerafa-Johnson | Isabelle Moane | Bronte Gawith |
5S | Jaxon Smurthwaite | Amelie Obeid | Isabella Russell |
6B | Hunter Vause | Isaac Angland | Tori McGrath |
New uniform items will be available for sale from when the Uniform Store opens for January trading on 4th January 2022.
- Lay-by is available prior to that time:
- Sizing can be gauged using the existing uniform items.
- The lay-by will be set up and a deposit taken.
- Progress payments can be made.
- Lay-by can be collected in January.
- Sizing will be checked at the time of collection and adjusted if required.
Week 6 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 8th November |
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Wednesday |
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Friday 11th November |
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Friday 12th November |
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Week 7 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 15th November |
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Tuesday 16th November |
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Wednesday 17th November |
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Friday 19th November |
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Week 8 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 22nd November |
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Tuesday 23rd November |
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Wednesday |
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Sunday 28th November |
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Week 9 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 29th November |
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Wednesday |
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Sunday 5th December |
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Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -
For your convenience 2021 school term dates are listed below. They are also located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
TERM 4
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes Term 4 – Tuesday 5th October 2021
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) – Friday 5th November 2021
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes from Term 4 - Wednesday 15th December 2021
Other Holidays in 2021
Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December 2021
Boxing Day - Sunday 26th December 2021
Issue with Absentee SMS
Year 4 Science Resources - Term 4 2021