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LOCKDOWN SUPPORT
Hi again to all of our families this week. The news which will dominate our thinking this week is the extended Regional Lockdown announced yesterday. While this is not something we wanted to hear, we know we are unable to change this and work together to support each other for the next fortnight.
Today you will receive a letter with new information and reminders about Blended Learning. Much is the same, but there are a couple of new things to read about. In particular, the staffing structure onsite and a surprise that we hope our K-2 families will enjoy. Please read this note thoroughly and help us manage this time together by adhering to the Stay at Home orders still in place.
As always, please contact us if you need any assistance or reassurance.
GOOD NEWS STORIES
If you have a good news story to share with us for this term, please send it in and with your permission we will add it. We will also try to share with you some great things that have been going on in the past week.
It was great to see some students join our impromptu dress up invitation at home and school on Thursday. This was not planned in advance, so we apologise if this caused any families concern for either missing out or feeling pressure. It was not to replace our planned Book Week celebrations which we will aim to have in Term 4. There was some excitement and fun had amongst our students at home and school, which was lovely to share.
JUST FOR FUN
Just for fun this week, as we all need this in our lives, here are some riddles for you to solve as a family or as individuals. If you think you have solved them all, check in for the answers next week, and another set to solve.
- What has to be broken before you can use it?
- I'm tall when I'm young, and I'm short when I'm old. What am I?
- What month of the year has 28 days?
- What is full of holes but still holds water?
- What question can you never answer yes to?
- What is always in front of you but can't be seen?
- There's a one-story house in which everything is yellow. Yellow walls, yellow doors, yellow furniture. What colour are the stairs?
- What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?
- What goes up but never comes down?
- A man who was outside in the rain without an umbrella or hat didn't get a single hair on his head wet. Why?
- What gets wet while drying?
- What can you keep after giving to someone?
- I shave every day, but my beard stays the same. What am I?
- You see a boat filled with people, yet there isn't a single person on board. How is this possible?
- You walk into a room that contains a match, a kerosene lamp, a candle and a fireplace. What would you light first?
- A man dies of old age on his 25th birthday. How is this possible?
- I have branches, but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I?
- What can't talk but will reply when spoken to?
- The more of this there is, the less you see. What is it?
Tess Koning
Principal
Jeannine Ucdereli
Assisant Principal Learning and Teaching
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission
Light a Candle for Afghanistan
Distressing scenes have emerged from Afghanistan recently as the country faces a political crisis. Despite our own challenges caused by the pandemic, we are reminded that we have a lot to be grateful for. Whatever our circumstances, there are people who are fleeing for their lives around the world.
As a gesture of solidarity and peace, families are invited to light a candle for the people of Afghanistan.
SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Due to the circumstances, the dates for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion ceremonies are still to be confirmed. We will communicate these to you as soon as we can.
YEAR 5 EXURO RETREAT
Exuro is a retreat day for selected Year 5 students from parish primary schools based in regions of the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a diocesan level. Exuro is Latin for ‘on fire’.
This retreat will be a one-day opportunity to bring students together with like-minded peers, to share and build relationships that strengthen the practice of their Christian faith and to be leaders in building strong Catholic school communities. The activities will be a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating a Liturgy together. The program has been developed to meet the needs of these Year 5 students.
The application process has been emailed to families of Year 5 students.
Last year during the start of COVID-19 and blended learning, Kelly our school counsellor provided some extra resources in case families needed them while they were away from school. This might be a good time to again look at some things that you can do to assist your children and the adults in your home, if they are feeling overwhelmed at this time.
You can ring the numbers below anytime and talk to them about anything. They are friendly and are staffed by counsellors who can talk you through any concerns.
Parentline, 1300 1300 52: Parentline is a telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents of children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW. Any parent/carer can ring with no question or query being too big or small. They are open: weekdays 9:00am to 9:00pm and weekends 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Kids helpline, 1800 55 1800: Kids helpline is a free national telephone counselling service for kids 5 or older meaning kids can safely access it directly. I would suggest helping your child navigate it first to help them. Any parent/carer can also ring with no question or query being too big or small. The service is open 24 hours and they can also do webchat and email counselling.
Also, there are a couple of online resources for reading together with your child. I would suggest that you read through them before showing your child so you know if it is ok for them:
Birdie and the Big Sickness - a children’s story about getting sick.
My Coronavirus Story - a factual story for children about the virus, because children have questions!
Smiling Mind - This is always a great site to practice mindfulness and relaxation. They have introduced a section specifically for coping during these times. Certainly worth a look and a listen! https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
Boredom busters - Look online for things to do while you are at home together with your child/ren. Some great examples I have heard are having a dress up day or choosing a country and making food from that country. These things can help children take their minds off things and helps them to feel grounded and in control of what is going on around them.
Calming techniques
Everyone will be feeling worried. Here are a few things you can do to help calm your children:
- What is the colour of calm?
Ask your children what colour they think calm would be and ask them to do a drawing of their favourite thing in that colour. Ask them to describe what it feels like to be calm.
- Take Two
Write down or draw a picture of 2 of their worries. Drawing/writing helps children to let go of the emotion that they have around the worry. THEN, ask them to draw/write the worry with a happy ending. This helps children find a solution to their worry.
- Colour in!
Colouring in is one of the best ways to become calm! It is so simple yet quietens the mind and helps regulate the nervous system. Look online for free printables to use.
- The 5 things technique
Look around and see if you can find these things around you: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste. This exercise can be done anywhere and helps children manage their worry.
Most of all, remember to take care of yourselves, be kind to each other and breathe.
Book Week will be postponed until further notice HOWEVER! We are extending our project 'The World You Want To See'.
Here's a quick 'How To' video to help get you started or see the below images for more information.
Touch Football Gala Day
Thank you to all the students who were interested in participating in the Touch Football Gala day on Thursday 9th September.
We haven’t had any official updates but hoping that it will be postponed until Term 4.
Leah Toole and David Lynch
Sports Coordinator and Assistant Sports Coordinator
Tournament of Minds
Tournament of Minds is still going ahead! All regional areas have been given an extra week before it needs to be submitted and the team are allowed to present their solutions over zoom.
We look forward to seeing the final product!
Yours in Creative and Performing Arts
Leah Toole
Creative Arts Co-ordinator
Week 9 - Term 3 2021
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Thursday 9th September |
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Friday 10th September |
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(Subject to a return to normal school routines)Week 10 - Term 3 2021 |
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Monday 13th September |
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Tuesday 14th September |
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Wednesday |
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Thursday 16th September |
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Friday 17th September |
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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 3
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes Term 3 – Friday 17th September 2021
TERM 4
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) – Tuesday 5th October 2021
NO child minding available
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes Term 4 – Wednesday 6th October 2021
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes form Term 4 - Wednesday 15th December 2021
Other Holidays in 2021
Labour Day – Monday 4th October 2021 (Public Holiday)
Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December 2021
Boxing Day - Sunday 26th December 2021
Kindergarten Term 3 Week 7 Learning Grid 2021
Kinder - Google Classroom
TOM - competition submission going ahead
Scheduled Zoom Meetings Week 7 Term 3
COVID-19 Blended Learning information - 23rd to 27th August 2021
Mrs Toole’s Zoom Intervention Timetable - Week 7 Term 3 (timetable)
Mrs Toole's Zoom Intervention Timetable - Week 7 Term 3 (letter)
Year 5 Exuro Retreat
COVID-19 Letter to Parents Carers (26 August 2021)
Premiers Reading Challenge Extended