6 June 2024

From the Principals Desk

Reconciliation Week

Mrs Wilson again created a wonderful awareness for our students around the history of our country and the relationships of the past with our First Nations people. Australia is not a very old country, but we have a lot to learn from mistakes made in the past and to move forward with reconciling together.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 54

Next

Wellbeing Week

Our staff development day began with a focus on wellbeing, signs of fatigue and practical tips for taking care of ourselves. With the students this week, we have tried to concentrate on our own wellbeing and kindness for others and from others.

I wonder if you have thought about the kindness you have received from others this week?

Casual Shortage

Once again, we have a shortage of casuals with the cold and flu season upon us – every school is experiencing the same. We have worked hard to ensure that learning continues if your child’s teacher is absent and we cannot get a replacement. All staff have prepared work in the event that classes need to be split. This is a great practice of independent learning for our students. We try not to split our infants students, but sometimes this is impossible to avoid.

Infants and Primary Playgrounds.

This week I met with the landscape architect to start planning ideas for upgrading of the playground for Kindergarten and Yr 1. We look forward to seeing our ideas in planning development soon.

Staff have had the opportunity to look at different types of climbing/playing apparatus for an addition to the primary playground. We hope to have a decision soon.

Below are a couple of examples of the options we are looking at.

Assistant Principal  

PBL

This fortnight’s focus is to Be ready to learn with the correct equipment. By following this focus, our students are demonstrating that they are making responsible decisions and are ready for learning. Fostering our students’ social and emotional learning (SEL) is part of this learning process. This fortnight’s focus on being organised with equipment for learning supports the development of the SEL competency of Responsible Decision Making.

If you are interested in learning more about SEL I have included a video link:

TTFM (Tell Them From Me)

We are coming towards the end of our TTFM survey window. We invite all families to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Paul’s Rutherford.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

Staff Development Day- Friday 7^th June

Purposeful professional learning for teachers is one of the most effective ways to improve teaching practices and student outcomes. During our scheduled Staff Development Day this Friday 7th June, our staff will be focusing on the areas of Wellbeing, Student Behaviour support, student data tracking as well as assessment moderation. We thank families for their support in organizing alternative arrangements for their children on this day.

Religious Education Update 

CONFIRMATION

Next week on Wednesday the 12^th of June and Friday the 21^st of June, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated and made by students from our school. We wish you all the best and pray for you as you are filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit!

We pray for: Gemma Connell, Kade Dalton, Ruben Day, Harlan Enright, Tilly Enright, Lucy Ford, Oliver Forty, Ryan Forty, Hattie Fyfe, Lexi Haynes, Matikas Mallen, Jagger McDougall, April Mcletchie, Lara Schultz, Arlee-Rose Sorensen, Declan Stark and Emerson Willems

ORDINARY TIME

We are now in the season of our Liturgical calendar called: Ordinary time - A name that is very deceiving in our church’s calendar as there is no such thing! Because the term ordinary in English most often means something that's not special or distinctive, many people think that Ordinary Time refers to parts of the calendar of the Catholic Church that are unimportant. Yet Ordinary time is far from unimportant or interesting!  

Ordinary Time is called "ordinary" not because it is common but simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. The Latin word ordinalis, which refers to numbers in a series, stems from the Latin word ordo, from which we get the English word order. Thus, the numbered weeks of Ordinary Time, in fact, represent the ordered life of the Church — the period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons) or in more severe penance (as in Advent and Lent), but in watchfulness and expectation of the Second Coming of Christ.

Mini Vinnies – Pyjama Day and Winter Appeal

Heads up for Friday week 7 (next week!) – Mini Vinnies will be hosting Pyjama Day along with the annual Winter Appeal. Our team is already getting their ideas on paper to make this another successful initiative for those in our community that need it most.

Sacraments of Initiation 2024

Below are the events to mark on the calendar for those completing their Sacraments of Initiation this year. For any information, please contact me through the school office.

This weekend is the presentation of the oils at all regional mass centres. See you there!

GOSPEL REFLECTION
TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Mark 3:20-35
Those who do the will of God are family to Jesus.

Gifted Education Mentor/Primary Coordinator

WHAT WE KNOW:

Children have the right to feel able to speak up, and to be listened to, respected and believed.

When we “tune into” children in everyday situations about even small worries, children are more likely to trust us and feel comfortable to tell us if something big is wrong.

Speaking regularly to children about their safety is a powerful way to build open communication with them.

It is always the responsibility of adults to keep children safe from harm

IDEAS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS:

Help children to identify trusted adults (both within the family and outside) they can talk to, if they are worried, upset, or don’t feel safe. Create a list together. Make sure the trusted adults know they are on your child’s list.

Remind children that they can talk to you or a trusted adult about anything, no matter how big or small their worry might be.

Talk to children about how they know when they feel safe or unsafe. Help them to listen to their early warning signs (how their body feels), and to trust their feelings and instincts.

Use everyday activities (such as preparing meals and snacks, going for walks, playing, shopping) as opportunities for conversations. If children are used to having lots of communication, it can make it easier to talk when big or tricky issues come up.

Be open to talking about all kinds of feelings, including anger, joy, frustration, fear and anxiety. This helps children to develop a ‘feelings vocabulary’.

Show children that you can respond sensitively to negative emotions as well as positive ones when they express their anger, embarrassment, sadness or fear.

Don’t rush into problem-solving. Your child might just want you to listen, and to know that their feelings and point of view matter to someone.

OTHER RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:

• 7 Steps to Safety – a tool for families to give children the skills and confidence they need to feel and be safe at home: www.territoryfamilies.nt.gov.au/children-and-families/7-steps-to-safety
• Australian Council on Children and the Media: www.childrenandmedia.org.au
• Office of the eSafety Commissioner: www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent
• Raising Children Network: www.raisingchildren.net.au

Library News

Library
Borrowing Days

Infants borrow every week.

W classes borrow even weeks
M classes borrow odd weeks

Monday
Year 2

Tuesday
Kinder, Year 4, Year 5

Wednesday
Year 1, Year 3, Year 6 

Congratulations to 4W again for winning the Library Cup and having the highest percentage of borrowers for the fortnight!

Author Visit 2024 – Zanni Louise

What a lovely 2 days we shared with Zanni Louise. Her inspiration, knowledge and love of writing was shared across the whole school.

Thank you to everyone who purchased books online where a percentage will be put towards new books in the library. Unfortunately, we ran out of stock with some titles. Larrikin has reassured me there will be backorders on their way ASAP.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

BOOK CLUB

Issue 4 of Book Club has been sent home this week. All orders are due in by the 19^th June. Orders can be placed via the online Scholastic parent LOOP portal (link below) OR correct money can be sent into the office with the order form.

Thank you for all of your previous orders. We managed to purchase many new popular titles for our library with high commissions made last issue!

Lunchtimes in the Library

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Penny in the Library.
katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au
penny.sneddon@mn.catholic.edu.au 

School Fees 2024

School Fee Statements have been emailed this week to the first listed fee payer's email address.

For families that have nominated to pay school fees in a lump sum, this payment is required prior to the end of June. For those families that are making regular payments towards fees, this commitment is appreciated.

If you have a Centrelink issued HCC, and have not supplied a copy for 2024, please complete this link and attach a copy of your card front and back.

For any families experiencing genuine financial hardship, we encourage you to contact our school to discuss and develop a payment plan.

Hunter River Maitland Excursion

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 135

Next

Term Dates for 2024

Term 1 Tuesday, 30 January - Friday, 12 April
Term 2 Monday, 29 April - Friday, 05 July
Term 3 Monday, 22 July - Friday, 27 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 October - Friday, 20 December

Term 2

School Student Travel Passes 2024

Uniform Shop Hours 2023

TUESDAY AFTERNOON                      2.30PM – 3PM
WEDNESDAY MORING                       8.30AM – 9AM
THURSDAY AFTERNOON                    2.30PM – 3PM

When ordering Uniforms via QKR, don’t change the order date.

Orders will be sent the classrooms the days the uniform shop is opened.

If for some reason you need to exchange sizes, please ensure that the tags are still on the garment and the garment is in the original packing.

Christa Moylan
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Canteen

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CHILDS CLASS ON QKR

Canteen Opening days.

Order via the QKR App, by 8.55am ON THE DAY.

Lunch orders will be sent to the classrooms in the class lunch tubs.

(IMPORTANT WHEN ORDERING LUNCHES – CHECK THE DATE OF ORDER)
In the past students haven’t received lunch due to the wrong order date entered.
Please discuss with your child if this happens, ask them to come to the office to see Mrs West or Mrs Mac, we will organise lunch for them through the canteen.  Only sandwiches will be on offer.

RECESS TIME:  10:30AM – 11:10AM
LUNCH TIME:  12:40PM – 1:20PM

St Nicholas OOSH

Guitar Lessons