NEWSLETTER
12th April 2001
Dear Parents,
A busy term has come to a close with the school passion play held in the church this morning. The children have been taught the religious significance of Easter and their attendance at one of the liturgies with their family will reinforce the importance of the season. A list of services is included. Some are combined services with St Andrews Anglican Church community.
Holy Thursday April 12 at 7:00pm – St Columban’s Church
Good Friday April 13 at 8:00am – Stations of the Cross – St Andrew’s Church
Good Friday April 13 at 3:00pm – Commemoration of our Lord’s suffering and
Death – St Columban’s Church
Holy Saturday April 14 – 7:00pm Vigil at Christ the King Church
Easter Sunday April 15 – 9:00am St Columban’s Church. NO evening mass.
Easter Holidays –
School Closes April 12
School Resumes April 30
EASTER RAFFLE. Thank you to all those who supported the raffle through the donation of prizes or the purchase of tickets. Over 40 prizes were distributed and $500 was raised for our Intranet cabling project and purchase of new computers.
HOW CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED BY GOVERNMENTS. Some information from the Director’s Bulletin to Principals – March 2001. Recent reports in the media have created confusion in the minds of many parents on the issues of government funding for state and Catholic schools. With the debate continuing to intensify, it is important to set the record straight for Catholic systemic schools – those schools administered by the Catholic Schools Office around the state.
Because Catholic systemic schools receive funding from both Commonwealth and State governments, it is important to consider both of these sources in any discussion.
In 1999-2000 financial years, Commonwealth and State governments combined, spent $6,428 in recurrent expenditure on the education of each student in a NSW state school. Recurrent costs cover the day-to-day operating expenses for each school, and excludes capital and building costs.
In the 2000 calendar year, each student in a Catholic systemic school received $4,485 in recurrent grants from both government sources.
Put another way, this means that each NSW state school student receives $1,943 more in government funding than a student in a Catholic systemic school.
For 2001, each student in a Catholic systemic school is funded by an extra $113 (per year.)
HEALTH WEEK – WEEK 10. The week began well with the arrival of the NXFM Black Thunder and radio personality PJ who donated five boxes of fruit to the school courtesy of Harris Farm Markets at Charlestown Square. The children took part in live cross to radio segment for the NXFM breakfast program organised by Mrs Tracey Taylor.
The Australian Red Cross also donated five boxes courtesy of the Zumolovski family from Newcastle Fresh, which kept us going all week.
Sue Russell from the Red Cross helped prepare the fruit each morning for recess with the support of our canteen helpers.
During the week Chantelle Byrnes from the Heart Foundation spent a day teaching the children the skills for the Jump Rope for Heart program which will be introduced in the winter terms.
Dental hygiene lessons with the Hunter Area Dental Service were next with free toothbrushes and a visit from "Major Molar".
Swimming tests with the school AUSTSWIM instructors made for a busy sports day before children had a visit on Thursday from dental nurses involved in the school assessment program. All children with permission notes received a free dental assessment to inform their parents.
The week finished with the "Walk Safely to School" promotion and an Aussie Rules clinic for the seniors.
Thank you to the teachers and parents who supported this health initiative and very successful week of activities for the children.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING UPDATE. The teachers have been meeting to revise our method of reporting to you on your child’s progress.
All children are individuals and learn at different rates. Teaching and learning in 2001 is based on the following stages of learning.
- Early Stage One covers Kindergarten
- Stage One cover Year One and Year Two
- Stage Two covers Year Three and Year Four
- Stage Three and beyond is for Year Five and Year Six
In each stage, subject areas have specific outcomes to be achieved. The assessment of these outcomes is completed by both students and teachers, through observation, consultation, work samples and tests.
Our assessment and reporting methods have had to be revised to satisfy the Outcome based Teaching and Learning requirements. We will be trialling a new mid year report and a new, more detailed end of year report.
Your child’s mid year report will show whether he/she is working at
Below stage level – which means that your child has not yet achieved all the outcomes required for his/her stage level.
At stage level – your child is achieving the required outcomes
Above stage level – your child has achieved the required outcomes for his/her stage and is moving toward achieving outcomes in preparation for the next stage.
If you have any concerns about your child’s report, kindly discuss these concerns with the class teacher. Details for making an appointment will be attached to the report. Please detach this form and return to the teacher.
Also a detachable form asking for your comments on the reporting process will be attached.
Mid year reports will be sent home at the end of Term Two.
MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT AND STALL. The children and teachers have been working towards the Mother’s Day Concert on May 11 which will be held at 10:00am in the hall.
A stall will be held in the library after recess so that children can purchase a gift for their Mothers. Mrs Sue Clegg and Mrs Kathy Powell are co-ordinating the stall and looking for donations so that no child will miss out. Gifts can range from 50cents to 5 dollars. A raffle of beauty products will be run on the day courtesy of Mrs Jodie Kiley.
Mother’s Day Concert Costume Request: During a musical item in our Mother’s Day Concert, a number of children wearing their national costumes will be participating.
If you would like your child/children to wear their costumes could you please let Mrs Rak know after the holidays? The concert is on at 10:00am so if there is difficulty in dressing, the children will need your help. Thank you. M. Rak
EASTER BUNNY COLOURING COMPETITION WINNERS:
INFANTS:
Winners were Stevie Lewis-Johnson, Simone Hewitt and Ben Newman
PRIMARY:
Winners were Kurt Mason, Alyssa Gladstone, Thomas Kuras and Amy Johnson.
Many thanks to Mr Jim Bell of Bell’s Newsagency, Cnr Maitland Road and Havelock Street, for his support of the school in this colouring competition.
ENROLMENT PERIOD. The enrolment period for all new pupils will open on Monday April 30.
SEMINAR ON AD/HD AND LEARNING.
VENUE: Wangi District Workers Club, Wangi Wangi
DATE: Saturday 26th May, 2001
TIME: 9:15am – 3:30pm
COST: $20-00 (Parents of ADD children), $40-00 (Professionals)
PRESENTERS: DR ANNA ORGILL, who specialises in ADD, and DAVID
PORTER, a senior clinical psychologist and a recognised specialist with the area of AD/HD. If you are interested in going make cheques payable to ADDvance Inc and post to: ADD Seminar, c/- Glenda Poynter, Metford Mail Delivery Centre, 34 Turton Road, Metford NSW 2323. For further info phone: 4934 3944.
SHORTLAND WETLANDS REPORTS.
"Today Alyssa, David, Brent and I went to the Shortland Wetlands to do a bug survey. First of all a girl from the wetlands showed us all the equipment we could use and explained how it worked. Then we went dip netting in the lake to find some bugs. Here are some of the bugs that we found, a Baby Fresh Water Yabbie, two Damsefly Nymphs, some Water Snails, Blood Worms and True Bugs. We took the bugs inside and put them under the microscope to identify them. Some of them were difficult to identify. After we named them all we had to fill out a survey about water quality, which the staff sent away, then we packed up and returned the bugs alive to the lake and came back to school". Stephanie Bridges.
CATHOLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS have negotiated a number of excellent offers on IBM computers with Virtual Communities. These are now available at reduced cost of our families. Your purchase will benefit our school. See the enclosed brochure or call 131 789 and ask for the Catholic Church price. You can also visit the site www.virtualcommunities.com.au.
FUNDRAISING. The Fundraising Committee will meet again Wednesday May 2nd (the first Wednesday after the holidays) to discuss the possibility of holding a WALK-A-THON for the pupils next term. This should prove a fun exercise for them and we hope to have much needed parent support to make the day a success. The meeting will be held at 2:15pm in Sr Marie’s room, and all parents and friends are welcome to attend. Thank you to the parents and pupils who sent in some great recipes for our Multicultural Cookbook, your interest and support is much appreciated. However, these donations were few and we will be discussing the future of this particular project.
MAYFIELD UNITED JUNIOR SOCCER FOOTBALL is still in need of players for this coming season, especially Under 6’s and Under 11’s. Please contact Ross Bryan on 4967 6935.
NEWCASTLE BASKETBALL. Upcoming camps and learn to play details: Gold Ball McFun Day will be held on Tuesday 24th April from 9:30am – 2:00pm. This is a day for 5 and 6 year olds only. The McFun Day will be held on Friday 27th April from 9:30am – 3:30pm. This is a day for 7-12 year olds only. The cost on both days is $11-00 per child, and all children receive McDonalds lunch, fun and prizes, expert coaching and a giveaway bag. Learn to Play for Term 2 will commence on Friday 4th May. Further details from the Basketball Stadium on 4961 3185.
NORTH POWER HUNTER SPORTS CENTRE is offering Easter school holiday coaching clinics in athletics and gymnastics. Excellent coaching at an Olympic standard sports facility is offered. The cost is $30 per child per day for children aged 7-14 years. Athletics will be held on Thursday 19th April and Monday 23rd April from 9:00am – 1:00pm and Gymnastics will be held on Wednesday 18th April and Tuesday 24th April from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Bookings are essential, please contact the centre on 4953 6366.
NEWCASTLE YOUTH STAMP GROUP. Meetings are held at Hamilton Public School assembly hall in Dickson Street Hamilton on the last Tuesday of each school holidays. The meeting commences at 9:30am and ends at 3:00pm. Children are not allowed to leave unless they have written permission from a parent. In between meetings you can practice what you have learnt from the meetings. This group is totally supported by the NSW Stamp Council and Philas. For more information phone Bob Smith 49505312.
Michael Doyle
PRINCIPAL