St Columban's Primary School Mayfield Newletters 

NEWSLETTER
15th February 2001

Dear Parents,

Most special programs have now resumed including breakfast club, library and computer lessons, music, choir, Italian, aboriginal education and the new mentoring program. The school has developed a special arrangement with Bethany House Alternate Education Centre to provide mentors for a significant number of children in the primary school. The mentors visit the school each week to check on the progress of each placement and assess any difficulties they may be having. Bethany House is a special work of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

The school is also grateful to St John of God Family Services Carrington who have been very generous with donations of resources and furniture. Our relationship with St John of God Family Services will continue to grow with assistance organised for several families within our school community.

Ms Kathy Gillespie, executive director of St John of God Family Services, will inservice our staff on March 26. The subject of the inservice day is Behaviour Management and Protective Behaviours.

NEW ABOUT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. During Term 1 we prepare to celebrate Lent and Easter. Important dates for your diary are:

During the year, Year 3 prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, 1st Communion and Confirmation. If you have a child in other classes who has not received the Sacraments and you wish to be involved in the program please let me or Lawrence Caelli know. Maureen Rak (REC)

LENTEN DISCUSSION GROUPS. Starting on Thursday March 8 the Mayfield Parish will be beginning this year’s Lenten Groups. These will be held at 1:30pm and 7:00pm for 5 weeks. Come to one or come to all 5. "CALL to ACTION" is the name of the programme and it will provide an opportunity to explore the message of Jesus and to relate it to our own experiences. The sharing of our questions, our doubts and our encounters with God has the power to strengthen and deepen our faith and that of others. If you are interested or would like to know more about the discussion groups please phone 4968 2428.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS. Each family will receive a copy of Australian Catholics, a quarterly magazine distributed to every parish in Australia. Some very good articles include "Schools are Life". The director of Catholic Education in Bendigo reflects on the mission of the Catholic Schools.

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION. The head of Aboriginal Education in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Mrs Louise Campbell, will be spending two weeks with us this term. We were delighted to be asked to host this visit which recognises our work in the field of aboriginal education. We are fortunate to have aboriginal elder, Dolores Croft, on our staff and working with us two days a week.

UNIFORM. Some children are wearing heavy jewellery around their necks and wrists. This invariably causes injury on the playground. Please leave jewellery at home and assist the teachers in their efforts to keep all the children safe. Studs only to be worn in ears. White school shirts to be worn please not polo shirts.

NEWCASTLE SHOW HOLIDAY – MARCH 2. Schools in the City of Newcastle and City of Lake Macquarie will be closed on that day.

INSERVICE DAY. The inservice day this term is March 26. Students do not attend school on that day.

SPORT. Primary swimming resumed this week. The North Region Swimming Carnival was held today at Stockton Pool. Those who are successful at this level will be invited to attend the Diocesan Swimming Carnival at Lambton Pool on March 5. The Inter-Diocesan Swimming Carnival is scheduled for March 23 at Homebush.

AFL trials will be held over the next two weeks for the Regional Gala Day on March 20 at Wallsend. Barry Alexander from AFL/NSW will conduct the trials for senior primary students (Yrs 5 and 6.)

Neil McDonald from NSW Cricket Association will conduct a cricket clinic on March 8 (Yrs 2 – 6.)

Senior primary children interested in attending the Regional Winter Sport Trials are invited to take a nomination form from Mrs Searl next week. The sports are Rugby League, Soccer, Netball and Hockey. Rugby Union Is a Diocesan trial due to low numbers. A high level of competence is expected. Congratulations to Gabrielle Taylor who made the Diocesan Softball team.

ENRICHMENT LESSONS. The first series of enrichment lessons will begin at San Clemente this Friday. This term the subject studied will be Science. Capable students in Year 6 will be chosen for these courses. The area of study changes each term to accommodate children with different gifts.

The classes cover the subject areas of English, Art, Maths and Science. Four children will begin Science classes on Friday afternoon.

MAJOR FUNDRAISER 2001. This year the school plans to purchase 4 more new computers and cable every classroom to a file server in the office. We will then be connected to the CSO Intranet. This will provide every classroom with access to the World Wide Web at any time during the school day with the appropriate filters in place.

Your early attention to school fees would greatly assist us in this project. A separate letter from the Parent Fundraising Committee is attached.

COMPETITION. Year 1 are entering the 2001 Newcastle Regional Show SCARECROW Competition. The children are very excited and have been busy bringing in old clothing and accessories to help make a wonderful scarecrow. It will be displayed among sunflowers, corn and barley at the front of the Hall of Industry.

NSW MINERALS COUNCIL. All the children in Years 5 and 6 will be involved in a visit from a Representative of the NSW Minerals Council. The speaker will assist the children in the investigation of Electricity in everyday life. The children will also look at our major resource, coal, and how it connects us to our Global partners. This presentation will enhance the childrens’ knowledge of "Global Connections", our HSIE unit for Term 1.

CANTEEN HELPERS. Helpers are needed desperately to work in the school canteen. If you are able and willing to work please contact Maria Stephens at the school.

Michael Doyle
PRINCIPAL

INVITATION. You are invited to attend the unveiling of the Placemaking Artwork on the Cnr Kerr, Hanbury and Maitland Road. Its an artwork depicting the unique spirit of Mayfield. The artwork will be opened by Lord Major Councillor John Tate on Saturday February 24 2001 at 10:00am.

ASTHMA EDUCATION NIGHT. The latest information on practical asthma management. Guest speaker is Susie Lough, Education Officer for Asthma NSW. This will be held on Tuesday March 6 at 7:30pm at Adamstown Senior Citizens Hall, 153 Brunker Road, Adamstown. For further information phone Megan 4952 3612 or Janice 4948 9117. Cost: Free.

WARATAHS JUNIOR RUGBY UNION CLUB. Players between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Registration fee includes shorts, socks and a mouthguard. Registration details are available from club registrar John Kearney 4952 9161.

NEWCASTLE BASKETBALL. Learn to Play classes commence February 9 and conclude Friday April 6. Cost is $3-30 per session of $25-00 voucher card (which covers 9 weeks.) Sessions are 4:00-5:00pm for infant grades and 5:00-6:16pm for primary grades. Further information available by phoning Brooke Cronin on 4961 3185.

WARATAH-MAYFIELD RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB. Information is available by phoning Wayne Maddison on 4967 5050 or Michael Groth on 4968 4987.

TENNIS. Tennis lessons are being conducted at Hillcrest Tennis Club, Mayfield (new synthetic courts) commencing February 12, 2001 and will continue each Monday. Lesson times are 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00pm. Cost is $50-00 per school term or $7-00 per pupil per hour in group classes. Further information is available from Bob Gale on 4981 7816 or 0411 502 400.

MAYFIELD UNITED JUNIOR SOCCER CLUB. Registration day for soccer with this club is Saturday February 17 from 11:00am – 1:00pm a McDonald’s Mayfield. Further information from Wendy Woodger on 4968 8474.

LEARN TO SING. To sing in the choir, HSC performance help, AMEB Exams, Eisteddfods or just for fun, phone Julianna 0401 302 172.

DEEP IMPACT DRAMA CLUB. This is held in the Mayfield Community Centre (MayCare) opposite the Stag & Hunter. Held on Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm starting on February 15. All children in Years 3-7. Gold coin donation (afternoon tea provided). Lots of fun and self esteem and confidence building.

Contact Diane Dagger on 4928 2751 or 0404 825 827

HOME-START VOLUNTEER PREPARATION COURSE. Are you a parent or a grandparent?

Home-Start can apply your parenting skills to offer friendship and support to a family with children under five. Home-Start volunteers are well prepared for home visiting, belong to a team, are offered on-going training and enjoy social get-togethers.

Our next preparation course commences Wednesday March 7, 2001 at the Department of Community Services Area Office in Charlestown.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Home-Start volunteer, or about the preparation course, please contact Evelyn Gibson 4921 6842, Beth Deiter 4921 6751 or Vickie Meek 4921 7397.

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