St Columban's Primary School Mayfield 

NEWSLETTER
16th May 2001

 

Dear Parents,

Thank you to all those who joined us for the Mother’s Day Concert and morning tea. The children performed beautifully as a gesture of appreciation for their Mothers and Grandmothers. Thank you to Mrs Rak who co-ordinated the concert and to all the talented teachers and students who made it work with the great spirit that exists at St Columban’s School.

Thank you to all those who contributed to the Mother’s Day Stall and Raffle. We made $592-40 on the stall and $246 on the raffle. Many thanks to Mrs Clegg, Mrs Powell, Mrs Kiley, Mrs Rampling and Mrs O’Sullivan who worked on the stall and selling raffle tickets.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. Important diary dates for Term 2.

Friday 25th May – Year 4 Class Mass 9:15am

Friday 1st June – Infants Liturgy

Weekend of 2nd/3rd June – Father Bill returns

Friday 8th June – Year 3 Class Mass 9:15am

Friday 15th June – Year 5 (combined) Class Mass 9:15am

Friday 22nd June – Year 6 Class Mass 9:15am

Friday 29th June – Grandparents’ Day – Whole School Mass 9:15am followed

By musical events.

Friday 6th July – Naidoc Event

TERM 2 INSERVICE DAY – MAY 18. As advised in previous newsletters the Inservice Day for North Region Catholic Schools this term is May 18. All teachers will be involved in 6 workshops at St Peter’s School Stockton which includes Information Technology, Practical Assessment, Creative & Practical Arts, the practical application of multiple intelligences and De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. St Columban’s will be closed on that day.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS. The autumn edition of "Australian Catholics" has been sent home to each family. Some good articles include "Timor: get involved", "Football and Faith" and "Depression: lose your blues".

CENTENARY OF FEDERATION. Mr Allan Morris, Member for Newcastle, recently joined us for a special assembly to present the Centenary of Federation medallion to all children. Mr Morris was very impressed with the attitude of the children towards the National Anthem, the Ode of Allegiance and their respect for the flag. Thank you to Mrs Crichton and Year 6 who organised a moving ceremony.

DEBATING. Congratulations to our debating team. Lauren Brown; Kara Steel; Adrienna Gain and Brooke Steel. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of an audience and make a speech. The girls were extremely confident in their delivery of their arguments. Well done to all! Congratulations to St Brigids Raymond Terrace who won the debate.

Our next debate will be Week 5 against Corpus Christi Waratah.

HERALD NEWSPAPER COMPETITION. Our entry in the Newcastle Herald Newspaper will be published 29th May.

Thank you to all those who contributed to our Newspaper, especially those in the wider school community, Barbara Townsend, Mr Allan Morris, Mr Peter Cunningham, Mr & Mrs Parkland, Mr Di Gravio and the Hunter Area Health Service dental team.

SPORT. Children involved in the Diocesan Cross Country Championships at Blackbutt Reserve enjoyed the day in glorious weather. All our students finished the course without distress and without stopping which is a great result. Emily Conway achieved our best result. Thank you to Mrs Searl and Mr Caesar.

Basketball and Rugby League Clinics continued this week with Newcastle Basketball and Newcastle Knights.

The AFL team took part in the Hunter Region AFL finals (The Paul Kelly Cup) at Newcastle’s No 1 Sportsground playing zone winners from throughout the region. The team played very well narrowly missing the semi-finals on a countback. A good effort in a unfamiliar sport. Thank you to Mrs Taylor for her assistance.

Congratulations to Mathew Casserly and Bradyn Perry who were selected in the NSW Catholic Schools (Polding) Rugby League team for the State Championships.

The Diocesan Rugby Union Trials will be held in Maitland next Monday. Children who have nominated were given a reminder note by Mrs Searl.

PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETY. The National Director of the Pontifical Mission Society has informed the school that we will soon be featured on their website. The address is www.catholicmission.org.au

VINNIES DAY. The school supported Vinnies Day today as we do each year. The St Vincent de Paul Society pay for our breakfast club which is run by the Red Cross. They also help many of our families taking children on respite camps and assisting with food, clothing and medical help on occasions.

ENROLMENT FORMS. Enrolment forms for San Clemente High School should be back to our school office by May 25. They will then be taken to San Clemente as a school group. After that date applications can be made by individual families.

Our Kindergarten class is filling quickly. Please contact relatives and friends if they require a place in Kindergarten 2002 so they avoid disappointment.

CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS. We are grateful to the many volunteers who work in the canteen, however, we are still in need of volunteers for some days. If you are able to help please contact Maria Stephens or Cath Ryan at the school office. The canteen has been our only regular fundraiser for several years and has provided many extra resources for your children in that time.

WINTER UNIFORM. The children should be in full winter uniform by May 21. School photographs will be taken in winter uniform on June 7.

WALKATHON. The children are being asked to participate in a walk-a-thon. It will be held in the grounds of the school on the last Wednesday (July 4) of this term. Both the Infants and Primary students will be involved with some fantastic prizes being awarded to the students who are able to earn the highest amounts of money. A little further along into the term the children will bring home a sponsorship card. Encourage your children to raise money by asking family and friends to sponsor them for each lap. They will be asked to walk around a designated area of the school. Parents will be asked to volunteer on the day to mark their cards and to ensure the laps are completed, and also to assist with drinks that will be provided at checkpoints. The sponsors are asked to pledge an amount of money which will be payable as a donation on completion of the laps. The prizes will be awarded the next day to the students with the highest amount of money handed in. It will be a great help if all money is collected no later than the next day as the school term will finish on Friday and we would like to be able to award the prizes fairly. Mr & Mrs Va have offered to organise a barbecue with drinks for lunch. A cost will apply. Parents who are willing to assist on the day are welcome to come to the next fundraising meeting which will be held on Wednesday May 30 at 2:15pm in Sr Marie’s room. Contact Geraldine Bridges on 4957 4420 or leave your name with any of the canteen ladies during the week.

MEETING. An information meeting regarding the proposed introduction of a Family School Building Levy will be held on Wednesday 25th July, 2001 from 7:30 – 9:00pm at the Diocesan Centre (Victor Peters Suite), Hamilton. The meetings are being held in Pastoral Regions and are to provide further consultation in relation to the discussion paper that was circulated through parishes and schools in March this year. The meeting will consist of a brief presentation of the proposal and a question and answer time. The meeting will be attended by Bishop Michael Malone, Mr Michael Bowman, Director of Schools and Mr Terry O’Brien from the Catholic Schools Office Planning Unit. Your attendance at this meeting is encouraged. 

Michael Doyle
PRINCIPAL

ENRICHMENT COURSES. Newcastle District Enrichment Courses are being offered to gifted and talented students during Term 2. The courses are designed for students in Years 1-6 and will cover most Key Learning Areas with a particular emphasis on developing thinking skills. Enrolment forms are available from the school office. There is a cost involved.

TENISON WOODS ANNUAL DINNER. The Annual Dinner of the Tenison Woods Education Centre is on Friday 29th June at the Therry Centre. Guest speaker this year is Australian of the Year, Lt-Gen Peter Cosgrove. Tickets are $40 – drinks included. Booking through Tenison Woods Education Centre phone 02 4930 7431, fax 02 4930 7797 or Email: tenison@hunterlink.net.au by Friday 22nd June 2001.

WORKING PARTY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT DAY. The Working Party has organised Reet Kabi to speak on sexuality at its Term 2 Support Day. This will be held on 6th June, 2001 at St Anne’s Hall, St Pius X High School, Adamstown. Donation of $5 to cover lunch costs would be appreciated. Bookings are essential please phone Paul Smith on 4979 1303. Topics covered:

Our school has employed Reet Kabi to give Personal Development lessons to Years 5 and 6 students for several years now and has found her presentation and sensitivity to Christian values well received by teachers and students.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF PARENTS & FRIENDS DIOCESE OF MAITLAND/NEWCASTLE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY JUNE 3 AT 10:00AM. This will be held at the Therry Centre East Maitland (entrance off King St East Maitland). Guest speaker will be Mr Bill Walsh – Catholic Education Commission.

The meeting will include:

The meeting will finish at 1:00pm sharp. All interested parents and P&F Association delegates are welcome to attend.

FEDERATION OF P & F ASSOCIATIONS MAITLAND/NEWCASTLE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

Keynote speaker – Dr John Irvine – lecture followed by question and answer

"Bullying – creating a safe and friendly environment for our children."

Workshop presenters and topics on the day will include:

Doug Ashleigh: IT (Information Technology) in the classroom

Fabienne Balsamao: Alcohol/drug awareness

Julie Logan: Music and Learning

Rosemary De Bono: Learning and Assessment

This will be held on Wednesday 30th May, 2001 at East Maitland Bowling Club, Bank Street, East Maitland from 8:30am – 2:30pm and the cost of $15 includes morning tea and lunch.

Anyone interested in attending please contact Narelle Cassey on 4943 1706 or 0403 262566 or Kathy Harrison (registration forms) fax 4966 4161. Registrations must be in by May 21st 2001.

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