St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray”
NEWSLETTER Term 2 Week 2 4 May 2016
Dear Parents and Caregivers Welcome back to Term 2. We have been blessed with beautiful weather and I hope you were able to enjoy the holiday break with your children.
Term 2 is quite a busy term with NAPLAN, the Year 6 RE Test, Confirmation, Athletics Carnival, half-yearly reports and Parent Teacher interviews. We will continue to notify you of the dates for all events through the newsletter, Skoolbag and the calendar on the school website.
MOTHERS DAY BREAKFAST
Mary MacKillop St Mary of the Cross
We look forward to welcoming you to our Mothers Day Breakfast this Friday, commencing at 7:30 am. The decision to have a barbecue breakfast this year was to accommodate the working mothers who find it difficult to have time off in the middle of the work day to attend a morning or afternoon tea.
Australia’s first Saint Born on 15 January 1842 in Melbourne Died 8 August 1909
There will be Bacon and Egg rolls, pastries and croissants, tea and coffee available for all mums, grandmothers and aunties. Food will be available for the children as well.
All classrooms will be open from 8:20am if you would like to see your child’s room. I hope to see you there on Friday morning to celebrate Mothers Day.
CANONISED 17th October 2010
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
28-32 Thurlow Street Riverwood NSW 2210 Phone: 9533 3341 Fax: 9584 2672
[email protected] www.stjriverwood.catholic.edu.au
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE PRINCIPAL Cont’d
Prayer for Mother’s Day We sit around the table, my family and I, and celebrate the blessings God has given us. Blessings of loved ones, of good food, and of the shared bounty of the earth. Blessings of a warm, happy home filled with laughter and joy. Blessings of times spent together, of achievements and successes. Blessings of lessons we’ve learned, of silver linings surrounding every dark cloud, and of rainbows following every dreary shower. But mostly we celebrate our faith; in ourselves, in each other, and in God. Faith is the foundation of our strength, the bedrock of our joy.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE PRINCIPAL Cont’d
ASSEMBLIES IN TERM TWO
With the cold weather approaching we have made the decision to have our Friday Award assemblies in the Parish Centre rather than having the students sit on the cold ground under the COLA. Beginning next week (Week 3) we will hold the Infants (Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2) assemblies on Friday mornings each odd week and the Primary assemblies on the even weeks.
Prayer assembly will also be incorporated into the Friday morning assembly in the Parish Centre.
Parents are warmly invited to join us in the Parish Centre at 9:00am on Fridays for our Awards.
On Monday mornings we will sing the National Anthem and do birthday announcements and pencils and for the following days the students will be asked to stand to pray together and then move straight to their classrooms.
NAPLAN
Students in Years 3 and 5 will sit the NAPLAN Tests next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Parents, if you have students in either Year 3 or Year 5, could you please ensure that they are at school on time on the test days as all tests commence at 9:00 am. If your child is unwell on any of the test days could you please notify the school.
KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
Kindergarten enrolment interviews are well underway. It is always a joy to meet and welcome new families to our school community. Interviews will continue throughout the month of May and offers of enrolment sent out in June.
POSITIVE PARENTING WORKSHOPS Please find attached to this Newsletter information about Positive Parenting Workshops that will be held over three separate occasions at St Joseph’s Riverwood. If you would like to attend these FREE workshops please complete the “Expression of Interest” at the bottom of the attachment and return to the school office.
God Bless
Kim McCue Principal
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SOME TIPS FOR PARENTS: NAPLAN Parents can help their children approaching next week’s NAPLAN tests in practical things like providing healthy food, sleep and attitudes, and ensuring they are organised and calm. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Stay calm. Anxiety is contagious. Give tests such as NAPLAN their appropriate emphasis but see the whole picture of learning from Kindergarten to Year 12. Ensure your child eats breakfast, drinks plenty of water and has had a good night’s sleep. Ensure they arrive at school on time. Build up their confidence by reminding them of things they do well. Don’t bribe your child into getting good results – all children want to do their best.
NAPLAN TIMETABLE – YEAR 3 AND YEAR 5 TUESDAY 10 MAY - 9.00am
WEDNESDAY 11 MAY- 9.00am
THURSDAY 12 MAY- 9.00am
Language Conventions & Writing
Reading
Numeracy
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY Last Tuesday our staff gathered together to continue our work of developing a Vision for Learning for our school. Staff spent time reviewing and discussing current research to assist us in providing best practice in equipping our students to be effective learners today and into the future. UNIFORM CHANGEOVER As from next Monday, 9 May, all children are expected to be wearing winter uniform. Please ensure that all jackets are clearly labelled with your child’s name as students very commonly discard this expensive item during the day. We have been advised that Lowe's Roselands has experienced some shortages in the supply of our winter uniforms. If this affects you, your child may remain in their summer uniform while you wait for your order to be filled. If this is the case please inform your child's class teacher through a note in their diary. GIRLS UNIFORM Navy tartan 2 pleats tunic or navy slack Long sleeved sky blue blouse with Peter Pan collar Navy cardigan, jumper or jacket with school crest Navy ankle socks or navy tights Black leather school shoes
BOYS UNIFORM Navy blue shorts ('blockers') or trousers Long sleeved blue shirt Navy cardigan, jumper or jacket with school crest Blue Tie Navy ankle socks Black leather school shoes
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN STICKER PROMOTION We have taken delivery of the free items that we were able to choose thanks to the generosity of our school community in 2015. We now have 2 sets of pop-up soccer nets, one set of full-sized soccer goals, a large set of plastic shapes and gears for outdoor construction activities, a balance board and 9 new basketballs - all of which have been eagerly awaited by many students! We were also able to obtain some maths resources that will be put to good use.
Have a good fortnight Lynda Busuttil
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE RELIGIOUS CO-ORDINATOR I hope that all our Orthodox members of the school community enjoyed celebrating a joyful Easter with family and friends last weekend.
Our Confirmation candidates for the St Joseph’s Riverwood Parish attended their first preparation session last Sunday at 8:30 am prior to attending Mass and participating in a commitment ceremony for the sacrament. All the candidates were attentive and interested during their first preparation class and commented that they learned something new about the special sacrament for which they are preparing.
The candidates are required, with the support of their families, to research the saints before they decide on the saint’s name they will take for Confirmation. Throughout the Religious Education curriculum our students have learned that we are all called to be saints. We receive the call to holiness when we are baptised.
Saints are the heroes of our Catholic faith whom we can admire and strive to be like. The saints are people who loved God deeply and followed Jesus closely. The candidates are encouraged to research the saints and choose one for their Confirmation name who is meaningful for them and inspires them to love God and care and love others.
Each saint has a feast day – a day on which the church honours them. We are all encouraged to find out who our own patron saint is and celebrate their feast each year. We can use our first or second name, or a variation of it. If we have already been confirmed we can choose the saint we took as our confirmation name, for our patron. For example, last Thursday, April 28, Father John attended our school assembly and remarked that it was the feast of St Peter Chanel. St Peter Chanel died a martyr at the age of 38 in the year before St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s birth. He is an interesting priest for us because the priest returning his relics stopped in at Sydney on his way back to France. We have students at our school named Peter and Chanel. He could be a special saint for them.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE RELIGIOUS CO-ORDINATOR A Litany for Mothers Eve our first mother – thank you for stepping out and being the first to understand the complexities of life. Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth – thank you for your patience and courage in waiting for a miracle. May all people longing for children be strengthened by your stories and comforted in their pain. Hagar – thank you for your resolve in the face of exile. May all mothers who are forced to flee or are forgotten be given hope in you. Rebecca – thank you for your flexibility. Let us remember all mothers who have to raise their children in a different country or far from their relatives and who feel isolated. Rachel – you carried the burden of grief and wept for your children. Hold the hands of all those mothers who weep for their children – children who have gone missing, who have died or are lost to them in other ways. Jochebed – you used wisdom and insight to protect your children. Give to all mothers this wisdom and insight in the bringing up of their children, especially in vulnerable times. Naomi and Ruth – you showed that love can conquer all trials. Help all mothers to love constantly when life seems impossible and despair weighs hard upon their souls. Mary – the new Eve whose ‘yes’ to God changed our world forever. Thank you for sheltering the Holy One all those years ago, for your faithful love and tender care of God’s most precious Son. May we never forget that in your giving is our greatest receiving – of the gift of life wrapped in a manger and in a tomb. May we know the true cost of relationship by holding our faith in Christ deep within our hearts as you once held him deep within your womb. Amen Peace and best wishes Robyn Green ********** On a personal note I would like to thank the whole school community for your care, support and prayers for me and my mother during the final days of her illness and on her death. So many children and parents have stopped to offer me a hug and their condolences, it is very comforting to be part of such a wonderful community. I received a lovely surprise from my class and their families when a beautiful orchid plant arrived for me yesterday. Thank you all so much. I feel very blessed to be here.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” COMING TOGETHER
DIARY DATES
Whole School Mass
Thursday 5 May
-
Mother’s Day Stall
06.05.16
First Friday Mass (12pm)
Friday 6 May
-
03.06.16
Feast of the Sacred Heart
Mother’s Day Breakfast 7.30am - 8.45am
-
Year 5 Fizzics Incursion
-
NAPLAN (Language Conventions & Writing)
Tuesday 10 May
Friday Prayer Assembly 13.05.16
2 MacKillop
20.05.16
6 MacKillop
Wednesday Mass (9am)
Wednesday 11 May -
Marist Kogarah Open Day 3.00pm—6.00pm
-
NAPLAN (Reading)
11.05.16
Year 4
Thursday 12 May
-
NAPLAN (Numeracy)
18.05.16
Year 1
Friday 13 May
-
P & F Outdoor Movie Night
Thursday 26 May
-
Confirmation @ St Joseph’s Riverwood
Saturday 28 May
-
Holy Communion @ OLF Peakhurst 5.00pm
Sunday 29 May
-
Holy Communion @ OLF Peakhurst 9.15am
Wednesday Penance 11.05.16
6 Penola
18.05.16
4 MacKillop
Wednesday 1 June -
Athletics Carnival @ Hurstville Oval
Has your child been absent from school this week?
Parents are required to inform their child's teacher in wri ng of the dates and reason of absence within a week of return to school or the absence will be recorded as an UNEXPLAINED absence on their file. “Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE SPORTS CO-ORDINATOR Welcome to Term 2! I hope you have all had an enjoyable and restful break. This term we look forward to many more sporting events, in particular our St Joseph’s Athletics Carnival. There will be more information regarding our athletics carnival in the coming weeks. Congratulations again to all of our students who have competed in a variety of sporting events last term. Special congratulations to those students who qualified for higher level trialling. An all-round fantastic effort by everyone involved. Touch Football Gala Day Last term, 16 students from Years 5 and 6 represented St Joseph’s at the Eastern and Southern Region Touch Football Gala Day. The weather report did not look good for our Years 5 and 6 teams, however, this did not stop our superstar touch football teams. Thank you to all of the parents who attended and supported the students by cheering from the sidelines. Special thanks to Mrs Sarah Quirk for assisting the students on the day.
Marc Anthony Noun, Michael Antonio, Matthew Campos Peterson, Dylan Carr, Jack Donati, Alanson Garcia, Rory Little, Alex Papadopoulos, Christian Signorelli, Teana Bourke, Tamara Buckley, Emma Harris, Liahna Hofman, Claudia Nguyen, Olivia Simone and Samara Woods.
Cross Country
Last Thursday, we had our St George Cluster Cross Country Trials. Thirty students competed in this incredibly difficult and strenuous event. All of our students did a fantastic job at running either 2000m or 3000m in their respective age groups and it was a great experience for all. Thank you to Mrs Kim McCue and Mr Andrew Arcifa for assisting the students on the day as well as the parents who came to support the children.
Congratulations to following students who have qualified for the Eastern Region Combined Cross Country Trials: Tiana Petkovski, Mitchell Woods, Antonio Caruana, Lara Tolic, Tamara Buckley, Jordan Coyle and Samara Woods. Special congratulations to Tiana Petkovski who came 1st in the 8/9 Years Girls 2000m event and Antonio Caruana who placed 2nd in the 11 Years Boys 3000m event. We wish these students the best of luck and success for this trial. Well done!
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE SPORTS CO-ORDINATOR Rugby League Gala Day
Yesterday 11 students from Years 3 and 4 represented St Joseph’s at the Brad McKay and Lance Thompson Cup at Scarborough Park, Monterey. The students played extremely well with exceptional behaviour and great sportsmanship. Our Year 3/4 team, also known as ‘The Broncos’ had an extremely fun and successful day! The boys won the Grand Final and will play at Jubilee Stadium at a time that will be set by the NRL representatives. Thank you to all of the parents who came and supported our Broncos on the day.
The Broncos Emmanuel Elazzi, Mitchell Woods, Finlay Whitten, Kane McCarren, Zachary Nobrega, Noah Khoury, Jovan Leger, Bob Boulos, Levi Saua and Aidan Whale
Mackillop Netball Trials
On Friday 6th May, Hannah Ridley will represent the Sydney Archdiocese at the Mackillop Netball Trials held in Canberra. The Mackillop Trials are an extremely high level of competition and Hannah has demonstrated this level of skill in Netball which is an excellent achievement. We wish you all the best of luck Hannah!
Aim for the moon. Even if you miss - you’ll land among the stars!
Jenna O’Donnell
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE LIBRARIAN
Dear Parent and Grandparents, This term you are invited to the Library every afternoon in Week 4. This is an opportunity for you to look around the Library and to choose a book to read with your child. A love of reading is so important and this is a great chance for you to show your child what books you would like to read from our Library. The Library will be open to visit straight after school until 4pm each day. It would be lovely to see many families throughout the week. Please be aware that students will only be allowed in with their parents or grandparents. A reminder of the Library website and e-books site which the students can access at any time. https://oliver.stjriverwood.catholic.edu.au Library website ceosyd.lib.overdrive.com E-books This term will see the return of Mystery Book Week for Years 1 to 6 and Mrs McCue has spoilt us with lots of new books. It is a mystery what week it is going to be so make sure you have your Library Bag each week. There are Library Bags available from the office for just $6. If you have not taken a ‘shelfie’ which is a picture of yourself and your bookshelf you may like to do so to add to our Shelfie Wall of Fame. This term the students will be able to ‘hop’ into the P.R.C. race’ by adding a kangaroo with their name on it to our P.R.C. wall. Each Library lesson students can move themselves along as they complete books to race to the finish line. If you are completing the challenge our Library books have been marked with a colour coded sticker on the front if they are part of the challenge and have their P.R.C.I.D. (Identification number) on the back to make it easier to fill in the reading log. The sticker colour code is: K-2 are red, 3-4 are green and 5-6 purple. I look forward to seeing you in the Library during Week 4. Nicole Cripps
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
“Work and Pray” FROM THE LITERACY CO-ORDINATOR
Literacy: What is NAPLAN?
Next week our Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test. It is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
Why do students do NAPLAN tests? The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN tests are ONE aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process; they do not replace the extensive ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance.
Preparing your child
The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure your child that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day. Keep the week leading up to/week of NAPLAN as clam and as ‘normal’ as usual.
Over the last ten weeks Year 3 and 5 have had targeted intervention in reading and writing.
We wish all our students in Year 3 and Year 5 all the best for NAPLAN
Mrs Meadley Literacy Coordinator
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray”
y a M / April s y a d Birth
Happy Birthday to the following children who will have a Birthday between 10 April and 7 May 2016
Zoe Dagher
Charlie Fahd
Alexa Baslakovski
Veronica Zhen
Jessica Zhen
Tina Lin
Cooper Abel
Nina Nguyen
Nicholas Veldekis
Alanson Garcia
Nicola Papaioannou
Jake Porter
Donovan Brooks
Dylan Brooks
Maya Lavery
Nicholas Marta
Kane Morris
Mary-Anne El Azzi
Lexie Lin
Jazmin Moliterno
Sheldon Suarez
Juliet Apostolou
Hayley Saliba
Alma Moliterno
Ariana Koletsios
Xavier Farr
Klara Tadic
2nd Hand Uniforms The 2nd Hand Uniform shop will be
open fortnightly during the year on Friday
mornings before assembly. Items range from $3.00. The Uniform Shop is open of the following days during Term 2::Friday 13 May, Friday 27 May, Friday 10 June & Friday 24 June. If you are unable to attend on these days you can leave a request with the School Office and we will endeavour to help you.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray”
MERIT CERTIFICATES
WEEK 10 Kindergarten
Louise-Mary Kitoko, Jayden Lam, Oliver Lam & Kate Rose Skagias
Year 1
Miguel Araujo, Josephine Kitoko, Vanessa Macchia & Darren Theodore
Year 2
Olivia Asprea, Isabelle Keeling, Tyrel Laurente & Timothy Rosales
Year 3
Chanel Chakouch, Taylor Coyle, Joshua Lane Chicharo & Hayley Saliba
Year 4
Elena Cavdarovski, John Dalla-Camina, Carter See & Mitchell Woods
Year 5
Joshua Crewes, Charlie Fahd, Oliver Farr & Claudia Nguyen
Year 6
Alanson Garcia, Joshua Lopizzo, Sofia Ninovic & Alexander Papadopoulos
WEEK 11 Kindergarten
Zoe Dagher, Mabelle Khoury, Alexander Lake & Leni Tandek
Year 1
Sophia Campanaro, Milla Cavdarovski, Bronte Faber & Lucas Roy
Year 2
Rachel Alexander, Kiara Briskoski, Sebastien Curtis & Nicholas Marta
Year 3
Ryan Dao, Izabel Dawson, Brianna Graniero & Adrian Kafetzis
Year 4
Cara Bristow, Emmanuel Elazzi, Jack Milic & Miara Tumang
Year 5
Christian Alvaro, Dimitri Antonio, Tiana Kulchar & Luke Trajkovski
Year 6
Lucia Mendoza, Marc Noun, James Whiteman & Cristina Yazbeck
TERM 2 WEEK 1 Kindergarten
Jason Aridag, Henry Graham, Vivienne Kellehear & Kaedis Roebeck
Year 1
Julia Alvaro, Xavier Farr, Oliver Munro & Bailey Tandek
Year 2
Matthew Ippolito, Lucas Naumcevski, Felicity O’Keefe & Angel-Rose Zakhem
Year 3
Jordan Aquilina, Richie Chow, Jonathan Skagias & Erika Stothard
Year 4
Elena Cavdarovski, Simonet Di Stefano, Jonny Sorras & Thomas Whiteman
Year 5
William De Oliveira, Peter Govesis, Ezekiel Paterno & Daniel Wilding
Year 6
Danica Di Stefano, Liahna Hofman, Abbey Hronis & Alexander Kulchar
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” P & F News
Dear Parents and Caregivers Welcome to Term Two and what a busy term it is going to be. We have lots of fun events planned for the weeks ahead. Mothers Day Stall The Mothers Day Stall is taking place this Thursday 5 May. By now all payments should have been made. Students will be provided with $5 and $10 tokens to purchase their gifts on the day. We hope you enjoy your presents. Mothers Day Breakfast Mothers Day breakfast is being held on Friday 6 May before school to help accommodate the working mothers who can't make it during the day. All mothers, grandmothers & aunties are invited to breakfast. We want to honour the hard work our Mums do all year long, so please enjoy this breakfast on behalf of the school and the P&F committee. Outdoor Movie Night After the huge success of last years outdoor movie night another one has been planned for Friday 13 May. You should have received a flyer late last term with all the details. The movie we will be screening is Despicable Me 2. Please ensure that if you are planning to attend you pay and return your slip by this Friday 6 May. We need to ensure that we have catered for the right amount of families. There will be a sausage sizzle & drinks available on the night. You will also be able to purchase popcorn and fairy floss as well as glow sticks. We hope everyone enjoys the night. Mums Night Out A mums night out has been planned for Friday 20 May at Oatley Hotel starting at 7pm. Its always a fun night out and a great way to meet other Mums at the school. You can order food & beverages and relax or get up and dance. Please RSVP to Yvette on 0404 856 905 if you are planning to attend. Dates for the Diary Mothers Day Stall: Mothers Day Breakfast: Outdoor Movie Night: Mums Night Out: Next P&F Meeting: Steve McMahon P & F President
Thursday 5 May Friday 6 May Friday 13 May Friday 20 May Tuesday 14 June Mobile: 0419 770 355 / Email:
[email protected]
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7