Term 2 Week 4 2023

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

This Sunday we celebrate Mother's Day.  I know everyone will have something special planned for their mothers and the mother figures in their lives.  I am so incredibly lucky to have two incredibly wonderful ladies who have shown me nothing but love, patience and encouragement.  My Mum and my Nan have always been my rock, sounding board and best friend. Their love has been a constant source of strength, inspiration and support and I feel so blessed to have such two remarkable women in my life. I am currently in Brisbane so that I can spend Mother’s Day with the two women who without I would be lost.  To all of our Mums - enjoy your special day.

A special thank you to Teena, Bhree-Ana and Gen for organising our Mother’s Day stall. Many hours go into putting the stall together for the students to purchase something special for their Mum for Mother’s Day. I would also like to thank all of those families who provided donations for the stall and for the raffle. Your generosity is deeply appreciated. Thank you also to those who came along and helped man the stall yesterday. The students certainly enjoy being able to go shopping to find that special something for their Mum.

Next Friday Prep is holding their annual Prep Bike Day.  For safety reasons, we will be closing the car park from 8:50am to 11am so that our Prep students can participate in this morning of learning.  Thank you for your understanding.

We are currently taking Prep enrolments for 2024.  If you have a child beginning school next year or know someone whose child is due to begin Prep, please get your enrolment forms in ASAP.   Don’t forget about our Prep Open Days on the 9th and 12th of June.  Parents and students of 2024 Prep students are invited to join us on either day to get a taste of what a day in the life of Prep is like.  Please RSVP to the Office so we know you are coming.  

Have a wonderful week.

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

Religious Life of the School

May 13 marks the anniversary of the first of six apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children of Fátima, Portugal. Lucia dos Santos (aged 9) and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto (aged 8 and 6, respectively) were tending sheep in central Portugal in 1917 when they had a vision of a woman surrounded by light who identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary. She exhorted them to pray the rosary for world peace and, over the course of her six apparitions, gave the children three "secrets." She promised a miracle in October, and on the 13th of that month a crowd of perhaps 70,000 people witnessed a "miraculous solar phenomenon," in which the Sun appeared to fall toward Earth. After initially questioning the authenticity of the children's visions, the Vatican accepted them as appearances of the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fátima), and Fátima became the location of one of the greatest Marian shrines in the world, visited by thousands of pilgrims each year.

Although Lucia dos Santos would later become a Carmelite nun and live to the age of 97, Francisco and Jacinta Marto died as children as a result of the influenza pandemic of 1918–19. The pious siblings were beatified in 2000 by Pope John Paul II, making them the youngest non-martyred children to be beatified in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. They were canonized as saints by Pope Francis in 2017 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of their visions.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/story/100th-anniversary-of-our-lady-of-ftima

Mothers Day Liturgy

Thank you to 1/2B for the Mothers Day liturgy on Monday and thank you to all who came to celebrate. We wish all of our mums and women we think of as mum a very special day.

Class Masses

Thank you to all who attended the Years 3 and 4 class Mass and celebrated ‘A Mother’s Love’ with us. Thank you also to Fr Manoj who helped us to see our mother’s love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, ‘Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal.’

Celebrating Mass together is a great way to build community!

God bless

Nicole

Learning Connections

What is happening behind the scenes?

This Wednesday 20 randomly chosen Year 6 students will be participating in a National Science Literacy Study. Conducted every few years, this study is tracking how students’ Science Literacy is developing. The results tracked over the years shows the effectiveness of science teaching and what further needs to be addressed in the teaching of Science. Vocabulary, reading and writing is essential for children to engage in Science.

Last week, we attended two days presented by QCAA ( Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) on Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum for English and Mathematics. They addressed the reason for the change, the changes that were made and how it would impact the teaching of these subjects. This week I attended a Learning and Teaching Advisers Network meeting at TCE       ( Townsville Catholic Education) to plan how the Version 9 English and Mathematics will be presented to staff, the professional development and resources that will be required before implementation in 2024.

James Cook University and Rotary have combined forces to sponsor a Communication Challenge for Students in Years 5 and 6. Although entry is $49.00, for students in Years 5 and 6, entry will be free.

Register at www.blah.education Coupon Code: 2023sponsored must be entered to take receive a free entry.

Coaching is provided in Ayr at the RSL on Monday, May 22, 4.00pm- 7.00pm. With heats held at the Ayr RSL on Monday, June 5, at 6.00pm. This is an excellent opportunity for interested students.

Please see the attached flyer for further details.

Rita Cranitch

Learning and Teacher Adviser / Inclusive Practices Teacher

Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - BLENDED FAMILIES

Blended or stepfamilies, come in all shapes and sizes. Today, the term “blended family” is more commonly used as opposed to “stepfamily”. Although their original meanings differ slightly, today both terms are used interchangeably. This is mostly due to some of the negative connotations associated with fairytale characters such as the evil stepmother or stepsister.

The blended family is the fastest growing family dynamic in the world with one in five families now being a ‘step’ or ‘blended’ family. However, when families “blend,” it rarely progresses smoothly. Some children resist change, and parents become frustrated when the new family doesn’t function in the same way as the previous one.

For many step-parent’s, the greatest challenge lies in determining what their role is within the family. The process can be both rewarding and challenging. Children affected by the union of a new couple may not be excited at the prospect of becoming part of a new family.

Although blending families requires adjustment and patience from everyone involved, in this edition of SchoolTV, parents will be given some guidelines of real expectations that can help their new family work through the growing pains.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school guidance counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Blended Families edition of SchoolTV
https://sfatsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/blended-families

Class in the Spotlight -3/4B

3/4B has had a great start to Term 2 with many dynamic and differentiated learning experiences.

In HASS Year 3 students have been enthralled by the use of bones and artefacts to collect information about Australia’s past. Year 4 students, while learning about Australia’s history, were amazed to learn that the King and Queen of England paid explorers to find spices abroad to make their food more interesting!

In Science, Year 3 students joined with 3A to investigate the effect heat has on different materials. Their favourite experiment was definitely the chocolate! Year 4 students have been exploring the properties of materials and were impressed by indigenous people’s knowledge of materials strong enough to make spears in our everyday environment.

In Religion, Year 3 students have been reflecting on the covenant of The Decalogue and its importance and enhancement of our lives. Year 4, students have been exploring the meaning of freedom, sacrifices and forgiveness told in The Bible and what that looks like today.

So that lessons are differentiated, Year 3 and 4 students have been rotating in small groups in Mathematics. Year 3s are identifying fractions as parts of a whole and on a number line while Year 4 students are investigating equivalent fractions. As well as this, both Year 3 and Year 4 are working on their understanding of concepts around Number and Algebra with both abstract and concrete activities.

In English, students are improving their writing skills and persuasive writing through peer and personal editing, revision and feedback. During Literacy Rotations, Year 3 and Year 4 are developing decoding and comprehension skills of a variety of texts and investigating spelling rules using children’s books and hands-on activities.

What a busy few weeks! It’s safe to say 3/4B are working hard and doing a fantastic job! They are well into their learning for Term 2! We look forward to seeing families at our Learning Breakfast towards the end of the term. 

3/4B

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P.A.T.H.

In the past week, we have had 91 P.A.T.H. notes handed out. It is wonderful to see so many of our students Persisting with Learning, Acting Safely, Treating all with Respect and Helping their Neighbour. 

Don't forget you can see if your child has gotten a P.A.T.H. note by logging into Compass and looking at their Chronicle. 

Tuckshop

Tuckshop are seeking help on Fridays.  If you are available to help out please complete the form below and return to the school office.

Prep Open Day

Athletics Carnival

Library

Community