Notre Dame Catholic Primary School
Foundations for Life Long Learning August 22
One day, a long time ago, a man was travelling along a road as the day came to an end. As he was about to make his camp another, older, traveller with a horse laden with saddle bags stopped and asked if he could spend the evening with him. Happy for the company the man agreed and soon they were sharing a meal and discussing just how lucky they were to be in such a beautiful place and to have met each other. The following morning, as the first traveller was about to leave his new-found friend thanked him for sharing time with him and gave him a gift which he said was not of much value to him. He handed the traveller his very heavy saddle bags and asked him not to open them until he was about to set camp the next evening. All day long the traveller thought about his time with the older traveller. He reflected upon how calm and at peace he seemed and, of course, he wondered what was in the saddle bags. Although he was very, very curious he remained true to his friend’s request and only opened them when he had arrived at his destination for the night. To his absolute amazement, when he looked inside the travel bags he saw that they were filled with diamonds and other precious stones. Immediately he got back on his horse and went in search of the older traveller. Upon seeing him coming the old traveller called out “Are you not happy with your gift?” “I am very happy with your gift but want to return it to you in exchange for a gift of far greater value” said the traveller. “And what would such a gift be?” asked the older man. The younger traveller replied “Whilst I very much appreciate your gift, the gift that I truly seek is the wisdom that allows you give away such a gift so freely”.
Dear Parents and Staff
This evening our Year Six students take the next step towards receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation as, along with their parents, they participate in a workshop to deepen their understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Wisdom, Counsel, Knowledge, Understanding, Piety, Fortitude and Fear of the Lord.
Whilst the students will receive these Gifts at their Confirmation on 14 September, it is what they do with them that will determine their true value. Just as a talented sportsperson may have a wealth of potential, it is only through nurturing and developing this potential that their full talent (or gifts) may be realised.
2020 KINDERGARTEN PARENT MEETING
I was very pleased to be able to welcome the parents of next year’s 4 Y.O. Kindergarten to our school at our meeting last evening. I hope they found the presentations to be helpful and look forward to meeting them all next year when their children join the Kindy class.
PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
Congratulations to our Year Three choristers who sang so beautifully at St Benedict’s Church in Ardross yesterday. The excellent Report that the adjudicator, Mrs Estelle Dragun, presented truly reflects the children’s great performance and is a credit to them, Mr Loiacono, Mrs Evans and their class teachers.
I now look forward to our Senior and Junior Dance Groups performances at the Perth Convention Centre tomorrow evening and to our School Choir performance at the Vasto Club in Balcatta next Wednesday afternoon.
FATHERS’ DAY
I’m looking forward to sharing a hearty breakfast with many of our school dads and grandfathers next Wednesday morning. Breakfast will be served from 7.30am and Mass will follow at 8.45am. Please ensure that you have returned your note regarding attendance so that we are able to cater appropriately.
OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS PROGRAM FOR 2020
We are inviting parents to provide feedback regarding your current before and after school care needs in our survey below. The survey will take you no longer than 1 minute to complete.
Submitting this survey will provide us with information on the viability of running an Outside School Hours program for 2020.
The last day to respond is Friday 30 August 2019.
P&F COCKTAIL PARTY
Tickets are now available for this great evening to be held on 19 October at Forster Park on Abernethy Rd. Due to the size of the venue there are only 200 tickets so go online to ensure you don’t miss out.
CITY TO SURF
CITY TO SURF
Flynn Plimmer in Year 6M is running in the 12km City to Surf this weekend to raise funds for a 3yo with SMA2 (Spinal Muscular Atropy). Please see link below if you would like to support him.
gf.me/u/tzavzm
4 YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN 2020
Was your child born between 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016?
If your child was born between these dates, they are eligible for our 4 Year Old Kindergarten program in 2020. Registrations for 2020 are now open. Contact our office on 6272 7100 for further details.
3 YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN 2020
If your child was born between 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 , they are eligible for our 3 Year Old Kindergarten program in 2020. Registrations for 2020 are now open. Contact our office on 6272 7100 for further details.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
This evening our Confirmation candidates from Year 6 will attend Parent/Child workshop with their parents in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 14 September.
THURSDAY 22 AUGUST
Parent/Child Workshop for Confirmation candidates @ 6.00pm
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
Reconciliation for Confirmation Candidates @ 6.00pm
SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Confirmation @ 6.00pm
Certificates will be presented on Saturday 21 September @ 6.00pm Mass and
Sunday 22 September @ 10.00am Mass
TERM 3 UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY 23 AUGUST
EDU Dance
Merit Assembly
Performing Arts Dance @ Convention Centre
MONDAY 26 AUGUST
EDU Dance
WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST
Fathers' Day Mass & Breakfast
Performing Arts Choir Performance @ Vasto Club
Debate Club Presentations @ 5.30pm
FRIDAY 30 AUGUST
Assembly PPP
EDU DANCD
PRESENTATION DAY
YEAR 2 CLASS NEWS
The terrific Year 2 have been super busy this term with lots of extra exciting activities!
Religion:
This term in Religious Education we have been learning about the beauty and variety in creation. As a class, we went for a walk around the school grounds to take photos on our iPads, we then prayed together to give thanks to God.
The children then discussed the importance of water in creation and how water is used in the Sacrament of Baptism. They listened to the story of Jesus when he was baptized by his cousin John in the river Jordan and recalled the important information in their own words.
(Matthew 3:13-17).
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Mathematics:
When learning about maths we use many manipulative tools to help develop and consolidate our skills. During our measurement lessons this term we have been learning about mass, we used balance scales, blocks and items from within the classroom to compare different weights using words such as lighter than, heavier than or the same. We have also begun exploring a range of strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems.
Children’s comments:
On the balancing scales the one that goes up is the lightest and the one that goes down is the heaviest. (Bobby)
We wrote on the whiteboard how many blocks different objects around the room weighed. (Michael)
Inquiry Learning:
We have started looking at the connection we each have to places in Australia. We have learnt about the names of the different the states and territories of Australia and the capital cities. We got to create an Australian map of our own, through a jigsaw puzzle task.
We are now looking at the different flags of each state or territory and comparing and contrasting them with our Australian flag and also discussing its connection to England’s flag. Our aim now is to choose and explore one state or territory we are connected to. We may live there or have lived there, have family there or may have been on a holiday there or perhaps even a place we wish to visit in the future.
Children’s Comments:
There are two territories and six states. (Aayat)
Every state has a capital city. (Dylan).
EDU Dance:
We have been learning our EDU Dance each week where we are learning to bust a move to the Aladdin song. Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming concert at the end of term!
Mrs Pirie & Mrs Donovan-Flintoff
MUSIC
Well done to the Year Three children who sang in the Primary Sacred Choral Section of the Performing Arts Festival yesterday. The children sang beautifully, were very well behaved and represented our school with pride. They certainly sang both hymns with meaning, and the adjudicator commented that they sang with conviction. Their report was fantastic and one which we can all be proud of.
Thank you to Mrs Evans, our accompanist, Miss Horne and Miss Fimmano (Year Three teachers) and Mr Tanham for their invaluable assistance during rehearsals and on the day.
Finally, thank you to those who assisted behind the scenes, and to the parents, relatives and friends who came to support the children. We are extremely grateful to you.
Mr Alessio Loiacono
Music Specialist
SPORTS
Volunteers' Roster
MONDAY 26 August: volunteer required
WEDNESDAY 28 August: Karon Russell
FRIDAY 30 August: Ros Lovick
If you are able to volunteer in the canteen in term 3 please come and see me and put your name on my roster or just pop in if you have time to spare.
Hope to see you at the canteen soon.
Kayleen McLean
Canteen coordinator
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop will be open on
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY 1.30pm-3.30pm
Orders and payment can also be made at the front office.
Danielle Lawrie
Uniform Shop Coordinator
SCHOOL BANKING
Every Wednesday 8.00am - 8.30am in the School Library.
P & F NEWS
P&F COCKTAIL PARTY FUNDRAISER
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
PERTH WILDCATS MEMBERSHIPS
CRICKET
VACSWIM
You can now enrol your children in VacSwim swimming lessons for the October school holidays.
With swimming pools and beaches a big part of the Western Australian lifestyle, it’s important your children are safe in the water.
Programs are available for children from 5 to 17 years and cater to all skill levels – from beginners to those doing their Bronze Medallion. They are being offered at pool venues across the State.
Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/swimming