Notre Dame Catholic Primary School
Foundations for Life Long Learning 7 November
Dear Parents and Staff
I hope all parents were as impressed as I was with the great array of activities that the staff had prepared in their classrooms to showcase elements of the work that the children are engaged in each day at school. The days of workbooks and textbooks that many of you would have experienced during your Primary school education have been replaced with iPads and all manner of technology. The basics, however, remain very similar to those of the past with Literacy and Numeracy skills paramount. What has changed is the way in which children achieve the required knowledge and understanding and the diversity of teaching skills and techniques that Teachers and Assistants employ to ensure that each child is provided with what they require at a level that is appropriate to their particular needs. We are blessed at Notre Dame to have excellent staff who regularly go well above and beyond my expectations and I acknowledge and thank them for all that they do to ensure that Notre Dame remains the great school that it is.
Now, what about the AMAZING Art Exhibition organized by Mrs Annette Flexman. The children’s artwork was obviously the star of the show but the very creative ideas of how to present them was all Mrs Flexman’s work. From the stepping stone journey from Kindergarten to Pre-Primary through to the Year Six walk through the forest towards their prospective High Schools, all classes had their artwork so appropriately displayed. I hope parents had time to read some of the articles that Mrs Flexman had created to highlight the learning that accompanied the production of the artworks. A particular favourite for me was the Year One Windmills with the reference to Don Quixote who, infatuated with books on chivalry, goes on a quest to right wrongs. Early in his quest he encounters windmills which he perceives to be “Giants” finally conceding that a magician must have turned them into windmills thus providing the stimulus for our very own amazing Year One windmills (or are they Giants?)
Thank you to all of the parents who took time to visit our school last evening and to all of the staff who ensured that it was an excellent showcase of the work that we do.
STAFF GIFTS
Our school year is very quickly coming to an end and in no time we will be preparing for Christmas. As the year winds down many parents very generously consider giving a gift to staff in recognition of their efforts throughout the year. Whilst staff certainly appreciate the gesture, parents should not feel that this is an expectation. If you would like to acknowledge your child’s teacher for their efforts with your child throughout the year, a small gift as a token of your appreciation would be warmly welcomed. If you choose not to do this that is okay too. Some classes choose to invite parents to contribute a small amount to a group gift which can be a convenient way to recognise the staff however, there is no compulsion to do this. Staff at Notre Dame are thanked every day by being allowed to be a very special part of your child’s educational journey, whether you choose to thank them in other ways is entirely up to you.
OPENING OF RENOVATIONS
Thank you to all of the parents and family members who were able to join us for the Official Opening of our new facilities last Friday afternoon. The children probably won’t remember my speech but I’m sure they will definitely remember the very tasty cupcake, made by Mrs Lisa Doyle, that they received after the Opening. I hope many of the parents who weren’t able to be at the Opening were able to view both the Support Rooms in the Library and the Staffroom during Open Night last evening.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
In memory of all who have died or fought in conflicts protecting our country we will have a minute of silence immediately after recess next Monday.
Peace within and peace without
Peace before us and peace behind us
Peace on our right and peace on our left.
Christ of Peace you call us to peace,
Peace with our brother and with our sister,
Peace with our neighbour and with the stranger
Peace with friends and with foes
Spirit of peace you call us to peace,
Peace in work and in play
Peace in thought and in deed
Peace in word and action
Grant us peace, O God of peace.
AGMs
The Annual General Meetings for the Parents’ and Friends’ Association and the School Board will be held on Tuesday 26 November at 6.00pm. Nominations for representation on both groups are now open. Please see the P&F Report in this newsletter for details regarding becoming a member of the P&F for 2020.
School Board nomination:
There are two positions in total available for membership on the School Board with one current member nominating to continue for a further two-year term.
Below are the criteria for membership to the School Board as outlined in the Catholic School Board Constitution:
a) possession of special skills that will be an asset to the Board;
b) a deep interest in the welfare of all students and staff;
c) a desire to give service to the Catholic School Community;
d) a keenness to promote Catholic schooling;
e) an ability to work cooperatively and constructively with all other members of the Board; and
f) a sufficiency of time to devote to Board duties.
Nominations to the Board are to be in writing and handed in at the school office marked
“School Principal – Confidential”. Nomination forms are available on the school website or from the school office.
Should you require any further information please contact me through the school office.
TERM 4 UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
Merit Assembly
MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER
Remembrance Day Ceremony
TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER
Yr 1 Excursion Chevron Parklands
3YO Kindy Orientation 1.30-2.30pm
WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER
Yr 1 Liturgy
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Yr 3P Assembly
EVENTS DURING TERM 4
FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER
Class Transition Day
Year 6 Graduation
Reports Online
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER
Carols and Awards Evening
WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER
Thanksgiving Mass (Kindy - Yr 6)
STUDENTS NOT RETURNING TO NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL YEAR 2020
If your child/children will not be returning to Notre Dame in 2020, it is important that you advise the school office immediately.
CLASS NEWS - YEAR 3
MATHS
In Maths we have been learning about 3D shapes. We used nets to create our own 3D shapes and event went on a hunt through our lunch boxes to find as many shapes as we could, take pictures of them and put them into our Pic Collage.
LITERACY
To align with our Term 4 theme of Sustainability we have been writing information reports about the Amazon Rainforest. We enjoy watching BTN and noticed that there was a lot of news about the Amazon Rainforest so we researched the four layers, the types of species and the issue of deforestation. Our information reports are an exceptional reflection of the fantastic writers we are. Our subject-specific vocabulary made us sound like real scientists.
TECHNOLOGY & ART
In Technology we have been designing and constructing our own ‘Mechanica’ creatures based on the robotic animals in the book ‘Mechanica’ by Lance Balchin. It is a story set in the future where all of the animals have become extinct and have been replaced by robotic animals. It links to our overall theme of Sustainability this term and we have had so much fun building our creations. We are very sorry about all of the mess from the paint!
In Art, we used the same Mechanica designs to create a foil embossing. First we drew our designs onto cardboard then glued string around the outlines. Next we covered our designs in foil and used our fingers to press down along the string so that the outline of our shape would show on the foil. Lastly we painted our designs leaving the outline in silver.
Health
In Health we have been learning about Protective Behaviours and how to keep ourselves safe. We were able to watch a performance by Constable Care called ‘Fun Scary’ that showed us the difference between things that are fun scary (like roller coasters) and actually scary (like a person making you feel uncomfortable). The performance was funny and we learned a lot.
ONLINE ORDERING SCHOOL PHOTOS
MSP Photography have notified the school that the online ordering has been rectified. The cut off date to order has been extended to Sunday 10 November to avoid parents being charged late fees.
IN ORDER TO AVOID EXTRA CHARGES OF $30.00 SCHOOL ONLINE ORDERS CUT OFF DATE IS SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
ONLINE ORDERING - SPECIAL GROUPS
On photo day speciality group images were taken at your school. These images can be viewed and purchased at a unique website, which is DIFFERENT from where you order the portraits and class photos online.
1. To place your Order online simply go to https://mspphotography.shootproof.com/
2. Click Specials 2019, then select the album titled: Notre Dame CPS Specials - 2019
3. You will then be required to enter a password to view the Album. The password is NTRED19
4. Please ensure that you use your child’s name at the checkout
5. The images you are viewing are uncropped and will be cropped to fit to a 10x8 print (as per the first image in your gallery, a sample of layout & colour)
- The online orders will be open until midnight on Sunday 10th of November 2019 – for the Bulk Pricing Offer
- The Bulk Pricing Offer is $20 per print and these will be delivered to the school BY CLASS GROUP
- After the $20 pricing expires, the photos will remain available online, but the photos are now at a cost of $35 per image and delivered to a preferred address.
If you have any queries please contact MSP Photography on 9240 8000 or via email on ordering.perth@msp.com.au
TERM DATES
TERM 4
End of Term for Students Friday 13 December
End of Term for Staff Friday 20 December
LOST PROPERTY
Has any parent found a gold chain which was lost on Tuesday 5 November?
ABSENCE FOLLOW UP LETTERS
We have distributed the outstanding absentee follow up letters. Could the reason for the absence be sent to the front office with your signature as soon as possible.
An email from parents/guardians regarding their child's non-attendance to school must state the name of student, the class, reason for the absence and full name of parent/guardian.
NEXT WEEKS ROSTER
MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER: Mei Lie
WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER: VOLUNTEER REQUIRED
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER: VOLUNTEER REQUIRED
Hope to see you at the canteen soon.
Kayleen McLean
Canteen coordinator
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays in Term 4.
Opening times : 1.30pm-3.30pm
Danielle Lawrie
Uniform Shop Coordinator
SCHOOL BANKING
Every Wednesday 8.00am - 8.30am in the School Library.
P & F NEWS
2019 CARDS THAT COUNT
ONLINE ORDERING IS NOW AVAILABLE
Thank you everyone who took part in the Cards that Count Program in 2019.
Online viewing of the cards and ordering is now available until Sunday 10th November. The professionally printed cards will then be delivered back to the school on Wednesday 4th December.
Visit www.cardsthatcount.com.au, select ‘Order Cards’ and enter your child’s unique code.
Cards will be available in packs of 10 for $12 with profits going to the local chapter of St Vincent de Paul, to help families in need at Christmas time.
If you have any questions, please contact P&F member Nicole Beresford on
CARDS THAT COUNT CUT OFF DATE FOR ORDERING IS SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER.
2020 NIGHT MARKET
The 2020 Notre Dame Night Market will be back again on Friday 14th February.
Are you interested in hosting a food stall on the night? If so, please express your interest to Nicole Beresford (Notre Dame P&F member) via email by Thursday 5th December.
P&F CONSTITUTION UPDATE
The Notre Dame P&F Executive Committee are currently updating the P&F Constitution. The Class Liaisons will be emailing a copy of the current Constitution and the new draft Constitution to their classes. A hard copy of both of these documents is also available for viewing in the school’s administration. The P&F is happy to receive feedback and comments via the Class Liaison, or directly to P&F member Nicole Beresford up until the end of the school year.
PARENT TV
There are so many things on a parent's list to teach their child, and we'll bet, teaching them to make friends isn't very high on that list!
However, learning to make friends, how to talk to new people and how to hold a conversation are lifelong skills our children will need throughout their lives - even into adulthood!
ParentTV expert Claire Orange from BEST Programs 4 Kids shares the basics parents need to be teaching their kids when it comes to making friends.
Have you ever asked the kids how their day was and had no response? Here are ways to find out what’s really going on in your child’s life.
Sam, Britta and the ParentTV Team.
COMMUNITY NEWS
MERCEDES COLLEGE 2020 ENROLMENTS
A sound education is an investment in the future of your daughter. Mercedes College is committed to providing an affordable education for those families seeking an all girls’ Catholic education in the Mercy tradition. For those families wishing to explore options, the Principal is always available to speak with you. Vacancies are still available for 2020; for more information please contact the Enrolment Officer on 93231323.
CITY OF BELMONT
PARKING INFORMATION FOR SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER
Please be aware that the limited parking at Miles Park will be reserved for people with ACROD permits and less mobile seniors.
City of Belmont will be running a free shuttle bus between Miles Park and outside the City's Civic Centre (Wright Street) from 4pm-7:30pm on the day of the event so please plan your parking accordingly. The park is also a short 10-15 minute walk from Faulkner Park.
RELATIONSHIPS AUSTRALIA
CITY OF BELMONT
VacSwim
Enrol now for VacSwim summer holiday swimming lessons!
With swimming pools and beaches a big part of the Western Australian lifestyle, it’s essential that your children learn how to swim and stay safe in the water.
VacSwim is for all children - from beginners to more advanced swimmers. Your children can start as young as five years old.
There are over 180 VacSwim locations around Western Australia, so wherever your family is spending these summer holidays, there will be lessons near you.
Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/swimming.