Notre Dame Catholic Primary School
Foundations for Life Long Learning 12 March
Dear Parents and Staff
The coronavirus epidemic is at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts and conversations. It is a complex issue that, it appears, will be with us for some considerable time to come. Please be assured that Catholic Education WA is in daily contact with our school regarding the latest alerts and directives. They are working in conjunction with the Education Department and The Association of Independent Schools of WA to ensure the same message and standards are delivered to all schools. We will continue to monitor the situation regarding the virus and ensure that all measures within our control are adhered to, keeping families informed as the need arises. It is thus important that I advise you that a staff member has informed me yesterday morning that her husband has, through his work, been in contact with a diagnosed coronavirus sufferer. As soon as the husband, who has exhibited no symptoms, was advised of this situation, he informed the staff member and immediately presented for testing. The staff member and her immediate family have self-isolated for the period until the husband has received his test results and we will assess the situation at that time depending upon the results. The mantra that I am constantly hearing from the authorities is that we should be alert not alarmed and, whilst the Covid-19 virus presents us with a very serious situation, it would appear from all reports that it is inevitable that situations such as this will occur at many work places and schools over the next few months and we all need to do whatever we can to limit the spread of the virus. I will continue to keep parents and staff informed as appropriate.
COMMITMENT
Our lives seem to be full of commitments. We promise to do things and to be places at particular times and, for the most part, we are pretty good at keeping these commitments. At Masses last weekend our Year Three children made the commitment to do all that they can to prepare well for their First Reconciliation over the next few weeks. But being so young, they are going to find this difficult to do, so we need to be there to provide good example and support as they continue on their journey. The most important message that we want the children to learn is that God will always forgive us. This isn’t, however, like the Monopoly board game and provide us with a “get out of jail free” card which allows us to do whatever we like because we can confess to it later and be resolved. To be resolved you must acknowledge that what you have done is a sin, that you are truly sorry and that you commit to not do the same in the future. Please remember all of our children and their families in your prayers as they prepare for this very special occasion.
FACTION SWIMMING
As I am writing this newsletter the children from Years Four to Six are participating in their Faction Swimming Carnival at Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre. I hope all children perform to the best of their ability and enjoy both their successes and those of others. I look forward to Mr Webb’s wrap up of the Carnival in next week’s newsletter.
GRIP LEADERSHIP
Tomorrow the Student Leaders will attend this event with Mrs Flexman and Bro Stephen as part of their leadership development. This has been an excellent event in past years and I hope this year’s leaders find it to be a rewarding and empowering experience.
DADS’ & KIDS’ CAMPOUT
There is only a week to go before this much anticipated event. We have 91 families signed up to attend so I look forward to a great evening for all. It would be really helpful if dads could please bring along a garbage bag to take home their rubbish.
NOTRE DAME PRIMARY SCHOOL FACEBOOK
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY 13 MARCH
Year 2P Assembly
MONDAY 16 MARCH - FRIDAY 27 MARCH
Swimming Lessons
TUESDAY 17 MARCH
P&F Meeting
THURSDAY 19 MARCH
Reconciliation Parent/Child Workshop @ 6.00pm
FRIDAY 20 MARCH
Harmony Day
Dads' & Kids' Camp Out
TUESDAY 23 MARCH
Board Meeting
THURSDAY 26 MARCH
Reconciliation @ 6.00pm
FRIDAY 27 MARCH
Swimming lessons conclude
RELIGION
YEAR 5 CLASS NEWS
What a busy start to the year it’s been for Year Five! Not only have we been busy having fun at whole school events like the Bush Fire Fundraiser, 10 Year Anniversary water slide day and P&F Market Night, we’ve also been busy doing lots of learning!
Mathematics
In Maths so far this year we have been practising rounding numbers, partitioning six-digit numbers and double-digit multiplication. One of our Maths sessions each week is spent doing Problem Solving rotations. With the help of Mrs Davidson and Brother Stephen, we get a chance to solve problems involving Number, Measurement and Statistics & Probability using the CUBES Strategy.
We also get a chance to play Maths games like Yahtzee and Battleship, practise our times tables using iPad apps like Space Tables, and try our best at “Maths Box’ activity cards. Who knew Maths could be challenging AND fun?
History
This term in HASS, we have been investigating the Australian Gold Rush era and researching what life might have been like for miners in Victoria in the 1850s. Where did they live? What did they eat? How did they search for gold? These are just some of the questions we have been reflecting on as we pretend to be miners who are writing home to our families to tell them all about life on the Australian goldfields. So far we have:
· Recorded facts and details in point form
· Used headings and subheadings for our notes
· Discussed reliable sources of information
· Considered that information sources sometimes reflect a particular point of view… Did you know that Australia’s population TRIPLED during the Gold Rush era? But, most of the information available is presented from the perspective of Australian miners, not the perspective of people who came from overseas?
When we finish our “Letters from the Goldfields”, we will be researching the Eureka Stockade which is a significant event in Australia’s history. We will also be having a visit from Mr Seers’ brother who works on a modern gold mine in WA and will be able to teach us about contemporary mining methods in Australia. Should be interesting!
More, More, More!
Some other great things happening in Year Five include our introduction to overseeing the Worm Farm and sustainability program at school. Last year’s Waste Warriors (aka the Year Sixes) have been coaching us about how to take care of the worm farm and garden, including managing the Crunch’n’Sip buckets across the school. We are super busy, super focussed and super ready for a fantastic year ahead!
Mrs Jennings, Mrs Crabbe & Mr Seers
SPORTS NEWS
Interm Swimming Lessons - Weeks 7 & 8 (PP - Year 5)
Just a reminder that interm swimming lessons for PP - Year 5 will be starting next Monday, 16 March. Please ensure you have returned both permission forms to your class teacher. Students will be required to bring the following items for each day of swimming lessons, included with their sports or faction uniform:
- towel
- suitable bathers
- goggles
- thongs
- change of clothes
Below are the swimming lesson times for both weeks:
Sports Teacher
LIBRARY NEWS
Notre Dame School Library has been fortunate to receive from Scott Pape, a copy of his current book, for our families to read and enjoy. His no nonsense financial education for children comes from parents reading and learning how to help their children. If you wish to discover the ten things your kids need to know about money before they leave home – come and visit the school library or email sarah.sarmardin@cewa.edu.au to borrow this book.
Here is a taste of what is in this book:
Forget chore charts, guesswork and parenting guilt: you won't find any of that in this road map for raising hard-working, generous and financially confident kids of all ages.
In the same easy-to-read style that made The Barefoot Investor a phenomenon, best selling author Scott Pape has taken the ten money milestones kids need to nail . . . and laid them out for you in a simple, step-by-step plan.
Over the course of ten hilarious, poignant and sometimes downright crazy 'Barefoot Money Meals', you'll get the skinny on:
- The simple pocket money strategy that takes just three minutes a week
- The kitchen challenge that 'breaks the brat' and shows kids how good they've got it
- Helping your teen land their first job (even with zero experience)
- The $453 329 gift to your child that won't cost you a cent
- How to boost your kids into the property market with the 'Barefoot Ladder' strategy
Along the way, you'll meet proud mums and dads-Aussie families from all walks of life-who've used this exact plan to give their kids life-changing money skills.
If you're a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunty or have children in your life, whether they're two or twenty-two, this is the only kids’ money guide you’ll ever need.
Don’t delay come and borrow this book!
Thanks,
Sarah Sarmardin
Librarian
KEYED UP MUSIC
VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME TO ASSIST IN THE CANTEEN.
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop will be open on Monday 16 March and Thursday 19 March.
Opening times : 1.30pm-3.30pm
Danielle Lawrie
Uniform Shop Coordinator
SCHOOL BANKING
School Banking will be available every Thursday from 8.00am - 8.30am in the School Library.
P & F NEWS
DADS' & KIDS' CAMP OUT FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020
NOTRE DAME P&F CONSTITUTION
COMMUNITY NEWS
CLOVERDALE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC INFORMATION
Cloverdale Dental Clinic is open from 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
We are a free service and cater for school age children/teens from Kindy & Pre-Primary from the year they turn 5 to the end of year 11 or their 17th Birthday, whichever occurs first.
We are a Bachelor of Oral Health Final year placement clinic during university semesters. An experienced tutor oversees all check-ups and procedures.
It is not compulsory to enrol with the School Dental Service, if your children are having regular dental check-ups and treatment with their private family dentist, consider withdrawing from the school service. This will enable us to service those who are unable to access private dentistry. If circumstances change, you are welcome to re-enrol at any time.
If your address has changed/changes, please call us, as we send appointments to your home address, we also require current mobile phone numbers to send out text message reminders.
If your child has a toothache, please phone us on 9479 7222 between 8am-4pm, if you have an emergency outside of work hours, please contact your family dentist or the Emergency Service on 1800 098 818.
Regards,
Cloverdale Dental Therapy Centre Staff
180 Fisher St (Clinic access through Gate 5 off Hendra St)
Cloverdale 6105
Ph: 9479 7222
COMMUNITY NEWS
MERCEDES COLLEGE
ARANMORE CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Aranmore Catholic College
OPEN MORNING & 2021 SCHOLARSHIPS
For over a century, Aranmore Catholic College has offered a first-class education in a safe, supportive environment. From our Year 7 Passport to Success program, to our highly respected Specialist Music and Sporting programs, Aranmore staff are committed to helping students achieve personal success, whatever their interests or talents.
Learn more at our Open Morning on 7 April from 9 to 11am.
Applications are warmly invited for our Academic, Music, Netball & Rugby scholarships for 2021.
For further information and to register for Open Morning, please visit: aranmore.wa.edu.au.
RELATIONSHIP AUSTRALIA
CREATIVE KIDS ART CLUB
SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children is looking for donations of quality 2nd hand children’s toys for younger children to sell in our Op Shops.
No Soft Toys please.
We are looking in particular for:
- Puzzles
- Games
- Barbies
- Action figures
- Fisher Price type play activity centres and suchlike
Funds raised assist vulnerable children in Western Australia, Australia and overseas.
Regards,
Denny Soewito
Save the Children l Administration Officer
Address: 1074 Hay Street, West Perth WA
Phone: 08 9267 3900 | Fax: 08 9486 9503