Queen of Apostles School
Term 2 Week 2 - Thursday 5 May 2022
Welcome to Term Two
Friday 6 May
9.00am Rosary
Monday 9 May
6.30pm P&F Meeting
Tuesday 10 May
NAPLAN
Wednesday 11 May
NAPLAN
Dance PP-Yr 6
Thursday 12 May
NAPLAN
Friday 13 May
NAPLAN
Littlies Lap-a-thon 2 to 3pm
Monday 16 May
NAPLAN
Tuesday 17 May
9.00am Year 1 Mass
Year 6 Confirmation Retreat
NAPLAN
Wednesday 18 May
Dance PP-Yr 6
NAPLAN
Thursday 19 May
NAPLAN
Friday 20 May
9.00am Rosary
12.30am Cross Country
COVID
This week saw the relaxing of COVID rules within our school community. While it has been great that the students now have more opportunities and parents are able to come back into the school buildings, we still need to be vigilant in ensuring we are doing all we can to keep our community safe.
We have seen an increase in COVID positive cases throughout all areas of the school as the week has progressed and I thank everyone for ensuring the positive results were entered onto the self-reporting portal. While it is no longer mandated for students in Year 3 to 6 to wear masks it is encouraged as a mitigation strategy to help keep them safe. At school we will also ensure good health and hygiene practices are a priority and our classrooms remain well ventilated.
I will alert you via email if there are positive cases within your child’s classroom. Please also be aware that some of the cases reported have shown no symptoms and have only been picked up as a precaution before sending to school.
Operating Guidelines – Term 2
• Asymptomatic close contacts may attend school but must wear a mask (above the age of 12) when leaving home and RAT test daily. The school has a supply of RAT tests that can be given to families for this purpose.
• Symptomatic contacts must follow isolation protocols.
• If a close contact tests positive, they must isolate for a further 7 days as per arrangements for positive COVID-19 cases.
• Scanning QR codes when entering the school is no longer required.
• The mask mandate no longer applies to students in Primary Schools. However, should children decide to continue to wear them, they are welcome to do so.
• Schools will no longer report to families of close contacts or COVID positive cases within classrooms. WA Health is now the body that will provide information.
• School Assemblies, Gatherings, Choir, and Interschool Activities will take place. Parents are able to attend.
• Whole School Masses are able to take place. Parents are able to attend.
• P&F and SAC meetings can now take place on site, but social distancing will apply.
• Teacher/Parent/Carer meetings can take place on school grounds.
• Parents and Carers will be able to enter the school buildings if necessary (including uniform shop).
• Parent volunteers within classrooms are allowed - keep an eye out for requests from your child’s teacher.
• Year 1 to 6’s are no longer limited to playing at recess and lunch in a designated area.
• Buddy classes are able to resume.
• Good hygiene and use of correct respiratory etiquette will be a priority
COVID Portal
It is vitally important that parents and caregivers inform the school if their child tests positive for COVID-19.
Parents and caregivers can inform the school of their child’s positive or negative COVID result via this LINK:
https://cewa-collections.powerappsportals.com/COVID-19-Self-Reporting-Form/
The information will go directly to me.
If a positive result is recorded via a RAT test it must also be registered on the WA Health RAT register website:
https://datalibrary-rc.health.wa.gov.au/surveys/index.php?s=WDLLNTW4RDX8AWPH
Please do not underestimate the importance of informing us of a positive COVID case. Your actions will ensure the risk to others is minimised and that we do our very best to limit the spread of the virus across our community.
Merit Awards
As a way of ensuring we don’t have a high volume of parents/carers and grandparents at assemblies (COVID mitigation strategy) we have decided to hand out merit awards at our gathering sessions in the Undercover Area.
Gatherings will happen on selected Friday mornings at 8.50am and families will be informed earlier in the week if their child is receiving an award so they can attend. Receiving merit awards in front of the community is a special occasion and we are thankful it is able to happen.
Mother’s Day
I wish all our mum’s and mother figures in our community a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. Due to COVID the P&F were not able to run the breakfast or the stall this year. All being well it will be back bigger and better than ever in 2023. I hope all our mums have a great day on Sunday and get very spoilt. You deserve it!
Littlies Lapathon
Next Friday the Littlies Lapathon for our Kindy to Year 2 students is being held on the Annexe Oval from 2 to 3pm. Mr Bridgeman does a wonderful job of organising the lapathon and this year will be no exception. Parents are invited and welcome to attend.
P&F Meeting
A P&F meeting is scheduled for Monday (9th May) evening at 6.30pm in the staffroom. It will be our first face to face meeting of the year. All are welcome!
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will be conducted for all Year Three & Five Students here at Queen of Apostles from Tuesday 10th May to Tuesday 17th May. Catch up tests for students absent on those days will be available until Thursday 19th May.
This year all NAPLAN Assessments, except for Year 3 writing, will be conducted online. All Year 3 and 5 students participating have had opportunities to sit online practice tests so they are familiar with the system and types of questions they may encounter.
Best Wishes
Mark Ryan
2022 Professional Development Days
The following dates are the remaining pupil free days for 2022. Please ensure you have them in your diaries.
Monday 6th June - WA Day Holiday
Monday 18th July - Staff Professional Development Day
Friday 23rd September - Catholic Day Holiday
Monday 7th November - Staff Professional Development Day
Interviewing Now!
We are currently interviewing families who have applied for enrolment in the 2023 Kindy and Pre-Kindy classes and places are filling fast. Don't wait till it's too late! Children born between 1/07/2018 and 30/06/2019 are eligible to attend Kindy next year.
Pre-Kindy children can attend once they have had their third birthday.
If you require a place for your child in either Kindy or Pre-Kindy in 2023 please get your applications in to the school office as soon as possible. Forms available on the school website or from the office.
Scholastic Bookclub
All orders for Issue 3 of Scholastic Bookclub are due back at school no later than Friday 13th May. Late orders cannot be accepted.
Music News
Welcome back! I hope you have had a relaxing holiday.
I’d like to start with some exciting news!!! CHOIR IS BACK!!! YES! We will be rehearsing every Tuesday afternoon from 2 to 3pm and I am looking forward to singing with our enthusiastic members. New members are always welcome. If your child would like to join the Senior or Junior Choir, please ask them to come and see me.
Junior and Senior Choir Confirmation Commitment
The Junior and Senior Choirs have been invited to liaise with the Parish Choir to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. This will take place on Sunday 5th June. A note will be sent home closer to the date to outline details.
Performing Arts Festival
This is the last call for instrumental students who wish to enter the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. Entries close on Friday 6th May. Please contact me if you require further information.
Instrumental Program
The Instrumental Program is offered to Years 3 to 6 students. New students are always welcome. Currently we offer piano, classical guitar, bass guitar, vocals, drums, flute and violin. If your child would like to participate in our Instrumental Program, please ask them to come and see me for an Instrumental Agreement. Alternatively, notes can be collected from the office.
Below is a brief explanation of tutors at our school.
Instrumental Program Tutors
MARGARET DE SAN MIGUEL – Piano
Margaret teaches piano and also accompanies the choir during public performances, whole school masses and Sacramental celebrations.
Margaret has been a part of the Queenies community for many years with her own children attending our school. We are very thankful for her services to our school community.
DAVID GEE – Guitar, Bass Guitar and Piano Teacher
David has studied an Advanced Diploma of Contemporary music (Performance) at WAAPA completed in 2007 and a Cert IV Music Industry Skills. He has experience performing and recording with bands in various forms and styles, from Big Bands to Swing Bands, Rock, Funk and Jazz outfits in cover and original musical projects performing around WA.
He has 15 years teaching experience on Piano in Classical/Jazz/Contemporary, Classical/Contemporary Guitars and Contemporary/Jazz Bass Guitar.
AMBER REID – Vocals
Amber is our Vocal Tutor and she commenced work with us last year. Amber is a singer, song writer and dancer. If you would like to watch THE VOICE on Channel 7, Amber attended the auditions and qualified last week. She joined Jessica Mauboy’s team.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO AMBER for making it through. What an exciting opportunity for Amber. Her performance was INCREDIBLE!
KATERYNA MELNICHENKO – Violin
Kateryna joined Queen of Apostles School this year and is currently also working at Ursula Frayne Catholic College and Perth Music Academy as a violin teacher and ensemble director.
CHARLOTTE KIRKE - Flute
Hello, my name is Charlotte and I teach the flute! I am passionate about fostering a love for music. I teach exciting and engaging pieces across a wide range of genres, opening students’ eyes to a world of new music, as well as playing familiar tunes that they love. I incorporate fun activities into my lessons to teach skills such as music reading and ear training. I believe it is important for students to experience a sense of success at every step of their musical journey. My flute lessons are a positive environment where students are encouraged to engage in musical thinking and express themselves. It is very rewarding for students to see their skills develop and progress, and I love guiding them in this process. As a flute player I perform regularly around Perth in a range of engagements ranging from orchestral, chamber
ensembles and solo recitals, to improvisation and jazz!
CHRISTIAN LOMBARDI - Drums
Christian is a Drummer/Percussionist and Songwriter who has been performing for over 13 years after starting to learn when he was 10 years of age.
Christian has run Drumming/Percussion lessons, ensemble leading and teaching general music for over 8 years and has been teaching drum lessons at Queen of Apostles since Term 1 2022. He also teaches at St Luke’s Catholic Primary School, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School and La Salle College as a Percussion tutor. He has also lead intensive Drumming clinics in Australia, inspiring beginner, intermediate and advanced drummers to hone their skills to become great musicians.
From 12 years of age, Christian has performed from pubs to bars, festivals to convention centres, gaining recognition as a Drummer from all over Australia and in the United States. Christian has collaborated with different artists, receiving recognition from respected musicians and producers. He is also one of the youngest overall musicians to ever be accepted into the world-renowned arts institution WAAPA (Western Australian Academy Of Performing Arts) at just 16 years of age! Christian studied a total of 4 years at WAAPA, receiving a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music and a Bachelor Degree Of Performing Arts (Majoring in Music Arts) with Distinctions, studying a various range of musical styles such as Rock, Pop, Latin, Jazz, RnB, Motown, Soul, Funk, Reggae among many more. Christian is also the Drummer and Percussionist for the Royal Australian Navy Band of Western Australia and has been serving for the band since February 2021. If your child is interested in drumming lessons, please get in touch with Christian.
I would like to also take this opportunity to thank our tutors and the amazing work that they do with our students at Queenies. We look forward to growing our Instrumental Program and would love for your child to participate in learning an instrument.
To acknowledge the hard work that our instrumental students put in to learning their instrument, we would like to introduce a new highlight to our newsletter. Please keep an eye out for our
INSTRUMENTAL STUDENT OF THE WEEK. Students selected will be interviewed by our choir leaders Scarlett Day and Zeva Lang. Looking forward to reading about them in our Queenies newsletter.
Thank you
Sheryl Perry