Notre Dame Catholic Primary School
Foundations for Life Long Learning 16 May 2019
Dear Parents
Our educational focus this week has been unavoidably drawn towards the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). This is an important assessment as it provides parents and schools with data about individual and whole school performance in relation to all other children in similar classes across Australia. It is, however, limited in that it only assesses the two stated areas of Literacy and Numeracy. Whilst forming a significant element of the curriculum, these two areas aren’t everything and children’s creativity, scientific and sporting abilities are not assessed at this time. Nor are the children’s emotional intelligence and their interpersonal skills that are essential elements of their development. It is important to remember that these assessments are only one aspect of the overall development of the children and they should be considered along with all of the other assessments that are conducted by staff on a regular basis throughout the year.
You will no doubt have heard through the media of the problems experienced by schools Australia wide with the on-line Writing assessment that the children completed on Monday. There were some problems that occurred for a number of our children in Year 5 which were beyond our control. I have contacted the Catholic Education Office and followed information from the School Curriculum and Standards (SCSA) section of the WA Education Department and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and am currently awaiting direction about what will transpire with these assessments. I will keep families informed as information becomes available. As the Year 3 Writing assessments were completed with pencil and paper there are no concerns regarding the administration of these.
As I am writing this article the children are currently completing their Reading assessments. Whilst there were some very minor problems with the on-line Year 5 assessments these were quickly alleviated and did not have an impact upon the children’s ability to complete their work.
I look forward to a resolution to the issues that were experienced being resolved in a manner that allows all children equal opportunity to perform to the best of their ability.
DADS’ AND KIDS’ CAMPOUT
I’m praying that the rain that we experienced this morning will well and truly have blown over by the time dads and kids start erecting their tents tomorrow evening. Thank you to Liam South, Jerome Wilson, Adam Ciccarone and Stuart Doncon who have everything in place to ensure that everyone is well fed and entertained. Dads, please ensure that you have returned the signed Code of Conduct as this is a requirement of attendance.
SCHOOL RENOVATIONS
Since late last year the School Board has been working on plans to create two education support learning areas within the library and to redevelop the staffroom. We are now very close to commencing this project and, whilst there will be some disruption, this will not adversely affect the operation of the school. It is envisaged that the works will commence later this Term and should conclude by the end of Term Three. I thank parents and staff, in advance, for their patience and consideration during the time of this work.
IPAD STANDS
Early this week iPad stands were purchased for the children in Years 3–5 to provide them with a more ergonomically suitable way of using their devices. The Year 6 children did not require these as their iPads have covers that allow them to stand their devices at a range of different angles. These covers are not available for the iPads used by the Year 3-5 classes. As the Year 4 and 5 children regularly take their iPads home to complete homework, we have also sent home a stand for their use there. The use of technology is ever-evolving and we are constantly exploring ways that will enhance the children’s experience with the devices.
ADVANCED NOTICE
The P&F have very generously offered to hold a “Wear your favourite team colours” day on the last day of Term, Friday 5 July. There will also be a free sausage sizzle and drink for all students and staff. More details will be published closer to the date.
As this is on the Friday of the last week, for this week only, the Canteen will operate on Thursday 4 July as well as the regular Monday and Wednesday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY 17 MAY
Merit
Eagles's Cup: NDCPS v St Emilie's (Away Game)
Dads' & Kids' Camp Out
SATURDAY 18 MAY
Commitment Mass for Eucharist @ 6.00pm
SUNDAY 19 MAY
Commitment Mass for Eucharist @ 10.00am
MONDAY 20 MAY
NAPLAN - Language Conventions
TUESDAY 14 MAY
Funky Fitness
PPM - 11.10am - 11.40am
PPP - 11.40am-12.10
WEDNESDAY 22 MAY
National Simultaneous Storytime @ 11.00am
NAPLAN - Numeracy
THURSDAY 23 MAY
Eucharist Parent/Child Workshop @ 6.00pm
FRIDAY 24 MAY
Yer 4M Assembly
Eagles Cup NDCPS v St Joseph's (Home Game)
FIRST COMMUNION
REPORTS SEMESTER 1
At the end of this Term, your child will be receiving their Semester One reports. A letter outlining how to access the reports was emailed to all parents early in the Term.
It is important that your check your log in for SEQTA Engage as early as possible so that you will be able to access your child’s report.
If you experience any difficulties please contact the school immediately.
YEAR 2 CLASS NEWS
Term Two has started with lots of fun and exciting activities in our classrooms. We have been extremely busy creating and learning.
MOTHERS' DAY
We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to construct a colourful key ring and design and make Mother’s Day cards for our beautiful mothers. It was great to see the different choices the children chose within their cards. They were all uniquely creative. We hope all the Mothers were spoilt on your special day.
MAKERSPACE
Last week we began our Makerspace sessions. The children were thoroughly engaged and loved each of the four experiences. Ozobot, BlueBot, Gears and Strawbees are available each week for the children to explore. All technology tasks are designed for the children to be fully immersed in their own methods for solving tasks and building their creations, whilst working collaboratively with each other. What amazing technological minds the children have!
CHILDREN'S COMMENTS
I like how we created our Gears, Gears, Gears book using the Book Creator app. Jessica and I made a playground jungle using greens tiles, cogs and monkeys. It made me happy because I liked using my imagination for what we created together.
(Aayat)
I made a race track circle for my Ozobot to drive on. At the top was a boost code and on the bottom of the sheet was the spin code. When you went on the track it made the Ozobot turn around by spinning and going the other way.
(James)
I made a keyring for my mum using colourful beads. Some beads were letter beads that spelt BEST MUM. I made a card too. We painted a garden at the front of the card and inside the card we wrote five things we love about our mum also a little letter to our mum.
(Vienna)
Makerspace is fun and we make all kinds of things using gear and colourful moving parts. We made an amazing jungle. Finally we got it all to move at once.
(Harper, Finlay and Isaac)
The Blue-Bots are cool you can make them go in all directions to get to the park and the shops. I love “Speedy”.
(Chace)
Mrs Pirie & Mrs Donovan-Flintoff
SPORTS NEWS
INTERSCHOOL FRIDAY SPORT - RD 1 vs SACRED HEART
Last Friday marked the start of the Interschool Friday Sport competition for the Year 6. We had our first games at home against Sacred Heart. The students gave it their all and had a really fun time in their first round of the competition. Below are the results:
AFL - Win
SOCCER - Loss
NETBALL A - Loss…by 1 point!
Netball B - Loss
Well done to all students and special thanks to Mr South, Mrs Chilton and Mr WIlson for offering to help coach our Netball, Soccer and AFL teams this term, as well as to the many parents who are assisting and helping with training, game day duties and cleaning guernseys. It is great to have fantastic parent support for our Year 6 students.
We look forward to our next challenge against St Emilie's. The Netball teams will be playing at St Emilie's courts, with Soccer and AFL playing at Sutherlands Park.
2019 RUNNING CLUB - Please see below for details.
Brett Webb
Sports Coordinator
CANTEEN NEWS
NEXT WEEK'S ROSTER
Monday 20 May: VOLUNTEER REQUIRED
Wednesday 22 May: Mei Lie 8.30-10; Lisa Fasalo 8.30-9.30
Friday 24 May: Ros Lovick
Friday 24 May
Chicken, Vegetable and Noodle
$5.00
Friday 24 May
Muffin Flavour
Apple & Cinnamon
$1.00
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
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
PARENT TV
Does your child have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?
We all have beliefs about our own abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset which is so powerful it can fuel our behaviour and predict our success. Mindset shapes our everyday lives, helping us interpret our experiences and future possibilities.
Watch as Occupational Therapist Elise talks you through the difference between the two mindsets and what each means for your child.
"Often I find myself parenting my children in a way that, on reflection, isn’t how I feel the situation could have been best handled.
These instances usually happen when I’m tired, stressed or feeling overwhelmed. My parenting style at these times is reactive, almost primal, and something I really struggle with.
That was until I listened to Dr Kaylene Henderson talk about implicit memory and how it relates to our parenting."
Learn why we parent the way we do from Dr Kaylene:
"Do you make your child so "I'm sorry"?" by Dr Vanessa Lapointe.
Knowing how important it is for us to get along with others, we can become really focused on making sure our children mind their manners. This often includes making our children say sorry when they mess up.
Dr. Vanessa, Registered Psychologist and Author, talks about if that is the right thing to do, what to consider developmentally when deciding if you should make your child apologize, and some ideas about how to approach this with your children.
COMMUNITY NEWS
MERCEDES COLLEGE
Mercedes College is proud to present its 2019 Production of Wicked. Featuring a cast of over 70, this musical is coming to the Regal Theatre in Subiaco for 4 performances only, from Friday 2 August. Tickets are available at http://www.ticketek.com.au. If you would like to know about Mercedes College, follow us on Facebook.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS WA
THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COMMUNITY HEALTH
The Child and Adolescent Community Health is offering free 3 x 90 minute Seminar Series of various topics on 5; 12; 19 June 2019
The program is offered to all parents with children between the ages of 3 and 8 years
The program will be delivered by experienced Child Health and School Health Nurses
If further information is required, please visit our website
Pennie Nowland | Administrative Assistant | Child and Adolescent Health Service – Community Health
A: Level 2 Mason Bird Bldg., 303 Sevenoaks St. Cannington WA 6107(P O Box 974 Cannington WA)
T: 6151 1308 | F: 6151 1333 | E: Pennie.Nowland@health.wa.gov.au
W: health.wa.gov.au/cahs