Whitford Catholic Primary School
Newsletter 5 - 6 March 2019
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians
Ash Wednesday
Students from Years 1-6 attended the Parish Ash Wednesday Mass this morning and must be commended on the way in which they participated, particularly during the special time of having the ashes placed on their foreheads. Pre-Primary students received the ashes from Fr Truc at school, which was a lovely experience for them. The practice of receiving ashes on the first day of Lent is a reminder that we are not perfect and is a moving way to begin our six and a half weeks of preparation for Easter.
I always think this is the perfect time for us to reflect on our own lives
and consider what areas may be in need of God’s special touch.
Meet & Greet
For those parents who attended the Meet & Greet last Wednesday evening, I thank you. We had a lovely night, being a fabulous opportunity to meet families new to the school, and those not so new! Mrs Allison Falconer did an amazing job of co-ordinating the night and Mrs Susan Massey, once again excelled in catering. Thank you to all staff members who helped out in many different ways. A great team effort.
Farewell to Mrs Massey
Last Friday we farewelled Mrs Susan Massey who has been a Teacher Assistant in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Pre-Primary over the past six years. Always generous of her time, energies and love of children, Susan has been a great staff member and an amazing support to each of us here at Whitford Catholic Primary School. Although we are very sad to see Susan leave, we congratulate her and wish her well on her new venture.
I hope everyone had the opportunity over the long weekend to relax and recharge your batteries. Who would have thought, as recently as ten years ago, how fast our pace of life would be today and how technology has enabled everything and everyone to be just a fingertip away?! Emails, social media, news apps, messages and notifications on our phone must exhaust us more than we know. During this Lenten season, let’s set ourselves up for Easter by trying to get enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating well, increasing our active step count and giving our phones a rest. Good luck.
Kindest regards
Tamara McGougan
YEAR 3-6 SWIMMING CARNIVAL (HBF ARENA JOONDALUP - TUESDAY 12TH MARCH)
A reminder to all parents/guardians that the Year 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival is taking place next Tuesday 12th March at HBF Arena Joondalup. Parents are responsible for transporting their child to the pool in the morning and students will need to meet their teachers on the grassed area at the front of the Arena between 8:15am - 8:30am (no later). We encourage car pooling for those who have other commitments.
If your child attends before school care, the school bus will transport your child to the Arena. If it is impossible for you to get your child to HBF Arena, please notify the office as we will make other arrangements.
Information regarding parent helpers, schedules for the day and event listings for students will be sent via school stream and is also available to view outside the classroom areas. Please note that timings are a guide only and we will take the opportunity to progress through the events if time permits.
Students will need their bathers, thongs, towel, goggles (if needed) as well as their recess, lunch and drinks for the day. It is a HBF Arena policy that no external food (e.g. take away) is allowed inside the pool area. Parents who wish to purchase food/drinks for their children can do so at the cafe, but students are to remain in their faction bay at all times.
Parents who wish to stay can enter the Arena through the main entrance at a cost of approx $3. All students will enter through the back entrance with staff members. Parents are encouraged to sit in the back few rows of your child's house/faction bay. Students have been instructed to sit with their peers in the allocated faction bay. As this is a school day/event, we are promoting team work, encouragement, the building of team spirit and relationships.
Students must remain at the event and can only leave after the presentations of the winning faction and champion students have been conducted. Please do not ask teachers to take your child home early. At the completion of the Carnival, parents who wish to collect their children must sign them out with their classroom teacher after the presentations have taken place. All other students will be transported back to school via buses at approximately 2:15pm for a normal school day finish.
Parent Teacher Meetings - Monday 25th March - SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12NOON
Parent Teacher Meetings will held Monday 25 March 12pm - 6pm. A link to book your appointment time will be sent out soon.
Please remember that school will close at 12 Noon. After school care will commence at 12noon on this day so if you require this service, please contact Little Buckets directly on
0401 378 751.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE CANTEEN WILL BE CLOSED FOR LUNCH AND RECESS ON THIS DAY DUE TO PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Harmony Week / WCPS Day Of Action Against Bullying
Next week is Harmony Week. To coincide with the week, Whitford Catholic will also have a day where we will take action against bullying. During the week, Student Leaders and Ministries will be selling ‘Bullying? No way!’ wristbands for 50c before school and at recess. Proceeds will go towards purchasing resources on Anti-Bullying.
On Friday 15 March students are invited to wear something orange, the traditional colour for Harmony Day.
The gelato van will also be visiting the school on Wednesday 13 March to help celebrate the week. Please mark this date on your calendar. Children from Pre-Primary to Year 6 can enjoy many yummy flavours of gelato for $3.50 each. Money is to be sent to your child’s class on the day only. The van will be available after school for anyone who would like extra ice cream.
We look forward to a very exciting and busy Harmony Week!
Uniform Policy - School Shoes
Parents are reminded that we have a uniform policy in place for all students. The rationale of a uniform policy is to ensure that all students are kept safe and comfortable, as well as helping all students to feel equal and represent the school in a unified manner. We would really appreciate parental support with this policy and that you check your child’s uniform regularly to ensure it is worn correctly. If you have problems purchasing the correct uniform, please contact the office so we can support you on the matter.
Of late, some student’s uniform standards have become inconsistent and do not adhere to our whole school policy. Over the next few weeks, teachers will be reminding students of the expectations.
A reminder that black leather (no mesh), lace up (velcro for junior primary allowed) dress school shoes or brown sandals must be worn by all students from Years One to Six. These shoes must not be trainers (or trainer-like) and must be free from logos and insignias.
Please see the pictures below for clarification.
Support for Shopfront
This year the school community will be supporting Shopfront – an organisation that helps members of the community who are experiencing difficulties dealing with problems in their life, including accommodation, hunger, depression. This term we are collecting the following food items to donate:
- Small tins of tuna
- Small tins of SPAM or other meat products such as chicken, leg ham etc.
- Small cans of fruit
- Small jars of coffee
- Small packets of sweet biscuits
- Pasta sauce
- Long life milk
If you would like to donate any of these items, there will be a collection box in the school office until Tuesday 12 March.
Project Compassion
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Project Compassion, which is Caritas Australia’s major annual fundraising and education campaign. It runs during the weeks of Lent. It is a time to reflect upon and engage with significant issues of peace, justice and development. The theme for this year is ‘Give Hope 100%’
This week, each family will receive a Project Compassion box to keep at home and fill with donations. You are invited to bring it back to school at any time during Lent to add to our school total or you can wait until Week 10 when we will collect them. Please fill in the panel on the box should you require a receipt.
Each grade level also has a large Project Compassion box to share between classes. We encourage the students to donate any loose change.
We ask that you support the school in our aim to help Caritas Australia in this most worthwhile endeavour. For more information visit https://lent.caritas.org.au/.
Project compassion stories - THANDOLWAYO FROM ZIMBABWE
Life in her village in north-western Zimbabwe wasn’t easy for twelve-year-old Thandolwayo.
Her father left several years ago and her mother lives in a town 90 kilometres away where she works as a casual labourer. Thandolwayo lives with her grandparents and attends the local school which has just 35 students.
Every morning she’d walk seven kilometres and risk being attacked by crocodiles as she collected clean water for her family. She’d then go to school feeling exhausted.
Thandolwayo’s hope to be a nurse seemed almost impossible to realise, until Caritas Hwange helped the village to install two solar-powered pumps to draw the water up from the river, as well as two 10,000 litre storage tanks.
Thanks to Caritas’ support, water is now on tap in the village, benefitting its 500 residents - and Thandolwayo can concentrate on her education.
Important Dates
THURSDAY 7 MARCH
- Year 3 Badminton Lessons
- 09:00am - 10:00am 6 Gold Surfing Lessons
- 1.20pm - 2.10pm 2 Gold History - Walking to Elevate View Craigie
FRIDAY 8 MARCH
- 09:00am - 10:00am 6 Gold Surfing Lessons
TUESDAY 12 MARCH
FRIDAY 15 MARCH
- HARMONY DAY / STAND AGAINST BULLYING DAY
- 02:15pm - 03:00pm Senior Assembly - presented by 4 Blue
SUNDAY 17 MARCH
- 09:30am - 10:30am Year 4 - 6 WCPS Dedicated Mass
Important Dates for 2019
- Monday 25 March - 12:00pm - 06:00pm Parent/Teacher Meetings - SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12 NOON (Kids Care available)
- Friday 12 April - Last Day of Term 1
TERM 2
- Tuesday 30 April - First Day of Term 2 for students
- Monday 3 June - WA Day Holiday
- Thursday 4 July - Last Day of Term 2 for students
TERM 3
- Monday 22 July - First Day of Term 3 for students
- Monday 19 August - Pupil Free Day
- Wednesday 25 September - Last Day of Term 3 for students
TERM 4
- Monday 14 October - First Day of Term 4 for students
- Friday 13 December - Last Day of 2019 School Year for students
Sacramental Dates 2019
- Wednesday 23 October
- Commitment Mass - 21/22 September
- Parental Workshops - 9,10 and 11 September
Holy Communion
- Saturday 17 August/Sunday 18 August
- Commitment Mass - 29/30 June
- Parental Workshops - 29, 30 and 31 July
Confirmation
- Saturday 15 June/Sunday 16 June
- Commitment Mass - 25/26 May
- Parental Workshops - 13,14 and 15 May
Parent Information Night
- Wednesday 27 March 7pm - 8.30pm
Canteen
PLEASE REMEMBER TO UPDATE YOUR CHILD'S CLASS DETAILS WHEN PLACING YOUR ONLINE ORDER
Please click here to view Canteen roster for Term 1 2019.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE WILL BE NO CANTEEN LUNCH OR RECESS ON MONDAY 25 MARCH DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSING AT 12 NOON FOR PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS
We are desperate for Volunteers for Tuesday 26 March and Term 2.
If you can help please contact the office or come and see us at the Canteen. Thank you.
Thursday 7th March
Recess:
Yummy Drummy $1.00
Mac & Cheese Muffin $1.00
Lamington Fingers 70c
Roster:
Carissa Tang, Venia Wong
Monday 11th March
Recess:
Chicken Crackles $1.40
Mini Cupcake 70c
Roster:
Leanne Gott, Erica Hamilton
Thursday 14th March
Recess:
Pizza Slice $1.60
Cake Slice 70c
Roster:
Mary McGrath, Kylie Vanderwiel, Clare Cherian
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Alex Brown, Kai Helgason, Miles Ganzer, Sam Ganzer, Xavier Morse and their teams who represented the Wanneroo Joondalup Tee Ball club at the State Championships over the long weekend.
All the boys did themselves, their families and their club very proud, their sportsmanship and team spirit was second to none.
After 3 days and some tough games of Tee Ball, Alex, Kai, Miles and their Under 10’s team finished 3rd out of 22 teams, earning themselves the bronze medal.
Sam, Xavier and their Under 9’s team played a fantastic carnival and out of 13 teams they took out the gold, winning all their games over the weekend.
Well done boys!
P&F News
Save the Date
Be sure to save the date for our Lapathon. It will be held on Tuesday 2 April and will be our first major fundraising event for the year. Be sure to look out for the fundraising envelopes which will come out next week along with more information.
Entertainment Books 2019/2020
Hurry! Bonus Early Bird Offers. Limited Time Only.
Whitford Catholic Primary School is fundraising with Entertainment!
Your support really helps our School, so we’re thrilled to let you know about special bonus Early Bird Entertainment Membership Offers for loyal supporters.
Pre-order the NEW 2019 | 2020 Entertainment Membership and receive bonus offers you can use right away!
Click here to order your Entertainment Book
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Whitford Catholic Primary School
Lisa Briscoe
0438317561
Free Books from Big W
BIG W is giving every child the chance to take home a classic storybook for free when they visit their local BIG W store. A new title will be given away each week for 12 weeks starting Thursday 21 February.
If you would like free books please follow the link below.
Netball News
We are looking for more boys and girls to join our Year 4 & 6 teams!
If you have a Year 4 or 6 student that would like to play this season, please contact Louise on 0400 225 707.
Registrations for all other year groups are now closed
The general season runs May 3rd to August 31st @ Kingsway
Game Times are:
Year 2 & 3 - 5:30pm Fridays
Year 4 - 6:30pm Fridays
11&U (Year 5’s born 2008 are eligible, 2009 need to apply for a permit to play in this competition) 8:30am Saturdays
12&U (Year 6) 8:30am Saturdays
Grading day for Years 3 & 4 is Wednesday 6th March on the school netball court @ 3:30pm
Please be at the court by 3:10pm
Grading day for Year 6 is Thursday 7th March on the school netball court @ 3:30pm
Please be at the court by 3:10pm
Join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1661772950734118/
Please contact Louise on 0400225707 or louise@lmttax.com.au with any queries
Parish News
THIS EASTER, we are so excited to be hosting international author and speaker, JEFF CAVINS, at our parish. Jeff is no stranger to most of us as almost every parish has run one of his famous Bible Timeline studies at one point or another. This is a very unique opportunity to hear him speak live. It is also a chance to engage with others from the parish as well as from the archdiocese, and of course most importantly deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ through the Mass, the talk, Adoration and Confession (which will be offered on the night).
DATE: 26 APRIL 2019, FRIDAY
TIME: 5.30 pm - 9.30 pm (The evening will begin with Mass, the talk starts at 7.00 pm)
TALK: “I’m not being fed: Discovering the food that satisfies the soul”
For more information and registration please pick up a brochure at the back of the Church or visit www.evangelisationaustralia.com. For your convenience, the team from Evangelisation Australia will be at all Masses on the weekend of 16/17 March to answer any questions and take your registration. This is an incredible opportunity for the parish, so we hope to see you all there! God bless
Newsletter Advertising
If anyone is interested in advertising in the newsletter for 2019 would you please send an email to admin@wcps.wa.edu.au.
OUR SPONSORS
Community News
Hot-Shots Tennis lessons with InStyle Tennis!
Tennis lessons at Whitfords Catholic Primary School are held Tuesday 7.35-8.20am. All players receive a free t-shirt! And Mum’s, after school drop off why not try Cardio Tennis at Sorrento TC. 9.15am Mon-Fri! Great fun and all ages/ levels welcome! Details and online registration at instyletennis.com.au/ 0433 777 195
Joondalup Festival 2019
EXPLORING THE GALAXY
Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds and push boundaries. More than fifty years of human activity in space has sparked new scientific and technological benefits that improves the quality of life on Earth and leads to a better understanding of our universe and the solar system in which we live.
Curiosity and exploration are vital to the human spirit, and this year Joondalup Festival invites you to Explore the Galaxy, as we seek to inspire young and old.
Friday April 5: 5.30 – 11.00pm
Saturday April 6: 2.00 – 11.00pm
Sunday April 7: 2.00 – 8.00pm
Academic Scholarships for Year 7, 2020
Aranmore Catholic College warmly invites applications for Academic Scholarships for Year 7 in 2020.
For further information, please visit https://www.aranmore.wa.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships.
The closing date for Academic Scholarships is Wed 27 March 2019.
Located close to public transport in Leederville, Aranmore is a co-educational school for Years 7 – 12. The College is renowned for our strong sense of community, teaching care and excellence and the outstanding opportunities available to students inside and outside of the classroom.