Notre Dame Catholic Primary School
Foundations for Life Long Learning - 11 October 2018
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Psalm 95
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
Dear Parents and Staff
Welcome back to our final school Term for this year. I trust that everyone had a very relaxing break and is ready for the rigours of a very busy Term ahead. We’ve quite literally hit the ground running with our Year 3–6 Athletics Carnival at Gerry Archer Reserve today. I hope all children have a wonderful day and enjoy giving their best efforts to support their Faction. Each year I receive excellent feedback regarding the various Carnivals throughout the year and the operation of these is due to the great skill and attention to detail that Mr Brett Webb affords each event. Brett is meticulous in his planning and the smooth operation of the Carnivals is testament to this. On behalf of all members of our community I thank Brett for all of the great work that he does to ensure excellent events for us all to experience.
WHOLE SCHOOL MASS
Our school Term officially opens next Wednesday at 8.45am with our whole school Mass celebrated in our Parish Church. I invite all parents to join us as we gather to celebrate our year thus far and prepare for the Term ahead.
OPEN NIGHT
On Wednesday evening, 24 October, we will be showcasing aspects of the work that children have been completing throughout this year. Parents and family members are invited to join us between 4.30pm and 6.30pm to learn about the many wonderful activities that occur in each of the classes. We will be operating a passport system which you may have stamped as you visit each of the classes. Fully stamped passports may be entered into a draw for a selection of prizes. In addition to the work that has been completed in general class lessons, the artwork that has been completed by children with Mrs Annette Flexman will also be on display in each of the classes. I encourage all members of our community to come along and both learn about and celebrate the great work that is being done by the children and staff.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Our Assistant Principal and Year Five Teacher, Miss Carmel Cutri, has returned to school wearing a new item of bling after she became engaged to Alex Woodley during the school holidays. I’m sure you join with me in wishing Carmel and Alex every happiness for their future together.
MICHAEL SAFE
During the school holidays Mr Michael Safe, Science Specialist and Year Five Teacher, had a knee replacement operation. Michael is recovering well but will need to take the remainder of the school year off to ensure full recovery before returning to school in 2019. We wish Michael well in his recovery and hope he doesn’t miss us too much during the remainder of the year.
During Mr Safe’s absence Mrs Catherine Crabbe will be taking his classes.
CANTEEN
Parents may have already noticed that the Canteen now has an EFTPOS machine so card payments are now possible. “Welcome to the 21stCentury”, I’m sure many of you may be saying! Our next step is to look into online ordering so that the process is even more effective for busy families. I’ll keep you posted of our progress in this area.
NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING PACKAGING FOR NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
The Federal Government late last Term released its new funding arrangements for non-government schools after weeks of discussions with representatives of the national Catholic education sector.
The new package of measures will significantly improve the funding situation for our Catholic Education system. It will provide certainty that our schools and colleges will continue to thrive and be a viable, accessible and affordable education option for Western Australian families.
The new funding arrangements will also provide certainty for our valued and committed staff who deliver the high standard of education experienced in our school.
We are committed to supporting all families of varying financial means and the new funding package provides a much firmer foundation for this.
The new funding arrangements announced are complex but can be summarised in three parts:
- Interim funding arrangements for 2018 have been extended to 2019. The Federal Government will provide an additional $135.1 million Australia-wide to continue 2018 funding into 2019.
- A new measure of parents’ capacity to contribute will be introduced in 2020, based on personal income tax (PIT) data rather than area-based Socio-Economic Status data. It is estimated that this will improve funding to Catholic schools Australia-wide at an average of 3.9% per student per annum between 2020 and 2029.
- The introduction of a new fund worth $718m Australia-wide over 10 years to address the adverse effect of the Capacity to Contribute discount curve on Catholic schools.
I will keep you informed as the new funding arrangements are progressed by Catholic Education Western Australia.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
UPCOMING EVENTS
P&F Meeting @ 6.30pm
WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER
Whole School Mass @8.45am
FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER
Merit Assembly
MONDAY 22 OCTOBER-WEDNESDAY 24 OCTOBER
Scholastic Book Fair
TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER
Yr 4-6 Field Interschool Athletics
Board Meeting @ 6.00pm
WEDNESDAY 24 OCTOBER
OPEN NIGHT @ 4/30pm-6.30pm
THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER
Year 1-6 Interschool Athletics Carnival
FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER
Assembly Year 2M
YEAR 6 CLASS NEWS
Busy? Did someone say busy? This is a word that often defines what is going on in Year Six and Term Three was no exception. As we start our final term, it is mind blowing to reflect on all that we have achieved this year so far.
Term Three is defined by the Year Six students’ preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This wonderful Sacrament is a time for students and families to reflect on what it truly means to live a Christian life. Throughout the term, we discussed the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and students learnt that presence of The Holy Spirit is something we feel inside that helps us to know and understand God’s love. At Baptism, our parents speak on our behalf, but in Confirmation students stand and make their own promise and commitment to God and to The Church. The students made their Confirmation in a beautiful service on the evening of Saturday, September 8th.
When we weren’t busy with Confirmation preparation, the Year Sixes were shaking their tail feathers in EduDance. It is always wonderful to see every student having a go at the tricky choreography. Dancing is more than just exercise, it is also a wonderful way to build patterning and sequencing skills – great for mathematics!
Another way we build mathematics skills into other learning areas is through Art! In term three, the students made parabolic curve art pieces. These simple designs begin their life on a piece of graph paper before they are transformed into wonderfully creative pieces of art. It’s always incredible to see the different pieces produced and the creativity demonstrated.
In Humanities and Social Science, we travelled to Indonesia. The students were so engaged in this investigation, where they demonstrated what they know about this fascinating part of the world, in a variety of different and unique ways. The students love to play Kahoot, an online Quiz, to test their general knowledge about Indonesia.
As if we weren’t busy enough, the Year Sixes also assisted in many other areas of the school, polishing their leadership skills. A great demonstration of this was on our recent Mercy Day celebrations. Not only did the Year Sixes design, set up and coordinate disco dancing in the multipurpose hall and Beat-the-Goalie and Handball competitions, they also assisted other classes as part of their commitment to their Council groups. We have high expectations of our Year Six students and, as we prepare to send them off to high school at the end of this term, we are confident they will be ready.
Mrs Jennings, Mrs Boyle and Mr Seers
SPORTS NEWS
Jump Rope for Heart visit
Thanks to Alex from Jump Rope for Heart Australia for visiting Notre Dame today and talking about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and what we will be looking to donate to in cooperation with the Heart Foundation. The program will be starting in week 2 for all year 1 - year 6 students. Notes and forms will be sent out next week. A reminder that all donations will be completed online again this year. If you would like to get a head start and create an account for your child then please click on the link below to get started. Our goal for this year is $5000, with the focus more on a bigger range of small donations across the school cohort. We can do it, Notre Dame!
https://jumprope.heartfoundation.org.au/2018/Notre_Dame_School_-_CLOVERDALE_-_WA_-_139779
Junior Athletics Carnival
At the end of last term, PP – Year 2 students participated in the junior athletics carnival, held on the school oval. The carnival was split over two weeks due to weather to ensure students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of events. It was great to see the amount of parent support for the kids. It was an enjoyable couple of days with some fantastic individual and team performances. Well done to Jack from year 1 for taking out the Notre Dame Spirit Award. This was awarded for his fantastic sportsmanship over the two days. I’d like to thank the teachers and parent helpers for their hard work and efforts. It was a very close carnival with McAuley becoming the eventual winners. The junior points will go towards the overall shield which will be announced at a small assembly this Friday at 8.45am in culmination with the Senior Events Carnival held on Thursday.
1st – McAuley
2nd – Prendiville
3rd – Nagle
4th - Mercy
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Fair @ Notre Dame School Library
Week 3: Before and after school
Monday 22ndOctober
Tuesday 23rdOctober
Wednesday 24thOctober
(Book Fair will be on during the Open Night)
Parents and students are invited to our yearly book fair where you will have a hands-on experience to discover a love of books and ignite a life-long passion for reading. Children read more, understand more, and are more likely to continue reading when they have access to many books, and have the opportunity to choose what they read.
Please come and visit the book fair to celebrate books and reading. The book fair will be held in the library and will be open before and after school. This year, the book fair is open during our Parent Open Night so that students may purchase books with their families. A flyer will be sent home next week to view some of the books available to purchase.
Mrs Sarmardin
Library Technician
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Our school is looking for volunteers to help us hold an incredible Book Fair!
Dear Parents and Families,
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at our school Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 October. The book fair will be open in the morning from 8.00 to 8.30am and after school from 3.00-3.30pm. Please let me know if you are available to assist with the book fair in the following areas:
• Setting up the Fair
• Checkout – handling money
• Packing up the Fair
• Helping shoppers at the Fair
Thank you so much!
Sarah Sarmardin
Library Technician
Book Fair Organiser
SIX THINGS YOU CAN DO TO GET BOYS READING MORE
I came across a fantastic article that made me think about our students and the benefits of reading to and with children. It is written by Margaret Kristin Merga, Senior Lecturer in Education at Curtin University. She explains that reading more can improve literacy outcomes and highlights the importance of parents reading fiction books with children even after children can read. Another interesting point is that she states that we need to stop telling boys they only like non-fiction books or comics. Research supports the theory that reading fiction books can help children with the development of empathy and their ability to understand different perspectives.
Things you can do to help boys read more:
1. Help them discover reading for leisure and pleasure – discuss what interests them, find fiction books that explore that topic or activity.
2. Provide access to a variety of books – encourage them to borrow books from the school library.
3. Keep reading to and with boys for as long as possible.
4. Provide opportunities for silent reading at home.
5. Keep paper books available – assuming boys prefer to read on screens is not supported by research.
6. Promote reading as an enjoyable and acceptable pastime by letting your children see you read for pleasure.
The school library endeavours to support literacy by providing a variety of books to suit different interests, therefore, please encourage your child to be an active borrower of the library!
Mrs Sarmardin
Library Technician
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 7-14 October
Mental Health start where we live, learn, work & play.
This is the theme for Mental Health Week this year which runs from 7-14 October.
According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is a “state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”
Keeping kids healthy and happy involves looking after their mental as well as their physical health. Mental health is about the way we feel in ourselves, as well as what we do, how we think and how we relate to others. Having good mental health means being able to enjoy life. It means being able to handle challenges and relate to others in positive ways. It helps children learn and achieve better results. Good mental health in childhood sets up a base for positive mental health and well-being throughout life. (Kidsmatter)
There are many simple ways to look after your mental health. We are all different and what works for one of us may not work for another.
Some things you can try include:
- Do things with others
- Do something creative
- Invest time in relationships
- Focus on strengths
- Take time out
- Sleep well
- Keep active
- Eat well
- Practice Mindfulness
We will be talking about mental health at school this week.
To find out more about mental health and well-being or to see what’s planned for Mental Health Week, go to mhw.waamh.org.au
If you would like to talk more, please contact me at school.
Denise McGregor
(Social Worker)
CANTEEN NEWS
We have no volunteers booked for next week. If you are able to volunteer for an hour or two on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, can you please see me at the canteen.
Kayleen MacLean
Canteen Coordinator.
UNIFORM SHOP
Monday & Wednesday 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Orders and payment can be made at the front office.
Danielle Lawrie
Uniform Shop Coordinator
SCHOOL BANKING
P&F NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
AUSTRALIAN GIRLS' CHOIR - October Open Day
Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform. School aged girls are invited to come along to our Open Day on Sunday October 28 to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC! Please contact us if you would like to attend the Open Day. Ph 08 6365 2100 or email headoffice@asagroup.com.au