St Luke's Catholic Primary School
Newsletter - Issue 4, 4March 2021
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
As calendar dates can be subject to change, please always confirm events by checking our website - https://www.stlukeswoodvale.wa.edu.au/community-calendar
12th March - Swimming Carnival (Years 4,5 & 6)
16th March - Sacramental Parent Information Evening - St Luke's Parish
19th March - Harmony Day- Dress in cultural clothes or colours
19th March - Evening on the Green at 5pm
23rd March - Board (6pm) and P&F (7.30pm) Meetings
25th March - Interschool Swimming (Years 4,5 & 6)
25th March - Naplan Practise Assessment Years 3 & 5
26th March - Merit Award Assembly at 8.40am
29th March - Holy Week
29th March - Parent Teacher Interviews (12pm finish for students)
31st March - Stations of the Cross: Juniors- 9am & Seniors- 10.40am
1st April - Holy Thursday
1st April - Last Day of Term 1
2nd April - Good Friday
PRINCIPAL - MR ANDREW KELLY
This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Lent and the middle point of our journey to Easter. Ash Wednesday signalled the start of the Lenten season, the 40 days that precedes the Easter celebration. It is when Catholics restore their commitment to spiritual observance through fasting, prayer and almsgiving. We believe that these practices help to strip away some of what takes us away from God and are a form of cleansing which improves our spiritual health. So rather than seeing Lent in negative terms, we should see it as a beautiful spiritual experience that will strengthen us and prepare us for the joy of Easter. Here are Pope Francis’ simple tips for fasting this Lent:
1. Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
2. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
3. Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
4. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
5. Fast from worries and trust in God.
6. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
7. Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
8. Fast from bitterness and fill you heart with joy.
9. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
10. Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
11. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Sometime ago, I came across two cartoon illustrations, the first depicted four appropriately robed gentlemen in earnest discussion. One was saying to the others, “If we put our heads together and go about this the right way, we could end up with a best seller. Well, what about it, will you be in it? What about you, Matthew? How about you, Mark? What do you think, Luke?”
The other illustration showed a traffic intersection where the traffic lights were out of order. Cars from all directions had nosed their way ahead until there was a complete jam; the end result was much hooting of horns and quite a few unnecessary words being exchanged. The caption for this illustration read, “If everyone gets their own way, then no-one gets their own way.”
I suppose the world around us gives us many examples of both the above situations. Firstly, through sensible discussion and negotiation, solutions to problems can be found and action plans put into operation. Secondly, through senseless argument and stubbornness, barriers arise, problems become complex and at best a stalemate follows or maybe even a ‘cold war’.
One of the principle aims of a Catholic school should be the creation, by staff and parents, of a climate conducive to the exercise of Gospel values. Hopefully, in such an environment, young people will live the meaning of love, truth, respect, care, justice, service and forgiveness. May we also remember to never take each other for granted and value one another as important people in our lives.
MR RAY PLANT
As you would be aware, Mr Ray Plant, our garden and maintenance manager for nine years has decided to retire. Ray has worked tirelessly demonstrating exemplary dedication to ensure our school always looked so well presented every morning and secure each evening. Ray always went above and beyond for anybody in our school and for this, we are truly grateful for the wonderful service you have given to St Luke’s. Ray’s last day will be tomorrow, Friday, 5 March where we will have a presentation at our assembly. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Ray! God bless.
Parent/Teacher Interviews – Monday, 29 March
Parent Interviews will be held on Monday, 29 March. Our school will be closing early at 12.00 pm on to help facilitate these meetings. Information about how to book an interview time will be mentioned in a newsletter soon. I encourage all parents to select a time and meet with their child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress. It is very important that all parents make time to meet with the class teacher to ensure the school and home continue the important partnership of jointly working together for the well-being of the child. The only way we can do this is by talking together, working together and consistently supporting the children to grow in their love of learning and in their love of life. I ask you to ensure that you are working in partnership with your class teacher for the well-being and development of your child. If any child cannot be picked up by 12pm, we will have designated areas where children will be supervised by specialist teaching staff. You are very welcome to collect your child after your interview time if it is before 2.55pm then normal pick-up time will occur.
Andrew Kelly
Principal
WELNESS DOG - "LULU"
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MRS MAURA KILLALEA
Hi! I’m Lulu x
I am so excited to meet the children and teachers of St Luke’s and to start my training on how to be the perfect St Luke’s Wellness Dog.
A little bit about me:
- I am 8 weeks old.
- I will be coming to school with Ms Simmonds in the Library on Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri.
- I am a Labradoodle.
- Please feel free to contact Ms Simmonds if you have a child we do not yet know about who suffers from allergy around hypoallergenic dogs so that we can do our best to support them.
- Right now I am just a puppy and when I get over excited I can bite. I am just learning! The children will be taught the best ways to approach me during their Library time but please remind them of these basic rules:
- Ask Ms Simmonds before you touch me
- Keep your hand clenched with your fingers inside
- Don’t surround me and get too excited or talk loud
- Leave me alone if I am sleeping
- Give me some space and I will come to you!
- Wash your hands afterward
I am looking forward to my new job as ”Lulu, the St Luke’s Wellness Dog” and growing up with the children!
SCIENCE OF READING PD
On Tuesday we were fortunate to have Jenny Baker, a speech pathologist associated with Dyslexia Speld Foundation, speak to staff how children learn to read. The insights on brain development and brain functioning were very engaging. It is now well over a decade since publication of the Report of the National Reading Panel (NICHD, 2000), and its identification of the following sixcomponents as being critical to the development of independent reading: Australian Journal of Teacher Education Vol 39, 12, December 2014 154
- phonemic awareness
- phonics
- fluency
- vocabulary
- comprehension
- oral language
The strong predictive value of phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge for later literacy achievement was also acknowledged by the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP, 2008, p. iii).
STAY TUNED PARENT WORKSHOPS COMING UP – Term 2
- The Science of Reading – What does it mean and how does it impact on my child?
- How to Support my Child to Read: PK – 2 and 3-6 sessions
Maura Killalea
Assistant Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MRS SARAH WILLIAMS
Cyber Safety & Digital Wellness Workshops: We have been fortunate to secure a highly regarded expert, Kayelene Kerr Dip(PublicSaf), AdvDip(PublicSaf), BA(Just) to facilitate our parents and students through a series of information sessions next term. Kayelene’s company, eSafeKids, delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and she aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
Wednesday 21st April: We will be running student workshops for our Year 3 – 6 students who are currently working in a 1-1 iPad classroom.
Wednesday 21st April: A compulsory parent workshop for parents in Years 3 -6 (6.00 - 8.30pm).
Tuesday 27th April: A parent workshop for parents in our Pre K- Year 2 classes (6.00 - 8.30pm).
We have intentionally aligned the student sessions and senior parent workshop on the same day to assist in the conversations you may have at home as a family. As this workshop is compulsory please mark your diaries now in advance.
A big thank you must go to our P&F for funding these workshops so they will be of no cost for our families to attend. We are so grateful to our hard-working P&F for supporting this initiative which will benefit our families at St Luke’s.
Sarah Williams
Assistant Principal
HARMONY DAY
HARMONY DAY DRESS UP- DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH
Harmony Week will be celebrated at St Luke's from 15th- 19th March. On Friday, 19th March the children are encouraged to wear cultural dress or colours, which reflect their national flag, for a gold coin donation. All proceeds will go to Caritas.
LOST PROPERTY
- Unlabelled Lunch boxes, containers & drink bottles are kept for 2 weeks then thrown out.
- Unlabelled uniforms will be donated to the uniform shop at the end of each term.
Thank you
Administration
ST LUKE'S FATHERS GROUP - SCHOOL SLEEPOUT
UNIFORM SHOP
Thank you.
Jodi Lyra
Uniform Co-ordinator
2021 ST LUKE'S NETBALL
P&F NEWS
P & F News
This week the P & F are excited to announce that leading up to Easter St Luke's will be having a Hot Cross Bun Drive. Sponsored by Baker's Delight Woodvale (outside the IGA), forms to order packs of 6 will be coming home to families next week. With every pack sold, $2 will be returning to our P & F. We know the bakery produces quality hot cross buns and we are really grateful for their support of St Luke's. Hot cross buns will be delivered to the school on Holy Thursday, the last day of Term 1.
Don't forget to buy your Evening on the Green ticket that is happening on Friday March 16. Tickets are $25 on the flexischool app or $30 on the night.
The P & F would also like to welcome and thank Caroline Roach for coming on board as class representative in year 5 with Marianne Melo. We apologise for missing you last week.
Parish News
This Sunday, 7th March at 9:30am Mass St Luke's parish are hosting a family mass followed by morning tea. All St Luke's families are most welcome to come. Children wanting to participate in the mass reading a prayer of the faithful are still needed. Please contact Megan Proud 0423988067 if they are keen. We would also really appreciate families to bring something to share after the special mass.
All year 6 students and older siblings are most welcome to come along to St Luke's Youth Group. Organised by 24:7 Youth Ministries and held in the parish hall the nights are filled with fun, fellowship, food and faith. See the flyer for all the details. The remaining dates for Term 1 are the 12th and 26th March.
SCHOOL BANKING COMMENCES 2021
St Luke’s is excited to offer the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program to all students.
School Banking is a fun, interactive and engaging way to help teach your child about money. Children who deposit money into their Youthsaver account through School Banking earn Dollarmites tokens, which they can save up and redeem for exciting rewards.
The rewards available during 2021 are:
o Terry Denton’s Activity Book
o Scented Stackable Highlighters
o Mini Soccer Ball (size 2)
o Icicle Slapband Ruler
o Treetop Stationery Set
o Snowy Origami Set
o Treetop Handball
o Water Skimming Bounce Ball
o Tomato Seed Kit
o Polar Pencils & Pencil Toppers
o Emoji Wallet
o Scratch Art Cards
o Snakes & Ladders Game
Getting involved in School Banking is easy!
All you need to get involved in the School Banking program is a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account. You can open an account for your child in one of two ways:
1. Online
Visit www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking and click on the link to open a Youthsaver account.
2. In branch
Visit a Commonwealth Bank branch with identification for yourself and your child, like a driver’s licence and birth certificate.
If your child has an existing Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account, they can start banking straight away. They just need to bring their deposit in with their Dollarmites deposit wallet.
School Banking day is Thursday, 8:10 – 8:30am, outside the school library in the undercover area. Parents accompanying their children will need to practise social distancing.
If you would like to know more about School Banking, please come to have a chat or visit www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking
Can you volunteer? We need your help with the School Banking program!
The program requires volunteers to facilitate the banking and distribution of School Banking rewards. The School Banking is processed at the same time each week and will only take a small amount of your time.
If you are free between 8:00-8:30am Thursday mornings, once a month or so and interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Amelia Gunner (meals17@hotmail.com).
MATER DEI COLLEGE - 2023 ENROLMENTS
Enrolments At Mater Dei College
Is your child currently in year 5?
Mater Dei College is currently planning interviews for students commencing in year 7 2023.
To enrol, please contact the Enrolments Officer, Mrs Ang Lourens at enrolments@mdc.wa.edu.au