St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 10, Term 1 (Thursday 11 April 2019)
Dear Parents and members of our school community
It seems only yesterday that we started school for the first day this year and here we are preparing for the holidays. How fast time flies when we are all so busy!
The children have worked hard this term and they, like their teachers are deserving of a holiday. I personally, am looking forward to getting into a good book, something I know Mrs O’Toole would approve of. If your children do nothing else school related over their holidays, please continue to read to them and with them. this is so important!
Next week is Holy Week and the most important period in our Liturgical calendar. It begins this Sunday with Palm Sunday. We recall the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, where crowds worshiped him and laid down palm leaves before him, welcoming Jesus. It finishes on Good Friday with great tragedy and sorrow when he is betrayed and crucified on a cross.
Across the world, we celebrate the birth of Christ with great acclaim, but it is Christ’s death on Good Friday and his rising from the dead three days later, that brings us all hope.
Lent has been a time of reflection for all of us, as we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday with our families and friends. Those extra little gestures and kindnesses that we have shown to others during this time should not end with Easter but be carried forward into the year so that we can Make Jesus Real in the lives of those we interact with every day.
Thank you to all those parents who have encouraged their children to donate a little of their own money towards Project Compassion and help fill their class Project Compassion box this term. Your support is greatly appreciated for this very worthy cause, by teaching our children to give a little of what they have to help others. We tell the children that ,“every little bit helps to make a difference to the lives of someone who is not as well off as we are.” We will collect the boxes tomorrow so there is still time to send in a donation.
Our 5Blue class, supported by Mr Bennett Surtees will lead us through the Stations of the Cross tomorrow morning and we look forward to sharing this beautiful reflection with any family and friends who are able to attend.
Congratulations to Mrs Crosby and her Interschool Swim team for their great effort on Tuesday at the Carnival. Mrs Crosby was very proud of the team and the sportsmanship that they displayed throughout the day. Thank you to Mr Bennett Surtees for his support with training and assisting on the day.
It was wonderful to see new faces at our P&F meeting on Tuesday evening. At the meeting, those present were informed that there has been a name change to the organisation. Hence, forth, the P&F will be known as ‘Catholic School Parents Western Australia’ (CSPWA). During the meeting, the committee was able to spend nearly six and a half thousand dollars on staff Wish List items for classrooms and the library. We hope to see more people attending next term as the very enthusiastic committee are organising a variety of fundraising activities to support the school.
In Term Two we move into our winter uniform, but if the weather is very hot there is a one to two week crossover period. If you are having haircuts done over the holiday period, please remember that we do have a policy on ‘conservative’ styles and it is disappointing when parents do not support this. The start of the Christmas holiday is the best time to have an alternative cut, as this allows the hair to grow out over the break period. We are grateful for your cooperation with this matter.
We look forward to seeing all our students and their families safely back next term. We hope that you have a very peaceful and relaxing Easter break.
School resumes on Tuesday 30 April
God Bless
Carol Hoare
Acting Principal
WEEK 6: VIETNAM – Short Story 6th Sunday of Lent 14 April 2019
Project Compassion Story
Nguyet is a teenager living with a disability in a small town in Vietnam. She lived the first 14 years of her life isolated at home. Her disability restricted her movements and any chance of going to school.
Around 7% of people in Vietnam are living with a disability. They often have poorer health, fewer education and employment opportunities and higher poverty rates.
The future appeared bleak for Nguyet, until a Caritas Australia program, implemented by our partner Catholic Relief Services (CRS) changed her life forever. Around 4,000 people have now benefitted from this inspiring Caritas program.
The program is helping people like Nguyet, by focusing on inclusive education, health services and building strong community networks to help to break down stigma and discrimination for those with disabilities and their families.
Two years after she featured in Project Compassion 2017, Nguyet has built a successful online business selling T-shirts, accessories and home-cooked snacks made by her sister. She is also more confident in communicating with people – and is riding a motorbike she bought from her profits.
“I can go out independently now,” Nguyet says. “I would like to have my own shop in the village one day. And I hope that other people with disabilities in Vietnam will receive help like I did."
Nguyet has great hope and a real commitment to succeed in her future. She hopes her story will inspire others to see what is possible for a person once isolated and unheard.
Easter Liturgy tomorrow.
Our Year Five Blue Class will be dramatizing the Stations of the Cross tomorrow morning from 9am. You may wish to join your child’s class at the times below. This is a very beautiful and reflective presentation and we ask our children and families to walk in silence, offering everyone the opportunity to really listen and display the virtues of reverence and self-control.
Times for the Stations of the Cross
Year 5, 8:50am
Year 4, 9:00am
Year 3, 9:10am
Year 2, 9:20am
Year 1, 9:30am
NAPLAN
Parents of Year 3 and 5 Students
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) series of tests are administered annually to all Australian students. These tests will take place nationally during Weeks 3 and 4 of Term 2 from Tuesday 14 May through to Friday 24 May. Please see below the schedule of assessments for St Jerome’s.
Week 1 of Testing (Week 3 of Term)
NAPLAN tests important skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The Literacy tests are based on content in the English learning area, and the numeracy tests draw content from the mathematics learning area. It is very important therefore that students are present for all assessments. If your child is unavoidably absent on one of the testing days we do have ‘Catch-Up’ sessions for the students however it would be preferable for your child to complete the assessment on the day with their class colleagues.
Here are the six best tips to help your child get through NAPLAN testing as stress-free as possible:
1. Make sure they get enough sleep
Making sure your child gets enough sleep is vital to make sure they're feeling their best on testing day. Try to make sure they go to bed on time during the weeks of NAPLAN testing.
2. Take the pressure off
A bit of stress is normal before any test, however the National Assessment Program (NAP) recommends helping your child prepare for NAPLAN by reassuring them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and reminding them on the day to simply try their best is vital.
3. Let them know it's not pass or fail
NAPLAN is not a pass-or-fail type test. Individual student performance is shown on a national achievement scale for each test. Each test scale has 10 bands and all year levels are reported on the same scale. Six bands are reported for each year level for each test. One of these bands represents the national minimum standard for students at each year level. A result at the national minimum standard indicates that the student demonstrated the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate fully in that year level. The performance of individual students can be compared to the average performance of all students in Australia.
4. Give them a good breakfast
Breakfast before learning is ideal every day for students but a nutritious meal before a morning test like NAPLAN will give students doing the test the best start to the day.
5. Make sure they know what NAPLAN is
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already been learning through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance but asking your child if they have any questions can be a big help. If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, you should make a time to speak with their teacher.
6. Don't emphasise the result
Try not to place too much pressure on what result your child receives and remind them that they've done their best.
Instagram - Everything parents need to know.
A very useful link for parents to understand Instagram and how it relates to children.
Uniform News
Winter Uniform
Just a reminder that terms 2 & 3 are when we make the change to winter uniform. For our girls that means either a tunic or skirt and a white blouse. Our boys continue with the white shirt and grey shorts and if they choose, can change to our grey trousers.
Angie Grant
Uniform Shop Manager
Football Raffle Results
Congratulations to Joe Spezzacatena
Friday 19 April: WCE -v- Port Adelaide
Congratulations to Marita Brenzi
Sat 27 April: Fremantle Dockers -v- Western Bulldogs
Congratulations to Sophia Hicks
Cockburn Schools' ANZAC Parade
Year 5 Green and Red were part of the City of Cockburn Schools’ ANZAC Parade.
Together, with all schools in the area, they paraded from the council chambers to Beale Park where the ceremony took place.
The horses that were on parade were wearing one hundred year old saddles from the first world war.
Kathryn Alp
Five Green Teacher
St Jerome's Primary School
Congratulations Sophie O!
2019 Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools and Colleges
The 2019 Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools and Colleges will take place in Term 3. Please read the following important information regarding the Solo/Duet Section of the Festival.
Solo/Duet Section
Invitation Letters for Years 4, 5 and 6 students participating in the Solo/Duet Section of the Performing Arts Festival have been sent home.
If your child received an Invitation Letter, this means that he/she has been selected by his/her tutor to participate in this year’s Performing Arts Festival.
Entries for the Performing Arts Festival will be completed online. Entry forms for the Solo/Duet Section can be found in the Performing Arts Section of the Catholic Arts Website and accessed by using the link below:
https://www.catholicarts.wa.edu.au/performing-arts-festival/
Parents are asked to assist students in completing entries. An email address and phone number will be required to complete an entry online. Please advise us of your email address and phone number by completing and returning the reply slip attached to the Invitation Letter. As soon as we have received an email address and phone number, your child will be set up as up as a ‘student user’. You should receive a welcome email and password confirming your access to the website. You will then be able to access the Catholic Arts Website and assist your child in creating his/her entry. Instructions on how to complete entries online for the Performing Arts Festival can be found on the Catholic Arts Website.
Consultation with your child’s instrumental tutor is advised when completing your child’s entry as he/she will need to know what is required to prepare your child for the Festival.
Please complete the following steps to ensure your child’s involvement in the 2019 Performing Arts Festival:
· Return reply slip for the Invitation Letter (giving permission for your child’s involvement in the Solo/Duet Section of the 2019 Performing Arts Festival - including your email address and phone number) to the School Office by Monday 8th April.
· Return reply slip regarding Performing Arts Festival Privacy Information by Friday 3rd May.
· Complete your child’s entry online for the Solo/Duet Section via the Catholic Arts Website.
The official date for entries to be submitted to the Catholic Arts Office is Sunday 12th May. However so that all online entries can be screened and submitted to the Catholic Arts Office by the due date, it is requested that your child’s entry be completed by Friday 3rd May (Week 1, Term 2). Please note that entries completed after this date cannot be accepted.
Thank you for your support and understanding in this matter.
· Post your child’s music to the Catholic Arts Office (Newman Siena Centre, 33 Williamstown Road, DOUBLEVIEW WA 6018) after you have submitted your child’s entry. Please note parents, that you are responsible for posting your child’s music to the Catholic Arts Office. Music needs to be received by Friday 24th May 2019. Music must be clearly marked ‘Adjudicator’s Copy’ with the name of the performer, school name and section code. If music is not received by the due date, the item will be ineligible for an award.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding this information, please contact me at school.
Amanda de Kluyver
Music Specialist Teacher
Instrumental Music Program
New Enrolments for Term 2 (Years 2-6)
New students to the Instrumental Program are sought for Term 2. If your child has an interest in learning an instrument, please complete the 2019 Instrumental Program Tuition Agreement Form below and then email the tutor directly. The contact details for our Music Tutors are provided below for your information. Prior to enrolling Year 2 students into the program please discuss with their teacher your intentions to enrol your child to ensure that these lessons will not impact on their learning.
Instrumental lessons are held during school time and lessons are rotated so that your child does not miss the same subject each week.
Instrumental lessons available for Term 2 are:
· Guitar
· Ukulele
· Piano (limited positions available)
· Drums
· Vocals
Instrumental Program Tuition Agreement Forms are required by the end of Term 1. Agreement forms received after this time may not be allocated a place for Term 2.
Current Term 1 Students
Please note that current students will be automatically re-enrolled for Term 2.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Amanda de Kluyver
Music Specialist Teacher
Extension News
We have had a terrific Term 1 in Extension! The year 3 science focus finished with our students making lava lamps, and discussing the density of liquids.
The Yr 4 children are microscope experts now, and will begin their adventure with Sphero’s and coding next term.
The Yr 5’s ended their Dry Ice unit by designing their own experiment. We had some terrific ideas, and saw bubbles, smoke rings and comparisons of soft drinks with dry ice, to name a few.
Our Yr 6 students have been very busy in their ROBOCUP teams, planning and building their robots.
I was lucky enough to recently attend a Robotics PD at scitech, where we built and learnt to program the EV Mindstorms.
Natalie Paatsch
Extension
Inter-School Swimming Carnival
Tuesday April 9 was the CPSSA Inter School Swimming carnival, held at Rockingham Aquatic Centre.
We were blessed with a hot summers day which is unusual for this end of term.
30 very enthusiastic St Jerome’s students attended and were all keen to get in the water.
Star of the Sea ended up winning the carnival. St Jerome’s finished in 7th place. We were lucky enough to win some ribbons in both individual and relay events.
All our swimmers are to be congratulated for their efforts.
Thank you to Mr B for his assistance with after school training, supervision and coaching on the day. Thanks also to Mrs Ghilardi who helped with marshalling students and Mrs Gibbs who was called upon at the last minute to assist at the score table.
Thank you to the amazing parents that assisted and supported us throughout training and on carnival day. Your help is always greatly appreciated.
Mel Crosby
PE Teacher
P&F Easter Raffle
WAAPETTES Winter School Holiday Program
Claire Orange Boys 2 Men Workshop - St Vincent's School
Tickets for "Claire Orange Boys 2 Men Workshop" are now available.
Claire is back for her third visit to St Vincent’s School, to once again enlighten and reassure us as we travel along the slippery slope of parenting.
She is an inspiration to listen to and certainly leave no stone unturned in discovering ways to better help parents understand the mind of a child.
You are most welcome (and encouraged) to bring along a friend or partner to the night.
Please note, this is an 18+ event (breastfeeding babies not included) and the evening begins at 6pm sharp on Friday, 10th May.
I highly recommend coming along if you are a parent of young boys. This is not a night to be missed!
For more information, please go to http://stvincents.wa.edu.au/notes_98_3037388380.pdf
To book your tickets, please go to https://www.trybooking.com/489954
Kind regards
Katie Waudby
St Vincent's P&F President
Perth Goju Karate
Perth Goju Karate teaches karate classes at St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School, in the school hall.
A special offer for St Jerome’s students - 4 WEEKS FREE beginners karate lessons!
Classes are held after school on Monday’s and are a great way for children of all ages to learn self-defense in a fun and safe environment.
We also teach classes for teens and adults and they are fantastic for fitness, wellbeing and of course, self-defense.
Students who attend the schools on-site After Care are collected and taken to the class in the hall and returned to After Care when their class is finished.
Classes continue over the school holidays (with a short break over the Christmas period) which makes it perfect for the kids who are looking to try something on the holidays.
Karate has many benefits which include confidence, respect, discipline and fitness.
Call now to take advantage of this 4 week trial.
Sensei Johnny Moran - 0402 830 402
Kids Nature Club
For school holiday program go to
www.kidsnatureclub.com.auContact Details
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Location: 38 Troode Street, Munster WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9499 9500