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| Important Dates & Reminders | |
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Thursday 16 February |
Parish Sacramental Program Information Evening @ St Monica's 6pm. For families of students in Years 4-6 |
| Tuesday 21 February |
Swimming Carnival & Water Fun Day |
| Wednesday 22 February |
Ash Wednesday 12pm St Michael's Church |
| Wednesday 1 March- Thursday 2 March | St Michael’s School Registration |
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Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 March |
Goal Setting Meetings/ Interviews |
| Monday 20- Friday 24 March | NAPLAN window |
| Friday 24 March | School Photos |
Thank you to the parents/carers who were able to come along to our Opening Mass and our Information Night last week. It was great to welcome Father Mick who is getting to know our community. This year we changed the format from ‘meet n greet’ in the past this was only a social event. Our format included, tea/coffee a brief information session, introduction of the staff and open classrooms. Our focus was, assisting parents with home learning ideas. The feedback we received was very positive. We are wanting to introduce further opportunities for parent engagement, such as open library sessions and tea/coffee chats.
We mentioned on the Opening Night that we are always looking for further volunteers, we have a huge need for helpers at our Swimming Carnival next Tuesday 21st February at Stromlo Park. Our situation is critical as without enough support we may need to look at whether or not we can safely hold the event- if you can spare a couple of hours between 9:30-12:30, please contact Erin Hardwicke our Sports Coordinator or give us a call. Erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
Games and Clubs
This year we are encouraging the students to experience and play a variety of sports and games. Last year we created soccer rules and encouraged our students to include everyone, to promote a more positive playing experience. Many of our students play soccer on weekends and have terrific skills. Soccer is still valued on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, on Tuesdays and Thursday’s sports including basketball, badminton, volleyball, Oz tag, frisbee golf, tennis, circus games are offered. These games have been very popular with the students. We were able to book some AFL clinics and are keen to include different games which all contribute to better health and fitness.
Also, this year, we are offering Clubs- Monday to Friday lunch times including, Music, STEM, Arts, Lego and board games. The library is also open every lunch and we are using the space near the canteen, which we now call the ‘Calm space’ for quieter activities. This includes sandpit, Giant Chess and circus games.
Renovations Update
Renovations to the staffroom have been completed and over the coming weeks refurbishments will begin on the front of the building including a roof space and new entrance doors. The signage around the school and new flag poles are contributing to a fresher appearance.
Assembly Friday
This Friday we will present our first Harmony awards for 2023 and catch up on any student birthdays. Parents are very welcome to come along. The students receiving awards are printed in today’s newsletter.
Goal setting meetings with Parents and teachers
In week 8 of this term we welcome parents to our goal setting interviews for Semester 1. Information will be sent home around bookings for Monday 20 March, Tuesday 21 March and Wednesday 22 March.
Thank you for your continued Support,
Many Blessings,
Principal
Information Evening for Sacraments
For families with children planning to take part in our parish sacramental program this year to prepare for and receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation or Reconciliation you, are invited to attend an information evening on Thursday 16th February at 6:00pm in the St Monica’s Church. That would traditionally be children in years 4 and 6 planning to receive the sacraments. I look forward to seeing you all there and meeting with our new Parish Priest, Father Mick, and Sue Collins our Sacramental Coordinator.
Ash Wednesday Mass
Ash Wednesday commences the Liturgical period of Lent which for Catholics is a time of fasting, sacrifice, and prayer.
Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us.
Parents and carers are invited to join with us as we attend Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday 22 February at 12pm at St Michael's Church Kaleen.
Parish Sacramental Program 2023
If you have a child in years 4- 6 in 2023, this may be a Sacramental year.
A Parish Sacramental Program Information Evening will be held on Thursday 16 February 2023 at 6pm in St Monica’s Church for the families of students in years 4-6 in 2023. You are very welcome to attend the information evening where all the relevant information will be available.
First Eucharist will be celebrated on the weekend of 17 and 18 June 2023.
Confirmation will be celebrated in September during term 3, 2023 (dates to be confirmed with the Bishop).
Reconciliation will be celebrated in term 1, 2024.
For further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website for updates at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
As several of the students at our school have a life threatening allergy to nuts and related products we have adopted a NUT FREE policy.
We ask you to support our efforts by ensuring that your child does not bring peanuts, peanu
t butter, nutella or other nut related products to school in their lunch boxes. This will require you to take note of the content of items such as muesli bars etc.
We appreciate your support in ensuring the health and safety of all our students.
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 3.
Well done!!
| KD | Layla M |
| 1/2K | Zoe E |
| 1/2Y | Harriet S |
| 3/4B | Adeline B |
| 3/4O | Zara C |
| 5/6H | Tony A |
| 5/6M | Alessia C |
| 5/6S | Bentley H |
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Student and Family Counsellor Profile: Jyothsna (Jo) Samprathi My name is Jo and I have been part of the CatholicCare Student and Family Counselling team since 2022. Prior to coming to your school, I have worked in some of our regional schools as a student and family counsellor. I have a psychology and counselling background and I have previously worked at headspace. I have a great passion in working with young people and I feel it is a great privilege to be able to support them with their growth, emotions, relationships, and any concerns they might be having. As the school counsellor feel free to touch base with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at your school. I am at the school on a Tuesday every week. If you would like to make a referral, please use the link below to access the form – once the referral has been put through, I will be in touch as soon as possible. https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form I look forward to working with you and your school throughout 2023! |
AFL Clinics
We are excited to offer all students AFL clinics this term. The clinics will take place on Thursdays, starting tomorrow! The cost of the clinics is covered by our Sporting Schools grant. The students will have the opportunity to learn new skills and fun with the experienced coaches from ACT AFL
After School AFL Sessions
We are fortunate to be able to offer a 4 week after school AFL program this term. The sessions will take place on Tuesday afternoons commencing 7th March. If you would like to come come along please see the attached flyer for information on how to register.
K-2 Water Fun Day Reminders
Our K-2 water fun day is just around the corner. While the older students take part in our swimming carnival, the students in K-2 will remain at school for some fun and a special recesss. Please send all students to school wearing their swimmers under free clothes (non-uniform). You may wish to wear clothes in your child's house colour. Students will need to wear joggers/runners and bring thongs, towel, rash/swim top (optional), underwear and plastic bag for wet clothes. Please make sure all items are labeled with your child name.
The students will be offered sunscreen prior to commencing the activities but please ensure they have applied sunscreen to their whole body prior to coming to school. A hat is a must, as they will be outside for an extended period of ti
me.
Swimming Carnival - Stromlo Leisure Centre
Next Tuesday 21st February all students from Years 3-6 and our Year 2 (8 year old, competitive swimmers) will participate in our swimming carnival. Our carnival is the pathway for our students to regional and ACT selection.
Thank you to the parents who have volunteered already. The volunteers need to arrive at the pool by 9:30 or earlier. If you are able to assist we would love to hear from you as we are still needing additional volunteers.
Please ensure that your child comes to school in their swimmers, with house coloured clothes over the top. Thongs/slides are the most appropriate footwear for the day. Students also need a towel, hat, drink bottle and suffient food for the day. The canteen will be available at recess and lunch only. Hot meal deals will be available for $10.
It is a requirement of Stromlo Leisure
Centre that all students undertake a swim test conducted by pool staff. If your child is determined to be a non-swimmer they will still be able to participate in their splash park session but will be unable to compete in swimming races.
We would love to see parents at the pool to cheer on our swimmers. There is a small entry fee for spectators.
The students are very excited about the day and giving it their best to see who will win the house championship for this year.
New Sport Equipment
We have just purchased a wide range of new sports equipment and cooperative games for students to enjoy during recess and lunch. It has been wonderful see it being enjoyed and the the students being active during their play times.
School Sport ACT - ACT Teams Selection - Important Information
Please see the School Sport ACT webpage http://www.schoolsportaustralia.edu.au/stateterritory-school-sport-offices/school-sport-act/ or Facebook page for the most up to date information.
SCHOOL SPORT ACT TRIALS – Please keep an eye on the School Sport ACT website www.schoolsportact.asn.au for upcoming ACT trials. The process for registering can be found below. If you need any assistance registering your child please feel free to ask for assistance.
How to register your child with School Sport ACT
School Sport ACT now collects all registration information online – this is to prevent the movement to and fro of a paper note and have all information readily available to officials prior to the trial. As this process incurs a fee for data storage, system maintenance and admin, a small $5 fee payment via credit card will be required.
- Go to the School Sport ACT website – www.schoolsportact.asn.au
- Click Register (top right corner of homepage) for an Account – enter parent details and password
- A confirmation email will be sent to your chosen email that will contain a link that you must click on to verify the email account.
- Click Log In (top right hand corner of home page) enter password then click on top tab My Profile
- You will see a ‘dashboard’ of your information, click green box to Add Student – enter student and medical details and save.
- Go to the Sports Tab – choose your specific sport, click on Trial Information box then click on the Register to Trial link.
- Select your child’s name from the dropdown box and then enter the optional fields for Playing History, Preferred Position (if applicable) and Representative Experience. If you are already in the system, ensure your child’s school is up to date in your profile – have they moved onto High School?
Please contact me via email if you have any questions, feedback or are able to offer your assistance at any of our sporting events throughout the year.
Looking forward to another big year of sporting participation,
Erin Hardwicke
erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
Please feel free to contact me with any questions erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
Erin Hardwicke
