20 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principals Address

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This week is Wellbeing Week.

At our recent Principal’s Day, Craig Moore from the Student Support Unit at the CSO, spoke about wellbeing.

He presented some alarming statistics regarding mental health and wellbeing in Australia:

In 2019 one in five of us will experience mental illness.
One in two of us will experience mental illness in our lifetime.
One in 16 Australians is currently experiencing depression.
One in seven Australians is currently experiencing an anxiety condition.
One in six Australians is currently experiencing depression or anxiety or both.
Females are more likely than males to experience depression and anxiety.

So what are some of the things we can do to be proactive and promote wellbeing:

• Education and training on mental health, wellbeing and resilience
• Mindfullness, meditation, relaxation or yoga sessions
• Spiritual development and practice
• Physical exercise sessions
• Random acts of kindness
• Mentoring and positive relationships with others
• Gratitude and recognition of others and celebrating successes
• Seeking medical or professional help if needed

We keep in our thoughts and prayers those Australians who are currently experiencing great pain and suffering as a result of the drought and recent bushfires.

We thank God for the great blessings we have received.

Attitude and gr-atitude again

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness … you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation … you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear or harassment, arrest, torture, or death … you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep … you are richer than 75 per cent of people in this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace … you are among the top eight per cent of the world’s wealthy.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful … you are lucky because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder … you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.

If you can read this message, someone was thinking of you, and, furthermore, you are better off than more than two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how lucky we all are.

Anonymous

With very best wishes,

Principal
Grant Diggins

Assistant Principals News

Making Good Choices.

There have been many occasions over the course of my career as a teacher that people identify the significance of the caring community that the Catholic School offers. This is most noticeable through the education of the whole child. Therefore, an all rounded education is of great importance. Schools have the responsibility to teach children to be literate and numerate and Catholic schools include a moral compass where the decision to do ‘what is right’ is indeed a reason.

Parents have the task of raising children into future adult citizens of the world. Your child’s teacher assists you in that endeavour by sharing that responsibility with you.

As Assistant Principal a part of my time at school is speaking with students about choices they make and the consequences of them. For me, this is a fulfilling role because it speaks to the heart of the child. I often have the need to discuss matters with parents and together determine a path forward for the child’s benefit.

Children need to know how to make good choices, regardless of the outcome.

Knowing how to make good choices requires learning; children need to learn right from wrong; the impact on others of the choice made; practising; seeing it modelled by significant others and starting in childhood.

Teaching decision making requires adults helping the child own their problems; giving advice, building resilience but, not solving them.

Good decision making is a very essential life skill and something that we all need to learn.

Let’s remember to, “Treat others the way we like to be treated”.

Assistant Principal
Anne Higgins

Religious Education Update

Mission Day and Vinnies Bushfire Appeal

On Monday 18 November, the Mini Vinnies and teachers organised our Mission Day and Bushfire Appeal activities in an effort to raise money to support the education system in Myanmar and other countries less fortunate than us. Well done St Aloysius! That money will go towards purchasing resources, building schools and training teachers. For more information please visit:

Our children and families were also very generous with their donations for the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. Our school raised a total of $2170. The class with the highest amount raised with a total of $164.50 was 5L and Year 5 was the grade with the highest amount raised with a total of $436.90.

End of Year Mass and Picnic

All parents and community members are invited to attend our final school Mass for the on Friday 6th December at 10:00 in our school chapel. Mass will be followed by a ‘bring your own’ picnic lunch in the school playground.

Complimentary Tea and coffee will be available from the canteen.

Please note the Canteen will only be available for over the counter sales. This includes ice blocks and snack items only. There will be No recess or lunch Qkr or cash orders.

Sacraments of Initiation 2020

Our parish communities wish to support families who would like their children to be Confirmed and receive their First Holy Communion in 2020.

If your child has been baptised a Catholic and in Year 3 in 2020, and they would like to receive the other sacraments of Initiation next year then you must attend two mandatory Parent Information session one in November this year and one in February next year.

Session 1 will present an overview of the process. Our preparation is parish based, family centered and school supported. After parents have heard what is involved at Session 1, then if they feel their child is ready and they are ready as a family, then parents are asked to attend Session 2 where resources for the Sacraments will be given.

Tuesday – 7pm on 19th November at St Paul’s Church Rutherford OR
Wednesday – 7pm on 20th November at St Joseph’s Church, East Maitland, OR
Thursday – 7pm on 21st November at St Our Lady of Lourdes, Beresfield

Session 2 parents will be required to produce a copy of their child’s Catholic baptism certificate for the child to be registered in the preparation process.

Tuesday- 7pm on 4th February at St Paul’s Church Rutherford OR
Wednesday – 7pm on 5th February at St Joseph’s Church East Maitland OR
Thursday – 7pm on 6th February at Our Lady of Lourdes Beresfield.

It will be necessary for at least one parent to attend both Parent information sessions for their child to receive the sacraments next year

PLEASE NOTE: If your child is not baptised please contact the Regional office ASAP before the

1st Information Session on 49338918 or SOIchisholm@mn.catholic.org.au

These meetings are for any parents from the eight churches of our region:

Our Lady of Lourdes, Cnr Delprat Avenue & Anderson Drive, Beresfield
St Joseph’s, Cnr King Street & Newcastle Road, East Maitland
Immaculate Conception, Cnr George & James Streets, Morpeth
Holy Family, 11 John Street, Largs
St Columba’s, Cnr Church & Prince Streets, Paterson
Sacred Heart, New England Highway, Campbell’s Hill
St Paul’s, 10 Young Street, Rutherford
St Patrick’s, 55 New England Highway, Lochinvar

If you have any further questions regarding the Sacramental Program, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school or via email: nicholas.hughes1@mn.catholic.edu.au

Religious Education Co-ordinator
Nicholas Hughes

Awards

Week 5

Reminders

Athlete’s Foot – correct school footwear

The School Rewards Program is a great fundraising opportunity, with $5 from every pair of shoes purchased being donated back to our school. This applies to the whole family across their fantastic range of school, sports, work and casual shoes. Don’t forget to mention our school.

Sport News

Athletics Champions

Special congratulations to Zac Thomson and Harry Lidbury for their amazing efforts to represent our school, our region, our Diocese as well as the Polding region at the PSSA State Athletics Championships. It is a fantastic achievement to make it all the way to this elite level. Both boys competed in the 800 metre and 1500 metre races and went up against the best competitors from the whole of NSW. I spoke with both Zac and Harry and they were both pleased with their times and end results finishing in or close to the top ten runners of their age group in both of their events. Congratulations Zac and Harry, the St Aloysius community is immensely proud of you.

Swimming Carnival update

All permission/nomination notes for the St Aloysius swimming carnival should have been at school by last Friday. There are still a number of students from Years 1 to 5 who have not returned their note. Please make sure the notes are returned by Thursday this week, late entries will not be accepted after that date. Remember the carnival is a school day and as such ALL students from Years 3 to 6 in 2020 are expected to attend.

Their seems to have been some misunderstanding in the Year 1 parent community regarding which events students can nominate for. So I just wanted to clarify the way it works.

Only students from Year 2 in 2020 who are turning 8 in 2020 and who are able to swim 50 metres or more are able to attend the swimming carnival. All other students will remain at school on the day and have their normal class routine. Only students in Years 3 to 6 in 2020 are eligible to enter the non or mid swimmer events.

This year we are making some changes to the organisation on the morning of our swimming carnival on Monday 9th of December. With the increased number of students we need to be creative in order to complete all of the events. One change is that we are having the buses arrive at staggered intervals commencing at 8:10. Students come to school as usual and wait at the hall until they are sent to get on the bus somewhere between 8:10 and 8:50.

We are planning to commence the 100 metre events earlier this year, even before the bulk of the buses from school arrive at the pool.

Parents of students nominating to compete in the Open (8-12 years) 100 metre freestyle event need to make sure that their child/ren are either:

• At school before 8:10 in order to catch the first bus to the pool, or
• At the pool before 8:20 so that they are there to compete in the early event

*** Please note ***

Our usual practice is for ALL students come to school to catch the bus to the pool. The ONLY exceptions to this are students competing in the Open 100 metre Freestyle. There will be limited supervision at the pool before the other buses and teachers arrive, so ALL other students are to come to school ready to catch the bus to the pool.

Many thanks to the parents who volunteered to help out at the carnival, however we are still looking for more volunteers, so if you are able to assist and have completed the requirements to volunteer, please contact me immediately.

Looking forward to a great carnival and as always, if you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Richard Hannan
Primary/Sports Coordinator

Learning Hub News

Harry Hartog Visit

Set aside Saturday 14th of December in your diaries as Dr Karl will be visiting the Harry Hartog Greenhills store! Dr Karl has a new book full of random science facts and curiosities. Further details can be found on this link

This is a great opportunity to support our local book store! Harry Hartog are always so willing and generous with their support of our library at St. Aloysius, this will no doubt be another great Harry Hartog event!

Book Club

Book Club issue 8 is now out! If you haven’t received a copy the catalogue is now available to browse on the Scholastic website. All issue 8 orders must be placed before Monday 2nd December to ensure they arrive before the end of term. If your order is a gift for Christmas please inform the Library team so we can pop them away for you to come and collect from the Library.

End of Year Returns

The end of year is approaching at rapid pace so the Library Team thought we would put out a friendly reminder for the process of returning books at the end of the year.

There are only two more weeks of borrowing in the Library (Weeks 6 & 7). All books then need to be returned by the end of Week 8.

Please check at home for any outstanding Library loans and return them ASAP so we can begin the big job of stocktake in the Library. We appreciate your support with this. Just a reminder if you are not sure if it is a school Library book, it should have a barcode with St Aloysius Primary School on the back of the book.

Kind regards,
Sam Berry, Catherine Creasey and Carolyn Lilley (St Aloysius library team)

Student News

Public Speaking Success!

Scarlett Boughton from KL represented our school at the Regional Public Speaking Competition. She spoke about ‘Celebrations’ and chose ‘Christmas’ as her other topic. She will now represent our school and region at the Diocesan Public Speaking Competition held at the Catholic Schools Office.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to our wonderful students for their recent outstanding achievements:

Ava Roeth and MacKenzie Murphy for successfully auditioning for ASPIRE 2020
Harry Lidbury and Zach Thomson for competing in Polding Athletics (State)
Scarlett Broughton for progressing to the Diocesan Public Speaking

We are very proud of them!

ICAS Science results

Distinction

Ben Antony, Henry Carpenter, Dane Clarke

Credit

Divija Bhupatiraju, Leo Seaton, Toby Burg, Liam Bowling, Dan Antony, Tanicia Sajith, Joshua Elliott, Charlize Eldridge, Audrey Carpenter

Merit

Anton Vannini, Samyuktha Pingala, Nathaniel Robinson, Bradley Henman

ICAS Maths results

High Distinction

Ben Antony, Dane Clarke

Distinction

Leo Seaton, Bradley Henman, Joshua Elliott, Tanicia Sajith

Credit

Harry Lidbury, Henry Carpenter, Blake Skafte-Grieve, Annvea Ajeesh, Dan Antony, Toby Burg, Emer Cagney, Lucy Richardson, Audrey Carpenter, Lachlan Drewe, William Jordan, Annie Lidbury, Sebastian Speek, Charlize Eldridge, Ivy O’Callaghan

Merit

Jake Elliott

ICAS English results

Distinction

Liam Bowling, Samyuktha Pingala, Bradley Henman, Dane Clarke

Credit

Emer Cagney, Annvea Ajeesh, Ivy O’Callaghan, Lachlan Drewe, William Jordan

Merit

Joshua Elliott, Sophie Meehan

Remembrance Day

On Monday 11th November, some of our student leaders represented St Aloysius at the Remembrance Day Service at Maitland Park. They are to be congratulated on their wonderful effort. The students laid a wreath in remembrance of all who made the ultimate sacrifice in war.

Leesa Moore
Defence School Mentor

Aboriginal Education News

Three children from Year 6 were invited to St Bede's for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander transition to high school. We were guided by Auntie Mon and the wonderful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. I would like to thank and commend the three children from Year 6, they were a pleasure to take to the high school. We were guided around the school and were amazed by the wonderful subject choice. We also had morning tea and got to meet with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from schools in the local area.

I would like to thank the children that have been offering to do Welcome to Country on Monday morning assembly. They do a fabulous job.

Caroline Kennedy

Parent News

Federation of P&F Associations – Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia (DARTA)

Paul Dillon is conducting an information session on Thursday 12th December at St Mary’s ASC Maitland from 6:00pm. If you would like to attend you will need to RSVP as per details on the flyer below.

P&F News

The St Aloysius P&F held our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday the 18th of November. Thank you to the outgoing committee members for your hard work.

We welcome the newly elected executive team;

President: Megan Price
Vice President: Karen Kowalski
Secretary: Kellie Robinson
Treasurer: Rebecca Pearson
Federation Delegate Members: Alysha Wynne and Rachel Weston-Webb.

250 mango trays were ordered for the Mango Fundraiser and $1,500 was donated to the school for Digital Technology. The delivery date will be confirmed via a Compass alert.

Order forms for the Wine Drive from Tamburlaine Organic Wines in the Hunter Valley were sent home this week. Please DO NOT send your order form to the school. All orders should be placed via Tamburlaine Wines. We are hoping this becomes one of St Aloysius’ favourite fundraisers!

A further $2,500 was donated to the school to purchase decodable readers for the infants.

Our next meeting is Monday the 3rd of February, 2020 at 6:30pm in the Library. Attending P&F meetings is a great way to make new friends and help support our school.

Minutes from previous meeting

Thank you,
St Aloysius P&F
staloysiuspandf@outlook.com

Staff News

Gifted Education

Next Monday, Jessica Moulder and I will be attending a Sharing Day for all Gifted Education Lead Schools (GEL) Each school will make a presentation on their Action Research Question. Ours is:

To what extent has quality professional learning shaped teachers understanding of differentiation?

As an integral part of our implementation, all teaching staff have undertaken the MN Learn course on differentiation, to cater for individual needs and to improve student outcomes.

Leadership Team Planning Day

Nadine Kennedy from Enrich Education will spend Tuesday 26th November with the School Leadership Day to help plan our Professional Learning for 2020 based on our COSI External Review recommendations and aligned to the System and School 3 year plan and Annual Improvement Plan.

Staffing 2020

Over the coming two weeks we hope to finalise the following positions for 2020 - Pedagogical Mentor, Permanent Classroom Teacher, Aboriginal Education Teacher and Acting REC (for Term 1 and 2). We can then assign teachers to classes for next year.

The Pedagogical Mentor is a new role that supports the principal with the educational leadership of the school community through modelling high quality teaching for colleagues and leading them in the development and refinement of their teaching practice to improve outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy.

Their work includes modelling lessons, co-teaching and observation with feedback. They will work collaboratively with teachers to build their capacity to meet targets in literacy and numeracy and lead staff, small group and individual professional learning.

Meet our new Staff

Leah Hirt

My husband, golden retriever and I are looking forward to our new adventure in NSW. We have lived in Victoria and Western Australia and we love going bike riding and playing golf. When I am by myself (which will be a lot as my husband is a pilot), I enjoy sewing clothes and baking all sorts of yummy things. I can't wait to start at St Aloysius and share with you all my terrible guitar playing and love of reading, hopefully I can persuade you all to follow AFL and barrack for Hawthorn!

Anna Hill

I am joining the St Aloysius team from St Joseph's School in Port Macquarie, where I am currently teaching Year 3 and supporting students as a specialist teacher of EMU (Extending Mathematics Understanding). I am looking forward to meeting students, working in partnership with families to support students' learning and being part of our wonderful community.

On the weekends I love going out for lunch with family and friends, drinking coffee and shopping! I have a daughter, Bella, and we are looking forward to getting out and enjoying what the Hunter region has to offer.

Holly Gralton

My name is Miss Holly Gralton and I am so excited to be teaching at St. Aloysius next year in 2020! I grew up in the Lake Macquarie Region and attended Catholic Schools for both my primary and secondary education. After graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2017, I have taught Year 5 and Year 6 at Morisset and Merewether. Alongside my love of education, my other passions include, visual arts, technology and physical activity. I think it is so important to be moving around, getting creative and developing your tech skills every day! I hope to share my passions with the St. Aloysius community and help all students to reach their full potential!

Caitlin Moore

I’m very excited to be joining the St Aloysius teaching staff next year! I have been teaching for 8 years and have taught in Catholic schools in Rockhampton and Gunnedah. I have a number of years experience working in flexible learning spaces and have an interest in Digital Technology and Indigenous Education. My husband Brad, and my 2 year old son Oscar, are relocating to Maitland in the new year and are looking forward to being closer to the coast and becoming involved in the community!

Finance and Office News

Messages to children

Whilst we understand that plans change, we ask you not to phone the school after 2pm with changes to afternoon arrangements for your child/ren. It is very difficult to get messages to classes after lunch time as the students are often not in their classrooms. Please make sure your child is clear about their home time arrangements before school each day. Please DON’T email messages of this type as they can easily be missed.

Office Hours

From 2020, our office hours will be 8:30am to 3:00pm.

Collecting Children Early from School

We understand there are times when you will need to collect your child from school during class time. So that your child and the class have the minimum amount of disruption and lost learning time, we will only call your child from their classroom when you arrive at the school. We hope you understand and allow extra time when collecting your child.

Outstanding Fees

Any family with an outstanding fee balance will receive an emailed statement this week. 2019 fees must be paid in full by 30th November.

Canteen News

Volunteers needed

With the end of term and Christmas fast approaching the canteen is a little low on volunteers. If you have fulfilled the volunteer requirements and can spare an hour or two any time over the next few weeks, it would be much appreciated. We supply coffee, cake and lunch.

Also, if you now find yourself able to do a volunteer day next year, please contact the office with your availabilities and I will start adding you to next year’s roster.

Reminder – NO RECESS OR LUNCH ORDERS ON FRIDAY 6TH DECEMBER

OOSH News

St Nicholas Before and After School Care

Before care: 6.30am- 8.50am
After care: 2.50pm- 6.00pm
Holiday Club: 7:00-6:00pm
Co-ordinator: Kyra Rumbel
chisholm@stnicholasoosh.org.au
Service Ph: 0419 697 715

Dates to Remember

Thursday 21st November – Kinder Parent Information Meeting 6:30pm
Thursday 21st November – Regional Choir Showcase – Lochinvar
Thursday 21st November – Year 4 BYOD Meeting 5:30pm Library
Friday 22nd November – Kinder excursion – Oakvale Farm
Tuesday 26th November – Diocesan Public Speaking
Wednesday 27th November – Stage 1 gymnastics
Friday 29th November – Summer Sports Trials
Monday 2nd December – Years 1 to 6 Orientation for new students in 2020
Thursday 5th December – Year 6 Surf Safe Fun Program
Monday 9th December – 2020 School Swimming Carnival – Beresfield pool
Tuesday 10th December – End of Year Presentation – St Mary’s Maitland 5:30pm
Wednesday 11th December – Stage 1 gymnastics
Wednesday 11th December – Assembly 2:00pm
Friday 13th December – Year 6 Big Day Out
Monday 16th December – Go Up Morning
Tuesday 17th December - Year 6 Graduation
Wednesday 18th December – Last day Term 4 for students
Tuesday 28th January 2020 – Staff return – Pupil Free day
Wednesday 29th January – Students in years 1 to 6 – first day Term 1
Friday 31st January – Kindergarten 2020 first day