23 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

STAFF UPDATES

Mrs Fran Martin will be taking leave from Monday 19th August to have long-awaited knee surgery. Given the recovery time is significant for this type of surgery, Fran has decided to take a minimum of 10 weeks leave. The following arrangements have been enacted to ensure the smooth running of the office and administration duties;

• Mrs Sally Grant replacing Fran- Front of office (5 days)
• Mrs Lisa Comerford working Monday, Tuesday & Friday in Student Services
• Mrs Carly Sweeney- newly appointed in Student Services on Wednesdays & Thursdays

We wish Fran all the best as she takes the first tentative ‘steps’ to a pain free, active life. May she be protected by the Holy Spirit.

CONDOLENCES

It is with deep sadness that I inform you that Alison Ward, beloved mother of Abby in 6B, lost her battle with brain cancer on Monday afternoon, passing away peacefully.

I ask you to continue your prayer intentions for the Ward family.

May Alison now rest In Eternal Peace, free from suffering.

UNIFORM STANDARDS

Please read the policy below if you are unsure of expected uniform standards. St Patrick's demands high standards and expects parents to enforce our policy by supporting and encouraging their children to proudly wear the correct items of uniform.

During winter, boys are to wear the long-sleeved shirt, with their school tie. Similarly, girls must wear a tab tie and school pin (available from the office). girls are welcome to wear navy tights with the winter tunic or may choose the navy slacks as a warmer alternative.

I remind parents that the correct uniform (i.e. appropriate style and colour with school logo) is available form Ken Lane Menswear. Cheaper alternatives should not be purchased from other suppliers as these do not meet the expected standards, are often different shades and/or inferior quality.

I am most disappointed to see the lack of consistency from some families, which reflects poorly on our school, and ask that greater effort be given in this area.

Students who are out of uniform must provide a written explanation. It is also important to note that correct uniform, including shoes are to be worn till the end of the school year.

Our teachers will continue to encourage and monitor satisfactory standards. Please expect communication from your child’s class teacher if expectations are not being met.

INFLUENZA A

Parents are asked to be vigilant to signs of Influenza A as there have been a number of confirmed cases over the past week.

Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are two main types of influenza virus that cause infection in humans - types A and B - and many sub-types or strains.

People with influenza typically experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• fever and chills
• cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches, joint pains, headaches and fatigue (feeling very tired)
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children than adults).

Some symptoms may last for more than a week. Some people may also experience very mild symptoms, particularly if they have some immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.

Seek immediate medical advice if the illness quickly becomes worse or if any of the following symptoms occur:

• shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• chest pain
• confusion or sudden dizziness
• persistent vomiting.

People with influenza can be infectious from the day before their symptoms start. Adults are most infectious in the first 3-5 days of their illness, while children remain infectious for 7-10 days, and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for longer. Parents are encouraged to keep their children home from school, and to seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

If a case of Influenza A is confirmed, you are asked to contact the school office staff immediately so that accurate numbers can be tracked.

CALENDAR EVENTS

NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS

Wow what a great week we had celebrating and learning about Aboriginal history and culture.

We were honoured to be joined again by Nanna Wilson and we welcomed Mauri Perry who ran the Aboriginal boys dance workshop.

All students participated enthusiastically in workshops including a NAIDOC talk, Traditional Games, Language, Aboriginal Dance and Bush Tucker. The years 5 and 6 also watched the documentary ‘The Final Quarter’ about Adam Goodes and discussed the topic of teasing, tormenting, bullying and racism.

Thanks to the SRC and Aboriginal students who offered NAIDOC temporary tattoos and face painting with ochre dots or the Aboriginal flag to students on Monday.

On Friday, the whole school assembled to perform the Aboriginal dances learnt during the workshops. The girls performed the Clearing Dance and the boys, the War Cry. The performance certainly was a moving experience and I felt extremely proud to see all student eagerly participate not only in the dance performance but during the whole week.

Thank you also for the book donations. We will continue to take donations this week (week 5) then package them up and send them to Coonabarabran.

KINDERGARTEN 2020 MEET & GREET EVENING

Tuesday 27th August 6.30pm Kindergarten Pod. The Gregory Rd gate will be open for access. Refreshments will be provided.

WHAT’S ON?

Please remember that our school canteen is now only open on Wednesday and Friday of each week.

Friday 23th August

• Grandparents day & Book week celebrations

Tuesday 27th August

• 6.30 pm Kinder 2020 Meet & Greet Evening (Adults only)

Wednesday 28th August

• Kinder Excursion to Civic Theatre
• ASC Debating Competition- St Mary's Maitland Campus

Thursday 29th August

• Father’s Day Stall
• Cricket Blast Gala Day Competition (YEAR 6, selected students)

Friday 30th August

• Father's Day Liturgy - 2.20pm School Hall

Tuesday 3rd September

• Newcastle Netball Gala Day – (Selected Students)
• Year 6 Assembly 2.20pm School Hall

Wednesday 4th September

• ICAS Digital Technology and Science Test (Selected students)

Thursday 5th September

• Cricket Blast Gala Day Competition (YEAR 4 selected students)

RE NEWS

MAKE JESUS REAL

Our focus for Week 5 is consolidating what we have spoken about over the last few weeks regarding the “Spirit of Jesus”. Students will be encouraged this week to demonstrate how they can be the Spirit of Jesus for others.

During Week 6 our weekly focus will shift slightly to concentrate on our attitudes. Students will explore the theme “You are in charge of your attitude”.

STAGE 3 MASS

On Friday 16th August Fr Paul celebrated the Stage 3 Mass with Year 5 and 6. The students were lucky enough to be joined by three priests from Nigeria who have come to our Diocese to serve for the next couple of years. One of the priests was celebrating his 6th Anniversary of Ordination and was very excited to be sharing his celebration with the students.

CURRICULUM NEWS

GREAT AUSSIE BUSH CAMP

DEBATING

The All Saints Cluster Debating Competition will be held on Wednesday 28th August 2019 at St Mary’s Campus- All Saints College, Maitland. This competition is open to all 10 schools in the region, with the strongest team selected on the day to represent our region at the Diocesan final in September.

This competition involves an impromptu process where each team is given 1 hour only to prepare their debate with no assistance from staff. Each school presents 2 debates on the day, undertaking an affirmative and negative role.

I take this opportunity to announce the team of Matilda Ferris, Jackson Brooker, Cassandra Stefani and Tom Carvosso. We wish our team members the very best of luck and hope they have every opportunity to extend their skills and experience the taste of exciting competition.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Parker Bullen, Hayden Tyrrell, Jola Van Wyck, Marissa Hedges who are the reserves. These students assisted with preparation and served as the opposing team when we are practising. These students will also take on representative responsibilities as timekeepers and act in a chairperson role on the day of competition and I thank them for their involvement.

We wish our team members the very best of luck and hope they have every opportunity to extend their skills and experience the taste of success.

SPORT NEWS

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed to the Polding Selection Trials in Athletics. We wish them continued success!

• Aurelia Russell
• Piper Bullen
• Peyton Redgrove
• Charley Cornwall
• Tori Riley

COMMUNITY NEWS

GRANDPARENTS DAY

We are looking forward to you joining us for our Grandparent’s Day/ Book Week celebrations. An envelope will be sent home with students on Thursday 22nd August containing house coloured wristbands, a school map and a timetable of the day’s events. On Friday 23rd August the children will all assemble under the cola at 9.45 before they divide into their sporting house groups. The house flags will be on display to indicate where the houses will be located for each session rotation. Children are invited to dress-up for the theme “Reading is My Secret Power” or as a book character. Please enter the school grounds via the Gregory Road entrances.

EXTERNAL PROVIDERS

(These may include psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists)

If you wish services to be delivered at school by an external provider, please send an email to admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au, addressed to the principal. The purpose of the email is to request approval, briefly explain the area of need and provide information regarding the provider, proposed day and time as well as frequency. You will then be contacted with further information regarding the process.

WHY SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT SMART FOR OUR KIDS

It is important for us to remember that our young children’s brains are simply too immature to use social media appropriately, therefore we would suggest that parents slow down and rethink what we are allowing children to do. Remember that:

• Social media was not designed for children
• Social media is an entertainment technology and does not make your child smarter or more prepared for learning
• Social media can be an addictive form of screen entertainment
• Social media can replace learning the important skills developed when dealing face-to-face with peers
• Social media can cause the loss of connection within families when the attachment to ‘friends’ becomes more important than that of families.

With this in mind, if you allow your child to access social media, we suggest parents delay access, follow children’s accounts, allow social media only on large screens, limit time, plan face-to-face time with friends and formally plan to spend more organized time together as a family.

(taken from "Why Social Media is Not Smart for Middle School Kids" by Victoria L. Dunckley MD - Mental Health

COMING SOON!

Qkr is the mobile phone payment app designed for Australian schools, delivering an advanced and competitive online payment solution. Qkr delivers convenience to parents, efficiency to canteen staff and excellent reporting to school office staff.

Once established, Qkr will be used for canteen orders, payment of fees and for the processing of all extra-curricula payments.

Qkr allows families to pay quickly, conveniently and securely.

ASPIRE

PARENTING PAGE

P & F NEWSLETTER

CANTEEN

NEWS FLASH- Pies & Sausage Rolls are back on the canteen menu, both breaks Wednesday & Fridays!