20 February 2020
Newsletter Articles
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Lent begins next Wednesday 26th February and ends on April 9th.
Lent is the six week period leading up to Easter. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional time for fasting or giving something up or abstinence. These days, Christians around the world observe Lent in many ways. Many from more orthodox and traditional denominations will observe the fast strictly, beginning with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and abstinence of meat, fish, eggs and fats until Easter Sunday.
Others will choose to give up just one item for Lent, more commonly a ‘luxury’ such as chocolate, meat or alcohol. It is also becoming increasingly common for people to give up other things in order to refocus their faith during this time; such as watching TV, going to the gym, even social media.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Congratulations to all the swimmers who keenly competed in the school swimming carnival last Thursday. It was delightful to see our students trying their hardest in the pool and cheering for their friends and house. It was also wonderful to see so many parents helping, encouraging and supporting the teachers and students. Thank you to Mrs Hacker and Mrs Atkins for organising the carnival and to the teachers and parents for their assistance in making the day such a memorable one.
This week selected students braved the terrible weather conditions to compete at the ASC Carnival. Unfortunately, we were beaten by thunder and lightning, with the event called off. Times for all schools were submitted to determine representation at the Diocesan Carnival next Thursday.
Congratulations to Ryder Amidy, Imogen Banks, Emittee Bourke, Piper Bullen, Charley Cornwall, Maddy Flannery, Nelly Flannery, Phoebe Harrison, Peyton Redgrove, Marley Russ, Joseph Unicomb.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
It was wonderful to see so many parents at the Parent Information Night held on Tuesday evening. I’m sure you enjoyed meeting your child’s class teacher and appreciated receiving important information for the year. We always encourage open communication between parents and teachers. If you have any questions or queries, the classroom teacher should always be your first point of contact.
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS - A POSITIVE APPROACH
Concerns arise at schools for a variety of reasons, sometimes due to the very busy nature of the school environment.
In addition to solid teaching & learning, there are many extra curricula activities to enhance school life and a great deal of coordination is required. Accordingly, many considered decisions are made every day by our professional team to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community, and promote learning for all. At the same time, the school community is quite diverse, with many individuals or groups having vastly different opinions on how things should be done.
It is inevitable therefore, that times will arise when some parents agree with the school’s actions while others disagree and wish to discuss the matter and seek clarification with the school. We welcome such discussions and encourage parents to raise issues so that they can be dealt with speedily and resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Raising concerns or seeking clarification is not a negative experience if everyone remains solution-focused by valuing the opinions of all. The following process for presenting and managing parental concerns works well and is the way we manage all concerns at our school.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
STEP 1: Try and establish the facts before contacting the school. Many concerns are quickly resolved once the parent is aware of all the facts.
STEP 2: In the first instance, speak to your child’s teacher about the matter.
STEP 3: Let the school know via letter, email (admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au), telephone (49307270) or in person at the office that you have a concern, providing details of the issue.
STEP 4: The school WILL investigate the concern and the most appropriate person will contact you to discuss the matter or organise a meeting. Almost 100% of problems are resolved at this point.
STEP 5: If however, the matter remains unresolved, additional support from a member of the executive or Principal may be required which usually involves a formal appointment to discuss the issue.
STEP 6: Support from the Catholic Schools Office is sometimes sought to help solve problems. Contact details for the CSO Parent Liaison and Resources Officer are available from the Principal or CSO on 49791200.
For further advice please see the COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES RESOLUTION POLICY for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle which can be accessed via the CSO Website and is found under Policies. Brochures are also available in the school office.
Points to Remember:
- Problems are best resolved by a positive attitude. Anger and negativity is counter-productive to solving problems.
- Schools need time to investigate and resolve many problems; a quick fix is not always possible or desirable.
- Schools are complex environments – very few decisions will suit everybody.
- There are always at least 2 sides to every story – with students there are often as many perspectives as there are children.
- Not all disagreements can be resolved – sometimes we simply have to agree to disagree.
- Opinions vary widely – disagreement is a natural part of life.
- Schools endeavour to act in the best interests of ALL
- Resorting to social media to publicly air your dissatisfaction may contravene the Diocesan Code of Conduct and is not an appropriate forum to discuss Complaints and Grievances
- Everybody aims to achieve the best possible outcome for all involved in the school community.
- Win-Win is always the desired outcome to any issue.
“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution.” Unknown
Another way parents can become actively involved in school life to achieve common goals is through the Parents and Friends Association. This term meetings will be held in the evenings. This change is in response to parental feedback. It is now up to you to come along.
Our first meeting was held on Monday evening. I am grateful to the P&F executive of who shared their planning for upcoming events.
I encourage parents to attend the next meeting so that you can support your child/children by gaining information about what is going on at the school and meet other parents. Every small contribution you make to our school is highly valued by parents, staff and of course, the students. I look forward to meeting you and working alongside you for the good of our school.
Likewise, parents can be involved by volunteering to assist in many and varied school events and activities. In order to be actively involved parents and friends must complete the process of induction. This involves;
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Completion of an online Working with Children check at |
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Attendance at a Volunteer Induction Session held at school and/or engagement with Principal or Administration staff to understand obligations set out in the Volunteer Handbook |
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Collection of Volunteer Induction Handbook and Return of specified pages (appendix) |
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Provide identification requirements to School Office as detailed in page 26 of Volunteer Induction Handbook. |
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Provide a copy of your RMS Verification Clearance Notification Page to the School Office. (Please note this is the form that you receive back from RMS once you have applied for your working with children check to state that you have a clearance. |
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Please note that the verification process takes approx 7-10 days and must be completed prior to involvement in any child-related activity. |
CALENDAR EVENTS
WHAT’S ON?
- Friday 21 February
- Opening School Mass – St Joseph’s School Hall – 1pm - Tuesday 25 February
- Shrove Tuesday – Pancake day – Pancakes available for sale before school
- Launch of Caritas & Catholic Schools Liturgy - School Leaders attend - Wednesday 27 February
- Ash Wednesday – Grade Liturgies to be held in classrooms, parents are welcome to attend. - Thursday 27 February
- Dio Swimming Carnival - selected students to attend
INDUCTION OF SCHOOL LEADERS
On Friday 21st February we will celebrate our Opening School Mass. This service will be held at St Joseph’s School Hall Lochinvar at 1pm, at which the 2020 student leaders will be officially inducted. Parents and carers welcome.
Please note that parking WILL NOT be available on site. All visitors will need to park in the nominated areas servicing St Patrick’s and walk safely across the highway to enter the St Joseph’s school grounds via the driveway at the main entry. Limited spaces will be available in the Parish grounds of St Patrick’s Church.
IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE PUNCTUAL!
Does your family start the day with repeated orders and pleading to various members to get up, get dressed, have their breakfast, pack their school bag, brush their teeth, catch the bus. Some children are always late – to school, to classes, with homework assignments – and the chaos of their lives has an effect on their ability to learn.
A calm, well-organised start to the day and successful time management help develop the habits that lead to good learning.
Effective time management leads to greater contentment. Satisfaction with how we use our time is an important predictor of happiness.
Time is the basis on which we operate our lives and if we’re happy with the way we manage time, we’re happy with our life.
Being late is a way of life for many, but I urge you not to let lateness impact your child's education.
STUDENT MEDICATIONS
If your child requires an Epipen, Ventolin or any other emergency medication the office must have an Emergency Action Plan from your doctor and an Individual Health Care Plan completed by parents. Please note this action plan must be updated every year by your doctor regardless of whether your child’s condition or medication has changed. The Action Plan must be complete with a photo of your child.
Other medications such as antibiotics should be administered at home. Should your child require a one-off medication at school please bring the medication to the office and sign a medication authorisation form.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH MEDICATIONS (apart from Asthma puffers). It is not safe to have medication stored in school bags.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will celebrate our strength of community when we open doors to families and friends for Catholic Schools Week (CSW) 2020.
CSW runs from Sunday 1 March to Saturday 7 March and the theme is “Drawing from the well. Invitation, Encounter, Witness”. This acknowledges that Jesus Christ is always at the heart of everything we do. Recognising this is the foundation of a Catholic school education, the lens through which everything is viewed, and the belief that informs all policies and decisions.
“Invitation, Encounter, Witness” celebrates the connection of the school community with Jesus Christ. Our students are invited to the well, where, with Jesus as their guide they encounter diversity of learning in a supportive and inclusive environment, and witness service to others and the community.
Catholic Schools Week events at St Patrick’s are:
- Sunday 1st March – Parish/Family Mass and Morning Tea 9.30 am at St Patrick’s Parish Church
- St Patrick’s Lochinvar on Friday 6th March.
Activities will be held across the school to showcase learning in our new environment. All families are invited to attend. Further details will be provided.
ENROLMENTS OPEN
Enrolments for the 2021 Kindergarten intake will also open in Catholic Schools Week. Interested parents are asked to contact the school office for an information pack.
CANTEEN MENU 2020
RE NEWS
Shrove Tuesday each year marks to launch of Project Compassion. At St Patrick’s to launch our Lenten fundraising efforts we hold a pancake breakfast.
Our Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast will be held on Tuesday 25th February starting at 8:15am. Pancakes will be sold for 50 cents each.
PROJECT COMPASSION
The School Leaders will travel to the Sacred Heart Cathedral next Tuesday for the Launch of Project Compassion 2020. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
SPORTING NEWS
Congratulations to the below mentioned children who have been selected to participate in the ASC team at Diocesan level.
REGIONAL FOOTBALL SUCCESSFUL TRIALISTS 2020 GIRLS
Sophie Johnson
Charlie Cornwall
Ella Davey
Siahri O’Meley
Mackenzie Hicks
Penny Clarke
BOYS
Cooper Kendall
William Walker
Archie Brideson
Everett Bell
Rylan O’Brien
Rhys Tyrrell
COMMUNITY NEWS
SCHOOL TRAVEL - 2020
Updated brochures now online
https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/
PARENTING PAGE
MUSIC LESSONS 2020
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele Lessons will be available during school hours.
If your son/daughter are interested please contact Eric Loi on 0419642096 or Email: ericloimusic@bigpond.com
Students will need their own instrument. Any enquiries regarding purchase options can be directed to Eric who is also a Creative Kids Provider. Vouchers can be obtained from Service NSW.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST PIANO/SINGING 2020
Will be offering Piano (All Ages) and Singing( From 9 Years Old) Lessons in 2020.
If your child is interested please fill out the Attached Form and return to School Office ASAP.
CHILD`S NAME:________________________ AGE:_______________________
PIANO/SINGING (Please Circle): BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (Please Circle)
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME & CONTACT DETAILS (Mobile and Email)_______________
Regards,
Eric.Loi
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