3 November 2022

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

Last week was a most significant time for schools in the Diocese as executive teams and teaching staff gathered for the Leading Learning Collaborative (LLC) Expo at the Crowne Plaza across 3 days.

As a Diocese and school, we all have a deep sense of the strong learning journey we are on, made more effective because all school communities are sharing it. This expo provided an opportunity to showcase what has been fundamental to our learning journey and deepen the work of all three cohorts, knowing that each year our efforts become ingrained as quality practice and is the pathway of our learning improvement. We will continue this work daily, with an ongoing focus on the 14 parameters, a well-researched, evidence-proven learning framework for system and school improvement.

The research by Fullan and Sharratt reminds us that where educational systems have developed their collective capacity and worked collaboratively the achievement of students has increased more than in schools that have worked individually to ‘choose their own adventure’.

The gathering of all schools was a profound celebration of our learning journey. In the words of Director Gerard Mowbray, the expo highlighted:

• The value and importance of the system having in place a learning framework for all schools
• The power of the collaborative culture the LLC journey has unlocked. This is not only within a school team, but between schools and between system and schools
• The importance of us committed to the core belief (#1) that every young person can be a successful learner
• We have in place a world-class learning framework, and it is “crucial that people stay the course.”

The staff of St Patrick’s have been working solidly this year with the parameters expressed in Clarity (research publication by Dr Lyn Sharratt). Our initial focus is on the development of effective Writing skills and the creation of Data Walls to track progress, Learning Intentions and Success Criteria to make learning visible and use of the Assessment Waterfall to illustrate what good learning looks like in all grades. The expo was a showcasing of our Clarity journey and strongly demonstrated the true value in student learning of this vital agenda.

Please see the parenting page section of this newsletter for tips to support your child’s writing development.

World Teacher’s Day

Last Friday our staff gathered together in prayer to recognise and celebrate World Teacher’s Day. The theme for World Teachers' Day 2022 is, “The transformation of education begins with teachers”.

This is a day to give thanks and recognise the work of people in our schools. I believe we are blessed at St Pat’s to have such a dedicated and committed team who go beyond to ensure our community and its most important members (the students) continue to flourish. We give thanks to our wonderful St Joseph's teachers, for the work they do each day to engage students in learning, grow their faith, and support their wellbeing in partnership with parents. Our teachers inspire hope and instill a love of learning whilst enhancing a caring relationship with all students in their care. It is true teachers are the greatest magicians as they take empty minds and fill them with wisdom and knowledge, and the power to think, reason and problem solve! Even as adults we all have fond memories of primary and secondary teachers who had a profound impact on our lives.

I hope all staff had a wonderful Friday and that our students and families will seize the opportunity this term to thank and recognise the staff for their commitment every day to the development of our students. Thanks too, to Lucy Sneesby-Tooth, Pastoral Care Worker, for providing small gifts for our staff to brighten their day.

CALENDAR EVENTS

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Friday 11th November is Remembrance Day, a day to honour all those who have served our country. In 1997, the then Governor-General Sir William Deane issued a proclamation formally declaring 11 November to be Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute's silence at 11 am on 11 November each year to remember those who died or suffered for Australia's cause in all wars and armed conflicts.

Representative school leaders will attend a community service with Mrs Wilkinson at Maitland Park to commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who currently serve or are affected by war.

P & F MEETING + AGM – 2/12 FRIDAY

9.15 am
School Hall following assembly/liturgy

CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY- 7/12

Students wear Xmas clothes and engage in craft activities on this day.

FINAL AWARDS PRESENTATION- 8/12

Our final assembly to present the End of Year Awards will be held on Thursday, December 8 at 9.30 am. All parents are welcome to gather for this ceremony to be held in the hall at St Joseph’s College Lochinvar.

Awards will be presented in each class in the following categories.

MJR Award for Citizenship

This student in your class is recognised for their social awareness and for the care and compassion that they show to others.

This award is presented to students in Kinder – Yr 6

Consistent effort across the curriculum

This award is presented to students in Kinder – Yr 6

Consistent Achievement Across the Curriculum

This student is recognised for their academic achievement across all areas of the curriculum. This student achieves high results in all subjects.

This award is presented to students in Kinder

Achievement in English

This student in your class is recognised for their academic achievement in English.

This award is presented to students in Yr 1 – Yr 6.

Achievement in Mathematics

This student in your class is recognised for their academic achievement in Mathematics.

This award is presented to students in Yr 1 – Yr 6.

Achievement in Religion

This student in your class is recognised for their academic achievement in Religion.

This award is presented to students in Yr 1 – Yr 6.

Most Improved

This student has made significant gains in their learning.

This award is presented to students in Kinder – Yr 6.

Additionally only 1 student in the school (K-6) will be the recipient of the Mary MacKillop Award for Excellence. For a student to be nominated for this award, they would consistently demonstrate commendable qualities of faith, respect, compassion, leadership etc.

YR 6 GRADUATION & THANKSGIVING LITURGY- 12/12

Our Thanksgiving Liturgy including Year 6 Graduation will be celebrated on Monday, December 12 commencing at 10.30am in the hall at St Joseph’s College Lochinvar. This will be our final whole school celebration for the year. The Year 6 graduation lunch (for students and staff ONLY) will follow this event and be held in our school hall. Year 6 children will engage in social activities with their peers, including the use of a photo booth and music. They will also enjoy a sit-down lunch provided by a catering company.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY NIGHT - 13/12 CANCELLED

Regrettably, due to the anticipated significant impact of building works on our playground space, we have cancelled this event. Instead, we will host a special family night in Term 1 or 2 2023, when the building work is expected to be complete, and we regain access to our playground to host large numbers of visitors.

STEP-UP DAY- 14/12

Students will move up to the next classroom with their allocated class group for 2023.

YEAR 6 FINAL RITE OF PASSAGE- 16/12

Parents and family members will receive further information closer to the date.

NB: this is the last day of school for all students.

ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT

SCHOOL COLOUR RUN

Lots of fun, laughter and bursts of colour filled the air at our whole school colour run last week! This wonderful event saw each class group tackle the colour explosion obstacle course.

Teachers, staff and parent organisers also got in on the fun and were stationed throughout the oval to douse students in coloured powders as they ran the course. The highest fund raisers from each grade were delighted to win the chance to cover Mrs Wilkinson in coloured paint powder.

The colour run – one of our main fundraising events for 2022 was a resounding success, made possible by the fabulous support and organisation of the P&F and parent volunteers. We salute you all!

CANTEEN NEWS

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

FEEDBACK, QUERIES, CONCERNS and COMPLAINTS

The staff of St Patrick’s Lochinvar staff always welcome feedback and ideas from the parent community. If you have any feedback, queries, concerns or complaints please do not hesitate to contact your child's class teacher in the first instance, Mr Nolan (particularly related to matters of behaviour and wellbeing), Mrs Wilkinson by contacting the school office, our school admin staff using the email address, or through the school P&F association. Our school follows the Complaints Handling Policy of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle.

RE NEWS

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION 2023

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

PARENTING PAGE

HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD WITH THEIR WRITING?

Students have been working hard in class to improve their writing skills and parents can play a very important role by engaging in your child's learning.

Below are some ideas you can use.

Encourage children to write, write, write!

Writing should be relevant and meaningful rather than writing for the sake of writing. Provide many opportunities such as:

• writing notes
• locate writing apps such as Book Creator.

The First Draft

When children write and freely express their ideas, this is called draft writing. Children need many opportunities to express their thoughts and ideas in writing without being concerned about the mechanics of writing such as spelling, punctuation and grammar.

In the draft stage, worrying about spelling, punctuation and grammar can hinder writing style, expression, and exploration of words that best communicate ideas. Overly focussing on errors in spelling or grammar at the draft stage often hinders the writer who learns to write less and take fewer risks. When your child shows you some writing in the draft stage, parents could respond to the ideas of the writing – for example, ask: Where did you get your idea? Are you writing a factual text (poem, recipe, chapter book etc)? What is going to happen next? Read me your lead sentence again because that really had me interested in your story. What is going to happen to your main character?

When should I assist my child with spelling, grammar and punctuation when they write?

If the draft writing is to be shared with a wider audience, and has been edited for meaning, the next stage is to proofread for spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes. Not all writing needs to be edited. We do not edit our shopping lists, diaries or reminder notes! Children need to be encouraged to write for enjoyment and play with words.

Give children opportunities to read their stories aloud (while you sit back and listen). Listen with a focus on the message they express. Comment on what they have done well, for example:

‘I enjoyed how you used interesting words such as X, Y, Z.’

‘The character you created seems so real. I can imagine how he looks.’

Leave comments about spelling, punctuation, and grammar to another time — they are important if and when it is to be shared with someone else to read.

When out and about, draw children’s attention to how writing is presented, for example, on brochures, billboards, books, and electronic media — these are models of writing for real purposes.

Create a community of writers at home.

• Provide a quiet place for writing with lots of writing material.
• Leave notes for each other, write poems for your children, and send messages in lunch containers.
• Play writing games, for example, one person writes the beginning, another the middle and the other the end of a family story.
• Write together.