8 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Another action packed week has flown past with students engaged in so many wonderful activities. Last week it was happy "Catholic Education Week". The focus on the week was on the ethos of Catholic schools as well as the great things that take place in our schools every day. The theme for this year’s celebration was Discovering New Horizons. Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. Thank you to all who helped us support this week.

Rodeo week has started and is so exciting. It will start off this week as our Isa Street Festival with our walking float. The students are so excited and such a great opportunity to be part of the Mount Isa community. Thursday is the day where we enjoy the company of the Rodeo Queens, Rodeo Clown, Chainsaw and Blondie. Thank you to all of the parents for letting their child/ren participate in the float. From all accounts, everyone is looking forward to what promises to be an exciting and enjoyable weekend to celebrate 60th year. Remember, no school on Friday!

The last two weeks I have been meeting with the Prep families for 2019. I have been impressed with the energy and creativity of the children and enjoy hearing the recommendations that new families receive from existing families at the school. Yes, St. Kieran’s is a Catholic school and this speaks for itself with inclusivity and focus on faith and values. We are also a school where children matter; where each child is celebrated for their particular gifts and talents. The school has high expectations of its children; academically, socially, and morally and this gives us an edge. For this we make no exception. This edge is is very evident and we regularly see our past pupils excelling as young leaders in the community. This is certainly something worth passing onto others. There are still places available so please pass on this information to parents who may be interested.

This week the cool weather is still with us and while the majority of our students are wearing their school jumpers, some are not – preferring to tough out the day without adequate warmth. While some children leave their jumpers in the classroom (for safe keeping I guess), others tell me that they don’t own a school jumper for one reason or another. As wearing an alternate jumper other than a school jumper is not an option, I encourage parents to contact the school office to organise for one to be fitted and the cost placed on to their school fees. Hopefully it will start warming up again soon.

God Bless
Claudine Dank

APRE Report

On Thursday the 8th of August we celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary Mackillop. From her humble beginnings in Melbourne to her life of devoted to educating the poor, she has been powerful role model to Catholic School teachers in Australia ever since. She was a tough and often stubborn woman who trusted God in her heart to follow her calling. From her first school in a stable in Penola she devoted her order of St Joseph’s nuns, to educating children from poor and remote areas. Like many of the school's in the west, St Kieran’s school has been strongly influenced by the order of St Joseph’s, We continue to live and work under St Mary’s motto of “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Here at St Kieran’s we pride ourselves on our sense of community. In our busy lives we are renowned for thinking and doing things for those who need help. It is something we do extremely well and I am very proud to be part of school community that works this way.

Mary MacKillop Prayer

Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our request
To continue to bless our St Kieran’s school community to help those in need
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Parish Information

Multicultural Festival - There is a meeting each Thursday at 4:30pm to prepare for the festival. All co-ordinators are really needed to come along. It is getting to the final stages of the planning now. Everyone is welcome to come along or to offer an apology so we know your interest.

Gold Bullion Tickets - are on SALE now. $100 per ticket for $10,000 Gold Bullion and Multidraw Prizes. Consider forming a syndicate with your friends or family to be in it! Only 200 tickets are being sold. See Debbie after mass, or Corena in the Parish office.

Holy Hour - Some parishioners have asked for a Holy Hour each week. One suggestions is for every Sunday at 3pm. If you have any suggestions please come to the Church today, Sunday 3pm, to discuss suggestions and practicalities of it all.

Curriculum

At the beginning of this year our school began working with independent education consultant, Greg Mitchell. Greg has worked throughout Australia, and in more recent times internationally, with schools, training authorities, government agencies and businesses. In week Two this term we organised for Greg Mitchell to visit our school to continue working with our teachers on differentiation and getting the best from our students.

Greg ran workshops with all of our students and modelled lessons and activities for teachers. As a whole school we have gained a great deal from this experience and are working towards building these expectations and values into our school culture:

Mutual Respect - the understanding that at school we are friendly to everyone and can work with all of our peers.

No Put Downs - This is broken into three categories:

1. Killer Put Downs - when we say mean or derogatory things to others.
2. Silent Put Downs - that habit that many children fall into of face pulling, eye rolling, groaning when asked to do something or work with someone.
3. Self Put Downs - when children say ‘I can’t do this’, ‘I’m not good at this’ and all of the negative self talk that can occur.

Active Listening - Giving the person you are speaking with, or listening to, your full attention.

Be Your Best Self - Always doing your best and not letting yourself down with your behaviour and effort.

Get Help - It is important for children to understand that they don’t need to know everything or be able to do anything and that it is ok to say ‘I don’t know’ and that they can ask for help.

All of these values will continue to be reinforced in all of our classrooms as we continue to work towards a positive, high expectation culture in our school.

Greg Showing our Yr 5/6 students what can be achieved when they work as a team.

Writer’s Profile

Author: Kaitlin Laffin

Title of her piece: Show Is A Success

When Kaitlin isn’t writing she enjoys: playing with friends, dancing and playing fortnight.

When Kaitlin grows up she would like to be a teacher.

She likes to write about the first thing that comes to mind.

P.E with Mr Hardy

Soccer Gala Day Dates – Tuesday 21st August & Thursday 23rd August.

Prep Enrolment

Families seeking enrolment of their child into Prep for 2019 or 2020 are invited to complete an Application for Enrolment from the school office. As we are anticipating that there will continue to be strong demand for placements within our Prep group for 2019, it is important that applications are received by the school as soon as possible.

Please note that if you have a sibling of a current St Kieran’s student you will also need to complete an enrolment application for your child for Prep 2019.

St Kieran's Catholic School works in partnership with St Joseph’s Catholic School and Good Shepherd Parish to coordinate the Prep enrolment process so that the best opportunity is afforded to all.

Get to know our staff – Miss Richardson

How long have you been at St Kieran’s Catholic School and what year do you teach? –

2 and a half years. Year 1!

What do you love the most about teaching?

I love getting to know the students and how they learn and all the funny, random things they say.

Who inspires you?

My parents because they are kind hearted and hardworking.

If you could be any animal what would you be?

A dog because my dogs live the best life.

Tell us a little about your family –

I am a crazy dog lady.

If your child is sick

School Board Position

On the 13th August is the School Board AGM. It is with great sadness that Leonie Winks has completed a full term on the School Board and has decided to step down. I would like to acknowledge all of the great work that she has committed to the School Board for the last 3 years.

On that note, the School Board is seeking letters of interest from parents who wish to be considered for a seat on the Board. All of the letters of interest will be shown to the rest of the Board members and a decision will be made. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

The School Board is a wonderful opportunity for all attendees to tap into other aspects of the school. They are a great source of a sounding board for the principal and always guide her in the decisions that need to made. Along with that there is formation, sometime school policy writing and professional development. This is foundational to their role as members of a school board.

P&F Dates

We would love for all new and old families to attend the school P&F meetings. Times starts at 5:30pm in the school staffroom.

Below are the dates;
September - 3rd
October - 8th
November - 5th

Buy, Swap, Sell St Kieran’s

Gas Lift Chairs - $10each excellent condition

Kitchen Sink - $40

Scale Playground equipment - $300 and comes with instructions

If you have something that you would like to Buy, Swap or Sell please let us know and we are happy to place it in the newsletter.

Tuckshop Meal Deal – Term 3

9th August

First Break – Fish & Chips
Second Break – Muffin & Zooper Dooper

16th August

First Break – Cheese Burger + Popper
Second Break – Brownie + Zooper Dooper

23rd August

First Break – Hot dog + Popper
Second Break – Popcorn + Zooper Dooper

30th August

First Break – Butter Chicken + Rice + Zooper Dooper
Second Break – Muffin + Zooper Dooper

6th September

First Break – Asian Noodles + Popper
Second Break – Brownie & Zooper Dooper

13th September

First Break – Tacos + Popper
Second Break – Popcorn + Zooper Dooper

20th September

First Break – Fish & Chips + Popper
Second Break – Muffin + Zooper Dooper

NEWSLETTER SPONSORSHIP

We are pleased and excited to inform you that we’ll be producing a new eNewsletter with Schoolzine. The move to this new format will enable us to communicate with the school community across multiple channels. It will promote and enhance our engagement with parents, students and the wider community.

We believe you’ll find the eNewsletter highly engaging, as it will provide us with a more efficient and effective means of connecting with you. The new format will allow the inclusion of video, photo galleries, online bookings, mobile app, feedback forms, calendars and so much more.

The newsletter also has a sponsorship section which provides a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with our parent community. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact Schoolzine.

1300 795 503