25 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Welcome families to this week's newsletter. Over the last month it has been very upsetting with what has been happening to our farmers and our local communities and the images that I have seen are just totally unthinkable and breaks my heart. At this stage we are waiting for the Mount Isa Council to let the school know in how can we help to support our local farmers as it is important that we can support them. We also raised around $600 for St Margaret Mary’s in Townsville. Thank you to all of the parents that helped raise this money.

Last Wednesday I took our 2019 Leadership Team to the Council Chambers to see Br Lou Walker receive his award being the Senior Citizen of Australia for 2019. We are very proud of Brother and we are also very grateful to have him within our school community.

This week and next week both St Kieran’s P&F Committee and School Board will meet for the first time this year. I am hoping for a large turnout at both meetings and for some new faces at the P&F meeting. Whilst each group is formed under separate and different constitutions, parents and friends of the school community are invited to attend any of the P&F meetings as well as the Board AGM this year. On that note, the School Board is seeking letters of interest from parents who wish to be considered for a seat on the Board. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

Take Care and enjoy your family

Claudine Dank

APRE Report

Beginning of Year Mass

This year our mass will be held on Tuesday the 5th of March which is the Feast of St Kieran (out patron saint). This is the perfect opportunity to welcome in our new school year, induct our 2019 leaders and celebrate our special school family. Parents are to drop students off at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church no later than 8.20am. Students will return to school via bus. If your child will not be returning to school via the bus please email your child’s teacher to let them know. It would be wonderful to see many parents and friends join us for this event as we are all members of the St Kieran’s family.

Ash Wednesday - LENT

The season of Lent is almost up us. Please join our St Kieran’s community for our Ash Wednesday service lead by Father Mick on the 6th of March at 8.30am. Through the season of Lent there is a strong focus on the Social Justice Teaching of the Catholic Church by Caritas. This Friday …….

Sacraments: Our Life in the Church

Relationships grow through communication. Communication is more than just words. We also communicate with gestures. In our relationship with God, we too can connect with him through words and through gestures. But how does God communicate with us? There are scriptures that are God’s words and there are the sacraments that are gestures of God’s love. The Sacraments of the Church are visible signs that God’s presence is real and is among us. Each of the seven sacraments of the Church emphasizes a different dimension of our relationship with our loving God.

The Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – highlight our relationship with each person of the Trinity. In Baptism, we become a child of God the Father, as we are reborn spiritually. In Confirmation, we recommit our baptismal vows (made on behalf by our parents and godparents) and we receive the permanent gift of the Holy Spirit. At our first Communion, we unite with Jesus. When we take the host (body) and drink the wine (blood), we become one flesh with him. That is why it is called ‘communion’; we become one body and one spirit with Jesus.

A Sacramental Preparation Program will be offered this year through the Good Shepherd Parish. If you and your child are interested in being a part of this journey please register your interest with me via my email plaffin@skmtsv.catholic.edu.au. Please pick up an  application package from the office.  This package will also include dates of a parent information session.

Parish Information

Census & Ministry Sundays

Please sign up today to help out with the ministries in our Parish. Forms are at the entrance to the Church. Many gifts make a great Parish to praise God.

Lenten Groups

Begins on ASH WEDNESDAY, March 6th and concludes on Good Friday, April 19. The Lent program TRUST is for small groups and will be offered this year. Please consider and let the Parish Office know. Also indicate if you would like to lead a group.

Children’s Liturgy

Interested in helping at Children’s Liturgy on Sundays at 9 am Mass? All literature and support is provided. Please contact Lorna - 0402934489

Religious Education in State Schools

Volunteers are urgently needed to teach the love and forgiveness of God to primary school age children at local State Schools. Lessons are ½ hour, once a week. Literature, training and support are provided. Please contact Lorna - 0402934489.

Bishop Tim

Diaconate Ordination of Emene Kelemete

Bishop Tim Harris will Ordain Emene Kelemete to the Diaconate on Friday 22 February at Holy Trinity Church, Mundingburra commencing at 7pm. All are invited to attend this important milestone for Emene and the Diocese.

NQ Flood Appeal

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland has launched the Vinnies North Queensland Flood Appeal, to help victims of the devastating disaster affecting Townsville and North West Queensland.

With thousands of Queenslanders impacted by once in a century flooding, Vinnies State President Dennis Innes declared the appeal, with financial donations the best way for people to provide immediate help.

To donate phone 13 18 12 or head online to vinnies.org.au/donate and choose Queensland.

North Queensland needs help now, please donate if you can.

If you require a donation envelope please contact Vinnies on 13 18 12.

Diocesan CWL Education Award

Attention all year 12 students – Nominations are currently being called for the annual Diocesan CWL Education Award. The winner of the Award will be a 2018 Year 12 student who has been accepted into a Tertiary Education Facility for 2019 and who has not received another Award. Application Forms will be available from your Branch of CWL or phone Lee Ann 4783 3060 or Anne Maria 4782 6836.

The applicant must have attended any High School throughout the Townsville Diocese region during 2018. His/Her mother or grandmother must be a financial member of CWL in Townsville Diocese. The Award for this year’s student will be $1000.

Applications close 25th February, 2019

Curriculum

This year we are excited to be working with Good Shepherd and St Joseph’s on the ‘Arrow’ program. A number of our Year 6 students will attend literacy and numeracy lessons at Good Shepherd Catholic College every Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30. This opportunity allows them to be taught by highly experienced specialist teachers with curriculum content matched to the Year 7 Australian Curriculum. We would like to thank Mrs Nicole Graham and Mr Peter Scott for providing such a wonderful opportunity for our students.

STEM Club has had a flying start this term with all sessions well attended. Students participated in a number of Engineering challenges including Jelly Bean Building and Paper Plate Marble Maze. They also practiced directional programming and coding using BeeBots and Ozobots. It has been great to see students from across Years One to Six working cooperatively and supporting each other.

We are now in our second week of Reading Club. Students who have attended have enjoyed stories being read to them by teachers, shared books with friends or enjoyed relaxing in the quiet with a book of their choice. If you would like your child to attend Reading Club please email your child’s teacher or call into the office to fill out a permission form.

Physical Education with Mrs Lloyd

Our school sports gala day for Term 1 has been set for Friday Week 9. Sports this term are hockey and cricket. Students turning 10, 11 or 12 this year will be asked during PE lessons if they are interested in playing either of these sports. Priority will be given to Year 6 students.

Hockey: Hope Phillips from Mount Isa Hockey has kindly donated her time to coach the students interested in hockey. Coaching days are on Wednesday afternoons from 2:45-3:30pm. Mouth guards and shin pads are required for all training and game days.

Cricket: Coaching days and times for students interested in cricket will be advised at a later date.

You Can Do It

Get to know our staff –

Mrs Lloyd:

Hi all - I am from North Queensland and have lived in Mount Isa for the last 10 years. I have 3 very wonderful, energetic sons of my own. I am a keen enthusiast of most team sports and love individual running training. In my spare time, I run, ride horses, participate in some sprint triathlons and play touch football.

I would love to encourage and build a sense of sportsmanship in PE classes as I am passionate about every child loving sport. We will build doing this through modified games that build skill levels while ensuring maximum participation on the field.

Welcome to Prep

Little K’s

Little K’s have been having very successful mornings with St Kieran’s parents and outer community parents coming to visit the school. It is still in early stages, but the parents and children are having a wonderful time. Next week is sand and water play. Lots of fun to have. It is also a time for parents to chill and enjoy some time with other parents.

Next week on Monday morning between 8:30 - 10 am.

School Events

5th March - Beginning Year Mass. On St Kieran’s Feast Day
6th March - Ash Wednesday. You are welcome to attend the liturgy at school.
15th March - School Photos
25th - 27th March - Parent - Teacher Interviews
27th March - Yrs 3-6 students walking cross country course during PE lessons
29th March - Gala Day - Hockey and cricket
3rd April - Cross Country
2nd / 3rd May - Athletics Carnival (Week 2 Term 2)

P&F Dates

We would love for all new and old families to attend the school P&F meetings. Times starts at 6:00pm in the school staffroom.

P&F AGM meeting date 28th Feb @ 6pm.

Tuckshop

All meal deals are $9.00

21st Feb First Break – Asian Noodles + Popper, Second Break – Popcorn & Zooper Dooper

28th Feb First Break – Nachos + Popper, Second Break – Brownie + Zooper Dooper

7th March First Break – Cheeseburger + Popper, Second Break – Cupcake + Zooper Dooper

Tuckshop Open Monday and Tuesday only this week 11th & 12th March

21st March First Break – Hotdog + Popper, Second Break – Cupcake + Zooper Dooper

28th March First Break – Tacos + Popper, Second Break – Brownie + Zooper Dooper

4th April First Break – Lasagne + Popper, Second Break – Popcorn + Zooper Dooper

11th April First Break – Shephherds Pie + Popper, Second Break – Brownie + Zooper Dooper

Community Notices

Good luck to all students participating in the All-Schools Triathlon this weekend! We are super impressed with the turnout.

Please arrive at Splashez Pool at 3:30pm to commence registration. (It was previously 4pm but is now open at 3:30pm so please arrive on time).

Mrs Lloyd will be at school this Friday at 8am for students to practice running if they wish!