21 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Dear Parents,

I returned from the Principals Conference in Townsville last week to a School Board Meeting on Monday night. I am greatly encouraged by the parents of St Kieran’s who commit themselves and their time to various committees, boards and projects that in one way or another, benefit the school and the students who attend the school. The Board is presently working on revising school policies around fee payment, school attendance, anti - bullying and cyber safety. I have spoken to the Board in regards to upgrading our school uniform and trying to make the beginning of the school book packs for parents cheaper. If you are interested in regards to the uniform I will be speaking to the P&F at their next meeting on the 28th March 2019.

As part of my Lenten journey, I begin by taking part in a Lenten reflection. The reflection looked at the Gospel of Luke detailing the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness. During this time, he was tempted by evil to put God to the test, but he resisted. In reflecting on this story, one of the questions that is asked was, what are some of the challenges/ temptations imposed on us by society/others today? Which of these leads us away from being who we are meant to be?

Catholic schools face challenging times. The Royal Commission and other more recent events have highlighted significant issues that must be addressed. There is a significant decline in people and students that regularly attend Mass services, and in a world where we are spoiled for choice, there is no doubt that if we don’t like something then it is very easy to find something out there to cater to exactly what we want. These are all challenges for our Catholic schools, and it would be easy in some instances to give in to pressures and for the core beliefs of our faith to take a back seat to popular opinion. The core message of Jesus, the gospel values of love, compassion, justice, community, hope, reconciliation, inclusion and promoting life in abundance, are why we are who we are at St. Kieran’s. It isn’t just in Religious Education lessons that students come to understand and appreciate gospel values. It is in the way we as a community choose to live out these values in our everyday interactions with students and each other. It was in relationship with others that Jesus was best able to demonstrate these values and we, as a Catholic community, are called to do the same. I am once again reaffirmed by the wonderful commitment of our staff to The St. Kieran’s Catholic school community.

Can I please remind all families that Term 1 school fees are due for payment this week. Thank you to those families who have already paid their fees. If for whatever reason you are unable to make a payment, please make an appointment to see me to discuss alternative repayment arrangements. Many families are seeing the benefit of Direct Debits as they are an easy way of paying your school fees and school camp costs. Direct Debit deduction dates are aligned as close as possible to Mines pay days (i.e. 15th and end of the month) and we arrange with your bank to debit your account a specific amount each fortnight. Based on twenty-three payments per calendar year, this works out to be a little more than $60 a week for one child and $85 a week for two children to attend St Kieran’s. I ask parents to please consider Direct Debit as a form of payment. Call Lauren in the office if you would like to have this organised for you.

I would like to say thankyou to all of the parents that have donated towards the basket stall for our Mother’s Day Fete. I am sure we will make at least 50 baskets which is a great effort from us.

I am away for the rest of this week due to a family reunion. My family have not seen or been together as a whole for over 20 years. My children have never meet many of their 2nd or 3rd cousins. As for myself we all lost touch and went our separate ways after my grandmother passed away. My father is the one who wanted to bring his brothers and sister back together. It is interesting to see how parents think once they reach a certain age. I am a excited and scared at the same time, but as my children keep telling me mum you need to be brave.

See you all within the next two weeks

Claudine Dank

APRE Report

The Word - 3rd Sunday of LENT

Moses was tending his sheep when an angel came to him as fire coming from the middle of a bush. Though the bush was blazing, it did not burn up. As Moses can nearer, the Lord told him to remove his shoes for he was on holy ground. The Lord said, “I have seen the suffering of my people and I will free them from slavery”. Exodus 3:1-15

For many people, following God just seems like too much effort. Don’t let laziness keep you from responding to God’s call: Do that job you’ve been avoiding. Offer it for God’s glory. Instead of ‘clothing’ in front of the TV, do a kind deed for someone. Get up early and go for a walk. Marvel at God’s creation and give God thanks.

God of Moses, you call us to follow you with our whole hearts.

Give us energy and passion for your will.

Amen

HARMONY WEEK CELEBRATIONS

This Friday we take the time as a whole school community to celebrate Harmony Day. This year the theme for Harmony Day is “Different Yet the Same”. Harmony means when things are balanced, people are in agreement with each other, when things run smoothly. It also means getting on together, about looking after each other, about treating others as we would like to be treated. The readings for the prayer tell us what we need to do that will help us. Students have been involved in activities around this the theme in their classrooms. Please join us for Assembly on Friday as Year 5 lead us in this celebration.

Sacramental Retreats 2019

The Parish Sacramental Program retreats begin in Week 9. Please make sure you attend your nominated session only so we are able to track candidates. The following sessions are: Monday the 25th of March at St Kieran’s (3.15pm - 4.15pm), Tuesday the 26th March (3.15pm -4.15pm) and Thursday the 28th of March (5.15pm - 6.15pm). You will receive a package containing all materials required for the retreats.

Parish Info

Youth Group for Yr 6

6th Grade ROCKS - Youth Group at Good Shepherd Parish, Friday 22nd March between 5 - 7:30pm, CIA room at the Good Shepherd Parish. Call James for more details - 0427 192 273

Donations

If you have any food, or not needed blankets please donate to the Parish. They are in the need for warm item for winter.

Curriculum

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Next week (Monday 25 March - Wednesday 27 March) our teachers are holding Parent/Teacher Interviews for students and families from Prep to Year 5. As Miss Pereira is away next week for her graduation the Year 6 interviews will be held during Week 10 (Monday 1 April - Wednesday 3 April). These interviews are a valuable opportunity for you to come and discuss how your child is settling in to the new year and how they are progressing academically.

Notes were sent home last week, if you have not yet booked an interview time with your child’s class teacher please contact them as soon as possible to set up a time.

NAPLAN Practice Test

This year our Years Three and Five students will completing the NAPLAN test online with the exception of the Year Three Writing test which will completed on paper. Next Wednesday 27 March our students will take part in a NAPLAN Practice Test. This will be presented online in the form of an Omnibus test. The Omnibus test will contain a combination of numeracy, reading and language conventions questions and will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

This practice test gives the students an opportunity to become familiar with the type of questions contained in NAPLAN and how to answer them in an online format. It also allows teachers an opportunity to become familiar with how to administer the test. If you wish your child to be withdrawn from NAPLAN in 2019 please contact your child's teacher.

Wahoo

This term has been very exciting in Wahoo Thinking so far!

The Year 1/2 Group have been learning about science and chemical reactions. This week we added food colouring and dishwashing liquid to milk to watch the fat proteins in the milk react with the dishwashing liquid causing the milk and colours to ‘dance around on the plate’.

We have also made volcanic eruptions, dissolved egg shells leaving only the inner membrane in tact (which bounced!) and made lava lamps!

The Year 3/4 Group have been learning about Ancient Egypt (including Pyramids, hieroglyphics, mummification and Ancient Egyptians way of life) and are currently preparing a presentation to deliver to parents and classmates at the end of the term.

The Year 5/6 Group decided to learn about survival skills. This has been an interesting topic where we have discussed different survival situations, learnt some basic survival techniques and next week will be learning how to purify water and apply basic First Aid and CPR.

Indigenous Education

SKIFS Welcome Back to School BBQ

Next Wednesday the 27th of March we will be hosting our SKIFS Welcome back to school BBQ in the undercover eating area beginning at 6pm. This is a great opportunity for our Indigenous families to get to know each other and have a yarn. The children will also be sharing their personal learning goals with their families on the night. Please let your class teacher or the office know if your family is attending by this Friday for catering purposes.

Physical Education with Mrs Lloyd

It is getting to the busy end of the term for sports now which is super exciting.

In HPE, the year 3-6 classes have finished their dance assessments (which look awesome!) and will be starting athletics and cross-country during PE this week.

Extra cross-country training is on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8am (all welcome). Don’t forget our cross-country carnival is on Wednesday morning 3rd April - everyone is welcome to come and cheer on our students.

Interschool and District Sports: There are 2 main streams of sport that we participate in throughout the year (outside our school gates). Gala Days (interschool sport) and District Sports. Both of these are only open to students who turn 9,10,11,12 or 13 this year.

Gala Days are fun, exciting and relaxed days where the focus is on getting kids involved in sport and having fun. They are held on one day each term in a round robin style competition with other Mount Isa schools. There are 2 sports on offer each term (students can only choose one). Next term, the sports are netball and rugby league (this is the only sport where students have to be 11 or 12 this year to participate).

District Sport is run by MISSA (Mount Isa School Sports Association). These events are organised, competitive sports. MISSA hold sports trials to select students who excel at that particular sport to represent Mount Isa District at higher levels of competition. Students who wish to attend trials on the hope of making into the Mount Isa team should have experience and skills in the sport and be aware of all rules. They need to be able and committed to attend the Regional trials (held in different locations for each sport). MISSA touch football notes went home yesterday to students who showed an interest in trialling for the Mount Isa District team. It would be great to have all notes back by tomorrow afternoon please.

Netball trials are coming up soon.

Get to know our staff – Mrs Laffin

In 2019 I celebrate my twentieth year of service to Catholic Education. Over that time I have had the privilege to teach many wonderful children. The most exciting moment is when a student has what is often referred to as that ‘light bulb moment’. Daryl and I moved to Mount Isa from Toowoomba at the end of Term 1 2013. This is now my sixth year as part of the St Kieran’s family and fourth year in the role of APRE (along with many other hats). Our three children, Kaitlin (11), Kyle (7) and David (9) also attend St Kieran’s.

Welcome to Year 6

This term in science year 6 have been looking at microorganisms and how they work in our world; most specifically at our food. In week 5 we made bread and looked at how yeast worked in the bread making process. In week 7 we set up our mould experiment, we have bread in snap lock bags in draws, on benches, in containers and on the bag racks. We’re looking at the different effects that environments have on the way that microorganisms survive.

School Event

P&F Dates

Update from the P&F

Our next P&F meeting is scheduled for Thursday 28th March 6-7:30pm in the Parent Engagement Room where you can also bring your children along. Currently all of the positions (president, vice president, secretary and treasure) are vacant and we would welcome any nominations to these important position. Please join us and let Lauren know if you are interested in a position.

Tuckshop

All meal deals are $9.00

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

Come along and support Mrs P by bringing the whole family to her Family Movie Night on Saturday 30th of March. It is free entry for all. Food, drinks, popcorn and snow cones will be available to purchase on the night. Gates open on 6.30pm with the movie starting 7.30pm.

Come and bring Mum/Grandma/Nanna along to Kellie’s Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday 12th, 9am-11am $50 per adult $25 per child. Contact Kellie to book your tickets.