30 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

St Kieran’s has been celebrating Reconciliation Week this week, with activities in the classroom and culminating in a prayer liturgy at assembly on Friday. Our Reconciliation Sacred Garden is starting to take shape. The garden is in full bloom, the grass is green and the students are enjoying the quiet time in the garden during play time. It represents our shared passion for reconciliation and our desire to strengthen our relationships with each other and with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. The Gospel reading read on Monday teaches us that true belief in faith brings about healing – through faith all things are possible, all hurts can be healed and all wrongs can be made right. St Kieran’s is a community of faith and our faith can help ring about healing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

As the saying goes, you don't know what you don't know, and this is true of schools as well. If there aren't opportunities for parents and carers to seek information or an open and honest relationship between home and school then this can be a hindrance to building community. Over the last few years, I feel the school, the P&F and Board have worked hard to promote both a welcoming and transparent culture, and encourage families to seek assistance or information directly. It is important to me that this culture is embedded in our community. In meetings with new and existing families, I encourage them to make contact with staff and myself should the need arise. I would reinforce this message with all our families. If you have a concern, question or need assistance of and from the school then please let us know.

I have noticed a number of students are bringing their own pieces of play equipment to school. Through various sporting initiatives over the past eighteen months, the blue steel box has ample play equipment available at lunchtimes for students to access making it unnecessary for students to bring their own equipment to school. Recently, playground disharmony has often stemmed from students being possessive or exclusive when using their own equipment. Please be aware that the school is not responsible for personal sporting equipment and cannot return lost property to students if their name is not on it. I will be encouraging children to leave their 'special' equipment at home and use the classroom equipment instead during lunch times.

A number of people have commented on the wonderful condition of the school grounds. This is particularly sweet when it comes from the general public as well as from parents. Well-kept grounds add to the pleasure of coming to school each day. Of course, our grounds are beautifully tended and maintained by our Groundsman – Ian Sharratt. We thank him for his dedication and success in making our school look special. In saying this if you know of anybody who may be able to help with the reworking of the irrigation system out the front of school, please contact the school.

God Bless
Claudine Dank

APRE Report

The Word - Be My Witnesses

Jesus and his disciples came together and as he spoke with them he was lifted up until a cloud covered him. Suddenly two men in white were standing near them. “Why are you looking into the sky,” they said, “Jesus has been taken to heaven.” Luke 24:46-53

Who? Me? Jesus calls every Christian to be his witness and to share his love with others. He does not only want those with special gifts or knowledge or training. He want us all.

Lord Jesus,
You call us to be your witnesses.
Amen

Prayer at St Kieran's

Prayer is an important part of our school life. Prayer is not only a time where we can come together as a community to celebrate our Catholic traditions but prayer is also an individual journey. At St Kieran’s we aim to nurture our students, staff and parents in their own personal prayer journey by providing a range of different prayer experiences.

The Prayerful person is one who is more or less present to the Presence on each moment, in all people, ain all events and things, everywhere.

For Practice - try this at home!

Our days are filled with many things we generally do with little or no reflection - making a cup of coffee, washing your face, ironing, turning on a light switch etc - this week, make a point of becoming present to yourself and you do these things. Slow down. Become aware rather than deliberate. Listen with the ear of the heart, be attuned to what is happening. You are actually a participant in something bigger than yourself. There is grace in each and every moment, each and every event.

Our Patron Saint

Did you know that the symbols associated with our school’s patron saint - St Kieran - include:

• Brother Badger
• Brother Fox
• Brother Deer
• The bell
• The Eagle

These appear in our picture which can be seen around the school. There is a wonderful story around these symbols and the picture book is available for perusal in the office prayer space.

Parish Info

Catholic Women’s League

Is organising another raffle to benefit our Parish. MANY PRIZES. Tickets are $1 each. Ask at the Parish Office.

Children Liturgy

Interested in helping at Children's Liturgy on Sundays at 9.00am Mass? All literature and support is provided. Please contact Lorna Fisher - 0402934489.

Welcome

To Fr. Siby Sebastian who is from Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament from India. Fr. Siby is here for a couple of months. Please make him feel welcome.

Catholic Social Service Australia

Is the peak body for our Church’s social services. They have an Enquiry now under way into Entrenched Social Disadvantage in our country. If you have any thoughts about it please see Fr. Mick as he is engaging with them this week.

Pentecost Sunday

With Confirmation and First Communion now completed we have the opportunity to celebrate with all our people at Pentecost. Watch next week’s Parish Bulletin of the details.

Diocesan info BISHOP

Safeguarding Website

The Diocesan Safeguarding webpage is now live www.tsv.catholic.org.au/safeguarding . This page has the latest policy and risk management strategy as well as helpful forms and links to website with information on how to keep our parishes safe for children and vulnerable adults. Your feedback or concern are directly submitted to the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator. If you provide your details, you will be contacted as soon as possible, and your information will be respected and managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and legislative requirements.

If you, or someone you know, has been abused, or you are concerned about conduct that may amount to a criminal offence, you should report the incident directly to the police.

For more information regarding the Safeguarding policy and risk management strategy, please contact Mr Craig Brereton on 4726 3264 or cbrereton@tsv.catholic.org.au

Curriculum

This year is the first year that we have completed the NAPLAN test in an online format. Everything ran smoothly and we experienced no technical issues. We are proud of how well the children handled the change in format and tried their very best in all of the tests. We also reminded our students that this is just one point in time test that is only a small part of all of the wonderful things we know about them and who they are as a learner.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Last Wednesday our whole school participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. On this day thousands of children around Australia all enjoyed the same story at the same time. This year the book was Alpacas With Maracas. The children worked with their buddy classes to create pictures, masks and art works based on the book. As a special treat the Year 5 class went across to Mary MacKillop Kindy to read and work with their Kindy buddies (who were beyond cute)!

Year 6 Design Technologies

This semester our Year 6 students created arcade games using recycled materials in Design Technologies. There was an impressive range of constructions including Whack A Mole, Mash A Potato, Balloon Pop, Basketball, Marble Runs and Skee-Ball. The children did an excellent job at presenting their games to the rest of the school today and we had had so much fun testing out their creations.

What’s Happening in Year 2 with Mrs Nel

In Year 2 this term, we have been working super hard our class have learnt and applied so many new concepts. Over the last two weeks we looked at telling time (o’clock, half past, quarter past and quarter to). In Year 2 we learnt about the properties of water and where it can be found. We explored continents and places around the world and made connections with them. Our amazing students took pride in their classroom by giving it a mini spring clean. The focus of our show and share this term has been pets. We have has the privilege of meeting so many pets from fish, dogs, turtles all the way to a horse. What an experience!

Prep Enrolment

Families seeking enrolment of their child into Prep for 2020 or 2021 are invited to complete an Application for Enrolment, available on our website, in the link below, or alternatively collect an application package from the School Office.

As we are anticipating that there will continue to be strong demand for placements for 2020, 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 2020. Students enrolled at St Joseph’s Kindergarten or St Mary Mackillop Early Learning Centre are also required to complete an application form.

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.

Physical Education with Mrs Lloyd

We have had another busy round of sports to report on over these last few weeks!

Firstly, congratulations to each and every student who represented St Kieran’s in the District Athletics Day. You are all to be commended on your effort and incredible persistence and behaviour. I am always so proud to be part of their team when we go away to Mount Isa sporting events as they are always such great sportspeople with wonderful attitudes!

Well done to Alli Thomson and Hayley Winks who made the Mount Isa team for athletics. These students have the opportunity to compete in Longreach at the North West Region trial so we wish them all the very best.

We have two students heading away for MISSA sports over the next few weeks - again, Alli is heading to Normanton this weekend to compete in the North West Region cross country competition and Sienna Wilson will be heading to Burdekin over the next few weeks to participate in the Capricorn Trials for softball. We wish both of these girls all the very best and we are so proud of you!

In the PE ‘classroom’ over the next few weeks, the P-2 students are playing chasing and fleeing games, looking at Indigenous games and working on their object control skills. The upper years are working on their soccer skills and developing their social and personal skills in sports. The years 5 + 6 students have to run a warm up session with the rest of the class and are looking at the components of fitness, while the years 3 + 4 students are looking at what makes them healthy.

Get to know our staff – Ms Spring Yr 5

My name is Miss Spring and this is my first year at St Kieran’s! I have the pleasure of being the Year 5 teacher. Before moving to Mount Isa, I was the Year One teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic School, Cloncurry. I was born in Charters Towers and lived most of my life on the Atherton Tablelands. I moved to Townsville after high school to complete my Bachelor of Education at James Cook University. My favourite things are drinking coffee, eating chocolate and walking my puppy, Maverick!

School Event

Coming soon - District netball trials

P&F Dates

All meetings start at 5.30pm

Thursday 30th May - AGM -
Monday 24th June
Thursday 25th July
Thursday 29th August
Tuesday 17th September
Thursday 24th October
Thursday 28th November

Tuckshop

All meal deals are $9.00

6th June – Cheese Burger + Popper First Break, Brownie + Zooper Dooper Second Break
13th June – Lasagne + Popper First Break, Popcorn & Zooper Dooper Second Break
20th June – Burritos + Popper First Break, Muffin + Zooper Dooper Second Break
27th June – Tacos + Popper First Break + Zooper Dooper and Brownie Second Break.

Game 1 & 2 State of Origin Cupcakes $1.00

Wednesday 5th June
Wednesday 19th June

St Kieran’s Buy, Swap, Sell

Dual Kitchen sink for sale
Large light covers
Teacher Desk, great condition $50

Community Notices

Kids Creative Party: Mums and Dads come and support Mrs P by registering your child for the upcoming Kids Creative Party at the Outback School of the Arts! The event is on Saturday June 1st and it is $35 per child. You must register them online by following this link

Would you love to win $2500 CASH. Show your support and purchase a ticket for your chance to win this amazing prize money! Tickets are only $25 and there are only 200 tickets being sold. Tickets are available at the office if you would like to purchase a ticket! Thank you for supporting 2019 Isa Rodeo Queen Quest Entrant Kellie Pigliafiori

MINEX ROCKS CONCERT- SATURDAY 1ST OF JUNE STARTING AT 5PM. Mrs P will be there selling Hamburgers and drinks!!! There is an amazing lineup of artists, fireworks and Entry is FREE for all!

Little K’s Playgroup

Little K’s Playgroup is free and all are welcome. Mondays 8:30am to 10:00am.