5 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

IMPORTANT DATES

Principals Report

Dear Parents and Carers

It's hard to believe that we only have 2.5 weeks of the term remaining. It has been another fantastic term with so much still to happen. Year 4 camp to Winton, Parent/ Teacher interviews and our STEM days.

Thank you to Mrs Anderson who helped organise book week, the colouring in competition, photo booth and dress ups. I was amazed by all of the fantastic costumes. We are indeed fortunate to have such a positive reading culture here at St. Kieran’s. Reading is certainly the foundation of all our subject areas and it is very pleasing to see reading as a priority in our school.

Another thank you, is to all of the parents that helped out with the Father’s Day stall and the Father’s Day breakfast BBQ. Once I was able too I loved seeing all of the photos of dads and grandads having breakfast and enjoying that time with their child. It makes me proud to think that something so simple can mean so much to others. I do hope that all of the dads got spoilt over the weekend.

In other good news this week, Naplan results were published yesterday. While Naplan is currently receiving heavy criticism in the media, it nevertheless remains part of life for schools across our country. As a point in time test for students, it provides some information for schools to consider when planning to assist student learning. It is a small part of a much larger picture, in providing students with opportunities to engage in and develop their learning. More importantly, the data has shown significant educational growth in our Year 5 group from their last Naplan results in Year 3. What is most pleasing is that these results point to the positive work that is taking place in our classrooms on a daily basis. Our classes do not spend countless hours preparing for this test so as to ensure a single impressive result. Our teachers use what they know about their students to target their learning and to develop their skills.

Finally this week, I just wanted to thank all our families for your patience and vigilance in our drop off and pick up areas. I know there has been increased traffic and will be for some time to come. If you are not in a hurry come along around 2.55pm for your child. That way you can pick him / her up straight away and no need to wait.

Take Care, God Bless
Claudine Dank

APRE

Sunday Ordinary Time 23

THE WORD

Jesus said, “Before building a tower, the wise man sits down and works out the cost to ensure he has enough to complete it. Otherwise, if he begins and cannot finish, onlookers will make fun of him. In the sam way, no one can be my disciple unless he gives everything he has to following me.” Luke 14:25-33

The price of discipleship is weighty. Following Jesus is not a part time occupation; it is not a hobby just for Sundays. Jesus want out total commitment! How can you build up your commitment to discipleship? Can we do this at St Kieran’s by living everyday life within our school community with Jesus at the centre? What does Jesus at the centre mean????? These are the questions that we need to discuss as a whole school community.

This Sunday the 8th also celebrates the birth of Mary. Mary is depicted in many icons (pictorial representations) as the centre among the apostles, creating unity among diversity. Mary is the image of what the Church should be. A Marian view of the Church brings hope, unity, inclusion. Mary brought into the world God in the form of Jesus, therefore like Mary, we should bring God out to others through the word.

The above train of thought is a wonderful way to begin Multicultural celebrations. This Friday evening the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish will hold it annual Multicultural Festival. This year the theme is Ireland. We are all a part of the Parish and the St Kieran’s family will be looking after the Soft Drinks and Pick-a-stick stall. Thank you to those who have volunteered on behalf of the school. The evening begins at 6pm. See you all there!

Lord God, open our eyes to the wonder of your love and mercy.
May we serve you with our whole self.
Amen

The message from the Pope for September is on creation.

Prayers and Good Thoughts
Peta Laffin
APRE

Diocesan information

The Role of the Local Church

The Local Church (our whole Diocese) has an important role to play before, during and after an Ordination. Before the ordination, we pray for the candidate during each Sunday Mass. The ordination itself is held at a time and in a place that will allow as many members of the Local Church (lay faithful, consecrated religious, and ordained) as possible to be present. During the Rite, it is the Local Church that requests of the Bishop that the candidate be ordained and acclaims through song or applause the moment that the Bishop elects him for ordination. Through song, silent prayer, and responses, the Local Church is engaged with the whole sacramental rite of ordination. After the Ordination, for the rest of the priest’s life, the Local Church assists him to become more like Jesus through their prayers and encouragement.

St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship Trust

The St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship Trust offers scholarships to enable lay people to further their understanding and skills in leadership/ministry or a specialised activity, such as promoting faith enhancement, social justice and pastoral care.

More information and Applications Forms are available on our website

Closing Date 18 October 2019

Visiting Rome? Stay at Domus Australia.

Domus Australia is a Boutique Pilgrim Guesthouse established by the Archdiocese of Sydney, welcoming travellers to Rome seeking comfortable accommodation and an ideal base from which to explore historical and cultural sites of the Eternal City. Centrally located with a magnificently restored Chapel featuring daily Mass in English, Domus Australia is the perfect oasis in the heart of Rome for pilgrims. Enquiries: reservations@domusaustralia.org

HPE

In PE this week, we are concluding our touch football unit for the years 3-6 students and will be starting a mini-unit on softball. I am super impressed with the improvement the students have shown in touch football. I believe it is important to expose kids early to different sports so they have the confidence to play again at later stages in their sporting development. They have all grasped the very basics of the game that many of them have never played before. Prep - 2 have been playing striking and fielding games and learning/developing their throwing, catching, fielding skills.

Gala day information for Term 4 - at this stage the gala day has been set for Week 3 - Friday 25th October. Sports are softball and volleyball. Permission forms were sent out on Friday - the office has copies available if your student did not receive one. I need all permission forms back by Friday 6th Sept (or email me and let me know your student is interested) so I can organise teams please.

Swimming and swimming carnival - Term 4 - Students will start their swimming lessons at the start of term 4. The swimming carnival is being held on Thursday 31st October, starting at 4pm and finishing at 7pm (times will be confirmed closer to the event).

Marnie Caldwell and Sienna Wilson have been playing softball at the State Softball Championships this past weekend - the girls have had an amazing experience and developed skills and friendships that will last many years to come. Congratulations on your achievements girls!

Year 1 Class Piece

Library

Raising readers: Thank you to the parents who are able to be a reading parent. It is the work you do at home that makes your kids readers.

Prep Vision Screening

Visit by Registered Nurse for Free Prep Vision Screening

Good vision is important for a child’s educational, physical and social development. Vision screening is therefore vital in early childhood, particularly for conditions such as ‘lazy eye’, which if not detected early can lead to blindness.

A Registered Nurse will be visiting the school in 2019 to commence vision screening for all Prep Year children. If you wish to have your child participate in this free vision screening program, please complete and sign the consent form sent home with your child and return this to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible. You will be advised in writing of the outcome of your child’s screening.

Please note that if your child has had a vision assessment in the past 12 months it is not necessary for him/her to participate in this screening program. If this is the case, please complete the consent form and indicate that you do not wish for your child to participate, and ensure that you follow the schedule of reviews recommended by your eye health professional.

Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program
Child and Youth Community Health Services
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service

WAHOO

PREP:

The Prep Wahoo students are learning about ‘Under the Sea’! We have looked at tides and how they work, the different zones under the sea and the creatures that live there and this week we looked specifically at the Octopus. Did you know the Octopus has three hearts?!

Year 1/2:

The Year 1/2 Wahoo students have enjoyed learning about the army and the history or war over the past few weeks. We have discussed the role of men and women in the war and how this has changed over time, the different ranks, an overview of the army, navy and airforce and remembrance days. We are lucky enough to be visiting the local Army Barracks next week to finish off our unit!

Year 3/4 :

The Year 3/4 Wahoo group have just finished their unit about Ancient Rome. They presented what they had learnt to their peers and teachers and demonstrated a wealth of knowledge in this area. Well done!

The Year 5/6 :

Students have just finished the Opti-MINDS challenge!! Congratulations to all of the students for the amazing amount of hard work they put into their projects over the last 6 weeks. Their presentations were amazingly creative and they all demonstrated teamwork skills and problem solving. Very well done to you all!!

Get to know our staff – Mrs Kellie Pigliafiori

Hi, My name is Kellie Pigliafiori and I have worked at St Kieran's Catholic School for almost 10 years. I first spent 4 years in the tuckshop and then I moved into the classroom full time, which is where I have been for almost 6 years, mostly in the Prep classroom. I enjoy working and watching children grow which is where I got my inspiration from to start studying a Bachelor of Education. I am currently in my 3rd year of University. I have 3 beautiful children 1 in Year 9 who attends Good Shepherd College and 2 who are in Year 4 and 6 here at St Kierans. In my spare time, my family and I love to go to our favourite camping spot, The Gregory and we enjoy going to the movies. My husbands family are all from the Torres Strait, which is one of our favourite holiday destinations.

Playgroup

This week we all made a lovely photo frame for our dads and shared some delicious hot chocolate.

P&F Dates

All meetings start at 5.30pm

Tuesday 17th September
Thursday 24th October
|Thursday 28th November

Tuckshop

St Kieran’s Buy, Swap, Sell

Dual Kitchen sink for sale

Large light covers

Community Notices

If any families are able to bake any goodies for the Cake Stall at the Multi-Cultural Festival it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Melissa Anderson for any further details.