12 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday 23rd - 27th November - Book Fair, Mother’s Xmas Gifts & Plants
Wednesday 25th November - Gymnastics Excursion
Thursday 26th November - End of Year Mass
Monday 30th November - Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 1st December – Mini Fete and Talent Show
Wednesday 2nd December - Year 1 Nativity Play
Wednesday 2nd December - Wet Wednesday
Wednesday 2nd December - Christmas Concert at 6pm
Friday 4th December - Last day of school finish at 12pm
Wednesday 27th January - First Day of School for 2021

PRAYER / SPECIAL MESSAGE

The Francis Factor (Reflecting on the Words & Wisdom of Pope Francis) The Last Smartphone Some will say: Joy is born from possessions, so they go in quest of the latest model of the smartphone, the fastest scooter, the showy car… but I tell you, it truly grieves me to see a priest or a sister with the latest model of a car: but this can’t be! You think: “So, do we now have to go by bicycle, Father? Bicycles are good! Monsignor Alfred rides a bicycle. He goes by bike. I think that cars are necessary because there is so much work to be done, and also in order to get about … but choose a more humble car! Andif you like the beautiful one, only think of all the children who are dying of hunger. (Address, to Seminarians and Novices, 6 July 2013)

Reflection Scripture says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12: 34). What is your ultimate treasure, and where is your heart right now?

PRINCIPALS REPORT

This fortnight newsletter I am able to confirm details of some special events coming up in the following weeks. Obviously, we are governed by Covid restrictions that are still in place but I have tried my hardest to ensure some representation of parents can go ahead.

End of Year Mass will still be going ahead but with only year 5 and 6. On the 26th November. On the 2nd December there will be the Year 1 Nativity and afterwards there will be a prayer service to hand out our Christian Leadership Awards and others.

Year 6 Graduation will be held on Monday November 30 commencing at 6pm at Good Shepherd Catholic School. Year 6 parents if you are unsure of all the details happening can you please let the school know.

Christmas Carols will be held on Wednesday December 2nd starting at 6pm and finishing around 8pm. These will be held outside in the undercover area at the Brother Walker Shed. Garden Club will be having a BBQ to raise money for next year. A note will be going home soon for pre orders.

Just a reminder that we finish school for 2020 at 12pm on Friday December 4. Please have arrangements made for the pick up of your children to avoid calls to work and home. Thanks again for your understanding.

Staff for next year so far is as follows,

Prep - Miss Tahnee McCahon
Year 1 - Miss Lucy Pether
Year 2 - Miss Tarni Periera
Year 3 - Miss Kate Andrews
Year 4 - Miss Taylor Andrews
Year 5 - Miss Shay Stark
Year 6 - TBA

Mrs Mel Siemer, Miss Kristen Merli, Mrs Carla Lloyd, Mrs Karissa Smith, Ms Kris Walls and Mrs Peta Laffin will be helping me in other areas of the school.

This is also the time of the year when we will need to say goodbye to some staff members. These are Mrs Telana Nel, Mrs Melissa Anderson and Mrs Annette Ah Wing. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will be able to update you more on the school staffing.

With the weather becoming quite warm, please ensure your children have plenty of water and a hat at all times.

God Bless
Claudine Dank

RELIGIOUS LIFE OF OUR SCHOOL

Wednesday November 11th marked the end of World War 1 over a hundred years ago. Although it was a long time ago, today is an opportunity to remember all those who have died in wars and conflicts since then. We pray that we value the freedoms that we enjoy today and commit ourselves to creating peace in our world by recognising that peace begins in our own families, classrooms, schools and communities, and it begins with us. Each one of us can make a peaceful world.

God of Peace, Your Son taught us that dying leads us into new life. On this day, we remember especially all the courageous men and women who willingly sacrificed their lives in wartime so that our lives today would be full and free. Their bravery brought us liberation and peace. Set free the ones who suffer oppression in war-torn nations throughout the world today. We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus whose death brought life to the world.

Amen.

Mini Vinnies Social Justice Evening 2020 – Week 7

This term, St Kieran's students from years 2 - 6 have the opportunity to participate in a Mini Vinnies Social Justice Evening. The Mini Vinnies Social Justice Evening will help raise awareness about what it means to be homeless and the types of homelessness experienced by both adults, young people and children. Students will be engaged in a range of activities to help give them a sense of what it is like to be homeless and an understanding of how life circumstances can change. The evening also discusses with the students how we can help in regards to fundraising, volunteering and being an advocate for those in need.

Every year St Vincent De Paul donates baskets of essential items to those in need throughout Mount Isa and surrounding districts. This year St Kieran’s students are asked to help with this and collect as many items as they can to go into these packages. Putting together the packages will formulate the Social Justice Action part of the evening. All St Kieran's students can contribute and be involved in preparation for this evening.

Each class is asked to begin to collect the following essentials (non-perishable) items over the next few weeks. These include: soaps/ body wash, face washers/ hand towels, shampoo & conditioner, deodorants, tin foods, disposable wipes.

PARISH INFOMATION

CIA - Catholic Youth Group meets once a month on a Sunday. If you have a child in Year 6 or above and would like to attend please call James Coghlan on 0427 192 273.

RCIA - Do you know anyone who wants to see what Catholics believe? Ask about in the community to see if there is anyone who wants to talk about it and notify the Parish Office or the priests.

Parish Library - The Parish Library catalogue is available on the Parish website. To view please visit ww.goodshepherdisa.com.au/parish-library-1

DIOCESAN INFORMATION

Annual Seminary Appeal

This weekend is the annual Seminary Education Appeal in Parishes. This appeal helps support the formation and education of our seminarian attending the Holy Spirit Seminary in Brisbane. Townsville’s seminarian William Brennan is currently completing his third year of formation and is currently in Charters Towers and the Mid-West completing his end of year placement.

Your donation helps support Will and other Seminarians become the shepherds of the future in our diocese.

Please consider making a regular monthly contribution. Envelopes will be made available in the Parish.

Online Advent Program

A time to tune in to the Word which God speaks to us during Advent, and be renewed in spirit. We will open our hearts to God and reflect together using a simple form of listening to the second reading from each Sunday. Opportunity for sharing via zoom chat rooms and time to pray. Led by Sr Judy Foster sgs.

23 November, 30 November, 7 December, 14 December 9.00 – 10.00am, or 7.00 – 8.00pm

Please register by 19 November to receive password: jfoster@tsv.catholic.org.au

SCHOOL RENEWAL PLAN AT ST KIERANS

Each fortnight we will profile a section of our Annual School Improvement Plan for 2020. This is the document that guides our plans and priorities for the year. We prepare this document based on initiatives set by the Townsville Catholic Education Office and through consultation with our school stakeholders: parents, staff and students.

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

You may have noticed your child responds or behaves differently to others their age. Perhaps their language skills aren’t developing as quickly. They seem to react unusually to touch or sound. Or they may become very easily upset at changes to routine.

These things may be phases experienced as a normal part of development, but they may also be signs of autism. If you’re concerned about differences in your child’s behaviours or development, you should talk to your paediatrician or family doctor. At this time, there aren’t any medical tests, such as blood tests or scans that detect autism. A diagnosis is made by assessing certain aspects of behaviour and development. Your child’s doctor, or other allied healthcare professionals (such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, or psychologists) will ask about their history and behaviour, which will be assessed against descriptors set out in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) to determine if they are on the autism spectrum. They will evaluate your child’s:

• language and communication skills (as well as tone/volume regulation)
• social skills and how they respond to others (starting conversations, knowing how to take turns
• response to changes in their environment or routine (e.g excessive tantrums, refusal to follow rules)
• under or over sensitivity to sensory input (touch, sound, sight, smell, etc.)
• repetitive or rigid behaviour patterns (obsession with one interest, lining up objects etc)

Autism may be diagnosed when issues in these areas present at a young age and impact their everyday functioning. Often it will be your child’s classroom teacher who will notice certain characteristics you may not. The school is often the first point of call if you would like to have a discussion around this. Below is a video to help you understand a little more about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

LEARNING & TEACHING

At St Kieran’s’ we are adopting a whole-body movement approach to the teaching of Mathematics. This approach is being adopted in order to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics across Prep to Year 6.

The use of whole-body movement activities is complementary to our current culture of quality hands on activities in the Early Years.

This week we have been busy creating one key resource the Maths Mat. Maths mats enable our students to get up and move by providing kinaesthetic activities that cater for, and engage all learners. We are excited to see where this initiative takes us and look forward to the many wonderful learning experiences to follow.

PREP ENROLMENTS 2021

Families seeking enrolment of their child into Prep for 2021 are invited to complete an Application for Enrolment, available on our website (www.skmtsv.catholic.edu.au) or alternatively collect an application package from the School Office.

As we are anticipating that there will continue to be strong demand for placements within our Prep groups for 2021, 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 2021. 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.

ESMART (CYBER SAFETY)

HPE

This term in PE, we have been completing a gymnastics unit with Trudy Adams from Leichhardt Gymnastics. The students have loved every minute so we have decided to do an excursion to the Leichhardt Gymnastics club on Wednesday 25th Nov. Students will go with their class groups, travelling by bus to and from the venue. There will be no costs for parents for this event.

In representative sport, Fletcher Choyce will be travelling to Toowoomba to represent the North West Region at the State 10-12yrs cricket tournament. We wish Fletcher all the very best!

ECO WARRIORS

We are Winners!!!

Last newsletter we told you all about nominating for a sustainability award through Townsville Catholic Education Office. Last week we were so excited to find out that we have been awarded a grant of $2290 to undertake the projects we submitted to the EAAC committee. This grant will facilitate the growth of the bush tucker garden by engaging with local indigenous groups, engaging Bluey the Bee Man to support the curriculum and the purchase of bee-friendly plants. This will also expand the current kitchen garden capacity by adding more garden beds and plants.

This is a wonderful achievement for all of our children who have committed their time to sustainability projects this year. A special thank you to our staff team who have worked tirelessly in their own time to get things running. So thank you Mrs Schlencker, Mrs Lagiono, Miss Kate Andrews, Mrs Ormes and Miss Stark you are all amazing!!!

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

This week is officially NAIDOC Week. We were lucky to celebrate our own school NAIDOC Week in Term 3 in line with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Children’s Day and the opening of our Sacred Space. This week our children will acknowledge the significance of this week in class.

TUCKSHOP

Thursday Meal Deals

Term 4

Did you know the tuckshop could make cupcakes for your child’s birthday? $1.00 each, please enquire at the office for an order form.

PLAYGROUP

Little K’s Playgroup is on every Monday between 8.30am - 10am and is open to all community members younger than school age. While we always have a plan for each week, activities are child directed, letting them explore, create and learn at their own pace.

Last week we created cubbies to hide in and box nests to snuggle toys in. This week we went on a nature walk and were amazed at how many wonderful things there were to find around the school, followed up with some baby chinos and some help with Little K’s paperwork!

Next week we start on Christmas activities! We will be doing some Christmas cooking and then next week we will be doing Christmas craft with a Christmas Party the following week.

LOST PROPERTY

We have a number of items in the office that we do not know whom they belong to. Below is a brief description of the items we have. If they belong to you, please collect them.

• Grey and red Spinach Boost glasses
• Blue Fitbit watch
• Black Vogue Glasses Case with purple and cream Vogue glasses
• Size 6 Left foot Black Jazz Shoe.

COMMUNITY NOTICES