From the Principal. Last week I emailed all families some information regarding NCCD. The NCCD collects data about school students with a disability who are receiving adjustments. It enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with a disability and how they can be best supported at school. Data from the NCCD is used: As an evidence base, to give teachers, schools and sectors information about students with disability and the level of educational adjustment being provided To inform policy development and future planning to better equip schools and education authorities to support students with disability To improve understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of school teams and the broader community under the DDA and the Standards To capture the work of schools under the obligations of the DDA and the Standards, allowing students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students To highlight the individual needs of each student with disability by focusing on the level of educational support provided to them at school The NCCD Process is rolled out over four phases: 1. Planning 2. Implementation 3. Validation 4. Reflection Catherine Antonio, Judy Scherrenberg (Guidance Officer), Sharyn Bell (Curriculum Adviser) and myself will make up our NCCD Team. Over the course of the next two terms, we will profess through the phases to identify all students who receive adjustments in our school. As always, we pride ourselves on keeping in very close contact with our families. During the parent teacher interviews, your child s Personal Learning Plan (PLP) would have been discussed. Many of our children are on a PLP or an Individual Education Plan (IEP). These documents map out goals for your child to progress towards. It is our hope that we can continue to work in very close collaboration with our families to ensure that all students in our school reach their maximum potential. Please don t hesitate to contact your child s teacher or pop into the school office if you would like any further information about the NCCD process. Colette Williams Principal
This year I would like to invite members of our school and wider community to become members of our ECSIP Working Party. This group will be instrumental in sharing their wisdom to enhance our Catholic identity within the school. We have many projects this year to work on as a group and I would like to invite all parents to consider being a part of this working party. We will meet on a needs basis depending on the timing of our projects. If you would like to express an interest, you can either email me directly or contact the school office on 47861023. Email: cwilliams14@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au I returned to school last week on Thursday after being away at a Principals Conference. Our School Captains stopped me in my tracks as I ventured outside to greet all the children prior to school. The children requested to meet with me. Obviously we needed to follow procedure and the children were directed into the office to book a meeting time with Mrs Lowcock, who promptly added this very important meeting to my calendar. During the meeting, our Captains wasted no time in addressing several matters. These matters included discussing school uniforms, seating areas and their attendance at upcoming community events. The Captains voiced their thoughts and ideas very clearly and coherently about what they would like to see in our new school uniform design. They also would like the seats at the front of the Tuckshop to be removed and to be replaced with picnic tables. I am very proud of each and every one of our elected Captains and look forward to working closely with our school leaders this year to achieve great things for our school.
On Monday 1st April at 8:30am, our Year 2/3 Class will be leading the school in prayer for our Holy Week Liturgy of the Word. All parents, family and friends are encourage and welcome to attend. During the Liturgy, each class will present one key event from Holy Week. Prep: Palm Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem on donkey..in those days coming to a town on a donkey meant that you came in peace and Jesus was known as the Prince of Peace. The crowd were very pleased to see Jesus and waved palm leaves. The teachers of the law were not impressed with Jesus growing popularity. Year 1: Last Supper Jesus knew that he would soon be arrested. He had the Last Supper with his disciples. Jesus reminded the disciples that he would always be with them. When we have Mass we remember the Last Supper and when we share the bread and the wine we remember Jesus and his message for us. Year 6: Jesus on the Cross Jesus was sentenced and had to carry his own cross. He was treated very poorly. His mother Mary was with him, as well as, some of his followers. Jesus died on the cross for us. As we know Jesus rose to New Life on Easter Sunday which is a joyous occasion! Year 4/5: Easter Sunday We know from the Gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, which would be Sunday. His resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death. It is the one event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead. Year 2/3: Stations of the Cross The Stations of the Cross serve as a stark reminder of the humble manner in which Jesus was willing to set aside any privilege of deity in order to provide a path to salvation through His sacrifice. We look forward to seeing you at our Holy Week Liturgy. God Bless Colette Williams APRE
YCDI Awards Congratulations to Leila, Year 1, who is this week s YCDI Book Award winner. Congratulations to the YCDI Awardees for Week 7: Back L to R: Cody Busch, Keeley Ninnes, Chantilly Pilcher, Javier Mezieres. Front L to R: Tarlayah McLennan, Blake Williams and Charlotte Wood. Congratulations to this week s Principal Awardees: L to R: Jayden Sablik, Bonnie Nane, Adison Jenkins, Ethan Kyle Fulton and Javier Mezieres.
P and F Association News Hello Parents, Teachers, Students and friends of St Mary s Catholic School. Another week closer to the school holidays and another week closer to the High Tea. There are a few tickets left if you would like to join us for the High Tea. There will be lots of yummy food, drinks, silent auction, raffles, prizes and entertainment. There are still some tickets available in the Thermomix Raffle, however, they won t last long. You can get the tickets from the school office or Hickmott s Supanews. We are counting down the weeks until the Family Fun Day. Keep those wonderful donations coming in!!! We need jars or containers for the Bottle of Anything Stall, with items to fill the jars (ie, hair ties, novelty pencils, pens, erasers, bouncy balls, toys etc.) Items can be left at the school office. The Year 6 class will be running Sideshow Alley with three awesome games. We would appreciate any items donated for prizes for these games. There will be lots of stalls this year including; Cake Stall, Book Stall, Mother s Day Stall, Bottle of Anything, Lucky Dip and Plant Stall just to name a few. We will be taking donations for the Plant Stall after the school holidays. If you have a green thumb look out for the call out for plants in Term 2. Hope you all enjoy your weekend. Thank you, DATES TO REMEMBER Aleisha Johnson President P and F Association 31 March 1 April High Tea 2 5 pm Family Fun Day Meeting 5pm 11 May Family Fun Day 4 April P and F Assoc Meeting 5.30pm 10am 2pm
Clean Up Australia Day On Sunday 3rd March a group of Girl Guides and their leaders assisted in Clean Up Australia Day. Many students from St Mary s Catholic School who are also Girl Guides, participated in this annual event. Thank you to Mrs Stevens and Mrs Ninnes who guided our students. A BIG thank you to everyone who met at Mullers Lagoon to help keep our beautiful parks and waterways clean. Well done! ATHLETICS CARNIVAL Term 2 Our annual Athletics Carnival (track and field events) will be held in Term 2 Week 2 on Friday 3rd May. ALL Students are preparing for this event during their PE lessons. Further details will be in next week s newsletter. We will be hosting all High Jump events on Wednesday 1st May at our school oval. The times for each age group will be posted in the school newsletter. Please mark your calendar!!! Our Running Club is proving very popular and students are continuing to improve their fitness and enjoy the early morning exercise. Running sessions are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings and everyone is welcome!!! This week s top runners are: Keeleigh Muir 31 laps Well Done!!! Cody Busch 30 laps Jake Dederer 27 laps
News from School Chaplain.Mrs Maltby LENT PRAYER, FASTING, ALMSGIVING Remember to support Caritas and give 100% for Lent in our Project Compassion boxes. Term 1 29 Jan 5 Apr Week 9 25-27 Mar Yr 6 Leadership Camp Gumburu 31 Mar P and F Association She Sells Sea Shells High Tea 2pm 5pm Week 10 1 April Holy Week Celebrations 5 April School Mass 9am Ice-cream cups are an initiative of the Mini Vininies and supports the St Vincent de Paul Society who in turn pass on the money to the Assist-A-Student programme to educate an underprivileged child for one year. The P&F Association kindly donate the ice-cream for this project and the Mini Vinnies are very grateful. Thanks in advance for your support. Students in Years 4/5 and 6 who have made their sacraments, attended Reconciliation in the church today with Fr Thomas. This is a great way of renewing and cleansing the soul in preparation for the coming of the Saviour on Easter. When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor person, a human embryo, a person with disabilities just to offer a few examples it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself; everything is connected. (Pope Francis) My contact details: Phone: 47861203 Email: cmaltby@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au
Cupcakes For Sale Every Wednesday during Term 1 Year 4/5 will be selling Yummy! Morning Tea Cupcakes for $1.00 Funds raised will go to the families who were recently affected by flooding in Townsville. Every Friday
BAPTISM INVITATION This is an invitation for you to be baptised in a community celebration with others from our school. Baptism is the first of seven sacraments celebrated in the Catholic Church. It is a Sacrament of Initiation where we are welcomed into God s family and so become a part of Him. John the Baptist was honoured to baptise Jesus in the Jordan River as a sign to the people to do likewise. Baptism is a shared and celebrated sacrament for the parish community. It is your Catholic birthdate. Each year it is a reminder of what the Lord has done in us, the memory of the gift we have received the Holy Spirit. It precedes the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist which students choose to make during their primary years. St Mary s Catholic School would like to invite children, adults and families alike, to accept this opportunity to be baptised together as a school community during a special ceremony this year. Please fill in the form below and return to the school office. Yes, I/my children/my family would like to be part of the Baptismal Celebration with the school community. Child s name: Parents name: Phone/Email: Sacramental Program 2019 I wish for my child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Sacrament of Eucharist and Sacrament of Confirmation on the 10th August, 2019. Child s Name: Date Baptised: Parent Name: Year Level: Parish: Phone No: Parent Signature: