St Cecilia's Newsletter Term 2 Week 2

A word from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

In Last week’s Principal Update, I briefly introduced the exciting Second Step program. An evidence-based social emotional learning (SEL) program endorsed by the NSW Department of Education.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a priority for schools in recent years, especially with the impact of the pandemic. Implementing high-quality SEL that meets the needs of all our children’s needs is essential but requires a strong understanding of fundamentals. Second Steps is a universal, classroom-based program designed to teach children how to understand and manage their emotions, control their reactions, be aware of others’ feelings, and have the skills to problem-solve and make responsible decisions

Research shows that SEL not only improves achievement by an average of 11 percentile points, but it also increases prosocial behaviors (such as kindness, sharing, and empathy), improves student attitudes toward school, and reduces depression and stress among students (Durlak et al., 2011). The implementation of Second Step will involve coordinated classroom, schoolwide, family, and community practices that help our children develop the necessary skills of Self Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making.

Children in all grades K-6 will engage in a lengthier weekly lesson and then daily follow ups referencing the key lesson through engaging in songs, games, and other daily activities. The program also includes take-home materials to reinforce learning. To help support the continuation of language and strategies being taught at school, we will be sending home the 'Second Step Home Links' (PAPER COPY) for parents and carers to support conversations with your child/ren at home. Promoting social and emotional development for all children in home and the classroom involves teaching and modeling social and emotional skills, providing opportunities for your child to practice and hone these skills, and giving them an opportunity to apply these skills in various situations is crucial to the successful development of these skills.

Our FLIP#6 meeting this Wednesday 10^th May will have a parent insight into the program and attached is an interesting article that was written mid-pandemic on Why ‘Social and Emotional Learning’ Is So Important for Kids Right Now > News > Yale Medicine

We look forward to working with families to participate in their child’s social emotional learning so we may all contribute to a healthy and happy community.

Cheryl O'Neill's Farewell Liturgy

This morning we gathered as a school community to celebrate Cheryl O'Neill and her 17 years of service at St Cecilia's. We held a beautiful liturgy in Cheryl's honour. The staff performed a tradtional African Drum Song 'An African Blessing' by Andrew Chin which is a tradition at St Cecilia's when we farewell a staff member. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Liturgy to make it so special.

Thank you again Cheryl for everything you have done to support our school.

Peace and blessings

Marta Chylewska

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Staying Connected

Winter Uniforms

At St Cecilia’s, we pride ourselves on having our children in their correct school uniform. Children start wearing winter uniforms on Monday 8th May. They are permitted to wear their summer uniform on warm days for the remainder of this week.

As noted in many newsletters brightly coloured sneakers or high-tops are not part of the school sports uniform and should not be worn to school. A reminder that students also shouldn’t wear nail polish or, for safety reasons, jewellery to school (except for plain, uncoloured sleepers or studs in pierced ears). Thank you for your cooperation.

Please see the photographs for our correct school uniform. Label all clothing with your child’s name and class.

Music Bus lessons

The Music Bus is running weekly lessons at our school in term 2

Classes offered are:

• Keyboard (prep/kindy-y6)
• Ukulele  (prep/kindy -y6)
• Drums (y1-y6)
• Guitar (Y2-y6)

Lessons are:

*  be 30 minute duration - once per week

* be held in the hi tech music classroom on wheels on our site

* cost $20 per week ($22 drums) payable by the term on commencement

If you wish to take part in term 2 please complete this expression of interest form asap

School Student Travel Parent Information

If your child catches a bus, please see attached a parent information sheet from the NSW Government.

FLIP MEETING #6 

A reminder that this coming Wednesday 10^th May at 6:15pm, all parents are welcome to our Families Leading in Partnership meeting #6. The meeting will take place in the staffroom within the office building and the agenda is outlined below. We look forward to having as many of you come to join us.  RSVP AT THIS LINK PLEASE.

Cross Country

Good luck to all our children who are at Cross Country Cluster Finals this upcoming Friday. Run your little socks off everyone! You will certainly look very smart in the representative school singlets which all competitors should have received by now. Cross Country is usually our biggest team event beyond the ‘Home’ event stage, with over 60 of our children attending. Watch out for the photographs and if parents get any great snaps, please send them through to our Marketing and Promotions Officer Rachael.scholte@dbb.catholic.edu.au 

Lunch Clubs – Term 2

Our extra-curricular offerings continue this term with some new activities being introduced and continuation of past activities still going. I thank the teachers for volunteering their time and expertise to provide these extra activities for the children.
MONDAY  Choir with Mrs. Scott
TUESDAY & THURSDAY   Handball comp. run by Mrs. Ross & Colour House Captains
WEDNESDAY  K&1 Lunch Buddies with Miss McEwan and Stage 3 Lunch Buddies.
THURSDAY Drumming with Mrs. Callaghan 
FRIDAY   Gardening Club with Mrs. White

*Library is open 2^nd half lunch every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well.

ESafety

It is important that we are setting our children up for success by helping them to develop skills and understanding of using the internet and technology responsibly and safely.
Please access the website below which contains a flyer about webinars held by the ESafety expert and education team from the ESafety commissioner. If you are interested in joining any of these webinars, please visit the website below:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

CCSP Free Webinar - Getting the most out of gaming.

This 45-minute webinar provides families with strategies for supporting children and young people to have safe, positive experiences when playing games online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 7 to 14.

It will cover:
- when gaming can be beneficial and strategies to promote better in-game experiences
- how to keep children safe online – using safety and privacy settings in games and platforms
- strategies to promote more balanced gaming and how to create smoother transitions from game-play to other activities
- the key online risks and where to find help for things like bullying and harassment in games.

Getting the most out of gaming 

Tuesday 23 May 7.30pm - 8.15pm 

Register here

Teaching and Learning Matters

All teachers are in the midst of writing their mid-year school reports.  Catholic Schools Broken Bay Primary school semester reports must all include: 

• Academic Achievement for all Learning AreasYrs1-6 (With the exception of classes implementing the new K2 Religious Education Curriculum) 
• An effort scale for all learning areas K-6
• A key to information codes K-6
• Values statements K-6 (title and inclusionscontextualised)
• LearningbehavioursK-6 (title and inclusions  contextualised) 
• Attendance K-6 
• Teacher general comment/s 

The reports will be slightly varied in grades K-2 and 3-6.  

The implementation of a new syllabus for K-2 English and Mathematics necessitates a change to reportable outcomes for achievement from 2023.  

Reporting on outcomes for years 3-6 in English and Mathematics will remain unchanged in 2023, as we are only in the Familiarisation Phase of implementation for the 3-6 Mathematics and English Syllabus. A review during implementation of the new syllabus will occur in 2024. 

Religious Education Update

Congratulations Mrs Garth!

Last term Mrs Garth participated in an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program where she regularly met with a group of people from the Wyong parish to learn about the Catholic belief and practice. The program had several stages and ritual steps, which led to Mrs Garth receiving all her sacraments at the Easter vigil. If there any adults interested in receiving their sacraments, please contact Jo Helm on 0424 763 734.

Mother's Day Breakfast

We are hoping to see all mums and special persons on Thursday morning 11^th May to share a light breakfast and then celebrate the Mother's Day liturgy. Apologies for the confusion in messaging with last week’s Principal Update and the attached Microsoft Form. I understand many children can be fussy eaters, or perhaps they’ve been awake from the crack of dawn and already and had two breakfasts’ before they attend the Mother’s Day event, however if some children require a bacon and egg sandwich it is essential to complete the form for each child that plans to eat. For planning and catering purposes all RSVP’s for the breakfast menu need to be complete by Sunday 7^th May. Complete the attached Microsoft Forms 

Breakfast 7:45am – 8.40am
Mother's Day Liturgy at 8:50am

PEC Update

Welcome to Term 2, I hope everyone had a lovely time during the school holidays. 

Some events coming up this term are the Faith and Learning walks 10^th May 2.30pm, Mother’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast 11^th May, Sacrament of Confirmation Parent information evening 29^th May 7pm Parish Hall, Bright Beginnings 30^th May 9.30am, Year 1 and Year 3 Weekend Parish Mass/BBQ 3^rd June 5pm St Cecilia’s Church and Parent Gratitude session.  

CCSP Free Webinar

This term the Council of Catholic School Parent’s FREE webinar is on the topic of ‘Getting the Most out of Gaming’. This 45-minute webinar provides families with strategies for supporting children and young people to have safe, positive experiences when playing games online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 7 to 14. It will cover: 
- when gaming can be beneficial and strategies to promote better in-game experiences 
- how to keep children safe online – using safety and privacy settings in games and platforms 
- strategies to promote more balanced gaming and how to create smoother transitions from game-play to other activities 
- the key online risks and where to find help for things like bullying and harassment in games. 

Getting the most out of gaming  - Register online  

When: Tuesday 23 May 7.30pm - 8.15pm  

Central Coast Family Support

Central Coast Family Support Services have some good FREE courses for parents and carers. You can view all there courses here.

 If you have any questions or would just like to have a chat, please feel free to contact me on 0424 763 734. 

PBL - Positive Behaviours For Learning

Classroom Connections

In Year 3 we are working hard to upgrade our writing and expand our vocabulary.  When the students are composing imaginative texts, they can use the classroom walls to help them think of other ways of describing what is happening in their stories. This helps their writing to be more descriptive and interesting. Watch these three students explain how they used the wall in their writing today.

Awards & Acknowledgements

Congratulations to the following children for their achievements! The listed award recipients will receive their award at Friday morning's assembly at 8:45am! Year 4 will receive their awards first as they will be rushing off to their excursion at Hyde Park Barracks. 

Academic Achievement Award

PBL Award

Personal Best Award

Upcoming Events

Term 2 Week 2

Friday 5th May -CCC Cross Country

Whole School Awards 8.45am

Class Parents Meeting 9.30am

Term 2 Week 3

Monday 8th May - Year 6 Grade Mass at St Cecilia's Church 9.15am

Wednesday 10th May - Year 5 Faith & Learning Walk 2.30pm

FLIP Meeting #6 6.15pm

Thursday 11th May - Mother's Day Breakfast and Liturgy 7.45am

Term 2 Week 4

Monday 15th May - Year 5 Parish Mass at St Cecilia's Church 9.15am