St Cecilia's Newsletter Term 3, Week 6
A word from the Principal
Welcome!
We are officially halfway through Term 3. That certainly went quickly!
Currently we are in the midst of Round 1, 'In-class' public speaking competition. Across each grade each teachers will then select 5 students representing their class in the round 2 ‘Grade Level’, which will take place next week. Your child will be notified if they have made it to ‘Grade level’ by the end of the week so they can continue to practise the delivery of their speech. This is a wonderful experience for our students to showcase their talents to a wider audience. We look forward to all the speeches and in particular the high calibre that is always presented at the the stage finals hosted on Thursday 7th September. The stage finals will include 8 finalists from Round 2 at 'Grade level'. The stage final times will take place at:
8:50am – 9:30am STAGE 3 FINALISTS (Year 5 & 6)
9:30am – 10am EARLY STAGE 1 FINALISTS (Kindy)
10am – 10:45am STAGE 1 FINALISTS (Year 1 & 2)
11:30 – 12:10pm STAGE 2 FINALISTS (Year 3 &4)
We will be showcasing all our gold, silver and bronze award finalists from each stage, on Wednesday morning at 9am in the hall. All parents are welcome.
I also wanted to send a reiterate how regular and punctual attendance at school is extremely important for your child. It not only allows students to receive a consistent education without missing vital concepts but it also helps them to make and maintain appropriate friendships and social skills.
Of course, when children are unwell, they should not attend school. When unwell, they are not able to focus on their learning and often run the risk of passing on an illness to other students and staff.
When students are absent from school, parents must provide an explanation. Each week we send home letters to parents where an explanation has not been received. This also includes partial absences, even if they are late for
only a minute or so. I thank the vast majority of our parents and carers for being vigilant in providing explanations.
When an explanation is received, they are officially recorded in one of the following main ways:
• Sick – the student is unwell (3 days or more requires a medical certificate. Too many single sick days will also require a medical certificate)
• Leave – for approved reasons e.g. dental appointment, to attend a funeral, to attend an approved religious event etc
• Unjustified – for non-approved leave e.g. staying home for their birthday, staying home due to weather
conditions, car trouble etc
If your child’s teacher is concerned about aspects of their attendance, they will take the time to discuss this with you and discuss some possible strategies to help them improve their attendance rate. This may include concerns about partial attendance (usually lateness to school) as well.
SCHOOL STARTS AT 8:45am with no assemblies hosted anymore on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. There are many children arriving past this time and this will impact your child's attendance record. Please keep an eye on the time of a morning and ensure your child is at school before the bell where possible.
Thanks for your cooperation
Marta Chylewska
(Principal)
Staying Connected
Fluoro Friday Disco
We are looking forward to the school disco tomorrow, Friday 25th August. Thank you so much to the many volunteers who have offered to give up their time to help out tomorrow. Please come in to meet Mrs Chylewska at the Learning Support room for any role clarity, however most families who volunteered to help would have received an outline of their job by now and the responsibilities it entails.
We have sold 220 tickets in the end. A great success! All children, must sign in and get their wrist band to be entitled to their snack pack at the canteen.
Thanks.
Bright Beginnings
We hosted our incoming and future prospective 2024 children at Bright Beginnings is today, all dressed up in their Book Week characters! They loved meeting the responsibile year 4 children, who will take on the leadership roles of year 5 buddies next year.
Fathers Day Breakfast
We welcome all fathers, grandads or fatherly figures in your children's lives to attend the Father's Day Breakfast on Thursday 31st August. Breakfast will begin to be served from 7:45am, followed by the Book Week Parade in the assembly area. YES! You read that correctly. All children are invited to wear a Book Week outfit for the annual parade to follow.
Last chance to RSVP. For catering purposes it is essential to RSVP at the attached link. https://forms.office.com/r/dRyYXyCHKx
Book Week is Next Week!
Book Week is almost here and we are looking forward to celebrating next week. The book fair will run Wednesday 30th August & Thursday 31st August and our annual Book Week parade will be on Thursday 31st at 9.15am following the Father's Day Breakfast!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone dressed as their favourite character!
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
- year of schooling
- category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
- level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.
This information assists schools to:
- formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
- consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
- develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.
The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.
The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.dese.gov.au/about-us/resources/ department-education-skills-and-employment-complete-privacy- policy-0). Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).
Teaching and Learning Matters
Keeping Your Child Safe On Social Media
Did you know that when you sign up for these social media platforms that you acknowledge that you are over 13 ?
Many of our students are already accessing these and other sites.
Did you know that all of your content you post, whether it be videos or photographs is owned by these platforms and can be used without compensation or permission?
This is in the fine print that most users accept without reading it.
Do you know what content your child is uploading and accessing on these platforms?
A lot of content on these sites is not age appropriate and should be monitored.
Did you know that St Cecilia’s has information about these topic on our website?
For more information follow the link below to our website
https://www.scwdbb.catholic.edu.au/student-wellbeing/keeping-your-child-safe-on-social-media/
Religious Education Update
SHARING OUR FABULOUS LEARNING
Later in the term our Year 4 students will be making their First Eucharist. In preparation, the students have been reflecting on The Last Supper scripture (Mark 14: 22-25), making connections between this passage and the Eucharist and identifying how Jesus is present in the Eucharist.
In addition, the Year 4 students with their families have been celebrating mass on the weekends. At a recent weekend mass, the students attended a children’s liturgy and engaged in Godly Play. It was great to see so many families at Mass.
RELIGIOUS CREATIVE ARTS COMPETITION
The Religious Creative Arts Competiton (formerly the Bishop’s Art Prize) is a well-established event at Catholic Schools Broken Bay. This competition has been running for the past 10 years, where many talented artists over the years have been recognised for their skill and creativity.
This year the theme is Compassion ‘..be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble’ (1 Peter 3:8). The art prize competition includes 5 categories: visual arts, dance, drama, music and short film. Congratulations to our three stage finalists! These artworks will be submitted to Catholic Schools Broken Bay and entered in the competition.
Stage 1 Finalist~Katelyn C
Stage 2 Finalist~Ciara H
Stage 3 Finalist~ Lily M
Staff Spotlight
Rachael Scholte
There is a lot of amazing individuals that work behind the scenes of our school and one of these wonderful people is our School Marketing Officer Rachael Scholte. Rachael notices and promotes any of the quality and unique things that we do at our school, all of which provide rich, fulfilling, and memorable learning experiences for our children. Rachael manages our Facebook and Instagram page, online enrolment enquiries, the school newsletter, the school website, coordinates and prepares for Open Days, Bright Beginnings and any other major school events. She works closely with the School Support Services Team, which includes our Senior Support Services Officer (Mrs Donna Clancy & Mrs Ranee Bagiossi), our Support Service Officer (Mrs Kat Motte) and our Parent Engagement Coordinator (Jo Helm).
We are blessed to have the positive, dedicated, and creative Mrs Scholte showcasing our school in the clever and creative way she does.
PEC Update
Sacrament of Baptism
Congratulations to Kane, Jackson, Caiden, Assma, Taylin, Aydin, Charles, Sonny, Isla and Imogen who were baptised on Sunday 13th August at St Cecilia’s Church. May the grace of the Lord Jesus bless them and their families.
Fearless Triple P Program
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish at The Entrance in partnership with Central Coast Family Support Services present the Fearless Triple P program. A program for Parents and Grandparents Caregivers of children aged 6-12 who suffer from anxiety.
Monday 11th of September in the OLR Parish Centre. Please see full details in the attached flyer.
Classroom Connections
Year 1 have been investigating “What is Australia like?” during their Inquiry lessons. The Digital Leaders and students, with our little Sphero’s, went on a little tour of Australia driving our robots to each state or territory. The students integrated their Inquiry learning and their ability to be creative and critical digital thinkers. Year 1 students were naturals with navigating the robots and the Digital Leaders cannot wait to come back and see what else they can do!
PBL - Positive Behaviours For Learning
Sports News!
What's coming up in the Sport!
~Stage 2 Soccer or Netball Gala Day - Friday Week 6 - 25th of August
~Stage 3 OzTag competition for chosen students - Tuesday - Week 7 - 29th of August (parents will need to be the transport)
~Stage 3 Netball Gala Day - Friday Week 10 - 22nd of September
Congratulations Imogen!
Imogen V. in year 6 has qualified for Nationals as a solo and team performer for DanceLife Unite Australian Championships. She qualified for Nationals as a solo performer in three categories: jazz, contemporary and lyrical.
Her team also qualified for Nationals. What a huge achievement through a continued commitment to dancing. We wish you all the best in this field Imogen and look forward to hearing the outcome. Biggest congratulations!
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!
Academic Achievement Award
Kinder Blue | Sebastian B. | Kinder Gold | Emilia K. |
1 Blue | Angus A. | 1 Gold | Skyla M. |
2 Blue | Zoe S. | 2 Gold | Henry D. |
| 3 Blue | Sienna M. | 3 Gold | Ruby J. |
4 Blue | Cody T. | 4 Gold | Natalia S. |
5 Blue | Bonnie T.W. | 5 Gold | Ojaswini S. |
6 Blue | Logan H. | 6 Gold | Zavier W. |
Creative Arts | Julie C | Japanese | Kenzi G. |
PBL Award
Kinder Blue | Isabella C. | Kinder Gold | Miles W. |
1 Blue | Parneet K. | 1 Gold | Lennox B. |
2 Blue | Spoorthi A. | 2 Gold | Kiara M. |
3 Blue | Advik P. | 3 Gold | Ivy C. |
4 Blue | Cindel H. | 4 Gold | Bowen N. |
5 Blue | Lily M. | 5 Gold | Jayden M. |
6 Blue | Izabele M. | 6 Gold | Luke K. |
Creative Arts | Marrison O | Japanese | William G. |
Personal Best Award
Kinder Blue | Kenzie A. | Kinder Gold | Neave P. |
1 Blue | Jannaya B. | 1 Gold | Kyden F. |
2 Blue | Ava S. | 2 Gold | Violet H. |
3 Blue | Brooklyn B. | 3 Gold | Cooper K. |
4 Blue | Zali M. | 4 Gold | Miranda T. |
5 Blue | Will C. | 5 Gold | Deejay H. |
6 Blue | Oliver A. | 6 Gold | Imogen V. |
Library | n/a | Japanese | Alison W. |
Creative Arts | Maggie G. |
Upcoming Events
Term3 Week 6
Thursday 24th August - Year 5 return from Bathurst
- Bright Beginnings at 9:30am
Friday 25th August - Whole School Awards at 8:45am
- Stage 2 Netball/Soccer Gala Day
Term 3 Week 7
Monday 28th August - Year 2 Parish Mass at the Church at 9.15am
-Round 2 Public Speaking Competition (Mon- Fri)
Tuesday 29th August- Stage 3 Oztag Gala Day
Wednesday 30th August - Book Fair Begins
- Broken Bay Athletics Carnival
Thursday 31st August - Fathers Day Breakfast from 7.45am
- Bookweek Parade 9.15am
Friday 1st September - Father's Day Stall
Term 3 Week 8
Monday 4th September- Year 1 Parish Mass at the Church at 9.15am