From the Principal - Mrs Katie Browne
Dear Families,
Thank you for your support last week in participating in or preparing your children for the various activities that were on. The book parade was a great celebration of literature and your support of the book parade was exceptional. Dominican family day demonstrated what makes our school so special. The joy in the children's faces of being able to share a picnic with their grandparents or great people and the mass with Fr Richard was a highlight. The parent forum was also another big success. While small in number the parents who attended are to be commended for taking on the task of offering insights into what can make our school an even better place. I am truly grateful to the parents who attended for taking the time out to be there and the staff who were also able to support this process. A google form will be shared for those who could not make it to contribute their thoughts in the coming days. Yesterday’s cultural morning tea was another highlight and the visiting families saw our new bilingual section in the library. Today we had the opportunity to learn about the Torres Strait culture through song and dance from the visiting performance group Wyniss. The children learnt about games that were played before there were toys and shops. Some of these games we still play today. Your children may come home today and ask you what games you played when you were little.
As the school year begins to come to a close it is essential that families continue to be across communications and activities that are on. Next week Years 3 - 6 will be going to Sandon Point for the beach safety program. The Surf Life Saving group will be visiting to teach the children about general beach safety K-6. In Week 8, K-2 have their learn to swim program and in Week 10 we have the end of year events.
As the Christmas season approaches and life becomes busy we pray that we are able to find peace and calm to ensure we can focus on our work and continue to achieve high standards. We pray for the gift of kindness, that we see and acknowledge the little acts of kindness people do for us each day and that we take advantage of opportunities to show kindness to others.
God Bless,
Road Safety
A gentle reminder to please avoid making U-turns in front of the school, as buses are often present. For the safety of all students and everyone else, we ask for your cooperation. Additionally, the little crest outside the school can limit visibility, making it more hazardous. Police do monitor the area and you can be booked for crossing over double lines. Thank you!
Kindergarten 2025 Orientation Day
We are looking forward to our Kindergarten Orientation day on Tuesday 26 Nov from 9 - 11 am. The transition to play program is underway and the children are settling in beautifully as a group. Our current Kindergarten parents are responsible for providing morning tea for the new families on the orientation day. Your class parent reps will be in touch to make arrangements.
Changes to Academic Reports
As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.
The following changes were evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024:
- A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
- All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Extensive
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Elementary
Report formats are also available for students who are working towards outcomes by which a graded report will not accurately represent their learning progress. As an alternative to a graded report, a comment is provided for each Key Learning Area in line with the student’s goals identified in their Personalised Plan. These reports are only used following consultation between school and parents/carers.
We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.
Reports will be accessible on Compass on Friday 13 December from 3 pm. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher you can book a meeting through the office.
End of Year Events
Christmas Carols - Friday 6 December 6pm -7pm
We will be holding Christmas Carols on the school oval weather permitting. Bring a picnic rug or chairs to sit on and join in the Christmas carols. Should it be wet or extremely windy we will hold them in the school hall. All children will be learning some songs to sing during the event. More information to come closer to the event.
Community Christmas Carols - Saturday 14 December
We have been invited to participate in the Community Christmas Carols. The school Choir and any other interested children will sing some songs at this event. More information to come home closer to the event.
Year 6 Farewell Mass and Supper - Tuesday 17 December 6pm
RSVP for additional family members are required by the google form.
End of Year assembly Wednesday 18 December 9:30am
We will hold our annual assembly to celebrate 2024. Some annual awards will be presented and Year 6 will be farewelled.
End of Year Mass Wednesday 18 December 12noon
This is our final school mass for the year. All are welcome.