Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.

Catherine of Siena

Dear Families,

Thank you to all our grandparents and friends who visited last week. It was indeed a wonderful celebration of family and kindness. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making the day such a  great day. Moving forward we will celebrate Grandparents day on Nov 7 which is also called Dominican Family Day. This will work in with our Vision and Mission Matrix and our focus on St Dominic. We will unpack this further next year when we begin to look at how we can ensure our vision and mission is lived and known on a  daily basis.

Over the next two weeks we will be continuing to work on preparing to implement the new 3-6 English and Mathematics curriculums. This work is not isolated to grades 3 - 6 as we are still implementing the K-2 English and Mathematics curriculums. Our primary focus has been on improving engagement in mathematics and we will continue this work into 2024. Part of this work will be to engage you as parents and carers in this learning so you can feel able to support your children with their mathematical understanding. As it does in all things, change takes time, and it is essential that we work together methodically to ensure the best outcomes for the students.

Transition begins for many of our Year 6 students with high school orientation days. We will also begin talking to some families about transition for your students into the next grade and later this term will hold our promotion afternoon so students can get a sense of what the next year is going to look like. We are still finalising staffing and hope to be able to make staffing announcements in the Week 8 or 9.

Attendance

From 2024 students will only be granted an exemption for leave from school for the following reasons:

• exceptional domestic circumstances – this does not apply to family holidays
• other exceptional circumstances such as health of the student where sick leave or alternative enrolment is not appropriate
• employment in the entertainment industry or participation in elite sporting events for short periods of time i.e. for one or two days, and at short notice.

Therefore leave for family holidays in school time  will not be approved. It is a legal requirement that parents send their children to school when instruction is offered. Please refer to the attachments that further explains compulsory school attendance and when an exemption is appropriate.

B4._2022_CEDoW_Parent_Brochure_Compulsory_School_Attendance_2_.pdf

B4 2022_CEDoW_Parent_Brochure_Compulsory_School_Attendance_2 pdf 74.24 KB

B5._Brochure_Parents_Applying_for_Exemptions.pdf

B5 Brochure_Parents_Applying_for_Exemptions _pdf 180.01 KB

Illness

There is a large number of illnesses around at the moment. If your child has any symptoms then please do not send them to school. Many of these current viruses are highly contagious and are impacting many people. We are finding it very difficult to get casual staff at the movement which is impacting our ability to ensure all classes are covered. This has a knock on effect on the roles of other staff when they have to take a class because we cannot get a replacement teacher or support staff.

Remembrance Day

This Saturday we remember those who fought in WW1.

School representatives  will attend the small ceremony at the Moss Vale RSL at 10:45am to reflect and remember.

System Professional Development

Mrs Browne and Mr Farrugia will be attending system professional development on Tuesday 14 Nov. Mr Walsh will be the Relief Principal for the day.

PAT testing

CEDoW has mandated that we will undertake PAT testing in Grades 1 - 6 in Term 4 each year. PAT tests are adaptive English and Mathematics tests that provide schools with standardised data that can be used to inform teaching and learning. These are completed during the school day and using an iPad.

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

IPad Selections for 2024

Just a reminder that the selections for iPads for 2024 are due to the office by Friday 10th November.  Please return the form ASAP.

Yr 6 Camp 15th to 17th November

Departing St Paul's at 9:10am on Wednesday 15th November and returning on Friday 17th November in time for normal buses home.  Consent to be given by 13th November.

Yr 5 Camp 16th to 17th November

Departing St Paul's at 9:10am on Thursday 16th November and returning on Friday 17th November in time for normal buses home.  Consent to be given by 13th November.

Surf Life Saving - Beach to Bush Presentation on Monday 20th November for K-6 from 1-3pm

Yr 3 and 4 Surf Awareness at Bulli Point - 22nd November

Parents please complete the permission note via compass app and return the Sea Australia Waiver by 17th November.

Students require: 

• Wear their sport uniform 

• Students must have their swimmers/costumes on under sport uniform. 

• Supply their own carry bag for swimming items. 

• Bring a towel and underwear to change into after swimming and something warm in case it is cold. 

• Bring any other swimming equipment needed: goggles, rash vest, cap, hat, sun cream. 

• Bring enough food and drink for the day. 

• Any student who has medication / epipen / asthma puffer – need to bring it with them on the day  

Yr 5 & 6 Surf Awareness at Bulli Point - 23rd November

Parents please complete the permission note via compass app and return the Sea Australia Waiver by 17th November.

Students require: 

• Wear their sport uniform 

• Students must have their swimmers/costumes on under sport uniform. 

• Supply their own carry bag for swimming items. 

• Bring a towel and underwear to change into after swimming and something warm in case it is cold. 

• Bring any other swimming equipment needed: goggles, rash vest, cap, hat, sun cream. 

• Bring enough food and drink for the day. 

• Any student who has medication / epipen / asthma puffer – need to bring it with them on the day  

Final Fortnightly Assembly - 30th November

This will include the P&F Raffle

K-2 Learn to Swim from 4th to 7th December

Consent to be given online via the compass app.  Students will travel by Berrima Bus to and from the pool.

 Students require: 

• Wear their sport uniform 

• Students must have their swimmers/costumes on under sport uniform. 

• Supply their own carry bag for swimming items. 

• Bring a towel and underwear to change into after swimming and something warm in case it is cold. 

• Bring any other swimming equipment needed: goggles, rash vest, cap, hat, sun cream. 

• Bring enough food and drink for the day. 

• Any student who has medication / epipen / asthma puffer – need to bring it with them on the day  

Year 6 Mass and Supper 6-8pm 13th December

For catering purposes please RSVP with numbers and dietary issues.  For Year 5 parents and students who can assist, please let the office know.

Year 5 parents and students assisting with Yr 6 Supper 6-8pm

End of Year Assembly on Thursday 14th December

In School hall from 9:30-10:30am

End of Year School Mass on Thursday 14th December

In School hall from 12 noon - 1pm

Year 6 Pool Fun Day 15th December

Consent to be given via the Compass App.  Bus departing at 9am and returning by 2:30pm.

Students are required to: 

• Wear their sport uniform 

• Students must have their swimmers/costumes, rash vest 

• Supply their own carry bag for swimming items 

• Bring a towel and underwear to change into after swimming and something warm in case it is cold 

• Bring any other swimming equipment needed: goggles, rash vest, cap, hat, sun cream 

• Bring enough food and drink for the day. They can bring $5 to spend at the Kiosk.  

School for students concludes on Friday 15th December.

Any changes to your regular afternoon arrangements with your child/children, must be phoned or emailed to the office by 2:30pm to ensure that the message is communicated to the student in time for the end of day.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

If you have any changes to your address, phone number or email address could you please let the office know.

Withdrawal

If you intend to withdraw your child from the school, the withdrawal form is available from the office.  We currently have a waitlist, so advance notification would be appreciated.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 4

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 4

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 4

We have been lucky enough to purchase a 'mud kitchen' to put onto the oval. The purpose of this Mud kitchen is to create another play space for children and to be creative! I will talk to the children about this at our next PB4L practice on Wednesday.

"Encouraging children to get messy and be creative in a small, contained area. Outdoor Mud Kitchens allow children to cook, bake and make potions, etc. They can use wooden/plastic spoons, bowls, pots, pans, scales, and measuring jugs for example, just like children would when pretending to play inside". 

If any families have old/unused pot and/or pans (or anything mentioned above) that they'd be happy to donate to the mud kitchen, that would be great and much appreciated!

Thank you,

Mrs Calla Hunstone

We we have a company called Lunch Bunch Canteens who will be fulfilling our lunch orders each Tuesday and Thursday.

Please find the menu below and how to order details.

26th November - after 10am Mass

To help boost dwindling Parish funds, Fr Marek and the Pastoral Parish Council have decided to hold a Morning Tea and Fundraiser on the 26 November in the covered area of the school hall after 10am Mass.

Accepting Compliments            

Self Management

1. Look at the person.
2. Use a pleasant voice.
3. Say "Thank you".

Please see below the calendar overview for Term 4 2023:

Frensham End of Year Production

Frensham presents the 2023 end of year production of 'The Addams Family', a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The show is based upon The Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel gag cartoons, which depict a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. Although numerous film and television adaptations of Addams' cartoons exist, the musical is the first stage show based on the characters.

Frensham Production Tickets

Cartoon Workshops in Canberra

Canberra_December_2023_Cartoon_Workshop_for_parents_schools_2_.pdf

Canberra_December_2023_Cartoon_Workshop_for_parents_schools_2 pdf 443.67 KB

Healthy Family Bulletin

November_2023_Healthy_Family_Bulletin.pdf

November_2023_Healthy_Family_Bulletin _pdf 1.16 MB

Occupational Therapy, etc Assessments Available

OT_Speach_Psychology_Poster.pdf

OT_Speach_Psychology_Poster _pdf 16.39 MB

Aquathon

Illawarra’s favourite community fitness event, the MMJ Aquathon is now open for entries. A big all age crowd is set to gather once again at beautiful Wollongong harbour on Friday the 26 January 2024 public holiday. Come and join in and support the Black Dog Institute.
Billed as a family favourite, kids to adults and beginners to the competitive can all take part. There are finisher medals, prizes and give away’s, lots of safety and professional services.
With a choice of five events, across four Aquathon (swim and run) distances suitable for kids, beginner’s (Mini) to the Short or Long Aquathons. And the popular Blue Mile 5k Funrun is a great option.
You can even split the Aquathon and enter as a tag team, one swims, one runs.
Check out all you need to know and join in: aquathon.com.au