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Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin’s,
Term 3 is certainly shaping up to be a busy one. Please continue to read the newsletter and check our calendar of upcoming events on the website to update your calendars at home. Our newsletter has all the information required to keep you informed and organised.
We love to celebrate our success stories and we have a great sporting success story from St Kevin’s. Congratulations to Renee in Year 6 who will represent our Diocese at the Polding Athletics Carnival in September. Renee will compete in the 800m race. Good luck Renee!
Another amazing success story relating to St Kevin’s is from some ex-students. David and Ruby have both received University of Newcastle medals for their Academic Achievements. Congratulations to both students. The work we do at St Kevin’s is foundational to future success and we strive to ensure all students will be successful in many and varied ways in the years ahead.
Keep working hard and striving for success in whatever you do.
Mary-Anne Jennings
Principal
Book Fair and Parade
The teachers have their costumes! We look forward to seeing everyone dressed up on Friday. Dress ups can be worn all day – just remember some sensible shoes, a jumper and a hat!
Kindergarten 2023
Thursday August 18 at 10am, we are having a meet and greet for our new Kinders and their parents. It’s an opportunity for parents to have a coffee and a chat, while the children play and get to know each other. We are so excited to have our Kindergarten orientation programme back on track.
News from the Assistant Principal
Staff
My newsletter this week has to commence with an acknowledgement and appreciation of our great staff. This term we have had staff succumb to COVID or other illnesses, and the remaining staff have not skipped a beat! We have 156 teachers on our casual’s list and it has been challenging trying to find a replacement for staff. However, we have only had to split a class once this term. Our staff have been so incredibly resilient and adaptable. In order to achieve this, staff have, for the last 4 weeks, given up their release from face to face, professional learning teams and performed extra duties (in addition to their assigned daily duties) to cover all our playground responsibilities. This has all been carried out without asking and nary a grumble. I am overawed by the generosity of our staff and their commitment to your children. St Kevin’s truly is a fabulous place to work. I love it and am profoundly grateful for the support I receive daily and the dedication of all members of staff.
Spending your child’s School Resource Fee
At our pupil free day commencing the term we focused on incorporating rich tasks /challenge based learning into Mathematics. One of the tasks the staff were involved in, was using a beebot to navigate to a prescribed location. Various staff members have gone away and tried to find ways to incorporate these types of tasks and technology in creative ways in their class curriculum. Over the last couple of days Mary-Anne has tasked me with investigating our next IT purchase. We have decided to go with a class set of Blu Bots to allow for greater engagement with devices in our Infants’ classrooms. Of course, this technology can be used across the school. The order is in, looking forward to their arrival and the children utilizing this physical computing across KLAs. First dibs… Year 1.
Colour Run
Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou for your generous support of our Colour Run Fundraiser. We have over-reached our target of $5000 and are set to reach a truly awesome figure. Go Year 1 with more than $3000 raised so far! Preparations are well underway. Next week the staff committee (I think it is just about the entire staff) will meet at Wilkinson Park to finalise arrangements – course, activities, risk assessments, timetable for the day and a host of other things to make this day truly awesome.
In the meantime, thanks again for the support. If possible, set aside some time to join us on Friday 23rd September between 9:30 am and 2pm. The P & F are running a BBQ on the day, as well as a drinks and cake stall. “Perky Cups” will be parked in their customary spot and operating throughout the day for the caffeine addicts, as well as a snow cone vendor. We will also have a lolly stall (50c and $1) and face painting / tattoos (free). There will be plenty of activities to keep the children occupied, in addition to the colour run. Do please be aware though that Wilkinson Park borders on a very busy, inadequately fenced road, so toddlers will need lots of careful supervision. St Kevin’s students will be under the direct supervision of St Kevin staff at all times, following the rules and directions put in place.
God Bless
Kim Hogan
Assistant Principal
Kaayi (hello in Awabakal; rhymes with ‘hi’)
Indigenous Literacy Day 2022
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation proudly presents Indigenous Literacy Day, celebrating stories, cultures and languages.
2022 is the first year of UNESCO’s Decade of Indigenous Languages. Indigenous Literacy Day celebrates and promotes the revitalisation and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages now and for future generations of Indigenous children.
On Wednesday 7 September we will celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day at St Kevin’s. Our school has registered for a live digital event broadcast from the Sydney Opera House at 10.30am featuring ILF Ambassador and music icon, Jessica Mauboy, and ILF Ambassador, Gomeroi author and performer, Gregg Dreise.
As well, children will participate in some fun and educational activities in their classrooms, ranging from learning a song in Awabakal language to doing some artwork using earthy materials.
This short video from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation explains the importance of Indigenous Literacy.
NAIDOC Cultural Education Excursions
As advised this week on COMPASS, our two NAIDOC cultural education excursions will now be on Tuesday 30 August. These will enhance the educational outcomes for all our students across a variety of learning areas, including History, Geography, Visual Arts and Religious Education, and will address the Australian Curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
K-2 Yamuloong Centre Excursion, Garden Suburb. Children will learn about Aboriginal culture including bush tucker and do some dot painting and a dance activity. They will receive a muffin also.
Depart school at 11.00am by bus for a 2 hour visit and return to school well in time for afternoon dismissal. Other details are on the COMPASS Event for this excursion.
Years 3-6 Glenrock State Conservation Area Excursion. Conducted by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the children will experience Glenrock State Conservation Area through the eyes of Aboriginal Discovery Rangers. Through first-hand experiences children will learn about the culture of the Awabakal people, how they lived, what resources they used and the significance of the land and Dreaming stories. Children will go through some amazing ecosystems, onto Burwood Beach and end up at the Scout Camp for lunch.
Depart school at 9.15am by bus, returning to school by 3.00pm for afternoon dismissal. Other details are on the COMPASS Event for this excursion.
We are really looking forward to our educational excursions to learn more about our local Awabakal history and heritage, how to care for Country, and continue our celebration of NAIDOC.
Nginowa (goodbye in Awabakal; the ‘g’ is silent)
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher
Mary Mackillop
Monday 8th August was the feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the patron saint of Australia. Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne on January 15, 1842. She was the eldest of eight children and grew up very poor. She dedicated her life to educating the poor and gave hope to many. Saint Mary was the founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, which is the order that opened our school. The children of St Kevin’s attended a live performance about Saint Mary MacKillop’s life on Wednesday. The play was enjoyed by all!
Feast of Assumption
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is on Monday 15th August. The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to Heaven to be reunited with Jesus. A liturgy will be held on the Feast day in the hall at 9am, it will be run by year 5/6.
Sacrament Reminder
For students registered in the 2022 sacramental program, the Confirmation date is 6th September. The Confirmation preparation session is on Thursday 25th August at 4pm. This meeting will be held in the meeting room at the Parish Office at Cardiff. Confirmation slips will be sent out for families to complete and return at the Confirmation preparation session with Donna Morgan on Thursday 25th August.
News
We are able to return to celebrate Mass at the church with parishioners. Each Thursday a different class will attend Mass at 9:30am. We are also able to celebrate our fortnightly prayer services and assemblies again in the hall. These occur on a Friday in odd weeks this term and begin at 2:15pm.
Retrieved from liturgyhelp.com
God Bless
Fiona Stretton
Acting Religious Education Coordinator
Due to rising costs of supplies, the canteen has had to increase it's prices effective next Wednesday 17th August. Please refer to the price list below and QKR for new prices.
The next fortnightly special will be Hot Dogs on the 25/8/22. More information to come.