Newsletter 9/2/2024
From the Principal:
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Wednesday we met many excited children with smiling faces ready for a great year of learning. We welcome to our school the following students and our new families and know that you will make them feel welcome in the community. Grace Gr 6, Matthew Gr 4, Aayan Gr 3, William Gr 2, Rorie and Emmett Gr 1. Kinder students: Matilda, Isolde, Ada, Mason, Genevieve, Adhyson, Easton, Archer, Austin, Alice, and Fallon
New to our teaching staff we welcome Miss Lauren Workman, as our Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Louise Schaap Grade 1/2 teacher, Miss Montanna Eastley PE teacher, Miss Sophie King Education Assistant in Prep and Mr Jayden Purdon Education Assistant in Grade 5/6.
The school has had quite a bit of work done over the break. We have installed teaching walls in all classrooms, and painted walls. New carpet and vinyl installed in Kindergarten and Prep. Outside we have repurposed the pergola into a Gaga Pit which is proving a hit with the children and we have finally had the demolition area fully remediated and opened back up for the students to use.
The staff made a mighty effort to get their classrooms up and ready for the start of the school year - they are looking fabulous and I thank them for their hard work and dedication.
Thank you for your continued support of our wonderful school and I look forward to catching up with all members of the school community over the coming weeks.
Mary
Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday is the first day in the season of Lent. Lent is observed by all Christians, and it is a beautiful way to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us and prepare us for the Easter season. During Lent, we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by the devil. We do extra prayers, fasting, and almsgiving during this season of Lent. Ash Wednesday has many traditions and ways for all Christian and Catholic families to observe this day, and also, anything you are doing for the length of Lent will start on this day.
As a school we will be acknowledging Ash Wednesday day as an important one. The Gr 3-6 classes will join in with the parish Mass on Wednesday at 10:15am. The K-2 classes will gather together with Fr Ben here at school for a liturgy. Parents are warmly invited to attend either or both of these events.
At both of these cermenonies everyone (including babies) are invited to receive a small cross made from ashes on their foreheads. This is a tradition that links back in history to a time when those who had done wrong to others used to wear a sack cloth convered in ashes as a public sign that they had done wrong and were asking for forgiveness. Today we remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return.
Do you know?
- The ashes we use on Ash Wednesday are the burned up palms from last Palm Sunday
- Catholics don’t say the word “Alleluia” at all during the season of Lent
Welcome Back 2024
Swimming Program:
Our annual swimming program commences next week for Grades Prep-6. There was an incorrect date for the first week. The correct days are listed below.
Week 2: Tuesday 13th Feb, Thursday 15th Feb, (not Wednesday 14th) and Friday 16th Feb.
Week 3: Tuesday 20th Feb, Wednesday 21st Feb, Thursday 22nd Feb.
Reminder to pack: bathers, towel, plastic bag, spare underwear, rash vest, sunscreen, goggles (optional)
Internet Safety:
Safer Internet Week:
This week in our Digital Technologies lessons, we have been putting our devices aside and spending some time learning how we can keep ourselves and others safe when online.
In Grades Kinder to Grade 2, we focused on 5 Safety Rules for using devices at home.
* Be kind & take turns
* No screens at dinnertime
* Use it only in shared spaces
* Ask before you use it
* No taking screens to bed
Teachers in the early years grades are reinforcing the 5 rules and going further, focusing on making good choices and asking for help from an adult if children see something that makes them feel yucky or scared.
Students in Grades 3-6 have been learning and discussing cyberbullying - how to avoid it and what to do about it if it happens to them or a friend. They've also been focussing on how they can make their online experiences safer by making smart choices.
If any parents would like some resources or advice on how you can make your child's online experience safer, send Mr Wood an email at simon.wood@catholic.tas.edu.au .
Important Dates:
Week 2
- Tuesday 13th February: Shrove Tuesday
- Tuesday 13th February: Swimming
- Wednesday 14th February: Ash Wednesday, Mass Grades 3-6, 10:15am at the Holy Redeemer Church. K-2 Liturgy, 11:40am in the school hall.
- Thursday 15th February: Swimming
- Friday 16th February: Swimming
- Week 3
- Tuesday 20th February: Swimming
- Wednesday 21st February: Swimming
- Thursday 22nd February: Swimming
- Friday 23rd February: Swimming Carnival (Grade 3-6)