Dear Families,

It was wonderful to be able to hold the swimming carnival without any restrictions this year. Students were very well behaved and seemed to have a wonderful time. Thank you to Mrs Thomas for organising the event, it all seemed to run very smoothly, with events finishing on time so that all students could participate in all the novelty events.

Our school fete is just around the corner. It has been over three years since were able to hold our school fete and many of the families who used to run stalls have left the school. We would love for this to be a great community event for everyone to enjoy. If you are able to run a stall or help out on the day, please send your volunteer form in with your child or contact the SCC via email at stawbfete@gmail.com

Last week and this week, I have been meeting with all staff to discuss goals for 2023. Many teachers have spoken of how well their classes have settled and students are applying themselves to their learning. Most teaching staff have at least one, if not two of their goals centred around implementing High Impact Teaching Strategies within their classroom. This aligns with one of the school’s AIP goals - To see High Impact Teaching Strategies in every classroom. Most teachers are doing this through the use of Daily Review (DR) of taught concepts and teaching new concepts using Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI). Initial data over the last few years has shown that this type of teaching is helping students to learn and retain knowledge.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

February Birthdays

Jack B, Seneca B, August S, Jed G, Nevaeh M, Jack P, Aditya P, Lilly H, Bradley L-B, Jessica R, Skylar W, Jaana C, Abbey T, Violet P, Evelyn F, Lu’isa T, Audrey K, Savanna H, Annabel L, Oliver T, Isaac H

March Birthdays

Zeke F, Molly W-S, Saul G, Triumph O, Levi W, Sofia A, Isaac R, Aseem H, Jayson T, Aarav S, Aryan S, Krystof M, Samuel A, Ellie H, Layne M, Cameron C, Amboz B, Zara B, Chelsea R, Ashlyn T, Kupakwashe M, Sofia A, Archie W, Maxie M

It’s now time to begin the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge, which requires students to read and record 30 books.

A paper copy of the challenge will come home with each student by the end of Week 3. It’s a good idea to keep the reading challenge sheet on the fridge to keep adding to as you read. The reading challenge sheets are due back to the library by 11^th August 2023. Every student who hands in the completed challenge will receive a yellow token. Winning schools will win book vouchers for the library.

Happy reading,
Mrs Hind

Issue 2 will be coming home with your child very soon.
All orders are online or via the Loop app: https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent.aspx

Our school receives credits each time a student buys a book.  This helps with building our beautiful library collection.

Any questions please feel free to email me.

Kristie ksligar@bigpond.net.au

CULTIVATING KINDNESS IN OUR CHILDREN

Kindness is being friendly, generous, and considerate to others and ourselves. By being kind we are spreading happiness and joy to the world around us. Kindness can be as simple as a warm smile, a friendly nod or a word of encouragement. Research suggests that people who give to others even in small ways tend to be happier. We can promote kindness in our children through open conversations, being kind to others in their presence, and engaging in simple everyday actions that will bring joy to the lives of others as well as our own. Here's an interesting monthly plan to foster kindness as a value in our children. You can print this off, put it on your fridge and encourage your child/ren to engage in the activity. Remember to check in with your child/ren to see how they feel after an act of kindness :)

Vrushali
School Counsellor

As you may know, our school is subscribed to Parenting Ideas, which is now owned and run by one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, Dr Justin Coulson.  As such, the membership is now called Happy Families School Membership and there have been some exciting changes to the platform. Please take the time to read the information below so you can keep enjoying these helpful parenting resources. 

INSIGHTS ARTICLES 

We’ll keep sending out the Insight articles with our school newsletter and you’ll now also have access to the Insights library of 300+ past articles via our school’s unique URL and password (more about that below).

PARENT WEBINARS

Each term, you’ll have access to a LIVE parent webinar. 

With webinars now being run live, this means participants can ask Dr Justin (or the guest speaker) questions in real time.

Just like for Insights, you’ll be able to access the webinars via our school’s unique URL and password (no more coupons!).  The recording will be available for 12 months. 

URL & PASSWORD

https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/staps

Password: happystaps

Please note that our two disabled parking spots located at the front of the main car park are soley for the purpose of those who hold a Disabled Carparking Permit. Please ensure that these spots remain available for those who require it. These parking spots are not for pick up and drop off.

We appreciate your assistance.

  

Mercic College Open Day is on Wednesday 3 May 2023, in addition to the Be a Merici Girl (BMG) Days on Friday 28 April, Monday 1 May and Monday 8 May. Year 6 female students are given the opportunity to attend the College for a full day as part of our BMG program.

Students are required to register individually. Transport is not provided by the College.

This Sunday 5^th March the St Thomas Aquinas Parish will be holding a free sausage sizzle after 9am Mass. All families are welcome to attend to enjoy Mass and share a meal afterwards and meet our new Parish priest Fr Gerard.

We look forward to seeing you there.