Strengthen Catholic Identity - provide faith formation opportunities for all

Implementation of research-based practises to increase student achievement - participate in the G2GSA program to improve teaching and learning

Develop mutually enriching partnerships - increase family and community engagement through 'The Resilience Project' and other initiatives 

SPELLING MASTERY

During Term 3 and Term 4 students in Year 3/4/5/6 have been participating in the Spelling Mastery program. Spelling Mastery provides structured lessons to effectively and efficiently teach the spelling skills students need to become proficient readers and writers.

Spelling Mastery builds dependable spelling skills for students through a highly structured method that blends the following approaches:

• Phonemic approach - helps beginning spellers learn the relationships between spoken sounds and written letters and then apply them to spelling
• Morphemic approach - exposes advanced spellers to prefixes, bases, and suffixes
• Whole-word approach - gives spellers at all levels the meaning and root of a word and shows how the word's spelling is influenced

Spelling Mastery interweaves these three approaches according to students' skill development and provides straightforward lessons to help efficiently and effectively teach the spelling skills students need to become proficient readers and writers. Explicit instruction, careful selection of spelling words, and repeated and cumulative practice help students master each concept and reinforce and retain key information.

Students have been grouped according to their ability levels and meet for 3 or 4, 30 minute lessons a week. Students are enjoying these Spelling Mastery lessons, as are the teachers, and we are seeing real student improvements in their spelling and understanding of words. 

WHITE RIBBON DAY

This month we are celebrating World Missions, learning about the life-giving work of missionaries around the world and raising funds for Catholic MIssion.

Pope Francis, in his 2022 World Mission Sunday message, invites everyone to answer the call to be missionary, sharing that 'Mission is carried out together, not individually...'

Catholic Missions are currenty supporting a range of mission developement programs in Ethiopia addressing malnutrition, that lack of access to education for young children, and the vulnerable position of women in society. In the rural region of Emdibir, were 70 percent of families struggle to put food on their tables, Catholic Missions are working towards providing them with a sustainable source of nutrition by building a goat rearing centre. The resources produced through the Centre will help fight malnutritiion, a phenomenon that contributes to 50 percent of child deaths.

Catholic Missions are also supporting women in the town of Meki to learn skills and gain financial independence by providing access to vocational training, which can help them secure employment or start their own businesses. This critical mission work is carried out by Maria, a lay missionary who dedicates her life to creating hope for the futures of women in vulnerable situations.

Tomorrow through celebrating socktober our school community will raise money to send to Catholic Missions to help them in their Missionary work. Please help us raise these funds by dressing your child in some crazy socks and bring a gold coin donation for this activity, bring in money for the Money Line competition and buy and ice cream. Money raised through the recycling of drink containers will also be sent to Catholic Missions.

Term 4  

Friday 18th Nov.   - NO SCHOOL MASS - School Mass Year 5/6 Postponed - Mini Vinnies Leadership Day  - White Ribbon Day

Tuesday 22nd Nov. - Final Transition Day - 2023 Kinder Meeting @ 12pm 

Wednesday 30th Nov. - Swimming 10am (K/1/2) Swimming 11.30am (3/4/5/6)

Thursday 1st Dec. - Swimming 10am (K/1/2) Swimming 11.30am (3/4/5/6)

Friday 2nd Dec.   - School Mass Year 5/6  - Books in Home Assembly - Swimming 10am (k/1/2) Swimming 11.30am (3/4/5/6)

Saturday 3rd Dec. - St Francis Feast Day

Wednesday 7th Dec. - Swimming 9am (3/4/5/6) Swimming 10.00am (K/1/2)

Thursday 9th Dec. - Swimming 9am (3/4/5/6) Swimming 10.00am (K/1/2)

Friday 10th Dec. - Thanksgiving Mass - Join us for the final school mass -Swimming 9am (3/4/5/6) Swimming 10.00am (K/1/2)

Monday 12th Dec. - 6pm Presentation Evening ~ Awards and Musical

Wednesday 14th Dec. - Small School Carnival

Thursday 15th Dec.  - Last Day of Term 4

Visit the link below to view your newsletter: https://austparents.schoolzineplus.com/news?nid=31

In this issue:-    From the President's desk      Introducing MyKidsCareer

                        Disability Standards for Education Toolkit

                        NAPLAN News for 2023   Exam tips for parents    Upcoming webinar

Transforming with the Spirit

I was lucky enough to join Aunty Sharon at the CSNSW Aboriginal Conference in Week 1.  After a slow trip to the Blue Mountains, we had two jam packed days learning, networking and sharing with other schools throughout the State.  It was fantastic to see the students who performed at the conference, being so proud of their culture and so keen to share it. There were many highlights and opportunities to follow up but the stand out was hearing Aunty Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann speak. What an incredible woman! Many thanks to Aunty Sharon for allowing me to tag along!

                              Mrs Rachael Morris

Kinder News

Our Kindies delivered a great reflection on the importance of Rememerance Day last Friday. So very special!

Year 3/4 News

Year 3/4 have been learning about systems in Religion lessons. As a class we have researched various systems and organisations that support the needs of others.

Today we went on an excursion to our local Vinnies shop. All the children prepared by thinking of one question to ask the volunteers that would help in developing their understanding of the support and functioning of St Vincent de Paul. We also asked how we, as a school system, could help Vinnies with their Christmas appeal. 

This year's ball was oragnised by the Parish Council and in particular Jacinta Elwin and Leanne Smith and a big THANK YOU is extended to both for their many hours of preperation during this time, which resulted in a very successful ball that was enjoyed by all. Thank you also to the many staff that volunteered their time to assist on the night! Thank you also to staff who assisted in the bar!

The Page Boy for the evening was Jaydn Harvey and he was accompanied by Flower Girl Indigo Brooks. They very patiently attended many Friday night practices and represented our school and parish beautifully! They did an amazing job on the evening. 

Photo Credit to Libby Kelly Photograhy

SLEEP

Why sleep is important for children aged 5-11 years. When your child sleeps well, your child will be more settled, happy and ready for school the next day. Good-quality sleep helps your child concentrate, remember things, regulate emotions and behave well. This all helps your child learn well.

Getting enough sleep also strengthens your child’s immune system and reduces the risk of infection and illness.

To find out more see link here Sleep for kids & pre-teens: 5-11 years | Raising Children Network

At 5-11 years, children need 9-11 hours sleep a night. For example, if your child wakes for school at 7 am and needs approximately 10 hours sleep per night, your child should be in bed before 9 pm.

Some children fall deeply asleep very quickly when they go to bed. Others sleep lightly, fidgeting and muttering for up to 20 minutes, before getting into deep sleep.

3/4 and 5/6 made these in cooking this week. We used wattleseeds because we have been planting our new bush tucker garden this term. The Wattleseeds are optional and can be left out.

Ingredients (Makes 3)

• 1 Tblsp Wattleseeds toasted (Optional)
• 1/2 Cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tblsp cocoa
• 40g butter, softened
• 1 heaped tblsp caster sugar
• 1/2 egg beaten
• 1/2 cup SR flour
• 1/4 cup milk

Method

1. Soak wattleseeds in boiling water for 20 minutes, then drain (Optional)

2. Combine brown sugar and half the cocoa and preheat oven to 180 degrees

3. Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, add egg

4. Combine flour and rest of cocoa, and stir into butter mixture, add milk and (optional) add wattleseed.

5. Grease cups or ramekins, add mix to cups

6. Top each with brown sugar/cocoa mix then some boiling water on top

7. Place dishes in roasting pan with boiling water half way up sides of cups.

8. Cover whole pan with foil and bake 25 minutes or until puddings have risen and sauce thickened.