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

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

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. 

Students attending the program learnt about -

* the role of surf lifesavers,

*why they should always swim between the red and yellow flags,

*how to spot a rip current,

* what to do if they get into trouble at the beach and

* the different types of marine life along the coast.

* Lifesavers also talked about the hazards of inland waterways.

Children from regional and inland parts of NSW are often at higher risk than those from coastal locations because they are less familiar and unaware of potential surf dangers. The key aquatic safety messages from the program can be applied to rivers, dams, pools and other inland waterways...Safety around and in water is very important for everyone!

Last Friday saw our school take delivery of a new 25 seater Mitsubishi Rosa automatic School Bus with a tow bar, window tint and school lights. An application was placed with Variety - the Children's Charity NSW/ACT for a Sunshine Coach earlier in the year and our school was advised of its sucess in late May this year. 

Variety Sunshine Coaches provide transport to organisations who cater to kids with a physical disability, regional or social disadvantage, to enable them to access the community and to experience a range of special programs and activities.  Variety supports children aged 0-18 who are sick, disadvantaged or living with special needs to live, laugh and learn. Variety want the best for kids! 

We will aim to have an official handover of keys from Variety at the Books in Home Assembly on Friday 2nd December. Please join us for this special assembly and the official handover from Varierty representatives, to show our extreme gratitude! Following this special assembly we will share lunch as a community with a sausage sizzle to celebrate. 

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.