22 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of our School,

Last week we began our Lenten Season with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time when we prepare for Easter, just as Jesus went to the desert for 40 days to prepare for His ministry, we too are called to reflect on our lives during this season. As a child you may recall we were often asked to “give up” something for Lent, often things like lollies or ice-cream. Although this represents a practice of self-sacrifice I like to challenge others to “give something more” during the Lenten period. Whether it be going out of your way to be nice to someone you don’t normally talk too, or giving up special treats and putting the money saved into Project Compassion or for us busy parents, giving more time to your family, all of these actions are how we can be called to live Christ’s true message.

It was great to meet so many of you last Friday at the welcome BBQ. I had a great evening. I’d like to thank the staff for cooking and the P&F for donating the food and I look forward to our next family event.

With our upcoming state election, the Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission have released some statements for us all to think about and to ask how the different parties will best serve your child’s educational needs. I will share these over the next week.

Recurrent Funding of Catholic Schools

Government and non-government schools are funded differentially in Australia’s current federal and state funding models. To continue to provide quality education, our Catholic schools need appropriate funding from state (and federal) governments to ensure they remain an affordable option for families into the future.

Tasmanian Catholic schools receive significant government funding, which covers 81 per cent of the cost of schooling, on average. Fees and private income cover the rest. On average Government funding for our Catholic school students is 18 per cent lower than funding for government school students. In 2017 the Commonwealth Government provided 63% of the funding to Catholic schools in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Government provided another 18 % and parents contributed 19% through fees and levies.

At the very least, funding increases need to keep pace with school costs. If not, this could lead to fee increases, affect school quality or even lead to school closures.

Over the week I have been observing student pickup, both on Abbott and Campbell Streets. For the most part I have seen safe and courteous behaviour, however I would like to remind everyone not to park too close to the crossings, these are clearly marked by yellow lines on the curb, and to always ensure you use the crossing when you cross the road. Your modelling has a huge influence on your child’s behaviours.

Last week we all commenced using the Seesaw App to share with you your child’s successes in school. The opportunity to have meaningful conversations about school can have a very positive impact on the child’s successes at school, carrying right through to their adult life. I encourage you all to take the opportunity when a post is shared to discuss it with your child by asking questions like; What are you learning here? And; Why do you think this is important?

Next Thursday, 1st March our P&F will be holding their AGM from 7pm. Last year our P&F provided funds for our courts to be resurfaced, the construction of a new playground, along with numerous resources for our library and classrooms, as well as coordinating several social activities for our school community. Our 2017 Fair was a particular success, with funds raised reaching the 20 thousand dollar mark. The P&F are always looking for new people and ideas and they would love to see you there.

God Bless,

Mr Shayne Kidd
Principal

IMPORTANT: Health Request

Dear Parents

You may be aware that Pippa Harmey, a student in Prep this year, Is receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (a type of cancer) which puts her at risk if she is exposed to Chicken Pox, Shingles or Measles. Please inform the school office as soon as possible if you or your children or friends come into contact or become ill with any of the above.

Pippa's parents, Yvette and Dave have asked for our help in this very important matter.

This is especially important for all families in our school.

This is a simple but very important way we can help Pippa on her journey towards wellness.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

IMPORTANT: Closing Gates

It is vitally important that all boundary gates are properly closed when entering and exiting the school as we have a number of younger students that are known to exit these gates if they are not closed.

We also ask that Parents and Students not use the staff gate coming in from the car park on Campbell St.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

Parent/Teacher Bookings

Parent/Teacher Bookings are now available on our website and on the SZApp for Start of Year P/T Interviews. These interviews will be held in week 4.

P&F AGM

A combined AGM and normal monthly Parents & Friends meeting will be held on Thursday 1st March at 7pm in the staffroom. All members of the school community are welcome to attend.

Community Care Meal Roster

Student Medical Detail Changes

If medical information has changed for your child and this hasn’t yet been passed on to the school office, can you please ensure this happens at your earliest convenience? Also, if you have previously supplied an epi-pen; other medication; or similar…. which may have since expired, so a replacement is required, please contact the school.

School Uniform Donations

Donations of outgrown school uniforms can be left at the office to be shared with families in our community. Any families needing uniform items please contact Jacquie Wood: jacquie.wood@catholic.tas.edu.au

Schoolzine Class Groups for 2018

By now you should have received codes to join the relevant groups for your child/ren on the Schoolzine App. It is important that you take the time to join these groups, as information that is sent through Schoolzine to those specific class groups will only be received if you have joined the group.

2018 Schoolzine Calendar

All of the known dates for 2018 have been put into the calendar on Schoolzine. More dates will be added as they become available.

Seesaw Families App

We will be using Seesaw across the whole school from 2018 onwards as our classroom to home communication tool and digital portfolio. Previously Kinder to Grade 2 used Educa with Grade 3 to Grade 6 already using Seesaw.

By now you will have received a leaflet with instructions on how you and the rest of your family can connect to your child’s Seesaw portfolio. Please follow the instructions in this leaflet at your earliest convenience.

Below is a Youtube video explaining the basics of Seesaw.

Changes to Grade 5/6 Friday Sport

Please click on the below link to view a document concerning the change of Friday Sport to Gala Days for Grade 5/6 Students of Northern Independent Schools.

Band Program Reminder

Lego Competition

STM Techspot

Technology addiction is most certainly a real and present concern, and unfortunately it is not limited to adults. Whether it is an indication of real addiction or not, statistics tell us that young people in Australia are spending more and more time on devices as each year goes by. Below is a link to a website with a range of data collected by the ACMA regarding technology use among young people.

We know that spending too much time on devices, especially if it is an addiction, can have significant, negative impacts on our health. So how can we tell when it is becoming a problem? The website of the eSafety Commissioner tells us that it differs for each person, but if you notice that it is impacting negatively on your life (friendships, family, schoolwork, etc.) or your health (sleep and tiredness, mood, headaches, weight, etc) then this indicates that there is a problem with overuse of technology. Click on the link below to view the eSafety page regarding “Balancing Online Time’.

This website also has some links for you to get help if technology addiction is becoming a problem for your family.

Finally, Grade 5/6 parents, if you are finding that BYO iPads are causing problems at home with overuse, simply email your classroom teacher/s and they will keep the device in the classroom at the end off the day.

Email Communication between teachers and parents/carers

Many parents/carers use email to communicate with the school and with classroom teachers. email can be a very advantageous way to communicate, however it can also have downfalls. Below are some of the expectations the school has around email communication between parents and teachers.

• Try to be brief/concise. Teachers often receive anywhere from 20 to 100 emails per day and reading these emails can be extremely time consuming.
• Be patient when waiting on a response. Teachers can not reply to emails during class time (they are teaching your child), so don’t expect a reply until after 3pm. Also a reasonable timeframe for a reply is anywhere up to 24 hours, and can be longer in some circumstances.
• Don’t expect a reply on the weekend or after 5:30pm on weekdays. This is family time for our teaching staff and we would like to respect this time.
• Don’t send the teacher emails that are actually office related. For example, if your child is going to be picked up early to go to the dentist it is not good emailing the teacher at 9:30am the day you will be picking them up. This type of email should be sent to the office email address stm@catholic.tas.edu.au

Below is a link to document from The Federation of Catholic School Parent Communities that goes into much greater detail in outlining expectations around Parent-Teacher Communication.

Coles Sport For Schools

A reminder to place your Coles Sport For Schools Vouchers into the box at the front office.

Fees

School fees are expected to be sent out sometime next week.

Thank you to all parents who continue to pay fees regularly through direct debit. Please be aware that at enrolment the signatories on the enrolment form continue to be responsible for fees even if family situations change.

RWVP Card

Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers are reminded that if they wish to do Parent Help with their children they must have a current RWVP card, which has been copied and held on file at the office.

How to apply for a RWVP Check & Number

1. Complete the online application form linked below
2. Print the “Application Receipt” which is generated when the application has been completed in full.
3. Take the “Application Receipt” (and your 100 point check to confirm identity) to a Service Tas Shop and pay the fee.
4. Take your RWVP card to the school office where your number will be recorded. If you are not recorded in the office you will not be able to do parent help, camp, etc.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WEDNESDAY 28 FEB – MUSIC PROGRAM INSTRUMENT ALLOCATION
THURSDAY 1 MAR – PARENTS & FRIENDS AGM
THURSDAY 15 MAR – NIJSSA SWIMMING CARNIVAL
WEDNESDAY 21 MAR – CATHOLIC ED WEEK MASS

PLEASE SEE THE SCHOOLZINE CALENDAR FOR SACRAMENTAL DATES & INFO

2018 Term Dates

Gallery

Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to Tenison, winners of this year’s STM swimming carnival.

If any parents took photos at the carnival, email them through to the office and we will put them in next fortnight’s newsletter – stm@catholic.tas.edu.au.

Shrove Tuesday

A huge thank you to all the parents that helped to cook the pancakes for our students on Shrove Tuesday.

Start of Year Mass

Outside School Notices

Life Centre Music

2018 Early Childhood Music and Movement, Piano/Keyboard Lessons

Life Centre Music offers an educationally sound, high quality, fun program for babies through to 9 year olds.

Our parent/child baby and toddler music classes, and our classes for pre-schoolers offer a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of music. We sing, use instruments, move to music and engage in a variety of fun, interactive activities designed to enhance childhood development and instil a love of music.

Our keyboard classes are suitable for children aged between 5 and 9, and offer a great introduction to learning an instrument.

All award winning classes are taught by a fully qualified, registered teacher.

For more information contact Natalie on 0448 517719, email nataliehillier@gmail.com or visit our website below.