8th February, Week 2, Term 1

From Our Principal - Mr Brendan Moloney

Dear Families,

It is wonderful to be able to welcome all our families, new and returning, for the beginning of the school year. The year ahead holds tremendous promise, and we are thrilled to embark on this journey with you.

We welcome our new Kinder students, Jarah, Alia, Ewan, Tenchi, Aialah, Tyler C, Violet, William and Tyler W. It has been a joy to welcome them to our school community and see the way they have started to engage in the learning experiences they are provided.

Thank you also to our wonderful staff who have undertaken much planning and preparation in order to set their classrooms up for such a positive start.

Welcome BBQ – Save the Date

Our Welcome BBQ will be held on Tuesday the 20^th February at 5.30pm. We will be providing a sausage sizzle and the opportunity to come together as a school community and catch up.

We will welcome Janita Thomson for the evening who will present to us some parent group options to support the opportunities we have for families to engage in school life, this will be a format that will replace our current P&F structure.

This will also be an informative evening where you can ask any questions that you may have.

We will hold our Beginning Year Mass this Friday at 9.30am. This Mass gives us the opportunity to come together in prayer as we pray for a successful year. We will also have the formal induction of our 2024 School Captains (Maddison and Paige) along with our Year 6 Leadership group. We look forward to you joining us for this celebration.

Attendance in 2024

Road Safety Campaign

As children return to school, it is important to keep road safety in mind. Take time to talk with your children about travelling to and from school safely. 

Here are some safety tips:

1.Be alert and aware by travelling distraction-free. Ask children to take off their headphones when walking.

2.Keep safe getting in and out of the car. Always use the door closest to the kerb.

3.Message to share with your children in Kindergarten to Year 2

 Hold a grown-up’s hand when:

• you cross the road
• you’re on the footpath
• you’re in a car park

Message to share with children in Years 3 to 6

• Use a safe place to cross the road. The fastest way, may not be the safest way.
• Stop! Look! Listen! Think! Every time you cross the road and keep checking until you safely across

STOP!  one step back from the kerb

LOOK!  continuously both ways

LISTEN!  for the sounds of approaching traffic

THINK!  whether it is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across

5.Wear a helmet. Children must wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place – it’s the law.  Foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders should wear helmets and protective gear such as knee and elbow pads. 

If your child travels independently to school, please talk to them about the route they take to ensure they are making safe decisions. 

Be a positive role model when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver. Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say. 

Never sacrifice safety for convenience.

https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/

God Bless,

Brendan Moloney

Mission News

Welcome Back to another school year! With our first celebration of the year upon us we extend a warm welcome to all of the parents and wider community to join us for any celebrations throughout the year. 

Gospel Reflection

This week we hear a story from the Gospel of Mark. It prompts us to reflect on suffering in our world. Suffering is a reality in our world. We know that violence and oppression are contrary to the plan of God, and it is the Church's vocation to proclaim this Good News (JM, 5). We are able to hope because of Jesus. The Church bears witness to it, bringing that hope to all (CL, 7).

Suffering cannot have the last word. Our love and preference calls us to alleviate the suffering of the hungry, those in need, the homeless, those without medical care, and those without hope for the future (SRS, 42).

Sacramental Dates 2024

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Monday March 18th 2024.
This sacrament is for Catholic children who have received the Sacrament of Baptism AND the Sacrament of Confirmation. This Sacrament occurs during the school day. 

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Monday May 20th 2024. 

This Sacrament is for Catholic children in Year Three and above, who have completed the Sacrament of Baptism. This Sacrament occurs in the evening. 

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be held on Sunday September 15th 2024.

This Sacrament is for Catholic children who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Reconciliation. This Sacrament occurs within the normal Sunday Mass. 

Save the Date

Friday February 9th Beginning of School Year Mass

Tuesday February 13th Shrove Tuesday

Wednesday February 14th Ash Wednesday

Monday March 18th Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday March 19th St Joseph’s Day

Library News

  Welcome to Term 1

Library days are as follows: 

ES1 - Tuesday  S1 - Monday S2 - Wednesday S3 - Thursday.  

 Please note, a bag of some sort is needed to protect books that are  taken home.

Sports News

2024 Zone Swimming Carnival.

Paige, Pip & Saorise will compete at the Zone Swimming carnival in Alstonville on the 13th Feb. Good luck girls.

Save the Date - Cross Country Friday 5th April

Welcome to Kindergarten 2024

General Business

Happy Birthday to the following who have celebrated their birthday since our last newsletter: 

Arron Williams, Baylee Chamberlain, Lindsay Williams, Oscar Hippi, Airies Edge-Ford, Saoirse Magee

P&F & Canteen News

Canteen

We still have a few unfilled spots on the canteen roster for Term 1.  We are seeking more volunteers to fill the roster as shown below. Mum/Dad/Grandparent/Friends everyone is welcome. Being a canteen volunteer requires just a few hours of your time normally from 9am -11:30am and consists of sorting the orders/cooking the food (usually just in the pie heater) then packing the lunch orders for collection & bringing along some home baking on the day. If this sounds like something you would be able to help, with please contact Donna in the office.