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- From The Principal's Desk
- Religious Life of the School
- Learning & Teaching
- Upcoming Events
- Enrichment News
- Tuckshop News
- Library News
- 2022 School Fees - Term 3
- Fete News
- Sports News
- Student Wellbeing Survey
- Relationships Education - Parent Information Sessions via Zoom
- Federal Census
- Kuranda Scenic Railway Seek and Find
- Community News
Dear St Clare's Community,
Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week. As Catholic Educato
rs we strive to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society and this year's theme of Communities of Faith, Hope, Love is a message well worth promoting.
The Docemus Awards are celebrated in Catholic Education Week, recognising the contributions of staff across the Cairns Diocese. At St. Clare’s we are so very fortunate to have a wonderfully dedicated staff that all constantly go above and beyond to support our student’s academic growth and wellbeing. This year Steph Grimaz was nominated in the Docemus Awards for her commitment to her role as a School Learning Officer - we all congratulate Steph on her nomination and thank her for the work she does.
While we were unable to gather in Innisfail with our fellow Southern Deanery schools this year, the Prep-Year 3 classes celebrated with a liturgy on Wednesday with Father Joby that focused on the story of the Good Samaritan. It was a wonderful celebration that reflected the theme of Faith, Hope, Love. It was also wonderful to hear the students sing the St Clare’s School song. Thank you to Mrs Chappel for preparing students for this special celebration.
Many of our Sacramental students, their sponsors and families gathered at St. Clare’s Church on Sunday 31st July to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. It is always a blessing and privilege to be witness to our young people taking this important step and I sincerely thank Mrs Chappel for her work over the past months in preparing the students and their families in the lead up to this day.
COVID Update
We are currently being heavily impacted by illness across the school, both COVID related and general sickness that is expected at this time of year. If your student is unwell or displaying flu like symptoms please keep them home until they are well again. This will help immensely in lessening the spread and reducing absences of both students and staff.
Please notify the office if students are unable to attend and also if you have a positive case of COVID in your household.
All staff have been extremely flexible in changing routines on short notice to ensure our students' access to learning is as uninterrupted as it can possibly be. We are truly blessed to have such a committed staff that consistently puts the needs of students first and foremost.
A reminder that masks must be worn by all staff, parents, volunteers and contractors while on school grounds. I sincerely thank you for your understanding of these requirements at this time.
Fete 2022
It is hard to believe the Fete is only a few short weeks away now! The teachers and students are ramping up their performance practices - it is looking like another amazing performance is on the way from the glimpses I have seen so far. Further down in this Newsletter will be information from the wonderful Fete Committee on how you can help - if you have some time in the remaining weeks until the Fete or on the night (20th August) please get in touch with them.
Pyjama Day
It was great to see so many staff and students getting involved in the Pyjama Foundations annual event by wearing their PJ’s to school last Monday - many of us wish it was more often, especially in the cooler weather! With gold coin donations we collected over $100. If you forgot your gold coin, it’s not too late to send it in.
After School Pick Up
A reminder that the pick up zone along the front of Mars St is to be used as a Stop, Drop, Go. Please do not leave your car when collecting students. If your children need help to get in the car, or with seatbelts, please park elsewhere and walk in to collect. We need to keep vehicles in this zone moving on quickly so that we do not hold up other traffic using Mars St.
Student Wellbeing Survey
In the coming week’s our students will complete a wellbeing survey. This has been done for the past few years. Results from the survey will enable us to better understand how we can support our students in their wellbeing and mental health. If you have any concerns about your child participating in the survey please contact your child’s teacher.
2023 Planning
We are in the beginning stages of planning for next year. I will be having staffing and budget meetings over coming months and it is always good to know of any changes in enrolment. If your family will not be continuing at St Clare’s in 2023 please advise by emailing principal.tully@cns.catholic.edu.au
Lastly, I am taking leave from 4 - 9 August and then have a Principal’s Conference to attend in Cairns from 10 - 12 August. If you need to contact me for non urgent matters during this time, please email as usual. For matters of urgency Sharon Chappel (Friday only) Chris Edwards (Monday - Friday) and Helen Andrews (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) are available if necessary.
Sincerest blessings for the weeks ahead,
Karran Burzacott
Principal
Welcome Community Hospitality
Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to celebrate some of our students receiving the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. Congratulations to Aiden, Rhys, Jace, Lincoln, Darcy, Oliver, Kenzi, Jonah, Christopher, Vanora and Layla. Chloe, Madeline, Grace and Eden will also be receiving their sacraments in the very near future. It was wonderful to see so many families in our community gather at the church for this celebration. We wish these children all the best on their continuing faith journey.
On August 3, Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to share his songs with our children. Andrew’s songs, such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “An African Blessing” and “Rise Up!” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Andrew will be working with classes throughout the day and the concert will take place in the Montefalco at 2pm. Parents are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.
With Blessings
Sharon Chappel
Whole school data focus
Each year, schools are required to develop goals for their annual improvement plan. One of our goals this year is
By the end of 2022, teachers will use and interpret data to inform teaching and learning of reading, writing and mathematics in order to achieve semester and year level targets.
In response to this goal, we have set up Professional Learning Teams (PLT’s). Teachers meet fortnightly with members of leadership and literacy coaches from CES to examine student data and create teaching and learning programs to specifically address student needs. PLTs are run on a case management system, where data is presented and the group collectively problem solve and formulate a plan of action. Using this system, teachers get to know all of the students in the school, not just the ones in their class, promoting the culture that we are all responsible for the education of every student at St. Clare’s.
Assessing Reading
Teachers complete reading assessments with students constantly throughout the year. The frequency of these assessments varies according to the student’s reading level (more frequent testing is required in the lower levels) and also the student’s individual needs. You may have heard teachers talk about ‘benchmarks’ when referring to reading levels. These are the levels that students are expected to reach in each grade. For reading assessments on Levels 1 - 30, we use the PM Benchmark system which is widely used across schools in all sectors and states. For those students who have reached level 30 and are deemed as ‘independent readers’, we have purchased a new benchmarking system called Fountas and Pinnell. These assessments give great information to teachers about a student’s fluency, accuracy, ability to retell/summarize and their overall comprehension ability. Teachers are able to use the information gathered from these assessments to target gaps in a student’s reading skills and plan for future learning.
While we are focusing on reading at school, you can certainly help develop your child’s reading skills at home. Particularly for younger students, we recommend reading aloud with your child regularly. Reading to children promotes language acquisition and literacy development and, most importantly, achievement in reading comprehension and overall success in school. In fact how often a child has been read to can be an indicator of future reading success. And you’d be surprised at how many older students love to be read to also!!
READING ALOUD….WHAT TO DO!
Here are some ideas to help you read aloud with your child…
Introduce the book: read the title, author, and illustrator; look at the cover; talk about what the book might be about; suggest things to look and listen for. This preparation helps your child to predict what might happen and who might be in the book..
Run your finger under the text, while reading. This shows your child that it is the words, not the pictures, which tell the story.
Answer only those questions related to the book; save other questions for later.
Talk about the story during and after a read-aloud session.
Use information and reference books to answer questions your child asks. Referring to a book for information models that this is the way to find out about things you don’t know.
Ask your child to look closely at the pictures to help understand the story and make predictions about what might happen next.
Repeat interesting words and rhymes while reading a book and at other times, like driving in the car.
When reading a repetitive or predictable phrase, pause and wait for your child to fill in the blank.
Stop to ask thinking questions: “What might happen next? Where did he go? Why did she do that?”
Follow up on the story. Invite your child to talk; draw or paint; or even pretend to be one of the characters in the book.
Keep reading fun! Remember this experience is meant to be a warm, bonding experience.
Leave the hard stuff for the school!
Happy Learning
Chris Edwards
School Calendar 2022
| August | |||
| 15 | 12pm | Bravehearts | |
| 20 | St Clare's Fete | ||
| September | |||
| 2 | Pupil Free Day | ||
| 9 | Mary Mills Netball | ||
| 16 | End of Term 3 |
Term 3
Assembly Classes: Week 4 -Yr 6, Week 5 - Yr 3
Other Weeks: Wk 6- Yr 2, Wk 7 - Yr 1, Wk 8 - No Assemly , Wk 9 - Yr 4, Wk 10 - Prep
Enrichment News:
In Week 9 of last term, 41 students from Year 3 and 4 (Junior Competition) and Year 5 and 6 (Senior Competition) participated in the St Clare’s Public Speaking Competition. All of the students did an outstanding job and presented some very interesting ideas on The Greatest Invention Of All Time. By all accounts, the judges found it very difficult to find the top 3 for the Junior and Senior competitions.
A special congratulations to the following students who were the winners:
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Senior Year 5 and 6 |
Junior Year 3 and 4 |
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1st Amber Dore 2nd Sophie Pietrobon 3rd Evie Wilson |
1st Henry Robertson 2nd Layla Morris 3rd Aghi Jojo |
All students that participated in the competition should be extremely proud of their effort, speeches and participation. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm and passion for public speaking from so many children in the school.
Poetry Recital:
On Monday 22nd of August, (Book Week), there will be a Poetry Recital Assembly. Class teachers and Ms Moloney will listen to students recite a poem to their class in the weeks leading up to Book Week and pick two students to represent the class at the Assembly. Poems can be memorised or read from a print out. Some students may like to write their own poems to recite, others may prefer to recite their favourite poem or nursery rhyme. Class teachers will give more information to their classes and set this as a Homework activity.
Ms Moloney
TUCKSHOP ROSTER - Term 3
Friday 5/08/2022
Coordinator: C Aspinall Helpers: N Lizzio L Robertson
Bakers: F Cooke D Jodvalkis (Cupcakes)
Friday 12/08/2022
Coordinator: M Vipiana Helpers: T Condon K Waters
Bakers: M Costa M Coppens (Cupcakes)
CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK 2022
20 to 26 AUGUST 2022
DREAMING WITH EYES OPEN
Book Week is celebrated each year in August.
This annual event highlights the importance of reading, and
draws on the joy of stories and creativity of Australian Books.
Book Week is about encouraging students to read; to share
favourite writers and illustrators; to look again at old favourite
books in maybe in a different way; to be alone and just read.
The aim for teachers during Book Week is to create an exciting
Environment and the Library using displays that challenge and stimulate
students to enjoy the theme, as well as the books that
are short listed for Book of the Year.
The Book of the Year winners will be announced during Children's Book Week
running from 20 to 26 August, 2022.
You are welcome to visit the library to view some of the shortlisted books
and winners of the 5 categories.
You can also view by visiting the website www.cbca.org.au
Invoices were sent by email to all parents Thursday, 21st July.
Due date for fees to be paid is Thursday, 4th August.
Thank you to those families who have made their payment for this term.
Please contact the school office if you do not receive the invoice so we can check your email address, or if you require a hardcopy of fees to make payment.
Please check your junk or spam mail.
Families have the option of paying weekly or fortnightly. Internet banking, or direct debit can be arranged with your bank.
Please note:-
There is NO EFTPOS available at the school office.
- Preferrably no cash but if paying in cash, we appreciate that correct money be given as we do not carry any change in the school office.
- If paying by Bpay or EFT direct debit or internet banking, please use the school bank account details shown on the term one statement.
- IMPORTANT: Please use your Ref: 966000….....(under Biller Code). This number is to be used when paying by Bpay, or EFT -direct debit, internet banking.
- Remittance slip at the bottom of the school account to be returned to the school office with ALL payments. (cash, cheque, direct debit or internet banking).
Thank you.
Fete Update No. 9
As the fete quickly approaches, we have a few reminders.
HELPERS: We are looking for a few more helpers:
2 x International Stall
1 x Kiddies corner
1 x Treasurer room
4 x Laser Tag (this will be 4 x 30min time slots)
Class Hampers/Cent Sale Wrapping: Cent sale wrapping is happening this Friday 5th August after Parade, in the Good Samaritan Room. If you can give some time to help, can you please let Marie know on 0418158872. This also means that class hampers will be taken out of the room Friday (5th August) morning. If you haven’t donated yet, its not too late to do so.
Cake Baking: If you can help tomorrow (Wed 3rd) with Cake Stall preparation please let Maria know. Also Peach Blossoms and Choc Lamingtons are still for sale on Wednesdays and Fridays during Tuckshop hours. We also rely on donations of baked goods for the cake stall on the night of the fete. If you would like any packaging please let Maria know on 0400 898 104.
Chocolate Stall: Thank to those who have donated chocolates, the ladies are still after bars and blocks, these can be left at the office.
Amusements Rides: Tickets will be on sale from this week. Unlimited ride wristbands are $40.
The link to pre-purchase rides for the fete is below:-
https://wonderfair.com.au/product/st-clares-parish-school-fete-2022-2/
The online early bird sales will close at midnight on the day prior to the Fete. Unlimited ride wristbands will be available on the day for $50.00. Individual ride tickets will also be on sale on the day and will retail from $5.00 to $7. 00 per ride per patron. Wristbands and tickets will be available at their coloured ticket booth.
Kind Regards,
Kate Mason
Year 5 & 6 Parents Wednesday 3rd August - 7:30 pm
Prep - Year 4 Parents Thursday 4th August - 1:30pm
About this event:
For parents and carers with children attending a Catholic school in Cairns . They will:
- Hear what will be covered in Relationship & Sexuality Education;
- Discuss their hopes & concerns for their children in this space;
- Learn practical tips & tools to help you speak about these topics at home.
Join by entering the URL: https://cnscatholic.zoom.us/j/69588077338
For more information contact Caitlin Humphrys Project Officer - Relationship Education
chumphrys@cns.catholic.edu.au
(07) 4050 9700
I want to let you know Kuranda Scenic Railway has a new competition that was launched at The Cairns Show last week. Seek and Find Competition is open to all schools from Cardwell to Daintree and Atherton Tablelands.
To enter please print the attachment or visit our website www.ksr.com.au/Pages/Seek-and-find-competition.aspx to download the image and check our full terms and conditions.
The beautiful illustration featured on the Seek and Find entry form captures many of Far North Queensland’s unique points of interest. From nature’s beauty to the engineering wonder of the railway and the indigenous storytelling of the Djabugay people.
Winners who have all 10 elements correctly marked and have completed their details in full are in the running to win:
- a school excursion for your class PLUS a family pass for your family
- 10 runners-up family passes
Winners and runners-up will be notified via phone and email on Wednesday, 3 August 2022.
Please send your entries as per details on the Seek and Find attachment or drop off at either Cairns, Freshwater, or Kuranda railway station.
Good Luck!
Regards
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IVANA ANDACIC |
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE |
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Cairns Railway Station, |
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126 - 144 Bunda Street PO Box 930 • Cairns, Qld 4870 |
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T: 42319029 |
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The target attendee audience for this event are -
- People with disability (whether NDIS participants or not);
- Aged Care clients;
- Their families/carers/supporters; and
- Anyone interested in finding out more about what services, supports, facilities and resources there are available in and around Cassowary Coast Region
This is a great opportunity for your service/organisation to promote what you do and attract new clients, members and/or volunteers.
There will be no stallholder or attendee fees for this event, both are free of charge.
We are now seeking Expressions of Interest from stallholders interested in participating in this free opportunity to promote their service, facility and/or resource to attendees. Please note there will be limited stallholder places available and lodging an EOI does not automatically guarantee a space.
All proposed stallholders need to complete Stallholder EOI form available via this link - Cassowary Coast Services Expo - Stallholder Application Form and attach supporting documents outlined in EOI.
To be eligible to participate as a stallholder conducting an information stand, you must either -
- Be an existing provider of supports, services, facilities and/or resources to people with disability, their families/carers in Cassowary Coast Region; and/or
- Commit to commencing delivery of face to face services on an ongoing/regular basis within Cassowary Coast Region in the near future.
For more information, please contact event organiser -
Jodi Bjorksten
Community Engagement Facilitator
Mission Australia NDIS LAC Program
Email - bjorkstenj@missionaustralia.
Phone - 0436 623 743
