St Canice's Primary School Newsletter

Dear Parents, Carers and Members of the St Canice’s Community,

We had a very exciting start to the return to school for Years 3-6 and to the relaunching of our K-6 school . Breakfast was served at the gates as students entered and there was lots of laughing to be heard as friends reunited for the first time in many weeks. We are now a K-6 school once again and what a joy that is!

I have observed all of your children in class and on the playground and have had significant conversations with their teachers to see how they are settling back in. This is going very well. We are keen to respond quickly to any anxieties or issues you or your children may have so please, get in touch with your child’s teacher, with Mr White or with myself should you have any concerns.

Parents, I am delighted to let you know that our enrolments for 2022 are growing. I am very grateful to you for your help in this area. Please keep up the great work you are doing among your friends and on the social media platforms you use. Resharing our Facebook posts, for example, can be very helpful for us. This week, CEDP (our system) has organised a letterbox drop of our most recent flyer to homes all the way from Hazelbrook to Blackheath. If you receive one, pass it on to somebody who has a little one!

Parents and Carers, your child’s teacher has been in touch with you to ask some questions about your child’s learning when learning from home. This is to ensure that your voice is heard when we write reports later this term. We will also seek input from the children. Reports will look different of course and I will provide more information about what to expect in a future newsletter. Thank you for supporting our teachers with these conversations.

As always, thank you for all that you do to support St Canice’s and for ensuring the safe and happy return to school of your children.

God bless,

Miriam Meaney

mmeaney@parra.catholic.edu.au

World Teacher Appreciation Day is on Friday, 29th October. I have referred to our teachers on a number of occasions throughout this newsletter. I wanted to let you all know how much I value the wonderful teaching staff we have at St Canice’s. Our teachers go the extra mile to ensure the learning and wellbeing of your children. This was abundantly clear to all during Remote Learning. No request is too difficult. I am very blessed to work with such a professional and supportive team. I look forward to recognising our outstanding teachers at Assembly on Friday this week. Mr White has sent you the details via Zoom. Please join me in sharing our appreciation of our teachers and the work they do for your child. 

Many thanks to Fr John and to Mrs Wedesweiler for providing our students in Stage 3 with the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Confirmation this term. A note has been sent home to that effect. If you / your child are interested, please respond to Mrs Wedesweiler.

We are very aware that our students in Stages 2 and 3 have had a huge amount of “screen time” during remote learning. We are ensuring a balance at school. There are lots of opportunities at school for bookwork and for learning, using concrete materials and physical resources. In addition, this beautiful spring weather has allowed the children and staff to avail of the “great outdoors” at our beautiful school. Strings is back on the agenda for Stage 2 and Ms Frazer is ready to commence Ukulele Club, which will be weekly until Choir can resume. We are waiting for the green light from Captivate regarding  individual music lessons and Ensemble. We are nearly there! In Art, the children are investigating artists, recycling and using their drawing and painting skills to create amazing pieces of Art.

My thanks to Mr van der Walle and Mr Scanlan for organising e-Safety sessions for our students in Stages 2 and 3. This will take place this week and in the weeks ahead. We are very conscious that the children in Years 3-6 have had more access than usual to electronic devices over the past 16 weeks. It is timely and essential to reteach them appropriate use of devices and their responsibilities related to safety and wellbeing online. 

I want to thank the St Canice’s community for my warm welcome over the past 3 weeks, and it was wonderful to be on site for the first time last week. It was a highlight to meet the staff and some students in person. I look forward to a time when I can meet some parents face to face as well.

Mrs Meaney and I provided a 45min Zoom session on transitioning children back to school after lockdown and remote learning. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet some parents during that session and discuss the ways that we can support our student’s wellbeing in relation to the next lot of changes they are facing.

These sessions are something we would like to offer more of as a way of supporting wellbeing across the entire school and I am interested in hearing from parents if there are particular topics you would like explored. 

Some ideas that are already in mind are:

• Managing technology, social media, online gaming etc.

• Talking to kids about difficult subjects (that might include Covid19, illness, death, separation and divorce, relationships)

• Emotion Coaching and other parenting support

Please email me at ehackney1@parra.catholic.edu.au with suggestions for topics for these sessions. Your help is greatly appreciated! 

Thank you.Emma Hackney

We are so excited to soon have all our students back and have been closely working with our Positive Behaviour Support 4 Learning Teacher Educator to help transition the students back to school feeling safe and part of this community.  A phrase we will be using to help the students with this is: At St Canice's we give each other a helping hand. We are special, unique and are a part of the St Canice's school community. We all belong to our classroom community and we support and help each other. Please feel free to further support your child by using this phrase too.

As we approach Summer, we are getting closer to commencing work on our outdoor learning area. The site for the Outdoor Learning Area is at the back of the school, facing Lurline Street. We already have two large planter boxes in this area, housing an indigenous garden. Some of our students in Stage 2 work with Ms Gillespie in managing the garden. We will install a decking area, seating, screens and further planting options in this area.

Calling all Rocks.......Students are asked to bring back their painted rocks to school when they return.

If rocks are not yet painted , they can be returned and Ms Morley will endeavour to help students to complete this task.

So let's help St Canice's rock by returning all the rocks!

Ms Morley

By Five Strengthening Care for Children and Yarra Communities That Care are proud to once again partner to deliver a FREE webinar; 

'Thriving Kids - Engaging with Sport, the Arts & Community'.

Dr Billy Garvey will be joined by Olympic Gold Medallist, Lucy Stephan, Former Soceroos Captain and A-League Champion, Mark Milligan, and Lawyer, Media Commentator and Activist Nyadol Nyuon, to share stories and practical strategies to inspire and encourage (re)engaging with sporting, artistic and community activities that bring joy.

This free webinar is suitable for parents and children, and recognises the social connections and self-worth that comes from engaging in joyful pursuits following a period of lost opportunities. The panel will reflect on their own experience of community, overcoming adversity & important adults along their journey to success in the context of child and family wellbeing. 

This free webinar will be held on Thursday October 14th at 7pm and you can register your attendance above or via this link. 

We encourage parents and carers to contact us at any time to arrange a tour of our school, meet our staff and see our learning in action. Please phone 4780 6800 during our office hours 8:30am - 3:30pm or email stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au

Please share this post with our community -

Everyone is welcome at St Canice's

Katoomba!https://youtu.be/TNhJBt6ofY8

Many families have reported that children learning from home has given their child the opportunity to work at their own pace and some have also benefited from learning with 1:1 support . They have had a whole term of a shorter school day which means fatigue has been less of an issue. In addition to this Anxiety has lessened from being at home. 

Given these factors, children may have a mixture of feelings with returning to school this term. They may be excited or be feeling stressed, nervous or anxious all over again. They also may have new separation issues from leaving Mum, Dad or Carers after months at home. 

First of all check in to see how your child is doing 

Ask them if they have any concerns and worries about returning to school. Listen to them without interrupting and acknowledge their feelings according to their developmental stage and age. Younger children may not be able to express their feelings with words in this case they may show signs of feeling anxious through their behaviour which could include difficulty sleeping, headaches, tummy aches and being more clingy.  

Reassure your Child that it is safe to return to school 

• Explain to your child that the school staff are providing a safe and secure environment

• The return to school is based on medical advice 

• People who are unwell will stay at home

• Remind them it's okay to have mixed emotions about returning to school and ask them what they are worried about 

Prepare your child for changes at school 

• Reinforce good hygiene practices

• Normal Drop and pick up procedures may be different for a while 

• Parents may not be allowed to come into the school for a little longer

Get back into a Structured Routine 

• Start getting your child back into the routine of a good sleep cycle. Waking up early and going to bed at their normal bedtime.. 

• Get your child involved in getting their uniform, shoes and school bag packed ready for school.

• Speak to your child and ask if they have any requests for what they would like to have for recess and lunch and ask them to help you prepare and pack their food. 

• Remember to allow a little extra time in the morning to prepare for school and goodbyes at the school gate.

Please feel free to speak to your child’s  teacher, Ms Meaney or myself if you have any concerns or worries about your child returning to school.

Kind Regards, 

Kylie Ranson 

St Columbas College is a top co-educational Catholic College set in the beautiful Blue Mountains that equips each student with the skills and passion to make a difference in the world.

As a Catholic College, St Columba's continues to articulate and to live the values of the Gospel and to take the life of Jesus Christ as its model. In educating young people, St Columba's continues to challenge students to be people who value justice and to help create a College community that is characterised by relationships of care, trust, respect and forgiveness.

There is a strong focus on learning, faith development and student care. A high priority is given to developing quality relationships between staff and students, and to the provision of support structures for every student.

Enrolments are considered at any time throughout the year, however, the Year 7 enrolment process commences in February each year. If necessary, your application will be held on a waiting list until a position becomes available.

You are welcome to contact the College Enrolment Secretary at any time to help you obtain further information or guide you through the enrolment process.

Contact the College Enrolment Secretary on 4754 8900 to obtain the enrolment pack. If you need any further information or help in completing this application, the Enrolment Secretary will be happy to provide assistance.

St Columbas Tour

Term 4 Sports Update 

St Canices - Swimming Carnival 

Due to the current covid situation, St Canices will only be hosting trials for the 2022 Nepean Zone carnival. Our carnival will be held at Lawson Swim Centre, St Bernards Drive, Lawson on Wednesday 1st December  2021 as renovations are in place at Katoomba Aquatic Centre. 

The carnival will start at 8.00am and finish at 10.30am. Children that qualify can  represent St Canices at the Nepean Zone carnival which will be held at Glenbrook Pool on Wednesday 23rd February 2022. More information will be provided in the upcoming weeks.

Local sporting activities 

Tennis - Honour Ave, Lawson

Make your booking now and we encourage you to use your active kids voucher for your lesson. Please use the link below to book your lesson. 

https://fairplaytennis.com.au/tennis-programs/

Cricket -Katoomba Falls Reserve, Katoomba

If you don't have a team yet, come down to Katoomba Reserve on Wednesday 3rd November from 4:00pm and see Dan, Tony,  or Ian and we will slot you into a team.

Competition will commence and break for Christmas on the  15th December.

Details on our Play Cricket Page - Stage 1 Junior program

https://play.cricket.com.au/.../fcadcf87-87d8-eb11-a7ad…

AFL for the parents - Tom Hunter Park, Faulconbridge 

All over 35s welcome!

Beginning on the 11th November 2021, Arrive 6.00pm for 6.30pm kick off, every Thursday night until Christmas  

Footy for Fun - social games and Competition teams available or just come for a kick with some new mates on a Thursday night.

Contact 0447 695 006 for more information.

Little Athletics - Pitt Park, Wentworth Falls 

Pre-competition Trial Days will be held on 20th & 27th November starting at 830am. This is open to all registered members and those who have registered to Trial, but anyone over 16 must be double vaccinated. You can collect bibs and purchase uniform on those days too.

Athletes must register for the season through the Little Athletics NSW website (www.lansw.com.au). Athletes wishing to trial must also register in advance through the same website.

Competition will start on 4th December for all registered athletes. We're aiming to run through until April 2022 except for Christmas and New Years days.

As always, it’s important to reinforce that no child will be refused enrolment at our school due to a family's inability or difficulty to pay school fees’.

As per Catholic Education Office Parramatta school fee policy, a term's notice (10 school weeks) in writing must be given to the Principal before the removal of a student or a full term's fees will be payable.

One exception is that notice in writing will be accepted at any time during term 4 in relation to the following year's enrolment, that is, the notice period of 10 school weeks will be waved in this circumstance.

Special circumstances that may warrant 6 weeks notice include moving out of area due to employment transfer or sale of house.

if you have any queries, please call the office on 4780 6800 or email jmacpherson@parra.catholic.edu.au

We look forward to welcoming parent / carer volunteers into St Canice's in the future.  If you are interested in volunteering your time either in the classroom or at any of the exciting upcoming events, please ensure your Building Child Safe Communities training is up to date.

This module must be completed every two years and is mandatory for anyone wanting to volunteer regardless if you hold a WWCC number or not.

Please follow the link to complete your training

https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/About-Us/Building-Child-Safe-Communities

Parents of school-age children are reminded to register for their Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers. The NSW Government’s Active Kids program provides  vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year and also vouchers that can be redeemed for creative activities  such as drama & visual arts. Creative Kids vouchers are also available to be redeemed for creative activities and craft supplies.

To find out more information on how to apply please visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

Your creative kids voucher can be used to purchase items via approved websites, check out the links below.

Creative Kids Wonderland
Artzee Kids

BrickTastics

We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2022, if you know of people looking for a school for their child (even if it is for the other grades), please let them know about St Canice’s. The power of your words of recommendation has an enormous effect on our enrolments. Let’s keep working together to make St Canice’s that great school that has been in operation for the past 120 years.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish

Parish Priest Fr John McSweeney

 Presbytery Contact  Ph: 02 4782 2804

                                     Fax: 02 4782 6090

Website: marymackillopupperbluemountains.org.au

Monday 8.30am Friday 12.00pm Saturday 9.00am Sunday 10.00am

Saturday 9.30am Confession outside this time is available on request

Saturday Cenacle Rosary and Consecration following benediction after 9am Mass

1st Friday of month, 12.30pm

Fridays (Except 1st Friday) 12.30pm

Benediction Saturdays following 9am Mass

Sundays 12.00pm to 1.00pm

4th Monday of month - 6pm