Christ the King North Rocks Newsletter

Term 4 Week 8: Friday 26th November 2021.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents

This Sunday we begin a new liturgical year. Our Catholic Christian community begins on the weekend with a season of preparation for the special coming of Christ into our community at Christmas: the feast on which we celebrate the most momentous moment in human history – the birth over 2000 years ago of Jesus of Nazareth. Each season has its special grace, and the special grace of Advent is to prepare our world, our nation, our city, our home, and our heart, for the one who is always coming to us to heal us and to make this world a sanctuary in which God’s loving will is done. The new liturgical year heralds a new Gospel writer for the next twelve months. St Luke, the only non-Jew writer of the Gospels shares his journey as a Disciple and Apostle of Jesus.

On Wednesday 8th December all students will receive their semester two reports. As we were in lock down for nearly four months, the reports will predominantly reflect each students progress during online learning. There are written comments for each of the three key learning areas, Religion, Literacy and Numeracy which were the focus during the online learning period. No E-A grades have been assigned in these three key learning areas. A general overall comment reflects upon the students online behaviours, participation, initiative, effort and how have they met the expectations of their teachers. If you have any questions or need to seek further clarification regarding reports do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks.

The newly opened Burradoo drive through of an afternoon continues to attract more families each day. Thank you to those families who have already taken up this new option. I strongly encourage families to at least try the new drive through as it is proving quicker and more efficient. The purpose of establishing the new drive through is to relieve the traffic and congestion each afternoon along Statham Avenue. This project has been in the planning for eighteen months as both council and police in conjunction with myself searching for solutions to resolve the issues each afternoon on Statham Avenue.  As a community it is all our responsibility [and now still under our control] to find a solution to traffic congestion as we don’t want the drive through on Statham Avenue to be closed down in the future. Hence the introduction of the Burradoo drive through of an afternoon. 

Congratulations to our PBS4L token achievers for 2021. These students were rewarded for achieving the highest token totals for semester one this year. Thanks to Mrs Trethowan for her efforts in organising the award opportunity. We look forward in the new year to more children achieving these PBS4L rewards.

The announcement of teachers and their grades for 2022 will be made on Friday 10th December. This session will allow teachers to meet their children for next year, discuss expectations and answer any questions the students may have.

Due to school /NSW health orders there will be no whole school end of year thanksgiving mass. To acknowledge the efforts of students throughout 2021, our end of year achievement awards will take place in stage groups on Wednesday 15th December in the Parish Hall. Due to COVID protocols and restrictions parents will not be able to attend the awards presentation. As was the case last year the awards for each stage will be streamed live. Details regarding access to the live stream will be communicated in the coming days as will be a decision on when the 2022 student leadership team will be announced. On the final day of school students can be picked up from 12 noon. Supervision will be provided for students who need to remain for the day.

Have a great weekend!

Tony Hughes

Something to ponder

Need to feel a sense of belonging, try weekend Mass with the family.

Upcoming Events

Term 4 Week 9

Monday 29th November

  • PE: Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6
  • First Reconciliation sessions begin at home this week.
  • Online Cool Kids Music 3.00-4.30

Tuesday 30th November 

  • PE: Year 5, Year 2 & Year 4 (Gr1)
  • Uniform Shop 8.00am-12.00pm  email only
  • Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Day 1 9.00am-12.00pm
  • Online Chess 3.00-4.00pm

Wednesday 1st December 

  • PE: Year 6 & Kindergarten
  • Kindy 2022 Meet the teacher Group 3: 9-11am Group 4: 12-2pm
  • Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Day 2 9.00am-12.00pm

Thursday 2nd December

  • PE: Year 3, Year 1 & Year 4 (Gr2)

Friday 3rd December

  • Online Band lessons
  • Year 6 Reflection Day
  • PE: Year 2, Year 4
  • Kindy 2022 Meet the teacher Group 5: 9.00am-11am Group 6: 12.00-2.00pm

Term 4 Week 10

Monday 6th December

  • Christmas Concert Filming Day
  • PE: Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 3, Year 5 Year 6
  • Uniform Shop K2022 appointments only 8.00am-3.30pm
  • Online Cool Kids Music 3.00-4.30pm

Tuesday 7th December

  • PE: Year 5, Year 2 & Year 4 (Gr1)
  • Uniform Shop 8.00am-12.00pm   email only
  • Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 7.30pm

Wednesday 8th December

  • PE: Year 6 & Kindergarten
  • Uniform Shop K2022 appointments only 8.00am-3.30pm
  • Online Chess 3.00-4.00pm

Thursday 9th December

  • PE: Year 3, Year 1 & Year 4 (Gr2)
  • Gilroy College Year 7, 2022 Orientation Day 

Friday 10th December

  • Online Band lessons
  • PE: Year 2, Year 4
  • Whole School Christmas Mufti Day

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 14th December

  • 2022 SWIMMING CARNIVAL - Blacktown Aquatic Centre


Wednesday 15th December

  • Last Day for Students


Thursday 16th December

  • Staff Development / Pupil Free Day


Friday 17th December

  • Staff Development / Pupil Free Day


2022 DATES TO NOTE

Term 1:

Friday 28th  January - Monday 31st  January - Year 1 to Year 6 Assessment days 

Tuesday 1st February - Year 1-6 begin school

Friday 28th January - Tuesday 1st February - Kindergarten assessment days

Wednesday 2nd February - Kindergarten begin full school days

Last Day Term 1:  Friday 8th April

Good Friday          Friday 15th April - public holiday

Easter Sunday      Sunday 17th April - public holiday

Easter Monday     Monday 18th April - public holiday    

Anzac Day             Monday 25th April - public holiday

Term 2:    Tuesday 26th April to Friday 1st July

Term 3:    Monday 18th July to Friday 23rd September

Term 4:    Monday 10th October to Friday 16th December


Other School News

RE News - Feast of Christ the King

Last Sunday was the Feast of Christ the King. This is a very special day for our community as we celebrate Jesus Christ, as King of the universe and King in our hearts.

Today we celebrated this wonderful occasion at school with an activity day for students, ice-blocks and a liturgy over Zoom.

Thank you to Stage 1 for helping prepare the liturgy and to all who joined in the celebrations.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

Over the past few weeks, we have been collecting items to make up Christmas Hampers for those in our community who are less fortunate than us.

Thank you to all who have donated so generously to this worthy cause.

Christmas Concert Filming

We are very excited to celebrate this special Christmas season with our community. We have needed to get a little creative with how we celebrate Christmas this year as COVID restrictions still prevent us from singing in groups.

We will be filming our performances in Stage groups during Week 10 and sharing the videos with our community on Friday 10th December.                    

Students are to wear the below costumes on Monday 6th December for filming day

Mufti Day

On Friday the 10th of December, the children are invited to wear Christmas Mufti clothes to celebrate our Christmas Concert with their grade groups.

Library News

Just Write Competition Parramatta City Library

Encourage your child to enter the Just Write competition for your chance to win a family ticket to the show Just Live at Riverside Theatre.

Click here for details.

Sarah Cook

Teacher Librarian LTST

CTK Chess Championships

Our new CTK Chess Champion has been decided. Students across grades 1 to 6 competed in the championships last Thursday and after six highly competitive rounds, a champion emerged. Congratulations to Caleb in Year 6 who won the most games. All students who participated showed great gamesmanship and played with skills. Congratulations to Ben - Year 4 and Eric - Year 5 who came second and third. Our junior winners this year were Jake Year 3, Leo Year 1 and Thomas Year 2. 

Sarah Cook


Teacher Librarian LTST

Captain's Chat

We made it through another two weeks at school of Term 4. We are so close to the end of the year and we need to keep going. Everyone is doing so well, and we really appreciate all of the effort everyone is putting in. 

On Friday of Week 7, a few students from around the school received a Bronze Award. This means they got 100 PBS4L tokens. This is a big achievement and we are so proud of these students. 

Congratulations CTK on another two weeks of learning and you have all done so well. We are only two weeks away from the school holidays, so it means we must continue striving to learn and grow.

                                                                                                 Mackenzie and George

New Communication Tool: Compass Parent Portal

Thank you to the many parents who have already logged on to the Compass Parent Portal.

Usernames and temporary passwords were emailed to all families last week. 

Using the Compass Parent Portal you will be able to :

-  View your child's Semester 2 Learning Summary (please note : a hard copy of your child's Semester 2 Learning Summary will NOT be provided this Semester.  To access your child's Semester 2 Learning Summary, you will need to log-in to the Compass Parent Portal)

-  Be informed of important updates, events and reminders (this communication will begin next week)

-  View your child's timetable

-  Review your child's attendance

-  Provide explanations for periods of absence

-  Update your contact details

-  Book Parent / Teacher Conferences (this feature will not open until Mid 2022)

If you do not think you have received the email with your Username and Password, please contact Mrs Cassar or Mrs Street via the Office.

Finance Update

SCHOOL FEES ACCOUNTS ARE NOW DUE.

A reminder that School Fee Accounts for 2021 are now due. Reminder notices will be sent out next week.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties please contact Susan Ritchie on 8846 2700 for assistance.

Thank you.

Susan Ritchie

Senior Finance

Christ the King North Rocks.

Esafety Webinar - Parent Guide to Digital Technologies and Mental Health

Monday 22 November, 7:30-8:30pm  Register here.

This webinar will provide parents and carers with strategies to help young people and their mental health when they are online.

It is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10-18.

It will cover:

  • what to do about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self harm or eating disorder

  • using games,apps and social media to support mental health

  • The pros and cons of digital mental health platforms

  • Strategies for young people to support friends online

Sports News

Band News

Parish News

Mass recommencing Christ the King Parish

COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted and Masses have recommenced at Christ the King Parish.

Daily Masses have commenced each Wednesday at 9am, Thursday at 9am, Friday at 9.15am and Saturday at 9am.Please note there will be no Tuesday evening Masses until further notice.Weekend Masses have commenced with the Vigil Mass on Saturday at 5.30pm and continue on Sunday at 8am and 10am.

Please note the following:

Registration for Mass attendance will occur via the QR code utilising the Service New South Wales application on your smartphone. Pre-registration is no longer necessary.

The Christ the King parish QR Code is located on the windows of the church for parishioners to scan and register themselves and any dependents. If you do not have a smartphone, wardens will invite you to register by recording your name and phone number/email address manually on the sheets located in the church foyer. Please remember to check out after you leave Mass.

All attendees over the age of 12, must be wearing face masks before entering, inside and outside the church.

All attendees must adhere to the 1 person per 2sqm regulation. The wardens will count the number of attendees to ensure we do not go over a maximum of 240 persons.

All attendees must sanitise before entering the church and sanitise the pews before leaving.

We ask that these requirements be adhered to remain compliant, so we are not subjected to a maximum fine $55000 from the NSW Government Department of Health. Many thanks for your cooperation in remaining compliant with our parish COVID safety plan.

Return to Church

To welcome our parishioners back to Church, and celebrate the easing of restrictions, the Liturgy Committee of the Diocese has prepared this video you may wish to watch.

We hope it will act as an invitation back to Christ the King parish community and reunite with your faith family after a period of instability.

 

Click on this link to view: Return to Church

Community News

School Notes

Parent Volunteers at CTK should visit the Parent Involvement page and complete the ‘Volunteer Form’ to be able to assist in any capacity as a volunteer within the school.
Parent Volunteers at CTK should visit the Parent Involvement page and complete the ‘Child Protection Training Module’ to be able to assist in any capacity as a volunteer within the school.
Click on title, go to Administration, print and complete the ‘Application for Extended Leave’ form to apply for student leave other than illness