St Canice's Primary School Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

This is our last newsletter for Term 2. The reopening of the school to the parent community has been my greatest joy this term. Thank you for your patience through all of our restrictions and for embracing us with great gusto in recent weeks. We have seen significant numbers of parents at assemblies and we were blessed to have some of you help with Mothers’ Day, NAPLAN brekkies and our video shoot. Our Biggest Morning Tea brought parents and community members together to raise money for those known to us suffering from cancer. The  highlight for our staff and children was your involvement in our Positive Behaviours launch on Friday, 4 June. Many thanks to those of you who were able to attend our parent meeting on 2 June. More opportunities to come together as a community were decided upon at that meeting, among them a Trivia Night for parents in early Term 4. There will be a lot more information about that event in the weeks ahead. So thank you , Parents. You make our school a great community!

We hope that our families will have time to rest and recharge over the Winter holidays. If you are travelling, go safely and enjoy the experience. We ask that you keep an eye on your child’s screen time and explore the many activities available to your children on your doorstep and at home over the holiday period. This is a great time of year to enjoy our crisp Winter days, to curl up with a book, to play family games - the list is endless. 

We look forward to welcoming you and your children back to St Canice’s on Tuesday, 13 July for Term 3.

God Bless,

Miriam Meaney, Principal

We were exhilarated to see Katoomba transform to a beautiful blanket of white on Thursday morning last week. The children who were able to get to school enjoyed lots of opportunities for fun in the snow, as did the staff- check out Facebook for evidence of that! Our spirits were lifted by the beauty of that morning. We are so lucky to live and work in the beautiful Blue Mountains. We thank God for the gift of our beautiful environment and pray that all within our school community do our part in “living responsibly” and caring for it.

The children had the opportunity to explain and show their learning to you in the recent student-led conferences. The word around the school is that these were very positive experiences for all involved. What was your experience like? We will seek your feedback in the days ahead. 

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) sees parents and carers as partners in your child's learning journey. In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, CEDP would like to invite you to join the following free webinar for parents and carers.

eSafety's guide to parental controls - Thursday 24 June 2021, 12:30 -1.30 pm 

This live webinar explores the latest research and is a great way to learn how you can help your child develop the skills to be safer online. The session is delivered by the eSafety Commission’s expert educators.

About the webinar:

This webinar will look at how parents and carers can set up devices and apps to help kids and young people stay safe online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 4-13. It will cover:

• the benefits and limitations of parental controls

• how to set up iOS and Android devices for safety

• how to set up popular games and apps like YouTube and Roblox for safety

• using family tech agreements and other parenting strategies to manage online risks

• how eSafety can help when things go wrong.

What you need to do

Please register for the course on the secondary site via the following link: 

24 June 2021 session - link to register

If you have any further enquiries please email safeguarding@parra.catholic.edu.au.

Parents, we seek your help in ensuring your child represents our school to a high standard and with pride by wearing the correct school uniform. Full winter uniform is expected to be worn during term 2 and 3.

 Getting the uniform right is great preparation for future schooling and ultimately the workforce.

We have second hand uniform available that you are welcome to go through at any time, please see office staff.

Uniform can be purchased from the School Locker

theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-canice-s-primary-school-katoomba

Please email wetherillpark@theschoollocker.com.au if you require assistance

We thank you for your support in this endeavour.

Semester 1 school reports will be sent home via compass in Week 10,  at the end of this term.

There will be no paper reports sent home.

Reports will be sent home via the Compass Parent Portal. Please ensure you have logged in. Compass log in and passwords were sent via email in term 1. 

Please call the office on 4780 6800 if you need assistance

We ask that you take the time to read over your child’s report with your child. It will give you a great opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made this semester. It will also identify “where to next” for your child. As always, we are here to help should you have any queries about your child’s report.

We look forward to welcoming parent / carer volunteers into St Canice's.

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

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) collects data from schools to determine the Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA). CEDP is currently working to provide relevant details to the Catholic Education Commission of NSW. Data collected is de-identified of personal information. 

Parents and caregivers must advise their school by Wednesday 14 July 2021 if they do not want their child's data included in this report.

We are now HALF WAY through the bread bag collection period! Can you help us collect as many plastic bread bags / wrap bags and tags for recycling as possible? Our collection box is located in the front foyer. The more bags and tags we collect, the more chances we have to win.

Thank you to the parents who have completed our Tell Them From Me survey. If you have not had a chance to complete it, please try to. Your feedback matters. It helps us to improve! The survey can be accessed at

www.tellthemfromme.com/stcanices2021

Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group Fundraiser

Genuine Yum Cha Brunch, cooked by Ann - Peihong Lin ( Mother of George)

Sacred Heart Parish Hall

Sunday 20th June 2021

11am

$25 per ticket

Please contact the office to reserve your spot

4780 6800

 Parents are invited to gather and chat in Sister Colleen’s Room before Assemblies. If you would like to book the room, please contact the office. 

All visitors will be required to sign in at the office for both the CEDP Visitors Register and the NSW Health QR code.

School attendance is a legal requirement. As we approach Winter, punctuality and attendance get harder for some. Please work with us in getting your child to school on time each day and for ensuring he / she is at school for a full day of learning.

Please consider others when parking your car in the morning and afternoon. If Studleigh Place is full, why not get your child into the habit of walking with you from the extensive parking area adjacent to KMart / Woollies etc.

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 www.service.nsw.gov.au

Diocesan Soccer Gala Day - Stage 3 Boys

New date TBA

Diocesan Soccer Gala Days - Stage 2 Boys & Girls

Thank you to the students who have returned their permission slips for the Gala Day on Wednesday 14th July. We are still short players for the Stage 2 Girls team, We need a minimum of 8 players per team to be able to enter the competition. A reminder notice will be sent home during the week, If your child receives another note and longer wants to participate can you please let us know. Thank you to Malcolm Clines for offering to coach the Stage 2 Boys team. If a parent would like to coach the Stage 2 Girls team please let me know. 

St Canice’s Athletics Carnival 

Our School Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday 20th July (Backup Date Tuesday 27th July) at Pitt Park Wentworth Falls. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend. Students will be travelling by bus to the carnival. Notes will be distributed early in Term 3. If you would like to be a parent helper, please ensure the building child safe modules are completed before the event. 

Blue Mountains Basketball Gala Day 

Students in Stage 2 and Stage 3 have the opportunity to participate in the Basketball Gala day held at Katoomba Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 11th August. Teams consist of 7 players. 

There will only be one team per division as follows 

Stage 2 Girls 

Stage 2 Boys 

Stage 3 Girls 

Stage 3 Boys 

Children were asked earlier in the year if they were interested in attending the Gala Day. If your child receives a note and is no longer wanting to attend please let me know asap. 

Nepean Zone - Athletics Carnival 

If your child qualifies in an event at the School Athletics carnival  (Ages 8+), they will be invited to compete at The Nepean Zone Carnival which will be held at Blacktown International Sports Stadium on Thursday 12th August. Permission notes will be sent home as soon as results are finalised.

Woolworths Cricket Blast School Cup

Cricket NSW is excited to offer Stage 2 & Stage 3 St Canices students the opportunity to participate in the Woolworths Cricket Blast School Cup gala day on the 23rd August at Katoomba Falls Reserve. 

An expression of interest has been received from students and notes will be distributed at the start of Term 3. 

Fairplay Tennis Camp

Bookings are open for tennis camps run by Fair Play Tennis 

Holiday camps are run at Lawson from July 7-9 for kids aged between 6 and 14 years.

Duration: Half days (9am to 12pm) 

Prices

3 Half Days - $107

2 Half Days - $76

Please go to the link below  for more information.

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.

Stage 3 Boys Soccer Gala - Jamison Park, Penrith - TBC

Wednesday, 14th July 

The first day back for all students is Tuesday 13th July

Please click on the link and complete the survey so that we can organise the Term 3 Parent Meeting.

https://forms.gle/LBXLYbrZFgYrQszt5

Dear Parents and Carers,

Further to the parent meeting on June 2nd, we have decided to create a smaller group dedicated to fundraising for the school. 

We will be holding our first meeting on Wednesday 16th June 2021 at 1.30pm at the school. We would encourage as many parents to attend as possible, as this first meeting will be all about ideas and brainstorming.

We know you all have valuable ideas to share. 

Coming to one meeting does not mean you are committed to anything long term, this is simply a way of connecting and activate planning. 

If any parents have ideas they would like to contribute, but are unable to attend on the 16th, Please call the Office on 4780 6800 or email stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au

Hope to see you all there.

The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country! – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

Country that is more than a place and inherent to our identity.

Country that we speak about like a person, sustaining our lives in every aspect - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.

NAIDOC 2021 invites the nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.

For generations we have been calling for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of our culture and heritage.

We are still waiting for those robust protections.

This year’s theme also seeks substantive institutional, structural, and collaborative reform – something generations of our Elders and communities have been advocating, marching and fighting for.

Healing Country means finally resolving many of the outstanding injustices which impact on the lives of our people.

It is about hearing and actioning the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples which are the culmination of generations of consultation and discussions among our nations on a range of issues and grievances.

After 250 years, our children and our future generations deserve better.

We cannot afford to let pass the very real opportunity that now presents itself for reform based on a fundamental change in the relationship Australia has with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Heal Country, heal our nation.

NAIDOC Week 2021 will be held from Sunday 4 July to Sunday 11 July.

Each year NAIDOC week grows in stature and depth of celebrations at community, state and national level.

Is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

For further information on the NAIDOC 2021 theme please visit: 2021 theme.

Dear parents and carers, This year Ms Frazer has a tiny school choir. At this stage we have no year 6s, two year 5s, five stage 2s and two stage 1s. It will be almost impossible to create a strong, solid sound and confident harmony with such a small number of students. If you know your child loves to sing, or wants to sing, can you please encourage them to join choir? Ms Frazer would love to see them there on Wednesday (even weeks) at recess in the conservatorium.Thanks so much!

Choir is on Wednesday every even week at recess in the conservatorium. Students need to bring their recess and their voices.

For those students participating in private lessons, please ensure your child brings their instrument to school on the following days

Ensemble - Wednesday Morning 8.20am - 9am with Bonita Silva

Violin Lessons & Strings Program - Wednesday with Ms Frazer & Ms Silva

Cello - Friday with Paul Smith

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 Administrator 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