Principal's News Week 7
Dear Families
As we approach the end of the term, the teachers and students are working extremely hard to complete the teaching programs and finalise assessment. It has certainly been an interesting term and we are all still adjusting to this new normal.
I would like to thank parents for keeping their children home who are presenting with cold and flu like symptoms. We are seeing an increase in children presenting at sick bay feeling unwell. I do ask that you keep your child at home if they are complaining of being unwell in the morning. We will send children home if they have coughs or colds at school.
SEMESTER ONE REPORTS
Teachers will commence completing Semester One reports which will go home on Friday 26 June. In response to the changed learning circumstances in Term 1 and Term 2, Semester 1 2020 reporting processes have been modified to provide parents with information about their child’s achievement and progress. The report covers work completed at school in both Term 1 and Term 2. Student achievement for students in Yrs 1 -6 will be reported as an A-E grade for the main core areas: Religious Education, English and Mathematics and HASS. Kindergarten will be assessed on RE, English and Mathematics.
We have made the decision that other subjects will not receive a grade and a ‘Not assessed’ is displayed. This means that, although the learning throughout the semester has been rigorous, it is not possible to make an overall judgement about the student’s achievement in relation to the reporting Outcomes or Achievement Standards against the Grade Descriptors.
A new section ‘Engagement with Learning’ has been developed to replace the ‘Personal and Social Capabilities’. The new statements are based on the Australian Curriculum: General capabilities, and target four key areas of learning engagement: Thinking, Communication, Responsibility and Collaboration. The inclusion of the ‘Engagement with Learning’ statements means that the General Comment section of the report is no longer required; the statements give detailed information on your child’s approach to learning.
During Week 10, you will be required to attend a Parent-Teacher interview (K-2) or a Three-Way conference (Yrs 3-6) to discuss the report and set goals for/with your child for Semester 2. Information about booking a time will be available shortly. These interviews will be via zoom.
UNIFORM
At the moment I have been noticing that the students’ uniforms are getting more untidy each day. I appreciate that the school tracksuit is unavailable at the moment and that children are able to wear alternative pants on sports days; however, all other uniform items are in stock. Could I please ask parents to ensure that your child is wearing the correct uniform to school each day? This includes ties for the boys and black leather school shoes on non-sports days for all students. Please remember that they wear their sports uniform only on sports days.
Teachers will be checking uniforms over the coming weeks and sending home reminders to parents if your child is out of uniform.
Thank you for your support with this matter.
VINNIES WINTER APPEAL
Vinnies has launched a Crisis Appeal to raise funds for additional need due to COVID-19. Due to restrictions of operation, it has not been possible to run an appeal in the traditional manner. Vinnies are accepting donations to the appeal online or by calling 13 18 12. The Vinnies Night Patrol Vans are still seeking physical donations of warm items such as blankets, jackets and new socks etc. If you are unable to contribute financially, you may be able to donate these items. The school is happy to accept any donations. All donations are quarantined for 72 hours before being sorted.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY MONTH
Live Streamed Marriage Seminars Sundays in June
The local Archdiocese has organised a series interactive live-streamed presentations for Marriage & Family Month immediately after the 11am Online Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral for the next three Sundays (14th, 21st, 28th June).
Listeners will be able to interact online and ask questions of our impressive line-up of international, interstate and local Catholic couples speaking at 11.45am each Sunday from mid-June. See full program at https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/marriage-family-month-june-2020/
Free Online International Catholic Marriage Summit this week
Starting this Friday, 50+ high profile Catholic speakers & social media personalities will be appearing online with their spouses to share openly about the highs, lows and challenges of married life.
This free International Catholic Marriage Summit is the first of its kind. The instructions to the committed Catholic speakers was to ‘keep it real’. Talk topics include finances, grief, communication, conflict and sex. It should be a great resource for any engaged or married couple. Register for free here or at https://www.joyfuleverafter.org/
Award winning Canberra wine maker Tim Kirk and his wife Lara, a Catholic marriage educator, will be speaking on the topic: “I Can’t Make You Happy”.
Peace and Best Wishes
Kate Markcrow
Principal