Newsletter 17 November 2023

Principal's Message

 Friday 17 November 2023 - Term 4 Week 6

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a fabulous FETE Day we had last Friday. A massive thank you to our staff, Parent Forum members, parent and family volunteers and especially our students for making the day a great success. The weather, whilst dicey in the morning, could not have been better for the duration of the FETE and our student’s behaviour was exemplary. A final figure is yet to be calculated but it appears we raised more than $15,000 for our school. What a wonderful community we have!

This week, many of our staff undertook classroom micro-skills training. For most of us, this was a refresher and affirmed the many different micro-skills we use daily in the classroom. 

I have chosen to include this in my newsletter piece this week as behaviour and classroom management are hot topics in education at present, and whilst we feel our school holds very high expectations for behaviour, we are always looking for growth. This topic also follows from my last newsletter piece around lifting student behaviour outside of the classroom, especially when transitioning. 

We know that effective classroom management is necessary for student learning; it increases instruction time and maximises student achievement while providing a positive learning environment and enhancing student-teacher relationships.

Micro-skills are a set of proactive teacher behaviours that support classroom management. They help teachers to create a positive and structured learning environment. This involves setting clear expectations, managing time efficiently, and responding effectively to behavioural challenges. A teacher skilled in classroom management micro-skills can maintain order while fostering a supportive atmosphere where the curriculum is protected. 

Our staff engaged in rich dialogue around what is best practice in this area and how each of the ten micro skills can be used effectively and positively in the classroom. We discussed the intentional use of the least intrusive micro skills first so that learning time is preserved. Explicit instruction, redirection, waiting and scanning, choice giving and teacher body language were some of the concepts covered.   

Micro skills empower teachers to navigate the complexities of the classroom, adapt to the needs of their students, and create a positive and inclusive learning environment. By honing these micro-skills, teachers can make a lasting impact on their students' academic and personal development and this is always our goal. 

A huge thank you to our staff for engaging in this work and for their ongoing dedication to our students. 

Kind regard,

Naomi Loader

Acting Principal 

Fantastic FETE!

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Faith and Mission News

SAVE THE DATE! 

7 December, 5:30pm

Parish Carols in the church, followed by food to share and games for the children at the Curran Centre.

Our students from Kindergarten to Year 3 are learning some carols with Mrs O’Sullivan in Circle time and are invited to lead the audience on the night. Please see the flyer for details.

Kinder Spotlight

Parish Luncheon

On the 3rd Wednesday of each month, a social parish luncheon is held in the Curran Centre at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to come along and meet some other parishioners and have a chat. A plate to share is welcome, but not essential. Pop in for a quick cuppa if you don’t have time to stay for lunch.

Dominique Montford - Acting Assistant Principal Mission
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation

Learning and Teaching

K-2 Parent Storytelling Dates Term 3 & 4

Save the Dates: K-2 Parent Storytelling dates for Term 3 and Term 4

Click on the Google Form  to let us know you will be there.

Save the Date - Christmas Storytelling!

Year 5 $20 BOSS Market Day

SAVE THE DATE
Year 5 $20 BOSS Market Day - Wed 6 December 2023

Support our Year 5 entrepreneurs on their Market Day!

See flyer below for details

Year 5 families - more information will be sent home next week

Mini Vinnies

This week our classes have started raising money for the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Students are asked to bring in a small donation to go towards a gift for a child in the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Giving at our Nativity at the end of the year.  Each class has their own child to raise money for a gift.

Term 4 Canteen Specials

Sport News & Sport Calendar

 SPORT EVENTS CALENDAR - TERM 4

Clarence Zone Summer Sports Trials

Congratulations to the following students who have been successful in selection at the Clarence Zone Summer Sport Trials to attend the Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports Trials:

Touch Football

Nate Butcher, Braxton Sharpley, Jack Hammond, Riley O’Brien, Zack Harris, Max McCarthy, Grace Duede, Pippa Keshk, Rosemary Nealand, Tillie Reibelt, Cleo Rooney, Poppy Warren, Ariana Yaya, Tahina Yaya.

Cricket

Louis Harrigan, Edison Hay, Daniel Martin, Johan Rajesh, John Rajesh, Jayden van der Walt.

Tennis

Hugh Morgan, Riley O’Brien.

Basketball

Chella Burke Dixon, Nate Butcher, Grace Davis, Grace Duede, London Lacey, Coby Miller, Cleo Rooney, Summer Roulstone, Matthew Welsh.

St Augustine’s Representative Swimming Trials 

Our St Augustine’s Representative Swimming Trial Carnival will be held on Friday 1st December. This carnival is optional for competitive swimmers. Any competitive swimmers turning 8 years or above in 2024 are eligible to enter. (Not for students in the current Year 6). Nominations have now closed. Notes will be sent out via compass next week for those who have been nominated. 

St Augustine's Out of School Hours Care

We are very excited to announce that St Augustine’s Out of School Hours Care is commencing Before School Care (BSC) from the 10th October 2023, Term 4.

Before School Care Hours of Operation: 6:30am - 8:30am, 5 days a week

Daily Fee: Permanent Session $18  or Casual Session $21

The BSC program will be filled with fun and exciting games and experiences for all ages. Breakfast will be available for all children attending Before School Care and we cater for children with dietary needs or allergies.

Please email cofhp-oshc@lism.catholic.edu.au if you would like to book your child/children into the BSC program.  We look forward to seeing you at BSC in Term 4.

Fee Reminder

Canteen News

Canteen Roster

Week beginning 20 November

• Monday -  Help Needed
• Tuesday -  C Williams,  C Burbridge, N Flintoff 
• Wednesday -C Jones 
• Thursday - J Murphy, D Kelly
• Friday -  W McLean, K Cochran, L Horne 

Week beginning  27 November

• Monday - V Wall 
• Tuesday - M Black, G Lee
• Wednesday -  P Duffy, B Symons, J Hay
• Thursday - C Williams
• Friday - L Knight,  G Dodd, W McLean

Notices