18th May 2021 ISSUE:8

Catholic Education South Australia
 

From the Principal

Welcome to Week 4. Last week our Year 3 & 5 students sat the NAPLAN tests in literacy and numeracy across the week. The staff were very proud of the manner in which the children conducted themselves, they were calm, focused and wanting to work hard to achieve a good result. As we know NAPLAN is only one measure of a child’s skills and knowledge There are many other factors that teachers take into consideration to contribute to the overall understanding of each child’s development. We look forward to finding out more about our Year 3 & 5 students when NAPLAN has been marked and we receive our report.

Over these next few weeks there are a number of classes going on excursions as a way of making further connections to their classroom learning. These opportunities are of great value to the children in consolidating concepts, understanding a bit more about their world and experiencing the ‘outdoor’ classroom. From time to time we ask for parent volunteers to support these excursions and your help is valuable in making sure our children are safe while they are outside the regular school setting. If you would like to be a volunteer you do need to go through the process of applying for this. There is a volunteer application process which must be completed before you can proceed with an induction process with Belinda Burford, our Deputy and you must have completed the RAN training (Responding to Abuse and Neglect). This process can take 4-6 weeks and is a mandatory requirement for all volunteers in Catholic schools. We are very happy to have parent volunteers for a variety of school events but please understand that the process MUST be completed before you are eligible to volunteer at school. If you intend to volunteer in any capacity please make the time to start the paper trail well ahead of time to ensure that you are able to provide volunteer support as required for any school-based events.  

Our school is hosting a Book Fair in the library throughout this week. This is just another way to promote the value and importance of reading. We encourage our children to read a variety of materials across a wide area of interest. Six lucky children received a book voucher for winning a drawing competition that was held last week to help promote the book fair. Congratulations to Allesandro RCH, Alessia, 1/2LE, Sebastian 1/2V, Nyadeng 3/4ZC, Anwen 3/4D, and Ashton 5/6V for the winning entries. There were so many wonderful drawings, it made things very tough for the judge! The children were excited to participate and I encourage you, if there is an opportunity to attend the book fair with your child one morning or afternoon this week if you can.

In closing I remind all families that the winter school uniform should now be worn and we will be reminding children not in the right uniform about expectations via a message home if they are wearing incorrect attire. It is important for all of us to have pride in the uniform and wear it correctly. This includes hair tied back for anyone with hair over shoulder length. Your cooperation with this is appreciated.

Enjoy your week.

James Meiksans

 
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From the Aprim

It has been a busy couple of weeks around SFOA. Last week we gathered for a whole school Mass for the Ascension of Jesus. Fr Luan spoke to us about how we can be like the disciples and go out to spread the Good News. Our Reception children led a beautiful Community Prayer on Friday honouring Mary the Mother of Jesus. The Month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary. This year Pope Francis has dedicated this month to praying for the end of the global pandemic.

“During the month of May, let us life our eyes toward the Mother of God, our consolation and sure hope and let us pray together the Rosary to face the trials of this moment together and be ever more united as a spiritual family.”

Pope Francis @pontifex

Mini Vinnies

All classes have been given a blue Vinnies bin to fill with items for their annual winter appeal. Your generous support is appreciated to help those less fortunate this winter.

Sacrament Reminders

  • 2nd Family Workshop – Wednesday 19th May 6pm in the School Library
  • Communion Celebrations – Saturday 19th and 26th June at 2pm (please note change of time)
  • Confirmation Celebrations – Friday 18th and 25th June at 7pm

As our children journey through the sacraments, it strengthens us as a Catholic Community. Faith is something that is ongoing and ever changing especially for our children making Sacraments for the first time. It is important we journey through this process with them by answering their questions, teaching them to see the face of God in every day life and taking them regularly to Mass to be nourished by the Word.

200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia

On Monday, May 24th a National Mass will be celebrated across the Nation on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians to commemorate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. In South Australia, this celebration will be held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral at 10am with Archbishop Patrick O’Regan presiding. Three senior leaders from our school will attending, accompanied by Ms Burford and myself to represent the St Francis Community.

Melissa Canil

 
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Wellbeing News

Madhavi Nawana Parker from Positive Minds Australiaa ran a couple of parent workshops last week for the Star Program on resilience and anxiety in children. Her workshops are always worthwhile as she provides practical tips and strategies for parents. For those of you who were unable to attend, I am sharing some of her helpful tips for parents.

 

Dealing with children who suffer anxiety

  • Slow diaphragmatic breathing WORKS, 3 minutes of slowing the breathing down brings the ‘thinking brain’ back into action so the child is not in fight/flight/freeze mode anymore and can talk rationally.
  • Try mindfulness and grounding such as – what do I see, what do I hear, what do I smell, what do I taste….
  • Explain to your child that anxiety is normal and we all experience it. It keeps us safe when there is real danger.
  • Acknowledge their emotions but assure them they are not in danger, only their brain is telling them they are hence the physical anxiety symptoms occur.
  • Physical movement can help as it disperses the adrenalin that the body has produced from the anxiety attack.
  • Remain CALM yourself as a parent. A child cannot co-regulate if you are heightened also. Emotion is contagious and co-regulation is needed to calm the child.
  • These calming techniques need to be practiced when the child is calm not just when the child is anxious.
  • None of these strategies work unless there is a connection/relationship with the child.
  • Children only respond or listen when they know you are on their side.
  • Always approach the situations with a loving heart and assume the goodness of every child.
 
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The Southern Cross Newsletter

Please follow the link to the latest edition of the Southern Cross Newsletter, 18/05/2021

 
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Calendar Dates

WEEK 4

  • Wednesday 19th May - 2nd Sacrament Workshop - 6pm
  • Wednesday 19th May - Receptions excursion to Cleland
  • Thursday 20th May - Principal's tour - 9.15am
  • Friday 21st May- Community Prayer in piazza - 8.55am - 5/6V
  • Friday 21st May - Year 1/2 Excursion to the Zoo

WEEK 5

  • Friday 28th May -Community Prayer in piazza - 8.55am - 1/2G
  • Friday 28th May - Reception transition Visit

WEEK 6

  • Monday 31st May - Assembly led by 3/4ZC
  • Friday 4th June - Community Prayer - 8.55am - 5/6H
  • Sunday 6th June - Family Mass - Reception and Year 1/2 - 5pm

WEEK 7

  • ​Wednesday 9th June - Reconciliation for Sacraments Candidates
  • Friday 11th June - STUDENT FREE DAY

FUTURE DATES

Queen's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 14th June.