Newsletter-Term 2-Week 8-Friday 16th June 2023

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

We held our first Parent Forum meeting for 2023 on Tuesday evening. I extend a big thank you to those parents who came along to represent the parent community. Our President, Mrs Amy Campbell has availed her position which she has held for the last two years. I thank Amy on behalf of our community for her service in this role. We will elect a new President at our next meeting on Tuesday evening August 1^st. We recently purchased a new portable PA system from the Parent Forum levy which was used today for the first time at our Athletics Carnival. We are looking at purchasing an upgrade to our Hall PA system which will be further discussed at the next meeting. I can assure you that those who attend these meetings are not doing so because they have nothing else to do. Understandably, some parents simply cannot attend, but if you can, I encourage you to come along to at least one meeting per year to show your support for your fellow parents and our school community.

For the first time in recent years we have reached a level of new Kinder enrolments that has required us to establish a waiting list. It is wonderful to be in this position so early in the year and hopefully a sign of future interest in our school which will ensure we have sustained enrolments throughout the year levels.

This year we have required an increased number of casual teachers in a social environment where they are a scarcity. We are very conscious that this is currently a problem across all schools and systems, and we actively employ strategies to minimise the impact on our students’ learning.

On Wednesday evening, August 2^nd, we will host a number of Japanese guests who will provide a cultural experience for our school families. In the past these Japanese cultural evenings sell out and unfortunately we can only cater for a set number of participants. We will provide further details soon around the agenda for the evening, including the presentations, the menu and the cost. The event will only be open to immediate members of our school families.

Peace in Christ

Dan Gubby.

School Calendar-Term 2 & 3

Term 2

Pupil Free Day Term 2

Friday, 30th June 2023

____________________________________________

Pupil Free Day Term 3

Monday, 17th July 2023

Term 3

Assistant Principal Mission News...

The Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

This coming weekend's reading is from Matthew 9:36-10:8 - Jesus sends the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his Disciples. We are all sent by Jesus to do the work that he did. This may seem intimidating, yet when we work with others to achieve a common goal, we have learnt what it means to do the work of Christ. 

Source: https://www.loyolapress.com 

Whole School Mass

Our next whole school Mass will be Thursday, 22nd June at 2:30pm in the Church. We welcome our school community to join us for this Mass. The theme for this Mass is ‘Light’ and letting our light shine. We look forward to this celebration as a school community. 

Sacrament of Holy Communion

The Sacrament of Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, 20th August at 11:00am in the Church. This Mass will be followed by morning tea under the tree outside the Church. 

The first family session will take place on Tuesday, 25th July at 5:30pm with the second family session taking place on Tuesday, 8th August at 5:30pm. 

The Sacramental students will participate in a reflection day on Friday, 18th August at Holy Family Catholic Primary School. A Compass Event will be sent to the families of the Sacramental students early Term 3. 

This Sacrament is for students in Year 4 and above who recently completed their Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

If you would like any more information regarding the Sacramental program, please contact Kasey (kasey.miles@lism.catholic.edu.au) or the Parish Office. 

Pets at School

We are seeing an increase in pets, namely dogs, being brought onto school grounds before and after school. We ask that animals are not brought onto school grounds (unless prior access has been granted) for a number of reasons. 

1. We have a school support dog, Barkley
2. There needs to be a risk assessment completed for the animal
3. Some students and adults have allergies (anaphylactic reactions) to certain animal fur

We thank you for your support with this and ask that you do not bring animals onto school grounds. 

Light of Jesus Awards

Congratulations to the students who were awarded a Light of Jesus ticket last fortnight. 

• Jessica Dogan - Kinder 
• Clover Greenhalgh - Kinder
• Aria Llewellyn - Year 2
• Fletcher Bernades Skelton - Year 4
• Maverix Thomas - Year 4

Congratulations to the following students on receiving 10 light of Jesus Tickets. They now receive a certificate and blue arm band. 

• Maliah Cotes - Kinder
• Thomas Goswell - Kinder
• Harriet Hudson - Kinder
• Harley Thompson - Kinder
• Aria Llewellyn - Year 2

Kasey Miles

Assistant Principal Mission

Parish News...

St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish of Ballina

• St Francis Xavier Church-47 Cherry Street, Ballina
• Holy Family Church-94 Ballina Street, Lennox Head 

Parish Mass Times

Learning & Teaching News...

Dear Parents and Families,

Semester One Reports

The reporting process is one avenue for teachers to provide feedback to parents about their child’s progress. Semester One reports will be made available via Compass on Friday, 23rd June. You will receive a Compass news feed in Week 9 confirming the release date and instructions about how to access your child’s report. 

The A to E grading scale allows teachers to report student academic achievements at any point in time using clear standards. Teachers make a professional on-balance judgement to decide which grade best matches the standards your child has achieved, based on assessment information collected. 

The Semester One reports will include a grade from A to E for each Key Learning Area for students in Years 3 to 6. In Years 1 and 2, there is no longer an overall grade allocated for English or Mathematics. Each focus area is graded separately using the descriptors: Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Basic or Elementary, providing a more precise account of student achievement..

The scale used to describe Kindergarten achievement at a point in time is: Working Towards, Working At, and Working Beyond expected Level. 

Please refer to the Compass news feed sent on Tuesday, 13th June that details changes to the K-2 reports in alignment with the new K-2 syllabi for English and Mathematics.

The grade descriptors for all year levels will be supported by written comments designed to give you more information about your child’s achievements and learning goals.

Our formal parent-student-teacher conferences were held in Term 1 for students in Kindergarten to Year 6; therefore there will be no formal booking system this term. However, you are encouraged and most welcome to contact your child’s teacher directly to arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s progress.

Kristie Coster

Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Speech Finalists

A big congratulations to all students who participated in the class heats for public speaking. It was wonderful to see the students grow in confidence and poise in their delivery. Five students from each year level will be competing in the finals in the Hall next Friday, 23rd June 2023. K-2 will be held from 9.15 - 9.45 am and Years 3-6 will be from 9.45 - 11 am. Parents are warmly welcomed to join us.

Canteen News...

We Need Volunteers for our School Canteen

Tammy & Kaylene are looking for volunteers for the canteen. If you are able to spare a couple of hours, between 9am and 11:30am, once a month please contact the school office on 66863370 or contact Tammy or Kaylene in the canteen and let them know what day suits you.  

Sushi Specials Term 2

$3.90 each Chicken, Tuna, Avocado or Vegetarian-Sauce 20c each.

Week 9

Tuesday, 20th June

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all our students a wonderful birthday!!

Friday, 16th June  to Thursday, 29th June

Parent Information...

School Fees

Please note that Term 2 School Fees are overdue and payable now. 

Compass Events-School Excursions/Events

The Compass Event Module is where you receive all the information about an excursion or an event. It will also be where you are required to give consent and make payment. 

The Event Module has replaced the hard copy note that would normally be sent home.  If you receive an event notification or email, this means your child/ren are required to participate in the event. Please do not disregard the notification or email. If you have any questions about an event, please contact the class teacher or the school office.

Parents are required to action the Excursion Event in Compass prior to the due date that is stated in the event, unfortunately if you miss the due date your child/ren may miss out on attending. Event notifications will come via email and Compass notification on your Compass App. 

Student Messages

If you need to contact the school to give your child/children a message regarding a change to arrangements for after school transport, please ensure you phone the school office prior to 1:45pm to ensure the message can be delivered in time. Unless it is an absolute emergency, we are unable to ensure messages can be delivered at such short notice and PLEASE NO EMAILS to notify your child/children of any changes, as we cannot guarantee that the message will be delivered in time to your child.

All after school care arrangements should be relayed to your child/children prior to arriving at school and in the case of infant’s children, the teacher should also be notified of any change to arrangements, particularly in relation to bus travel, by a written note/email.

As you can appreciate the school is a very busy place at home time, so your assistance and consideration in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

Parent Sign In

All parents are reminded that if they are entering the school grounds, for what ever the reason, you MUST sign into the school via the Ipad in the front office or via the QR codes at our gates. There are no exceptions. 

Student Absences

Parents are reminded that if your child/ren are absent from school you must follow the following steps:

• Reply to the text message that is sent via Compass before 3pm, or
• Email the school office on balp@lism.catholic.edu.au

All absences must be received in writing. 

Student Partial Absences

Parents are reminded not to enter a partial attendance note for their child/ren. To be compliant with the attendance SOP, we need to ensure that child safety is maintained as far as possible. Parents are to come to the school office to drop/collect the student. This gives the parent the opportunity to provide the reason for the early departure/late arrival at that time. 

Notification of Extended Leave

All notification of extended leave MUST be submitted prior to the leave commencing. 

Travel outside of the school holiday period is counted as an absence for statistical purposes.  If your child/ren are absent for 10 to 100 days, please ensure that you complete a Form A4 Notification Extended Leave Travel (available at the School Office or click on the link Extended Leave Form).  An absence in this case will be recorded using the Code ‘A’ (Unjustified Leave).

In exceptional circumstances parents may complete a Form A1 Application for Extended Leave-Travel for consideration, explaining why an absence for extended leave is in the best educational interest of the student.  The Principal may accept or decline this application. 

Please note relevant travel documentation such as an e ticket or itinerary (in the case of non-flight bound travel within Australia only) must be attached to these applications.

Please note, a return text message notification will NOT be accepted for Extended Leave. 

Kinder 2024 Information...

Please add these dates to your calendar for the transition program: 

• Wednesday, 6^th September 2023 -8.50am-10.50am-Transition Day 1 – Parent Meeting
• Wednesday, 13^th September 2023-8.50am-10.50am-Transition Day 2
• Wednesday, 18^th October 2023-8.50am-10.50am-Transition Day 3
• Wednesday, 25^th October 2023-8.50am-10.50am-Transition Day 4
• Wednesday, 1^st November 2023-8.50am-10.50am-Transition Day 5
• Wednesday, 8^th November 2023-8.50am-10.50am-Transition Day 6

Further details regarding transition including what children will be required to bring will be sent early next term.