Newsletter-Term 2-Week 3-Friday 13th May 2022

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

This week our Year 3 and 5 children participated in their NAPLAN assessments. These assessments can provide valuable feedback to our school to inform areas of great success and areas in need of improvement. Through the analysis of individual and cohort data, we can determine future directions in Literacy and Numeracy programs to ensure we are providing the best possible educational opportunities for all students in our school. I know this can be quite a daunting experience for some children (as it would be for many adults) so I congratulate all of our children for their participation and  wonderful efforts this week.

We held our first Confirmation Parent Meeting on Tuesday night. It was really nice to see so many children participating in this final stage of their initiation program through the Sacrament of Confirmation. As the children learn more about the Sacrament in class and through the two evening sessions with their parents, they develop a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit works through each of us to bring the message of Christ to the world. We keep these children in our prayers as they make their way through the program, leading up to their celebration of the Sacrament on Thursday evening, June 9^th.

Yesterday, 12 of our Year 6 students participated in the Catholic Schools Office’s spiritualityretreat, Incitare at Tullera Hall. The children engaged in a range of activities with children from other Catholic schools from within our region, and on all accounts they were exceptional ambassadors for our school. The children were all presented with a Proclaim badge as a symbol of our Diocesan spirituality program. I congratulate them on their engagement in the program and know they will wear their badges proudly.

On Wednesday morning, I met with Leanne Robbins, Parent Assembly Cluster Coordinator and our SFX parent representative, Kristie Pettit to discuss ways in which we can better support our parent community this year. In addition to next Wednesday night's Parent Evening, a number of wonderful suggestions were made to provide opportunity to build greater community within our respective year level groups which we hope to share with you all next week. We really appreciate the need to provide greater opportunities to connect with each other given the requirements around distancing ourselves over the last couple of years. Our school is only as strong as our relationships with our families and our commitment to the mission of Christ. By strengthening our relationships we aim to ensure our school is a place where all feel welcome and safe.

With our school photos on Tuesday next week, please ensure your child is in full correct school uniform. This includes completely black shoes and correct hairstyles. Consistent with all previous years, children who don’t meet the school’s expectations around school uniform will not be photographed. For clarification of the expectations, please refer to the school’s Student Uniform Policy. If your child is unable to conform to the policy due to financial hardship, please email me confidentially so I can offer necessary support. Incorrect hairstyles simply need to be rectified before Tuesday. I don’t perceive this will be a major issue, but to eliminate any upset on the day, and to ensure fairness to all students, please ensure your child meets the school’s uniform expectations.

Peace in Christ

Dan Gubby.

School Calendar-Term 2...

Assistant Principal Mission News...

Term 2 Whole School Masses

With the restrictions now lifted, this term we will be conducting two whole school Masses on Thursday, 19th May and Thursday, 2nd June. The masses will begin at 2.30 pm and Father Peter would like to warmly invite any families who wish to attend to join us in the church. 

2022 Sacramental Program

We would like to warmly invite your child to take part in the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The preparation for each sacrament has recently changed to a Parish based program facilitated through the schools. 

The following information is for parents who would like their child/children to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2022.  Confirmation is available for baptised students who are in Year 3 and above. Due to interruptions as a result of COVID-19, the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist will occur in Term 3 and Term 4 respectively.  

Important Confirmation Dates

Weekend Masses During the Weeks of Preparation

14th and 15th May, 21st and 22nd May, 28th and 29th May, 4th and 5th June 

The Mass times are: 

• St Francis Xavier Church Ballina - Sat 6:00pm / Sun 9:00am and 11am
• Holy Family Church Lennox Head - Sat  5:00pm / Sun 7:30am

Confirmation Family Session Two 

• Tuesday, 24th May 5:30 - 6:30pm at Holy Family Hall or 
• Tuesday, 24th May 5:30 - 6:30 at St Francis Xavier Library

Sacrament of Confirmation Reflection Day

• Thursday, 9th June 9:00 - 2:30pm  

Sacrament of Confirmation

• Thursday, 9th June 5:30pm 

Matthew Ritchie

Assistant Principal Mission

Parish News...

Parish Information

Revised NSW Government Restrictions for Places of Worship

• Hand sanitiser is provided at entrances to our Churches
• Masks are not mandatory, personal choice can be made if you prefer to wear a mask
• Receival of Holy Communion in the hand only
• Singing is allowed
• Social distancing may be maintained if practical
• Density limits are not mandatory
• If unwell please stay home until you feel well again

 Parish Mass Times

Assistant Principal Learning News...

Dear Parents and Families,

Parent Evening - Wednesday, 18th May

We hope you can join us next Wednesday for our parent evening and dinner in the School Hall from 5-7pm. It’s an opportunity for you to connect with other families and staff, share a meal and listen to a short session on managing ‘big feelings’ associated with changes and challenges. For details on how to register, please see the poster in this newsletter. Please register by Monday May 16th. Please see our flyer at the end of our Newsletter for more information

NAPLAN 2022

Our Year 3 and 5 students have been completing NAPLAN this week and we congratulate them on their effort and application in these assessments! Catch-up sessions will continue to be held over the next week. 

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process which alongside ongoing classroom assessments, can provide parents and teachers with additional information about students’ progress. A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided to you later in the year.

How are NAPLAN results used? 

• Parents/carers may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers. 
• Teachers use results to help identify students who need greater challenges or extra support. 
• Schools use results to identify strengths and areas of need to improve learning and teaching, and to set goals in literacy and numeracy. 

Year 3 - All About Bees

Year 3 have been learning all about bees in Science and Technology. They have researched facts, threats, effects of these threats and information on how you can help to save our bee population. When our research was complete, we created visual posters and then used Makey Makeys to make them interactive. The students used a coding program called Scratch to create code for their poster, then at the touch of a button their posters came alive.

Our Year 3 families had the opportunity to visit the interactive displays last Friday and celebrate the great learning and thinking.

Mrs Bateman & Miss Kearney

Year 1 - Building Their Vocabulary

We welcome Miss Jemma Eather to our Year 1 classroom as a 3rd year practicum teacher. Our Year 1 authors have been learning about using ‘better’ words in their writing. Working in groups, they brainstormed synonyms for some common adjectives and verbs so that they can use these more expressive words in their own writing. 

Kristie Coster

Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Year 1 & Year 3 Learning Photos

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Canteen News...

Canteen Roster Term 2 -Week 4

Hotdog Day

Wednesday, 18th May 2022

We will be having a Hotdog Day on Wednesday, 18th May 2022. Please order via the QKR app no later than Tuesday, 17th May 2022 at 8:30am. NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED.

Please note Canteen will not be open for any other food on Wednesday, 18th May 2022. 

The paper version of our specials will no longer be sent home with students.  Our preferred method of ordering and payment is through our Qkr App, however cash is still accepted.

Sushi Day Special-Term 2

$3.90 each

Chicken, Tuna, Avocado or Vegetarian

Week 5	Tuesday, 24th May
Week 7	Tuesday, 7th June
Week 9	Tuesday, 21st June

Sports News...

Diocesan Rugby Union Trials

Last Friday, 6th May Rab Downie travelled down to Grafton to participate in the Diocesan Rugby Union Trials. There were 52 boys at these trials this year, a testimony of the growth in this sport especially in the Tweed zone where numbers are increasing annually.

On the day, all of the boys participated well and showed pleasing development with their rugby union skills. 19 boys were selected to attend the Polding Trial in Forbes at the end of this term. Unfortunately Rab was not selected, however, he has another 12 months to develop his skills and strength before the next Winter Sports Trials in 2023.

 FREE AUSKICK PROGRAM WITH THE BALLINA BOMBERS!

• For local primary school students K-4
• Monday afternoons at Fripp Oval, Ballina
• Starts 16th May 4-5pm.                                                          

              https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/7d3604

• Enter code at payment section – 9306196C
• 7-week program run in conjunction with AFLQ development staff.
• Limited spots so register now!

NRL Rugby League Skills Sessions for Kindergarten

On Tuesday this week, Kel Menchin came to St Francis Xavier to run skills sessions with the Kinder students. Kel read a story then played some fun games aimed at developing their skills in Rugby League. We are looking forward to Kel coming into the school again to visit other classes.

Richmond Zone Cross Country

The postponed Richmond Zone Cross Country is now on Wednesday, 18th May at Hepburn Park Goonellabah. The bus will be departing the school at 9:15am sharp. The back up date is Friday, 20th of May at the same venue. 

The following Tuesday, 24th May is the Diocesan Cross Country at Grafton (WET WEATHER BACK UP DATE - Tuesday, 31st May). There will be regular updates over the next 5 days regarding this event particularly with rain forecast over the next few days. 

Please provide sufficient food and drinks for your child for the day. At this stage The Rescue Helicopter BBQ trailer will be available next Wednesday to purchase lunches, money going towards a very important cause.

Thank you to parents for their continued patience, support and understanding.

Paddy Wilde

Sports Coordinator

Student Awards...

Term 2 - Week 3

Congratulations to all our students who were this week's award recipients. 

Happy Birthday News...

Friday, 13 May to Thursday, 19th May

Wishing everyone a wonderful birthday!

Kinder 2023 Enrolments...

Enrolment packs are available from the school office or on the school website. If you need more information, please contact us on: 66863370 or visit www.balplism.catholic.edu.au 

Parent Reminders...

School Photo Day 

Tuesday, 17th May 2022

All photo envelopes need to be returned to the school office. Sibling photo envelopes are available at the school office, upon request.

Parent Assembly News...