People, young and old, make mistakes. One response is to crush them for it. Should

we stop and ask ourselves: Is this becoming an accepted “way of the world” and

does remaining silent give it permission to continue unchallenged?

 

Yes, we learn something about the person who made the mistake. But we learn a

lot more - for better or worse - about others when they respond to that mistake.

Australians have long considered themselves willing to give people “a fair go.”

Some would argue it is no longer that way. One mistake - real, imagined and even

unproven - can empower an arsenal of personal attack, unsubstantiated opinion,

gossip, rejection and retribution. Let us hope Australia never loses the ideal of

giving “a fair go” to those who appear less than perfect.

 

School communities can be powerful ‘influencers’ who safeguard a culture that will

always find a way to offer another chance, or at least a new environment in which to start afresh.

                                                                                                Giving People “A Fair Go!” by Michael Herbert

Over the past week I have spent a lot of time travelling for a variety of reasons and it has given me the opportunity to listen to some amazing podcasts that definitely get you thinking. This week I recommend that you take some time to listen to the ABC radio podcast: How the iPhone rewrote the teenage brain! Well worth the listen to understand what may be happening in your household. Technology is definitely not going away but we need to have a clear understanding of possible ways we can manage some of the effects and teach the students to be ethical and sensible users of technology.  It raises challenge for us as parents and educators, but we are not in a position to put the iPhone or iPad in the bin! We cannot demonise the technology, but we can be more aware and informed about how our children are impacted.

 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/david-gillespie-2019/10986686

NAPLAN ONLINE

On Monday afternoon all staff participated in a training course to be able to deliver the NAPLAN online assessment program next week. All students in Years 3,5,7 & 9 will complete the four tests across the week 14,15,16 May. Please avoid any appointments during this time as it will necessitate catch up exams and quite complex management issues to allow these to happen. All tests have to happen in sequence, so if they miss a test they cannot participate in the next seated exam until the missed test has been completed. This is a very different system to what we have been used to in previous years. Please ensure that all students requiring a BYO device (iPad) have it at school and well charged before they begin each test. Year 3 students will sit a pen and paper test for the writing test but will access the other tests using the desk top computers in the Room 5 lab. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher or Mrs Thompson, the School Administrator for NAPLAN.

All students have experienced the types of test questions and understand the interactive test format and specific NAPLAN online tools but we encourage them to visit the public demonstration site (just click on the hyperlink) and continue to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the test. This is can possibly relieve some of their anxiety about the testing situation when they are familiar with the assessment program.

STAGE 3 Mass

Thank you to all the families who joined with the Parish for the Saturday Vigil Mass led by the Stage 3 students last Saturday night. It was lovely to see so many young people and families sharing in the Mass. We hope to see this happen more frequently!

REMINDERS

A reminder that the two-week-grace for the transition to the winter uniform is up at the end of week 2. There is an expected cold change coming through at the end of the week so this should not pose a problem to be kitted out in the full winter uniform including ties. We will once again be ordering the winter JACKETS from Baileyana Embroidery and we will receive a commission for the bulk order, if all orders go through the school. To enable maximum use out of the jackets we would hope that we may be able to finalise the order by the end of week 4 to allow for delivery. All jackets are $50 and will also include the child’s surname embroidered for easy identification. Please contact the Front Office if you have any queries and an order form will be attached to this newsletter and/or sent home today or tomorrow. They are excellent value and very serviceable.

The Mother’s Day stall will be held this Thursday 9^th May in the Library and all gifts will be $5. All primary students will be given the opportunity to purchase a gift for the mother in their lives. It will be open for parents to visit from 12.50 -1.45pm. This will also possibly be your last chance to purchase a raffle ticket in the Mother’s Day prizes. It will be drawn Friday 10^th May before COB.

Working With Children Check

As per legislative requirements and CE policy it is a requirement that all parents or adults who are escorting students to an event or coaching or interacting with our students in any manner require a current WWCC notification to be kept on file here at school. This also requires that we have your birthdate to validate the clearance. This is part of the CE risk assessment and management policy for anyone working with our children. If you are volunteering to transport children this does necessitate that we have your details, WWCC and a copy of your comprehensive car insurance. If we keep in mind this is to protect our children then it all makes good sense. We don’t mean to create more work for the generous volunteers but it is a requirement for all CE schools.

 

Go gently!

Mrs Nicky Trinder

Principal

Mrs Natalee Litchfield

(for Patrece Maxwell)

To date we have collected 3960 stickers (thank you for sending these into Sacred Heart).

If you have any stickers at home, or a family member is collecting these, can you continue to send these to the Front Office. Every sticker counts towards new school resources for the students.

Many thanks for your continued support!