2 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Guardians

Welcome Back

I trust that everyone had a peaceful and restful holiday and are ready to embark on what looks like to be another busy term at St Cuthbert’s.

A quick look at the calendar reveals the following highlights for the term:

• Parent Teacher interviews
• ICAS English and Mathematics assessments
• RE Literacy Assessment Year 4
• Feast of the Assumption (August 15)
• First Aid in Schools program
• Gymnastics programs for Early Years
• Maths Relays
• Tournament of Minds
• Grade 6 Canberra trip
• Dance Program
• Footy Colours Day

Once again, our main focus for the term from a teaching and learning perspective is the implementation of effective strategies for the teaching of reading. Our teachers will continue to embed the Big 6 components of reading in their daily reading programs. The Big 6 include, Fluency, Vocabulary, Phonemic Awareness, Comprehension, Oral Language and Phonics. If you are interested in finding out more about the Big 6 there are some great articles on the web by Anne Bayetto that are worth checking out.

Our staff will also be involved in a fairly comprehensive program of professional learning throughout the term. This will include attending network days where teachers will join with colleagues throughout the system to moderate and come to a greater understanding of assessment practices for writing and Religious Education. Teachers will also be upskilling in the area of Digital Technologies as well as embarking on our journey of implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) model of support at St Cuthbert’s.

Thoughts and Prayers

We ask you to keep former student, Alexander Harris and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Alexander has come home from hospital so that he can be around his family. The Harris family have sent an open invitation to anyone who would like to visit. They also send their sincere thanks for your support and love.

Welcome

We welcome Darcy Turner in Prep/One Green.

Uniform Shop Manager

I ask you to join with me in congratulating Mrs Janeen Tester who has been appointed Uniform Shop Manager. Janeen brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. I know that you will make Janeen feel very welcome at St Cuthbert’s.

Early Years: Changes to the Education Act

During the term break, there has been considerable speculation on social media around the changes to the Education Act particularly with respect to the Early Years. I’ve included comments made by our Director, Mr. John Mula, from his weekly bulletin to Catholic Education staff in our newsletter in an attempt to provide some clarity in this area:

1. The new Education Act lowers the school starting age for Prep by six months, to four years and six months, but it will not be compulsory. It will apply to children born in 2016 and means that beginning in 2021, parents have the option to enrol their child who is 4 years and 6 months.
2. The minimum age in which a child can be enrolled in Prep across Australia ranges from 4 years and 5 months to 5 years and this change to starting age brings Tasmania into line with other states.
3. Parents may choose for their child to be enrolled in Kindergarten or remain in an education and care setting/service or remain at home until their child reaches compulsory age or a mixture of all these options based on what suits them and their child best.
4. Until these changes were made to the Education Act, students in Tasmania started the latest and were able to finish school the earliest of any in Australia.
5. The Early Years Learning Framework is the main approved framework used across the nation in both education and care (child care) and early learning settings in Kindergarten for this age group.
6. Kindergartens have been part of the Early Years landscape in Tasmania since 1968 and the change to the Education Act will mean that beginning in 2020, parents will have the option to enrol their child who is 3 years and 6 months.

Catholic education has been publically supportive of the Government’s early years and senior secondary reform agenda.

Marcus Donnelly
Principal

Principal Awards

Term 3 Grade 5/6 Football and Netball

Please check the School calendar for roster details.

Hot off the Press!!

Recycling Strategy – support needed

Following on from the over-whelming support from the school community for the waste free lunches started in 2016, we would like to continue with developing a Recycling Strategy for St Cuthbert's. Getting school community support is the first step and is vital for its success. The Recycling Strategy will include plans to reduce school waste and re-use or recycling of items where possible.

If you would like to be involved in this initiative, please contact Wayne Burley 0447 479 843 or Jane Knowles 0408 037 145 for more information.

Important Dates

Parentech Conversation

GYC Production - Grease

Hook in 2 Hockey

Saver Plus