27 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Prayer and Reflection

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Guardians

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)

Professional Learning Communities

One of our main priorities as a school for 2019 is to continue on our journey developing as a Professional Learning Community. As part of this process our leadership team attended professional learning in Launceston last week in order to come to a greater understanding of how we can implement a key component of the PLC process known as Response to Intervention.

Last week I was interested to read the thoughts of our Executive Director, John Mula on the topic of Professional Learning Communities and how the PLC framework applies in the context of Catholic Education. I’ve included his thoughts for you to read:

One of our key strategic projects for 2019 is to further advance our understanding and implementation of Professional Learning Communities in a Catholic context at both school and office levels.

In our context, our Professional Learning Communities and school improvement processes must be based on a common moral purpose influenced by the values and beliefs modelled by the person of Jesus Christ. Our moral purpose is to ensure that all students at least learn to their full potential and hopefully achieve greater than what they believe their ‘full’ potential to be. Ultimately our collective aim is for the young people in our care to advance into a world where they can make a difference based on our Catholic values and beliefs.

Our commitment as Catholic educators must be a commitment to the belief that all students can learn, when provided with enough time and support. This commitment to learning in the Catholic context embraces the values of equity, justice and compassion, where teachers and support staff are the face of Christ to all of our students. We must bring a sense of hope, joy and mercy to all of our work to ensure that students authentically flourish.

Research has described the three big ideas of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) as a focus on learning for students and teachers collaboration in student learning and teacher professional learning, and a results focus based on data.

Research tells us that the quality of the teacher in the classroom is key to improving student outcomes. We also know that the Principal’s leadership underpins the improvement in teacher instruction through the instructional and strategic leadership they provide. Our vision must be based on these two research-based findings about school improvement.

It is ultimately incumbent on both the TCEO and school leadership teams to continue to provide opportunities to articulate a vision for school improvement that will inspire and provide structures and processes to support the PLC and other processes.

John Mula

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome Miss Ashlee Cattaruzza and Ms Claire Williams to the staff at St Cuthbert’s. Ashlee will be working as a Teacher Assistant and Claire will be teaching Music and will replace Mrs Ruth Freeman who is on leave for 2019. I know that you will join with me in making Ashlee and Claire feel very welcome at our school.

Swimming Carnival

Prep – Grade 2

Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students will participate in structured ‘Water Fun’ activities run by Mrs Brigitte Gralak at the Swimming Carnival which is to be held on Friday 8th March 2019.

Students will have an early recess at school prior to departing for the Clarence Aquatic Centre at 11:30 am. Please ensure your child is equipped with the following:

• Towel, cap/goggles
• Students may wear bathers underneath their Sports Uniform to school
• Plastic bag for wet items
• Clearly named clothing and belongings

The Prep - Grade 2 Carnival will begin at 12:00 pm and will conclude at 1:30 pm. We would ask that parents collect their children no later than 1:45 pm from the pool (please sign out with the Classroom Teacher), otherwise they will come back to the school with the bus. If your child attends ‘After School Care’ or catches a bus home they will return to school to get changed and will be dismissed at the usual time. If you are able to collect your child from the pool it would be greatly appreciated.

Google permission form link Prep – Grade 2

Grade 3 - 6

Students from Grade 3-6 will participate in our annual Swimming Carnival at the Clarence Aquatic Centre from 10:00 am until 1:30pm, on Friday, 8th of March. Students will have an early recess at school prior to departing for the pool at 9:30 am. Students will return to school by 1:45 pm or be able to depart from the pool with parents/guardians. Please sign out with their respective class teacher.

Students from Grade 3 - 6 will be competing in swimming races over 25m or 50m in the large pool. Students from these grades will be entering into races at school. It is essential that you check the races they have chosen and if there are any questions please contact Mr Clark at as soon as possible.

Swimwear can be worn underneath the sports uniform. Check items of clothing are CLEARLY named. Please pack a plastic bag for your child’s wet items. No jewellery is to be worn to the pool. All students will need to wear sneakers to school but may wear flip flops, crocs or sandals to the pool. Students will be unable to have showers after the event, unless there is a medical need.

Finally, the Swimming Carnival is the carnival where we need the most help from parents. If you would like to assist on the day of the Carnival please let Mr Clark know at your earliest convenience.

Google permission form link Grade 3 – Grade 6

Goal Setting Interviews

Next week we are holding Goal Setting Interviews for students in Grades Prep-6 on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. These interviews provide students and parents with a valuable opportunity to catch up with teachers and help set the agenda for personal growth throughout the year. We encourage all of our parents to speak to their children about their gifts and talents as well as those areas they find challenging and difficult in order to make the best possible use of the interview time.

Parking and Pick-Up

Could all parents and guardians please comply to the following protocols in regard to the pick-up and drop off of students at St Cuthbert’s Catholic School:

Please ensure that the NO PARKING zone that is sign-posted outside the school on Corinna Road is strictly observed. This is a drop-off/pick-up zone only.

Cars must not be left unattended in the zone.

Parents are asked to drive around the block if they cannot see their child ready to be picked up.

At pick-up time could all drivers please enter Corinna Road in the direction of Lincoln Street and exit at Lowanna Rd. (essentially making Corinna Road one way at this time of the day)

There is no parent parking in the cul-de-sac in Moirunna Road near the Kindergarten and Prep classrooms.

Please be respectful and courteous to our neighbours by not parking over driveways.

Your cooperation and understanding of these protocols is greatly appreciated.

Marcus Donnelly
PRINCIPAL
St Cuthbert’s Catholic School

PBS News

Benefit mindset: Beyond a growth mindset

A benefit mindset focuses on a child doing good, rather than being good. It also encourages kids to develop strengths within the context of contributing to the wellbeing of others in their families or communities rather than focusing on their own ends. Read the full article from Michael Grose here:

General Wellbeing

Mental health experts advocate wellbeing as a way of improving our lives. Wellbeing helps us stay resilient, build social support and self-efficacy, and cope with adversity. But what exactly is wellbeing and if it's so good for us, how do we get more of it?

Explore the Black Dog Website for some helpful tips:

Parenting Ideas

Top five strategies to improve parenting this year (Michael Grose)

MOVE WELL EAT WELL

The Move Well Eat Well Award Program is a comprehensive guide to creating a healthier environment for children. St Cuthbert’s is working toward achieving a “Move Well Eat Well Award”. “Move Well Eat Well Award” Schools are supported to meet key criteria which reinforce healthy eating and promote physical activity.

Rom Fabrizio
Teacher / Wellbeing Coordinator
romeo.fabrizio@catholic.tas.edu.au

RE in Grade 3/4 Red

School Fees

Fee Invoices will be sent out this week. Please contact the school office if you don’t receive yours via the school bag or email. Payments already made will not appear on this invoice. Statements will follow later in Term 1.

A prompt payment discount will be applied if paid in full by 31/03/19.

Please return the 2019 Fee Payment Arrangement Form or contact the office if you haven’t already done so.

If Fee Assistance is to be requested, applications need to be submitted by 20/03/19 to be considered.

Contact Email addresses

Email is now being used to communicate a wide variety of information to parents and guardians and will be one of the School’s primary means of communication.

It is important therefore that we not only have an email address for every parent, but that the email address we have on record is correct. If you need to update your email address, please contact the School Office.

Parent/Teacher Goal Setting Interviews

Bookings are now open for Parent/Teacher Goal Setting Interviews. Please click on the attached letter and booking instructions for details.

NAPLAN Reporting

A national review on NAPLAN reporting is under way. If you want to make a submission, head to the link below and have your say. #education #naplanreportingreview

To what extent are NAPLAN data and the MySchool website used to inform teaching? This and other questions related to NAPLAN are currently being addressed through a national review of NAPLAN reporting. Written submissions are welcome until Thursday 14 March 2019.

Find out more at

Parents and Friends Committee

The Parents and Friends Association (P&F) is a vital and necessary organisation of our school. Its primary aim is to support the school wherever possible.

It has three main functions: raising funds for the provision of equipment and facilities, strengthening the bonds of the school community and organising fundraising activities.

The P&F committee meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.00pm in the staff room.

Office bearers are elected at the Annual General Meeting.

This year’s meetings are:

26th February
26th March
28th May
25th June
30th July
27th August
24th September
29th October
26th November

* Any changes will be notified as required

If you have any ideas or suggestions and you are unable to attend a meeting, please place your idea or suggestion in writing in the P&F draw, located in the school office.

Everyone is welcome.

Mass Times

Church of the Incarnation, Lindisfarne
Saturday: 6:00 PM (Vigil Mass)

Corpus Christi, Bellerive
Sunday: 10:30 AM, 6:00 PM

John Paul II, Rokeby
Sunday: 8:30 AM

Uniform Shop

TERM 1
Tuesday 8.45-9.30am
Thursday 2.30-3.00pm

WWVP Card Update

A number of WWVP Cards expired in 2018. Could those who have cards registered at the Office, please update them asap if they have expired.

When you sign in this year at the Office, you will be asked to take a lanyard and place your WWVP card in the lanyard pocket, to wear around your neck when visiting the school.

Important Dates

St Virgil’s College Senior Open Day

St Virgil’s College Senior School Open Day – Austins Ferry campus, Thursday March 7 from 9.00 am to 5pm for guided tours. Come and experience Grade 7 to 10 students at work and play during an interactive tour of the College. Meet staff and students and learn about the exciting learning opportunities available to boys at St Virgil’s College.

Grade 7 enrolments for 2021 (current Grade 5) will close during Term 3 2019 so it is a great time to visit St Virgil’s. Vacancies may also be available at other secondary grade levels.

Opportunities also are available to tour the College at 2019 Principal’s Tours which are conducted from 9am – 10.30am on Friday April 5, Friday June 21 and Friday July 26.

For all Open Day and Principal’s Tours information or to complete an online enrolment please visit the website below or email mnugent@stvirgils.tas.edu.au to arrange a tour at a time that suits you.