Term 1 Week 11 2024

Principal's Message

‘We do whatever it takes to lead the way in Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit, Sport & Community’

ANZAC Day 

Thursday 25th April 2024

The ANZAC Day March 
We gather as a school at 10:00am on Monday, 25th April at Graham place (near council chambers).  I expect that all students who are in the Casino area will march in full school uniform (including hat & jacket) with our school.  Thank you very much for your great support. It is up to us all to instil respect and appreciation in our children.

It is such a privilege to march each year and honour the courageous men and women who defended and fought for our country, who still defend us today. They have ensured we remain the greatest country in the world. It is the least we can do to honour them. Students are also welcome in uniform for the Dawn Service at 5:30am at the Mafeking Lamp. 

Thank you 
I wish to thank my educators for working so hard this term, taking on a new way of teaching English and Mathematics to our kids. Our kids have been excellent too. I have never seen so much engagement and learning retention happening, never heard so many kids talk about their learning with enthusiasm. This, along with our Success Criteria, is improving the learning and parent understanding of the learning and how we all can best support our kids. This is the ultimate Home Learning.  We are following the Science of Learning and Cognitive Load evidence to best educate our SMP kids through Explicit Direct Instruction. Our kids and our community will reap the rewards of this now and into the future. This is bringing me so much joy.

Kinder 2025 Enrolment Applications: Due Friday 3rd May.

Our Last Mercy Principal
Sr Christine Austen passed away in Coffs Harbour on Easter Sunday, our last Mercy Sister to lead our school as principal before David Condon took over in the 80’s. From all accounts Sr Christine was a great principal who led our school well, helping us set up the Catholic school community we have here today. May she rest in peace.

Congratulations to our 2024 Student Representative Council
With this leadership, comes responsibility and the call to service. I congratulate the following students on this great honour and am confident that they will ensure we continue to flourish as a Catholic school community - Thomas McCormack, Hudson Scully, Myles Elwell, Lawson Bennett, Sophia Derrig, Eva Crompton, Reagan Bunting and Marley Botfield.

Holidays
I wish you all a safe holiday. This has been such a great term of Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit, Sport and Community and I look forward to doing it all again next term ... I really do!  School resumes Monday 29 April.

Take care
John O’Brien

Assistant Principal's News - Mission

School Uniform Requirements
Just a reminder that students are required to wear the correct uniform at all times at school. This includes school jumpers and hats. Often students will come to school with a casual jumper, casual socks or a non-school logo hat and need to be reminded that they are not part of our uniform. If your child comes home with another student’s jumper or hat, please return to the school office.

We fully appreciate the tough times that families are facing at the moment and also understand that uniform can be expensive (especially with a couple of kids) so please reach out if you require any additional support. Now would be a good time to look to make sure that all school jumpers are fitting your child in preparation for the cooler months and are labelled with their name.

Tell Them From Me Surveys - Parents
We will also be inviting all of our parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at SMP.

 The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Further information will come in Term 2 on how you can access this survey.

Tell Them From Me Surveys - Students
As part of our focus on school effectiveness, SMP will be participating in an online survey for students – Tell Them From Me​® (TTFM®). The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve.

 During Weeks 1 & 2 of Term 2, all students will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during regular school hours. Students who agree to complete the survey will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined together – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results.

 The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses.

 Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child will not take part if either you or your child do not wish to. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable answering any question, he/she should leave it blank and move on to the next one. Your child can stop the survey at any time.

 If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, or if you would like further information about survey, please contact Mr Irvine (sam.irvine@lism.catholic.edu.au).

Sam Irvine
AP Mission

Child Protection & Concerns and Complaints Handling Policies

Please be advised that a copy of the Child Protection Policy and Concerns and Complaints Handling Policies are available on our school website. Go to the homepage, 'About Us' and then 'Policies. 

Sport News

In Week eight, Lucas Myers and Larah Kenny showcased their talents at the NSW Little Athletics Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park. Larah participated in the under 9's long jump, securing 15th place in her event and achieving a personal best. Lucas Myers competed in the under 11's javelin and discus events, finishing 20th in javelin and 21st in discus. Impressively, he also attained personal bests on the day.  Congratulations to both students for leading the way in sport.

Olive Chelman put in an amazing performance at the Kingscliff Triathlon. Olive won gold for her age division and also produced the fastest time across both the girls' and boys' divisions. Congratulations, Olive!

Thomas McCormack showcased his exceptional swimming skills once again at the NSW Junior State Championships and our Catholic Schools Polding event. Tommy's outstanding performance earned him an impressive haul of two gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze medal at the NSW Junior Championships, and six gold medals at Polding.

The Beef Week Cup is quickly approaching! Our annual Beef Week Cup is scheduled for Thursday, 23 May at Colley Park.  All students in Years 3-6 who are interested have nominated themselves to represent SMP in either soccer, netball or rugby league. Teams will be organised in Week One of next term and details regarding training days and times will be communicated accordingly.

We are always in need of coaches on the day. If you are interested in supporting by coaching a team, please email Nicole Hammond at nicole.hammond@lism.catholic.edu.au

Nikki Hammond
Sports Co-ordinator

Digital Technology User Agreement Years 3 -6

We would like to remind you of the importance of completing the Parental Consent and Student Digital Technology User Agreement for the year 2024. This agreement outlines the processes that help build responsible digital citizens and establishes clear expectations for the use of digital technology throughout the school year. 

We appreciate those who have already signed this document.  For those who have not yet done so, we kindly ask that you complete the agreement by the end of this term. Failure to do so may result in temporary access restrictions to digital devices for your child until the agreement is signed.

 Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We require this to be completed by the end of this term. 

You can locate the agreement by clicking on the following link: link: https://dlcsl.jotform.com/team/application-team/CASP-DTA2024 

Year 4 Camp Goodenough

Year 4 Camp Goodenough will take place Monday 17 June - Tuesday 18 June (overnight).  Just a reminder that the payment of $220.00 will need to be made by Friday 24 May so we can supply final numbers to the camp.  

Payment can be made through Compass events or through the school office with Eftpos or cash.

Details of itinerary and what to pack will be sent out early in Term 2.  

Leader of Pedagogy

Student Led Conferences

This week the majority of our families took up the opportunity to have a Student Led Conference. The students were asked to lead this conference to talk about their successes and to identify a goal for their learning in Term 2. It was great to see so many students confidently discuss their Success Criteria and back this up with examples found in their book work from over the term. This will be an ongoing event at SMP. Some students need a little support to initiate the conversation, but more and more students are able to lead this conversation. Many students are openly talking to other staff members about their success and are feeling proud of their achievements this term. We look forward to building on this over the year.

Michelle Bratti 
Leader of Pedagogy

Leader of Love & Community

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is held on 25th April every year. It is a day to acknowledge and appreciate all servicemen and servicewomen who have lost their lives, and those who have served in the past and the present. To commemorate our fallen soldiers, each class have read about these brave men and women who fought for our freedoms. Each class has created portraits of these soldiers. Check out some of the amazing artwork in our school!

We look forward to seeing as many students as possible at the ANZAC March on Thursday,25 April at Graham Place, ready to March at 10:00am.

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Cassino Gallery 

Cassino Gallery have an exhibition beginning this weekend, Diversity in Art & Artists Exhibition

You're invited to the opening of CHALK & CHEESE event this Saturday 13 April 2:00pm $10 Entry

Drink & Nibbles included

RSVP via email or 6662 1943 

Hannah de Silva
Leader of Love & Community

Student of the Month ~ Thursday 11 April

Mother's Day Stall ~ Friday 10 May

The Mother’s Day stall will be held on FRIDAY 10 May - second week in Term 2.  The stall is where students can purchase a gift for $5.00 each for their mother/carer.  Please return slip by Thursday 9 May in an envelope marked with child/ren’s name + class/es and with correct money enclosed.  Alternatively, write the details on an envelope and place envelope in the office door.  Limit of 3 gifts per student.

No orders will be accepted after Thursday 9 May

HELPERS NEEDED      Help is always needed on the day.  Please let the school know if you can help any time between 9.00am – 11.00am.  Phone the school office on 6662 2566 and advise of available time.  Thank you.

Birthdays

Happy birthday t0 Eleanor McSweeney Ruby Westbury Dallas Stephens Jaydan Willows Tane Stavenow Halle Barber Harmony McDonald Chloe Clark Hayden Murray Mason Smith-Proctor Braxton Auckram Mila Farr Darcy Hardwick Harley Robinson Nate Anderson Ewan Connolly Lorenzo Llewellyn Jack Morton Mathias Bentley Amaya Ind Katelyn Rowlands Adrian Campbell Grace Turner Archie Moss Laleena Mason-Fry George Flynn Willow Honey Chase Roberts Campbell Hardwick and Harry Wilson who have recently celebrated their birthday, and to Stella Bahadori who celebrates tomorrow.