CLASS STRUCTURE IN 2021

Dear Parents

As we approach the end of the 2020 school year, it is time to focus on plans for continuing to provide quality education and a happy and nurturing learning environment for 2021.  I am very pleased to announce that our staffing allocation for 2021 will allow us to continue to operate seven class groups. We will also be able to maintain the level of learning support our school provides.

The Canberra & Goulburn Education Office and St Mary’s will implement a program called InitiaLit next year. This program is a synthetics phonics program developed from the same company as MiniLit and MacLit, which are the two programs we are currently using for extra reading support. InitiaLit is a Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 program, that is best implemented in a single stream setting. This is why St Mary’s will go to straight classes from Kinder to Year 2 for 2021 and we will continue to do this while the student numbers allow us to.

As you can see below our student enrolment numbers are not consistent across stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4) and I believe there are still advantages of having staged classes in the older years.

In consideration for the new English program and the above class sizes in 2021, the class structure will be:

Educationally, the combined classes will be just as effective as stand alone classes as the NSW syllabus is organised in Stages: Years 3 and 4 are Stage Two and Years 5 and 6 are Stage 3.

In organising the Year 3 to 6 class groups the focus will be centred on creating a positive learning environment for all students.  The classes will be of mixed academic ability and attention will also be given to placing students with peers that they work best with and cooperate best with.  The year levels will be split evenly.  If families have two siblings in the same stage group you are invited to contact myself to discuss if you wish the children to be in the same class as we will automatically place them separately.

In Years 3 to 6 the school will continue the process implemented last year.  Next Wednesday 2 December, students will be given the opportunity to nominate, through secret ballot, 4 students who they consider would be positive class mates for 2021.  The peers the student nominates can come from their year group or the year group they will be partnered with.  The school will ensure that at least one of these students will be in the same class.  I encourage all parents to discuss this process with their children and to emphasise the importance of a positive class peer who will help your child with their learning.

I invite any parents who have any concerns about the placement of their students in a particular class to contact myself by Friday 4 December 2020.  We will be able to carefully consider your concerns and requests, however, this is best done before student and teacher allocation lists are published and made public, which will happen in the last week of school.

Regards

Mr Nielsen

IN THANKSGIVING

My God, from my heart I thank you for the many blessings you have given to me.

I thank you for having created and baptised me, and for having placed me in your holy Catholic Church;  and for having given me so many graces and mercies through the merits of Jesus Christ.

And I thank you, dear Jesus, for having become a little child for my sake, to teach me to be holy and humble like you; and for having died upon the Cross that I might have pardon for my sins and get to heaven.

Also I thank you for all your other mercies, most of all for those you have given me today.

   

SWIMMING ARRANGEMENTS—WEEKS 8

Monday 30 November to Friday 4 December

Students will leave the school in the morning to walk to the pool.

Instructions have changed due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Please read the information below carefully to ensure your child is dressed correctly.

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD IS DRESSED IN THEIR SWIMMERS:

DUE TO THE POOL'S COVID PLAN ALL CHILDREN NEED TO COME TO SCHOOL IN THEIR SWIMMERS WITH CASUAL CLOTHES OVER THE TOP.  Students are permitted  to wear joggers for the week due to the walking required.

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD HAS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WITH THEM:

School uniform and underwear in a bag. In a seperate swim bag a swim shirt if they require one, towel, plastic bag to put wet belongings in, drink bottle, goggles (if they require them), and if at the squad level they will need their flippers and kickboard.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU APPLY SUNCREEN:

Students need to apply sunscreen before coming to school and to bring it to school with them.  Due to COVID-19 teachers are not able to apply sunscreen.

• Wagga Excursion - Year 5 and 6 - a permission note and lunch order form need to be returned to the office.  A waiver link for Flip Out has been sent via text but is also here - waiver link - this must be done or your child will not be able to jump!

• Temora Movie Excursion  - Kinder and 1/2 Joy - a permission note for this excursion is located here.  Please complete the form and also send your payment to the school office before the 7th of December.

• Griffith Excursion - Year 3/4 - a permission note for this excursion was sent home on green paper.  Please complete and return the form with your payment ASAP.

Mrs Emma McRae our counsellor will be visiting St Mary's next week on Friday the 4th of December and then again in Week 9 on Wednesday the 9th of December.

Emma will be holding her counselling sessions face to face while maintaining the appropriate social distancing protocols.

If you would like to make a confidential appointment for your child please contact the office.

      Happy Birthday to

Jonty Walker, Evie Cuthbertson, Finn Brown, Cate Curry and Leo Stephens

who celebrate their birthday next week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

This year due to the COVID-19 restrictions placed on the school by the Catholic Education Office we are running our 2020 presentations on Thursday the 10th of December.

The ceremony will take place at the S&C Club with awards being presented to students.  Parents of students who are receiving a major award will be invited to attend.

Following the major awards, due to COVID-19 restriction numbers, parents will not be able to attend the class performances.  Each performance will be filmed and distributed to parents. 

Parents will be advised if costumes will be required.

Assembly

 

 

 

Sports Gala Day

Today we held our sports gala day and the children all had a wonderful few hours playing games and having fun.

NAIDOC Celebrations

On Monday we held NAIDOC activities in our classrooms.  Students rotated around some wonderful activities in different classrooms.

Wiradjuri symbol artwork, Turtle Weaving, Indigenous Sport, Dreamtime Movies, Crossed Boomerangs, Mindful Colouring and Turtle mobiles.  

  

IEU Donation

Thank you to Berna Simpson from the Independent Educators Union who presented a cheque for $1650.00 to Clare Parker on behalf of our P& F.

We applied for the IEU annual Schools  Environmental Grant and were successful. This money will go towards purchasing the resources to make dry creek beds in our new outdoor learning area near the hall.

Stay tuned .....

 

The following events are in next weeks calendar.

To see the school's full calender check out the SZApp or our website.