Dear Parents and Caregivers
This is the final newsletter for the semester and I am struggling with the fact that we are half way through the year already. It only seems like yesterday we returned from the Christmas break.
This week has been action packed, with the highlights including a Year 5 excursion to the National Motor Museum and the SACPSSA Netball Carnival on Monday and Thursday. As we enter the final week of term it is a good time to take stock and draw our breath.
Pupil Free Day - Monday 23 July 2018
On Monday 23 July 2018 there will be a Pupil Free Day for Reception to Year 7 students.
Staff on this day will participate in a Retreat called ‘Grounded in the Children’. This Professional Learning Workshop will explore how the Christian theological tradition helps us to understand the experiences of children. The learning will focus on three fundamental Catholic Christian theological concepts - that children are created, that their lives are graced, and that they suffer from the 'brokenness' that afflicts the human condition. The exploration will consider how these theological understandings can help educators develop pedagogies that are attuned to children's experience; provide learning that invites each child to 'flourish' and attends to children's experiences of 'brokenness' in ways that make them aware that they live in 'God's abiding love'.
Canberra
Last week the Year 6 and Year 7 parents and caregivers gathered at William Street for an Information Meeting regarding the Canberra Camp next term. Those who were not able to attend will receive an email with the PowerPoint used on the evening. If there are any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Mr Heaney or Mrs Lewis.
2019 Year 6s
Last week at the Canberra Camp Information Meeting I was asked about the schools intention to conduct the Canberra Camp in 2019.
I wrote in a newsletter late last term that we have plans to allow our 2019 Year 6 students (current Year 5s) to graduate in 2019 with similar ‘rites of passage’ that every Year 7 would be extended. For example there will be a graduation, graduation jumper, leadership opportunities and a Canberra Camp offered.
Since writing last term we have forged a partnership with St Monica’s Parish School, Walkerville. This partnership will allow us to keep our costs to a minimum and allow our Year 6s moving forward to enjoy this wonderful opportunity. I will communicate more about this early next term.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Our school will be collating data to contribute towards the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). All government and non-government schools in Australia from this year are required to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability. The Data Collection will provide all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with nationally consistent information about the number of school students with disability and the level of adjustment being made to enable the students to access and participate on the same basis as their peers. Student’s personal details will be de-identified in the data collection and aggregated information will be provided to Catholic Education SA who will further de-identify and aggregate the data before providing the data to the Department of Education. The information needs to be reported by Friday 3rd August 2018. There are no consequences for not participating in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data. Please notify Toni Benci if you do not wish to be included in the data collection. More information is also available on the Department of Education website:
https://education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability
End of Term Arrangements
Term Two concludes this Friday at 3pm.
Safe Holidays!
God Bless
Brady Stallard