Dear Parents and Caregivers
The cold weather and flu season are well upon us. In the interest of everyone’s health, I ask that you consider having the flu vaccination to protect your family. Although COVID is still an issue, Influenza A poses a risk to everyone’s health. A reminder that if your child is unwell with cough / cold symptoms or fever that you keep them home until they are better. I thank you in advance for your support.
Holy Trinity
On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity. On this feast day, we celebrate the God who is Three-in-One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, this is a very simplistic way of explaining God.
The readings for the Holy Trinity can best be explained through Jesus’ teaching at the time with the disciples. Jesus doesn’t ask his disciples to debate this with others, or to judge those who struggle with doubt. The important thing is their response to what they are called to do: Jesus sends his disciples into the world to witness by their lives to the reality of this Three-in-One God. It is the same invitation, which is offered to us today. Living our faith isn’t easy and the experiences of anxiety, doubt, frustration or discouragement can be challenging. Instead, what we can do is draw strength from the words of Jesus: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
SJMS Debating 2022
We live in a world where we communicate with others all the time. Debating is a more formal way of communicating. It builds confidence, self-esteem, and develops critical thinking and reasoning skills.
If we can speak publicly and convey our ideas and thoughts coherently, we have a valuable tool that can aid us in our public, private and future lives.
Debating is different to public speaking because it includes rebuttal; proving that the opposition has arguments that are wrong.
This year we have entered two Year 5 Teams into the Debating SA competition. Last week, both our teams debated for the first time. I would like to congratulate the teams in working together and build strong arguments for their debates.
NCCD – Nationally Consistent Collection of Data
It is a government requirement for all schools to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
The NCCD collects data about school students with disability who are receiving adjustments across Australia in a consistent, reliable and systematic way. It enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school (www.nccd.edu.au).
Information gathered is used:
as an evidence base, to give teachers, schools and sectors information about students with disability and the level of educational adjustment being provided
to inform policy development and future planning to better equip schools and education authorities to support students with disability
to improve understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of school teams and the broader community under the DDA and the Standards
to capture the work of schools under the obligations of the DDA and the Standards, allowing students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students
to highlight the individual needs of each student with disability by focusing on the level of educational support provided to them at school (www.nccd.edu.au).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
Students’ personal details are de-identified as a part of the data collection. Please contact Inclusive Education Coordinator, Toni Benci if you have any questions about the NCCD.
More information is available on the following website: https://www.nccd.edu.au/ and a fact sheet is available here.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield