Week 5 Term 1 2023
Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land the Birri-Gubba Juru people and pay our respects to the elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia.
Principal & Teaching and Learning Update
Dear parents and friends,
Last week it was wonderful to see how settled and hard working our students are at St Colman’s School. Whenever I enter a classroom the students are always working to their best ability and the teachers are challenging them with new and exciting things. On the playground our new students have fitted in extremely well and it feels like they have always been here.
Our behaviour motto of RISE - Respect, Inspire, Safe, Effort - is truly being lived out at St Colman’s School. Every class has produced their own definition of what each word means and how it will be shown in the classroom.
Below are Year 3/4 ‘s meaning of RISE and how they will live this out RISE in their classroom and in the playground.
Morning Duty
The first morning duty begins at 8.15am. If your child is dropped at school before this they must sit quietly under the school on the chairs.
Naplan Practice
This week we will be beginning to use the Naplan Training Practice environment. The students in Year 3 and Year 5 with their teachers will look at various NAPLAN tests and revise topics to prepare for the NAPLAN testing sessions.
NAPLAN Calendar
Wednesday 15th March - Writing Year 3 & 5
Thursday 16th March - Reading Year 3 & 5
Friday 17th March - Conventions of Language (Spelling/Grammar) Year 3 & 5
Monday 20th March - Numeracy
Catch up tests are run until Friday 24th March if your child is sick on any of these days.
Please ensure that your child has breakfast and has fruit break on these days.
Religious Education News
St Colman's Parish Feast Day Dinner
This year the St Colman's Parish would like to host a dinner the night before our feast day which will be celebrated on October 22nd at 8am.The dinner would be held at St Colman's School on Saturday 21st of October. This event would be for past, present and anyone interested in St Colman's.It is also hoped that the night would raise money for the parish as the St Colman's Debutante Ball which usually contributes nearly $6000 to the running of the parish, is unable to be run this year due to a lack of numbers. If you would like to be involved in the organising committee can you please contact Gloria Vass 0458274426 or Karen Keys on kkeys@scschh.catholic.edu.au
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s main annual fundraising campaign. It mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.
Held during Lent, the six-week period before Easter, Catholic schools, Parishes, and the wider Australian public participate in a diverse range of fundraising activities and events to support Caritas Australia’s programs both overseas and here with our First Australian partners.
Project Compassion is an extraordinary demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our supporters. It is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia; without it, we could not do the vital work that we do.
Each family this week will receive a Project Comapssion box. You are invited to contribute some money in the box over Lent. Boxes will be due the last week of Term 1.
Sport
Congratulations Touch Football
Well done to Noah Totorica Year 6 who has been chosen to represent St Colman’s School and the Burdekin District in Touch Football. This is a wonderful achievement. We wish him all the best at the carnival.
Term 1 Inter school Sport
Year 5 & 6 will be held on Friday afternoon for 5 weeks from Friday 24th February to Friday 24th March 2023.
This term the students will be playing Australian Football League (AFL). Students will play in mixed teams at the Burdekin Touch Fields on Wickham Street Ayr.
The students will be transported by bus leaving at 1pm and returning to school by 2.45pm. Mrs Watkins and Mrs Keys will accompany the students to the fields.
Run Club
Mrs Vass will be starting a Run Club in preparation for Cross Country which is on 28th April. Students are welcome to come on Thursday morning at 8.15am and then run a circuit around the school. Parents are also welcome to join us. Run club will start next Thursday 2nd March.
Burdekin Touch - Noah
Library Corner
Library Days
The following days are library days for each class:
Prep - Tuesday
Year 1/2 - Thursday
Year 3/4 - Wednesday
Year 5/6 - Tuesday
Children must have a library bag to borrow. Every child is given a library when they are enrolled. If you have lost yours please come to the front office and you can purchase a replacement.
Brain is (Not) Always Right
Heart loves puppies, and chocolate, and rollercoasters, and dancing along to music. Brain likes lists, and broccoli, and safety rails, and wearing sensible clothing. But, most of all, Brain likes always being right. A thoughtful and heartwarming story about being true to yourself, by bestselling picture-book creator, Scott Stuart.
Community News
Child Dental Benefit Scheme
Did you know that your child could be eligible for Medicare funded dental services such as
check-ups, cleans, x-rays, fillings, root canals and extractions at the dentist of your choice?
“The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides dental services to children aged
between 2 and 17 years. Dental services are capped at $1000 over 2 consecutive years. The
two year cap period starts when a child or teenager first gets an eligible dental service.
The CDBS doesn’t cover orthodontic, cosmetic dental work, or dental services provided in
hospital.
There are some restrictions for dental services. These are listed in the Guide to the Child
Dental Benefits Schedule on the Department of Health’s website.”
To be eligible for the CDBS, your child must:
● Be aged 2-17 years for at least 1 day of the calendar year
● Be eligible for Medicare on the day of service
● Get, or be part or a family getting, certain Australian Government payments.
Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au for eligibility and more information.
