Dear Families and Friends
At assembly on Monday, children were shown a short video explaining the Coronavirus. Time was also spent discussing the importance of staff and students maintaining good personal hygiene at school. The main points discussed were:
Wash hands regularly and thoroughly for at least 30 seconds (the same time it takes to sing the ABC song or Happy Birthday)
Be mindful of personal distance - keep hands to ourselves
In the event that staff or students are feeling sick, they need to remain at home.
In addition to these points, teachers are using posters in their classes to remind students of the correct way in which to cough or sneeze (which is into the elbow).
Should you have any queries or concerns regarding the Coronavirus, please don't hesitate to make contact with me. I am receiving regular updates from both the Broome and Perth Catholic Education Offices regarding how to best continue the operation of our school. This will be done whilst keeping the safety and well being of all children and the entire school community at the forefront of our decision making processes.
Farewell to Mrs Carew
Yesterday we said farewell to Mrs Kate Carew who has commenced her Maternity Leave. We wish her, Thomas and Tahlia all the very best over the coming weeks and we look forward to meeting the new addition to their family in the near future.
Quiz Night
Many thanks to those who contributed towards the tremendous success of our Quiz Night. A special thanks to the members of our P & F who assisted with the organisation of this event. A big thank you to the staff, led by Marcia Constantine, who played major roles in ensuring that everything unfolded smoothly during the night. Finally thank you to our sponsors for your most generous prize donations. Certificates of thanks will be distributed over the coming days.
St Joseph’s Feast Day Mass
On Thursday we will celebrate the Feast Day of St Joseph with a Liturgy on the front lawn. Thank you to Mr Ballingall and the students who are working hard in organising this celebration.
National Day of Action against Bullying
This Friday, students will gather in their buddy groups to complete activities focusing on friendship as well as their responsibility to create a positive school environment where everyone feels safe, happy and confident to engage in their daily activities. Thank you to Miss Elle Tierney for coordinating this event.
Contacting Staff
If parents and carers need to discuss matters concerning their child, staff can be contacted via a phone call to the school or by email. In order to keep lines of communication both direct and professional, we ask that parents and carers refrain from communicating with staff on Facebook or any other social media platform. Thank you in anticipation of your understanding.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is on Thursday 26th March at St Vincent Pallotti Church beginning 4:00pm. We wish Monika Garrity and Shakira Ward all the best as they take this important step in their Sacramental journey.
Three-way Conferences
Our child-parent/caregiver-teacher interviews will take place on Tuesday 7th April and Wednesday 8th April. A variety of work completed by children over the course of the term will be used to guide discussions during these conferences. A note will be sent home next week which will provide parents and carers with the opportunity to indicate suitable times to meet with their child's classroom teacher.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Tim Hogan
Principal
Term Dates 2020- Term 1: 4 Feb– 9 April
- Term 2: 29 April—3 July
- Term 3: 21 July—25 Sept
- Term 4: 13 Oct—11 Dec
School Closure Days 2020- Monday, 3 February (PD)
- Tuesday, 28 April (PD)
- Friday, 29 May (Catholic Day)
- Monday, 20 July (PD)
- Monday, 12 October (PD)
The students have worked really hard in the Reading Recovery Room this year! They have been learning lots of different things, including sight words and letter names and sounds. They are starting to put all those things together to read books and write their own stories to enjoy.
NEVER STOP READING!
Sharing stories and reading aloud with your child strengthens their skills in reading, writing and comprehension. It builds their confidence and sense of security. It creates those special moments with your child that you cherish.
That’s why you should Never Stop Reading!
Recent research by literacy expert Dr Margaret Merga found that over half of parents stop reading aloud with their children once they begin to start reading for themselves. This happens even though children enjoy it well beyond their early years of schooling.
Reading aloud with your child throughout their primary school years has significant, positive effects on their learning and reading skills. Listening to your child as you read together also builds their social skills and confidence as they engage with you, and the quality time that you spend with them raises their mood and sense of wellbeing.
Not only that, your child will simply enjoy reading to you, and having you read to them. They won’t ever forget the special moments they had reading and sharing stories with you – and you won’t either.
Give your child the best start for a life of learning and discovery. Never Stop Reading!
