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Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for the warm welcome I have received from staff, students, and the parents that I have met thus far. My first impression of Holy Name is that you have a unique and beautiful school that you should be very proud of. The culture of collegiality and care is outstanding. I was very impressed with the P&F run Trivia night last Friday night and may I commend and congratulate the team who put the night together, firstly for the amount of fun that was had and secondly for the huge fundraising effort that was made. The community really backed the school with donations of raffle prizes and the participants took on the rounds of questions and activities with gusto. Despite not being on the winning table I must say I’ve not seen such enthusiasm and competitive behaviour from teachers in any of my previous schools – mighty effort!!
By way of introduction, I’d like to give you a brief history of my teaching career. I began my teaching career in Singleton at St Francis Xavier Primary 3-6 School in 1993, fresh from university. After six years and having a year as acting REC, I became the AP at St Patrick’s, Lochinvar, where I mainly taught Stage 3. After 7 years at Lochinvar I had enjoyed an acting principalship at St Joseph’s Dungog and so applied for a principalship at Abermain, Holy Spirit Infants K-2 School. This was a teaching principalship and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kindergarten and also doing the role of Learning Support Teacher. After six years I moved on to a K-6 setting at St James’ Muswellbrook and became a non-teaching principal. Loving the classroom and being actively involved in curriculum I continued to run the debating and public speaking competitions for the region and Diocese, where I have met many past pupils from Forster in the final rounds. After nearly seven years I applied for the principalship of St Catherine’s Catholic K-12 College, Singleton, my hometown and parish. I worked there from Term 3 2018 – 2024. I was a student at St Catherine’s from 1987 – 1989 after emigrating from Ireland to live in Singleton, so this posting was enormously dear to my heart. My son and daughter finished the HSC at St Catherine’s whilst I was there which was incredibly special for me. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with you at Holy Name for the rest of the year before taking on my new role at St Patrick’s Lochinvar in 2025. I’m not sure I’ll want to leave after six months as I’m already hooked.
Over the next two weeks I hope that you and your children have a well-deserved break. Teachers will be working on their programs for Term 3 and exec will be planning Professional Learning for the staff. Day one of Term 3 will be a pupil free day as staff will be working with St Joseph’s Taree on Aboriginal history and culture. I would like to thank Brooke Stephens and Kyla Loring for their generosity in hand over information and to the staff for their time in getting me up to speed with procedures and necessary data. You are very lucky to have such a dedicated and competent staff to partner with you on your child’s learning journey. I look forward to working with you next term and getting to know your children and their learning needs.
Have a happy Term 2 break and enjoy your beautiful surrounds.
Best Wishes,
Niamh Marzol
Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to our last newsletter for Semester 1. It has been a busy and productive Term at HNS. I hope you get to spend some down time with your children over the holidays - whether you are going away or spending time in the beautiful place in which we live.
I would like to start by welcoming our Principal for the remainder of 2024, Mrs Niamh Marzol. Niamh brings a wealth of experience to HNS and has been welcomed into our school community by staff and students alike. We will continue to work on our strategic plan under Niamh's leadership and I know she will guide our wonderful staff in offering the students the best faith, academic and well being outcomes that we strive for at school. Niamh will be with us until the end of the school year and will take up the Principal job at Lochinvar in 2025.
I would also like to acknowledge the transition of Brooke Stephens to St Joseph's Taree last week. Brooke has been an energetic and passionate leader at HNS for many years with her final years at school in the role of Principal. She has been instrumental in developing our school into a tremendous learning place where our students, families and staff feel a sense of belonging and community. We wish Brooke all the very best and know that Joey's will be transformed under her leadership.
I hope you all took time to read the student reports last week and have had a chance to congratulate your child/ren on their achievements. The goal setting Insights are a wonderful way to support your children in their academic journey. The staff have been really pleased with the data showing the growth in learning from the students.
NAIDOC week commences next week and there are many local celebrations in our community. The staff will commence the week undertaking some professional learning with our Manning region colleagues in an experience called Crossing Cultures Hidden Histories. This is a pupil free day at school on the first day of Term 3. The students will particiapte in learning activities during the week to deepen their understanding of the 2024 theme of Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. We will celebrate NAIDOC Week with a special Celebration at HNS on Friday, July 26th, from 11.30 am - all are welcome to attend. We will begin with a flag raising ceremony involving the students, or local member of of Parliament, and Aboriginal Elders including a smoking ceremony, local indigenous dancers, a walk through our new Yarning Circle and a celebration of First Nations culture in our hall. The children will then participate in our NAIDOC fair activities in the afternoon - Indigenous art, tools and bush tucker and traditional dance and games. I must acknowledge our Aboriginal Education worker, Lara Went, for the energy, passion and creativity she has put into working with the Leadership team, staff and students in this space.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Class awards Week 8
KM |
Lincoln Gorvorko and Ivy Power |
KT |
Oliver Bolton and Pia Misso |
1M |
Amena Eldeib and Evie Redman |
1N |
Vinnie Croad and Amillia Hackett |
2L |
Rocco Lambkin and Matilda Harvie |
2S |
Vivian James and Angus Jenkins |
3W |
Scarlett Simcoe and Oliver Wing |
3M |
Aaron Huynh and Anna Brooks |
4H |
Ayla McCarthy and Mila Newman |
4Q |
Emmanuel Shibu and Edie Loy |
5H |
Nanma Joy and Mia Collins |
5S |
Harry Naughton and Alessandra Devescovi |
6M |
Jade Smith and Amna Omar |
Class awards Week 10
KM |
Lorenzo Lucenti and Pippa Hammond |
KT |
Kaylen Georgiou and Adele Stallworthy |
1M |
Amena Eldeib and Ally Rice |
1N |
Ryder Domina and Jaala Roberts |
2L |
Ruby Clarke and Ruby Garrard |
2S |
Angus Jenkins and Armalia Lilly-Donovan |
3W |
Dorian Doherty and Moana Smith Hollis |
3M |
Aaron Huynh and Anna Brooks |
4H |
Anthony Matta and Mila Newman |
4Q |
Lola Went and Darcy Dabovic |
5H |
Jorja Zabell and Evie Barnett |
5S |
Alexis Carrigan and Rashmika Singh |
6M |
Sophia Whitehouse-Miotto and Kaige Letcher |
Principal's Awards Week 8
James Richmond | 2S | 20 Surfboards |
Harper Clarke | 4Q | 20 Surfboards |
Angus Loy | 2S | 40 Surfboards |
Anika Tan | 2S | 40 Surfboards |
Nanma Joy | 5H | 40 Surfboards |
Vivian James | 2S | 60 Surfboards |
Ilijana Trautsch | 2S | 60 Surfboards |
Sasha Dempsey | 5H | 80 Surfboards |
Mia Collins | 5H | 80 Surfboards |
Summer-Rose Dalton | 5H | 80 Surfboards |
Principal's Awards Week 10
Ally Rice |
1M |
20 surfboards |
Grace Rinaldi |
4Q |
40 surfboards |
Amena Eldeib |
1M |
40 surfboards |
Quinn Blisset |
1M |
40 surfboards |
Winter Alchin |
2L |
40 surfboards |
Elise Matlawski |
2S |
40 surfboards |
Armalia Lilly-Donovan |
2S |
40 surfboards |
Mike Pan |
6M |
40 surfboards |
Eli Te Raki – Pitfield |
4Q |
60 surfboards |
Noah Bergagnin |
4Q |
60 surfboards |
Arden Cassar |
4Q |
60 surfboards |
Mia Pruim |
2S |
60 surfboards |
Remi Tul |
2S |
60 surfboards |
Angus Jenkins |
2S |
60 surfboards |
Jordan Clubb |
3M |
60 surfboards |
Georgia Levick |
3M |
60 surfboards |
James Chisolm |
3W |
60 surfboards |
Tane Te Raki-Pitfield |
3W |
60 surfboards |
Sophia Clifton |
3W |
60 surfboards |
Jade Smith |
6M |
60 surfboards |
Airlia Coulton-Donnelly |
6M |
60 surfboards |
Max Isbel |
6M |
60 surfboards |
Joshua Mathews |
4Q |
80 surfboards |
Olivia Sleiman |
4Q |
80 surfboards |
Franky Wall |
2S |
80 surfboards |
Brady Clarke |
6M |
80 surfboards |
Zoya Darzi |
6M |
80 surfboards |
Charbel Andary |
2S |
100 surfboards |
Charlotte Allan |
4Q |
100 surfboards |
PBL has been rebranded as PB4L in Australia. This week we were happy to have a visit from Craig Moore form the CSO to conduct an audit and offer us advice for how to move forward in this space. Next Term, we will be revamping the way we do PBL in our school and our hope is that student well being remains at the forefront of all we do. Our committee will be restructured, social and emotional skill lessons will become a focus and some new signage will be apparent around the school.
Student Representative Council
Our Year 6 leaders have put forward an idea to hold a Colour Run in Term 4 to raise funds to purchase new sports equipment and storage. More information to come. They are also working on creating videos to share with classes around our PB4L focuses at school. We also discussed the importance of leading by example as well as the Term 4 Canberra excursion.
Garden
I will finish my report with some great photos of our wonderful school garden from Mrs Amato.
As the term draws to a close, we look back to give thanks on our celebrations and achievements, to then look forward to what is ahead.
Next term our Yr.4-Yr.6 children prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist, Yr. 6 prepare for the Religious Literacy Assessment, we celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day (our Patron Saint), Grandparent's Day and Father’s Day. We hope our parents and friends are able to join us for these celebrations and we also open up an invitation for our community to also join us when classes celebrate Mass with their parish of a Friday at 9:30am.
Upcoming Dates:
Mary MacKillop Feast Day Liturgy: Thursday 8th August at 11:30am.
Grandparents Liturgy: Friday 16th August at 11:30am.
Father’s Day BBQ Breakfast: Thursday 29th August at 7:30am.
Class Masses with the parish on a Friday at 9:30am in the Holy Name of Jesus Church TBC.
Catholic Social Teaching in Action
Kindergarten with their new Reading Buddies
Today Kindergarten walked to the Forster Library to meet with their new “reading buddies” from our Forster Tuncurry Parish. An open invitation was given to all parishioners to join kindergarten today to take up an opportunity to read to small groups of Kinders’ in the beautiful new local library. It was a great success with smiles exchanged across the room. Our parishioners choose a special book from the shelves to share with the students and then they chatted about what they read and made connections to the story and themselves to build relationships with one another. Mrs Monks and Mrs Tull were overjoyed with the response from our parish. Another invitation will go out next term to repeat this occasion. Kindergarten’s catholic social teaching skill is Dignity of the Human Person and in building these relationships with parishioners Kindergarten are connecting their learning in the classroom about respect, inclusiveness, compassion and love with actions of service to show this.
Parish News
Sacrament of Eucharist
The Sacrament of Eucharist preparation will begin in Term 3. Please read the information below.
Children in Yr.4 who made their Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 2, 2024 are able to now register on the Forster Tuncurry Parish website for the Sacrament of Eucharist.
www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au
Children in Yr.5 and Yr.6 who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 2 2024, can register for Eucharist. There was a fallow year for sacraments in 2023. If in Term 2 2022 your child received the Sacrament of Confirmation and did not receive Eucharist, he/she is also able to register to prepare for Eucharist.
www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au
Yr. 3 children who have made their Confirmation in Term 2 2024, will next year be eligible to prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist.
Preparation dates for Eucharist will be:
Monday 9th September and Monday 16th September in the Parish Hall from 3:15pm until 5pm. Following the second preparation afternoon at 5pm until 5:45pm parents join their children in the Church for Fr John to explain the ceremony for the Sacrament of Eucharist.
Families will be able to register which one (01) Mass they wish their child to receive their First Holy Communion: Saturday 21st September 5pm, Sunday 22nd September 8am or 10am. Ctrl + click on this link to register your Mass
https://forms.gle/AeYSBwi1j9PAReTb7
Happy Holidays,
Genevieve Williamson
Religious Education Coordinator.
Kindergarten - Year 2 Civic Centre Excursion
Our recent excursion to the Forster Civic Centre was a delightful and educational experience for our infants' classes. The day was packed with engaging activities and insightful tours, making it a memorable event for both students and teachers.
Forster Fire Station
One of our stops was to the Forster Fire Station, where Firemen Beau, Murray, and Tim warmly welcomed us. The children were thrilled to receive a comprehensive tour of the fire station. The firemen delivered an informative safety talk, emphasising the importance of fire safety in a way that was both relatable and engaging for our young learners. The highlight for many was the opportunity to explore the fire trucks and even have a turn spraying the fire hose. It was an exhilarating experience that left everyone with smiles and a deeper appreciation for the work our firefighters do.
Tour of the Police Station
We were lucky enough to also visit the local Forster Police Station, where Police Officer Leonie guided us through the facilities. The students were fascinated by the fingerprint machine and the holding cells. One of the most exciting parts of this tour was getting to look inside a police car, we would also like to thank Police Officer Jared for turning on the sirens as well, lucky he warned us to cover our ears! Leonie’s explanations were both enlightening and engaging, helping the children understand the vital role of police officers in our community.
Civic Centre and Library
Our excursion continued with a visit to the Visitor Information Centre, located inside the Civic Building. This visit was followed by a fantastic tour of the Mid Coast Library. The library is a wonderful resource for our town, and the children were captivated by the variety of books and materials available. The Year 1 and Year 2 students were especially excited as they had the opportunity to become members of the town library. With their new library cards, they eagerly borrowed books to take home to read with their families.
We extend our thank you to Nathan Jeffs from Mid Coast Library for organising such an informative and enjoyable experience for our students. His efforts ensured that the children not only had fun but also learned valuable lessons about community resources and safety.
Year 4 History Projects
A few weeks ago we had a spotlight on the awesome learning that is happening in Year 4. The teachers and students wanted to share a photo of some of the great History projects Year 4 have completed so far! They all researched a chosen explorer and had the choice to present it on a piece of cardboard or as a Powerpoint presentation. These are some that have presented so far. The teachers are so proud of the work they have put in!
I hope that all of our families have a happy and restful break! See you all in Term 3.
Mrs Suzie Monks
Primary Coordinator
Mini Vinnies
This year, many people in communities like ours are facing homelessness or lack a warm and safe place to live. Additionally, some people lack the food that we often take for granted. Mini Vinnies is dedicated to helping those in need with extra support for food and housing, and we appreciate your help and support with our fundraising.
We have exciting news to share! Today, Friday July 5th, we hosted a PJ Day and Zooper Doopers to raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Today we raised lots of money to help those who don’t have what we have.
Breakfast Club
Monday mornings at Breakfast Club will now feature warm Milo alongside our usual toast! We love seeing so many happy faces, and students always show lovely manners to Mrs. Banham and the Mini Vinnies helpers. Typically, we serve 9 liters of Milo and at least two loaves of toast! It’s a busy morning, but we enjoy hearing about everyone’s weekends.
On Wednesday mornings, students can enjoy delicious cut-up fruit donated by Catholic Care. This beautiful partnership allows Catholic Care to support our breakfast clubs.
Art Club
Art Clubbers have been busy little artists over the last week creating some special tablecloths for the P and F Trivia night! Our Art Club friends were enjoying adding their creative touches to the tablecloths and the P and F loved the creative flair shown by our art club friends.
We have also started weaving this week at school, students are making God’s Eye Weaving using wool and kebab sticks. These are fun to make and require a little concentration, mixed with some perseverance but once students get the hang of them it’s a weaving frenzy!!
If you have any spare wool at home you would like to donate please feel free to send it into school. We appreciate any and all donations.
Playgroup
Playgroup has been such a beautiful experience this term, we have welcomed many new families and we love having lots of families visit with us at Playgroup. Our playgroup friends enjoy playing and making new friends, art, morning tea, story time and a dance.
Playgroup takes a break over school holidays and will recommence Thursday July 25, from 9-10am in our school hall.
Heart to Heart
Our heartists are embracing many mindful moments on our H2H journey. This week, Lara taught the students the mindful art of dot painting, and before long, they were deeply immersed in placing intentional dots onto their artwork. Lara’s guidance and gentle instructions have been instrumental in building the girls' confidence in their abilities, and it is beautiful to witness their growth on this journey.
The girls are making incredible progress on their stunning artworks. They have been filling in spaces with lines and patterns using Posca markers while continuing their dot painting. It is a joy to see them fully engaged in the art-making process and being so mindful as they create.
Our heartists have now all received their journals and have been sharing some of their sketches and drawings during our afternoon tea and Heart to Heart sessions. We appreciate that it is a very brave thing to share your journal and your drawings, it is like sharing a piece of your heart.
Virtual Academy Young Voices Exhibition and Time 2 Discover Event
This week has been an exciting week for our students in the Virtual Academy (VA). Our VA students, Max Isbel, Phoebe Herzberg-Nicholls, Eli Lea and Eamonn Donegan all presented their end of semester projects to the Virtual Academy community and did an amazing job.
Year 6 students Max and Phoebe completed the Agency unit this semester which involved studying a range of subjects, individuals, and texts and responding critically and creatively through independent thought, choice, and action. As part of their final project for Semester 1, both students travelled to Newcastle on Tuesday 2 July to participate in The Young Voices Exhibition. The unique event was held at the University of Newcastle City Campus and was a celebration of individuality, choice, and the power of student agency.
Max created an interactive exhibit using canvases in which students worked collaboratively to collectively create a playground suited to older children and teens to support play and reap the benefits of play for these age groups. Phoebe’s exhibit involved an information session and informative pamphlet on how to make slime.
Year 5 students, Eli and Eamonn, undertook the Discovery unit this semester, which entailed a variety of activities that required students to utilise and reflect on their learning strengths, interests, skills, passions, and curiosity.
Both students participated in the Time 2 Discover event on Thursday 4 July, which was designed to foster a collaborative learning environment where students from different experience levels within the Virtual Academy could share their inquiries and projects. Eli delivered a Canva presentation on football stadium design and how stadiums can be designed to include special features to cater for all people. Eamonn delivered a Canva presentation which explored freedom and removing judgement to allow people to freely express themselves.
All VA students should be congratulated on a successful semester studying in the Virtual Academy!
Miss Spinks