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Dear Parents and Carers,
There have been many excited students to hear that an option for ordering food for Lunch 1 and Lunch 2 is now available. Gordon and Niki Cooper are accepting orders from the menu through the Qkr! App and through the office the old fashion way by recording your order onto a paper bag with money and dropping it into the office. If you plan to order lunch for your child, please be sure to have the order in by 8.45am online or dropped into the office by this time so that Gordon and Niki know what to expect. For anyone who accidently forgets to get their order in by 8:45am, you can phone through an order to Gordon directly on 0415925318.
We have also welcomed the easing of some of the restrictions and the return to some of our normal ways of operating within the school environment. We are looking forward to having parents attend events and be included in the day to day life of the school.
Due to the improvements we have experienced in the safety of students during the adapted form of our departure procedures, we have decided to continue to dismiss our students in this way and ask that parents continue to wait outside of the gates at the end of the day unless they need to pick up students early. We also encourage parents to continue to say goodbye to their children at the gate in the mornning as a way of continuing to build their confidence and encourage their resilience. On any day, if you feel that your child needs you to walk them in, we are more than happy for you to be the judge of that.
As always, parents and carers are welcome into school but must report to the office if attending school for any reason outside of the morning drop-off, to sign in and let the Clerical Officers know of their needs. We cannot have parents enter the school at any time outside of the regualr drop-off or pick-up times, without signing in at the office and communicating with our clerical officers.
Student Led Conferences - Tuesday 30th March
We are looking forward to having as many parents as possible attend the new version of our Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews, called 'Student Led Conferences'. For Years 2-6, this will mean that parents can bring their child into the classroom anytime between 3.30-5.30pm on Tuesday 30th March. During this time, the children will walk their parents through a process and conversation about their learning this term across different areas. Parents will see samples of student work and listen to their child describe what they were learning, the purpose of their learning, how they went and where they could improve. This may lead to a conversation about what your child's goals are for the term ahead. Teachers will be present in the room and available for a conversation, however, we believe parents will be impressed by what their children are able to share about their learning.
The Kinder and Year 1 schedule will be slightly different. Samples of work will be available and certainly students will be encouraged to share a bit about their learning, however, Kindergarten parents will be allocated a 10min time to meet with the teachers and the Year 1 teachers will provide parents with a set of questions to ask their children as they work through samples of their child's work with them. Both of these options are ways of transitioning the students to the more formal Student Led Conference process.
Leading Learning at Holy Name
The Student Led Conferences are a nice example of how our learning focus has shifted at Holy Name. Each class is focusing on unpacking what we call 'Learning Intentions' with students to develop a clear understanding of the focus and goal of each lesson or a series of lessons. Together with bigger discussions about how the learning fits in with real life needs, the students begin to connect the purpose of what they are doing with their own lives or future. This is one way that we are engaging students in the learning process because when there is a purpose to what we do, we are more motivated to participate.
Within each lesson, teachers use what we call the Gradual Release of Responsibility model as they move from modelling what the students need to do to achieve the 'A' level goal of the lesson, to guiding the students to have a go using a similar example with a partner, group or on their own, and then students will be asked to apply their learning independently in a new task or in a creative way. As teachers do this, they discuss with students what success would look like for students and make a list of what we call 'Success Criteria'. The success criteria become the benchmark for assessment and a checklist for teachers to provide 'Descriptive Feedback' and for students to 'peer or self-assess'.
To support this new way of working with students, we are developing our classroom spaces to reflect opportunities that capture student ideas and work samples that demonstrate the success criteria at different leevls of achievement. The walls within a classroom become what is termed 'The Third Teacher', as they support children to build connections between their work and real life, and provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning against the standards and take greater ownership of their learning.
This week, our Leadership Team and the Pedagogical Mentors will work with teams of teachers in Newcastle to deepen our understanding of this process and look for ways that we can improve what we are doing at Holy Name.
Over the last two weeks, both the Principal Coach, Mrs Sidonie Coffey, and Director of Education, Mr Gerard Mowbray, visited our school, joined in our professional learning team meetings and visited the classrooms. The positive feedback about the work we are doing here at Holy Name focused on student learning outcomes has been really affirming for our staff. I am looking forward to your engagement with the Student Led Conferences so that you too can see for yourself some of the changes and witness the engagement of your child in the learning process.
Wishing you well,
Brooke Stephens
The Season of FRESH BEGINNINGS
Parents do you know our school Vision Statement? Would you ever engage in a conversation with your children about how they are living the Vision Statement at Holy Name?
The Vision Statement is displayed in our office, classrooms, and noticeboards. It is in your children’s Religion Books. But it is lived in our classrooms, playground, meeting areas in our relationships with each other and then out into the wider world.
We invite you to join us on this journey at Holy Name. The staff and students want our families to feel welcomed into our catholic community, for our families to be informed about our students learning and to celebrate with us, as our community together serves the marginalised in our local and wider community.
It is so important that we help young people encounter Jesus, who is already here in our lives and in our hearts. We are called to have a relationship with him, who loves us without end. We are to follow his way of love each day. We are never alone because Jesus is always with us. We have a purpose. There is a plan for our lives. Jesus will show us the way.
At Holy Name, our mission is to share the love of Jesus Christ with our students. With the guidance of Mrs Stephens, our Principal, Fr Greg our Parish Priest, and Holy Name Staff, together we want to help our students to hear the call of Jesus in their hearts and live in joy as his disciples.
Our beginning of the year Whole School Liturgy set out our school mission for the 2021. Through the Word of God, our Prayers of the Faithful and celebration of Eucharist, our school community were led to an understanding of the importance of living our faith. By knowing our God through classroom Catholic teachings and Catholic traditions, loving our God in prayer and liturgical opportunities, students at Holy Name will be given opportunities that spring from this to go out and serve God by word and action.
Support for your family.
Parents and carers play a critical role in the education of their children.
Pope Francis has stated in his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, “School is not a substitute for parents but is complementary to them.”
In supporting and complementing the role of parents and carers to engage with their child’s education, and through the compilation of feedback, the Maitland Newcastle Catholic Schools Office and The Council of Catholic School Parents have the following resources available to provide guidance and support to parents and carers:
- Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools. A guide by parents for parents. https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/students-with-diverse-learning-needs
- Beyond Blue https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/anxiety
- Parent Line https://parentline.com.au/issues/anxiety-kids
- Health Direct https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety-in-children
- CatholicCare Australian Institute of Family Studies
- Kids Helpline https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/anxiety?gclid=CjwKCAjwkenqBRBgEiwA-bZVtkO5sC3qz9Le-Yr3zT4tNbmSo1W0U6K-PPxoh9PN_d-94B5SgfGEXBoCYoEQAvD_BwE
- Office of eSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au/
- Australian Institute of Family Studies https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/online-safety
If you need assistance finding or accessing a family support service please do not hesitate to reach out to either the classroom teacher or myself,
Warm wishes
Simone Maloney
Learning Support Coordinator
Sport
Regional Touch Trials
On Wednesday of Week 6, a group of children travelled to Wingham for the Manning Region Touch Trials. The competition was fierce and all the students tried their very best. Charlotte Cooper, Marla Coulton-Donnelly Lorenzo Gray and Levi Van Haren made it through to the Diocesan trials to be held in Newcastle during Week 1 of Term 2.
Congratulations Students and Best of Luck at the next level.
Netball
Last Thursday, Ms McKinnon took a Stage 3 Netball Team to take part in the NSW All Schools Netball Cup Competition. The team consisted of: Mia Hamilton, Charlotte Cooper, Sophie Scislo, Elyse Kijko, Georgia Sparks, Layla Hickson, Lorenzo Gray and Nash Syron. Many thanks to Layla, Nash and Lorenzo who agreed to be part of the team at the last minute.
The children played beautifully and were successful in moving through to the next round of the competition in Term 2. Well done to all!
Cross Country
Last Wednesday, we ran our annual Holy Name School Cross Country event at Pebbly Beach. I don’t think a school sporting event could be held in a more beautiful place! The rain held out for the morning and we ran the events in 4 age groups.
The children all gave it their best shot and these children were Age Champions:
HNS Cross Country Results 2021
UNDER 9 |
Girls |
Boys |
1st |
Sophia White Miotto 11.29 |
Zac Terakai-Pitfield 9.26 |
2nd |
Layla Price 13.43 |
Beau Wakefield 10.52 |
3rd |
Mia Collins 13.55 |
Chase Brooks 12.16 |
UNDER 10 |
Girls |
Boys |
1st |
Adelle Whitehouse Miotto 11.10 |
Aston Robertson 9.24 |
2nd |
Sienna Cooper 11.18 |
Marley Donegan 9.27 |
3rd |
Ellara Collins 11.38 |
Christian Botros 9.52 |
UNDER 11 |
Girls |
Boys |
1st |
Sophia Gonzales 14.35 |
Levi Van Haren 11.41 |
2nd |
Layla Hickson 15.05 |
Ashton Hodges 12.30 |
3rd |
Kannika Broadbent 15.20 |
Charlie Gibson 13.52 |
UNDER 12/13 |
Girls |
Boys |
1st |
Sophie Scislo 14.55 |
Nash Syron 13.10 |
2nd |
Alexis Wakefield 15.55 |
Lorenzo Gray 13.40 |
3rd |
Charlotte Cooper 17.25 |
Riley Kinkade 17.50 |
This year there were qualifying times for the students to achieve to move through to the Dio level. Under 9 and Under 10 girls had to run the distance in 13minutes and Under 9 and under 10 boys had to run in less than 11 minutes. The under 11 and Senior girls had 16 minutes, whilst the boys had to complete the course in 14 minutes. Due to the qualifying times, the following children will travel to Newcastle on April 27th for the Diocesan Cross Country event: Sophia Whitehouse-Miotto, Zac Terackai - Pitfield, Beau Wakefield, Adele Whitehouse-Miotto, Sienna Cooper, Ellara Collins, Aston Robertson, Marley Donegan, Christian Botros, Sofia Gonzales, Layla Hickson, Kannika Broadbent, Levi Van Haren, Ashton Hodges, Charlie Gibson, Sophie Scislo, Alexis wakefield, Nash Syron and Lorenzo Gray.
SRC
Our SRC have been hard at work over the past fortnight!
We have cleared the garden beds and replanted them with produce to supply our Community Kitchen, we have begun to create “Gotchas” (rewards for our new PBL Behaviour Management system), we have made a display for the National Day of Action Against Violence and Bullying, sorted out the Sport Shed and began searching for some anti-bullying videos online. It is great to have all the Year 6 children involved in the Student Leadership of the school.
Road Safety
At Holy Name School, parents and carers must come to the front of the school (Lake street) or Carawa street on the school side of the road to collect their children. Please DO NOT wait across the road and encourage your children to come to you as it is very unsafe.
Cybersafety
Following a recent survey, our parents and carers listed concerns about Cybersafety as one of the top three topics they would like more information about.
The Federation of P & F Associations has listened and is proud to offer a FREE online presentation specifically for parents and carers of students enrolled in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
We are delighted to announce that former detective Brett Lee will present specifically for us on 30 March at 6.30pm. Please join us for an evening with Brett from the comfort of your home.
BRETT LEE FLYER
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner in conjunction with the Council of Catholic School Parents(CCSP) is presenting the following FREE webinars for parents and carers.
Register now at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2578540996933732110
With NAPLAN training for teachers, and practise for students occurring this term in preparation for the Term 2 NAPLAN schedule, it is timely to bring some of the resources and information available from the ACARA website to the attention of our parents. Please visit the online Parent and Carer support information and the NAPLAN online site to check in with how you can support your students as they prepare for the assessment. The students will engage in formal practise tests this term to demonstrate to the students what the process looks and feels like but also to test the capacity of school technology and access to the platform by many users across the nation.
At Holy Name, we try to prepare the students for the 'test taking' practices such as timing, flicking through screens, reading through everything and then coming back to read each question again, checking off multiple choice answers that are definitely not correct, and moving on when a question might be taken you too long. These skills are not necessarily a part of the curriculum content being tested but certainly assist students when in the testing environment. We try not to make too big of a fuss for students but we do want them prepared to show exactly what they can do. There are online samples that you can encourage your students to do at home so that you can share some of your tips and tricks for taking tests too! Please visit these sites with your child to build familiarity.
We have included more information below for parents that you may find useful.
School Canteen Service now available!
We are excited to announce that the staff and students of Holy Name have access to a canteen service. Gordon and Niki Cooper have been preparing what is required, and working with Hunter New England Health to develop a menu that meets the healthy guidelines for our staff and students. For the time being, the service will operate from their business at the YMCA and orders will be delivered to school at each lunch break. We will work through options for the future depending on the viability of the project.
To use this service, you can order online using the Qkr! App or send your order into school in a paper bag for Gordon or Niki to pick up at school. Orders should be completed by the start of school at 8.45am but if you forget, you can phone Gordon on 0415925318 and pop in a late order.
Gordon and Niki are happy to gradually build up the service to help them get into a rhythm of operation. We are grateful to Gordon and Niki for taking on our school canteen menu as part of their business.
Parents & Friends Association update
Last Tuesday 9th March, our P&F met for the Week 7 meeting of Term 1. Once again we discussed many topics, including:
1. Canteen update
2. Leading Learning update
3. Building works
4. Current COVID Guidelines and changes to the drop-off and pick-up procedures
5. Upcoming events
For your information, the next Diocesan P&F Meeting can be accessed via zoom and the guest speaker is Mr Dallas McInerney, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW), who will respond to a question raised at our recent AGM regarding funding and Catholic schools.
The next GENERAL MEETING of the FEDERATION OF P & F ASSOCIATIONS is to take place as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Via ZOOM
Please email cath.garrett-jones@mn.catholic.edu.a to receive a link for the meeting.
Below you will also see a flyer for a free Cyber Safety organised by the P&F with Brett Lee. This is a fabulous opportunity to keep up to date with how to keep your children safe in the online space.