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- Principal's message
- Assistant Principal's Report
- Religious Education News
- Primary Coordinator's Report
- Pastoral Care Report
- Public Speaking Success
- Out and About with Kindergarten
- St Clare's High School HSC Results 2022
- Latest News From Safeguarding Promoters
- ASPIRE SONG WRITING COMPETITION
- Good for Kids
- MidCoast Library news
Dear Parents and Carers,
In our final newsletter for the year, I would like to highlight some of the positives that have been part of the Holy Name journey in 2022. It is a great time to celebrate our achievements and the things that make Holy Name a great place to work and learn.
- Our students were above or at State and similar schools in all areas of NAPLAN except for spelling in Year 3, with upward trends in achievement across all areas. This tells us that the changes our teachers are making to impact positively on student outcomes are working.
- We now have our own Master Artist and Facilitator to run the Heart to Heart Art program in our school, and held our first 'in-house' program for a group of students. Student wellbeing continues to be a focus.
- For the first time, one of our students received a Gold Medal in the University Science competition (ICAS)!!
- 5 of our students participated in the Premier's Reading Challenge and 1 received a gold certificate for four years consecutive successful participation.
- We had 8 students in Years 5 and 6 successfully complete their learning in the Virtual Academy, an online program for high potential learners.
- All students are developing their music skills in specialised lessons, with 3 students learning brass instruments with our Music Teacher before school and many more students are being tutored in piano or guitar.
- Holy Name students won the Regional Swimming and Athletics Carnivals.
- Year 6 participated in the Become Me program as they explored the possibilities for their future careers, using their talents and interests as a guide.
- 5 students made it to the State level competition across 3 different sports - Athletics (4), Football (1) and Swimming (1). This means that many more made it to Diocesan and Polding!
- 2 students represented the Manning Region in the final of the Diocesan Spelling and Maths Bees. One of these students represented in both!
- 4 students represented the Manning Region at the Diocesan Public Speaking final, with two of the students receiving a place!
- The buildings and facilities at Holy Name are in the process of being upgraded - both amenity blocks, 4 classrooms and playground irrigation.
- Our enrolments continue to increase and we have an additional class in 2023.
- We welcomed 3 new babies into our staff family with another on the way!
The end of a year is also a time for reflection and planning for the future. It is hoped that the following focus areas for our school are supported and achieved in partnership with our parents.
- Continued focus on reading and writing, in particular, monitoring student learning growth in spelling.
- Working mathematically, targeting Measurement and Geometry.
- Working alongside our community and schools in the local and regional areas to develop a Culturally sensitive educational environment.
- Student attendance - to achieve an average attendance rate of 94% for every child. For 2022, 81% of our students were below the expected minimum of 94% school attendance. With teachers working so hard to make adjustments and focus on the learning growth of every student in their class, changing this attendance data will have a huge impact on their ability to improve each child's learning growth.
- Developing a plan for student formation with a particular focus for each grade to learn about, reflect on and take some action to change the status quo.
- Improving the digital technology skills of students, with the commencement of a one-one device program for Year 5 and 6 students.
There are a number of families in the Year 6 group leaving us this year for the final time following many years of partnering with our school in the education of their children. We also have a couple of families moving on for work or family reasons and I wish them all the very best for the future and ask that they pop in or let us know how their children are doing in the future. I would like to acknowledge the following Year 6 families:
- Mr Peter & Mrs Leanne Broadbent
- Ms Jodi Coleman
- Mr Timothy and Mrs Peta Cooke
- Mr Matthew and Mrs Kate Cullen
- Mr Fletcher and Mrs Kylie Duckett
- Mr Anthony Gray
- Mr Matthew and Mrs Jaclyn Hickson
- Mr Ian and Mrs Kylie Hodges
- Ms Michelle-Marie Townsend-Huebner
- Mr Thorsten Huebner
- Mr Luke & Mrs Lauren Janjic
- Mr Bart & Mrs Melissa Johnson
- Dr Johan LeRoux & Mrs Martha LeRoux
- Mrs Marie Macinnis
- Mr Benjamin Mahoney
- Ms Alana Mahoney
- Ms Kathryn Mealing
- Mr Damian & Mrs Ivy Moore
- Mr Marc & Mrs Gabrielle Randall
- Ms Sandy Saunders
- Mr Jake & Mrs Karen Siddle
- Mr Rowan & Mrs Linda Thacker
- Mr Justin & Mrs Tonya Van Haren
- Mr David & Mrs Trisha Webster
Thank you for being an awesome group of parents, we will miss you!
I wish you all a blessed Christmas season of good health and happy times with family and friends.
See you back in 2023,
Brooke Stephens
Well, another year has passed us by… Time seems to move so quick these days. Wishing all our students and families a very Happy Christmas and may you get a chance to slow down and spend time with those you love.
Cybersafety
We have had some problems at school with students being added to or joining SNAPCHAT group chats that have included comments with innappropriate and sometimes vulgar language.
Snapchat is an app available to people aged 13 years and over. The reason that a certain age is required is because users can be exposed to adult content, innapropriate advertising and marketing ploys.
It is a timely reminder, with the holidays coming up, and children perhaps having more screen time, that they need to be closely supervised when participating in the digital world. Gaming is another area where children can be exposed to inappropriate language and concepts either from their "friends" or others involved in games that the students don't even know.
Parental controls can be set and, if devices are monitored closely, there should not be a problem. The thing with technology though, is that the children are often a step ahead of their parents in this arena. Be suspicious if your child's history has been deleted and only let them use devices in common areas of the home.
The children will have access to a 1:1 device at school next year and they will need to be using the devices appropriately.
Here is a link to some great sites for parents about Keeping kids safe online
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
Year 6 Canberra Report
I had the pleasure of attending the Year 6 Canberra excursion in Week 8 with Mrs Russell and Ms McKinnon. The children were very well behaved and respectful when we visited the Canberra sites and landmarks. All the places we went were interesting and/or fun and the children were complimented on the curiosity and for asking great questions.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Institute of Sport Canberra.
It is an institution were national athletes in Australia come to train and prepare for the Olympic Games or other competitions. We went to the interactive lab and put our skills to the test.
We tried Olympic and Paralympic sports including wheelchair racing, basketball, soccer and cycling.
Personal records:
Ryan got a fantastic score of 59 km/h in the soccer.
Jack got 104 seconds on the pullup bar.
Charlie Gibson
Avilio Tourist Park (Accomodation)
There was a basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court, two parks and a couple other games. In each cabin there was 5 to 6 people. Some nights people struggled to get to sleep but some got tired and went to bed straight away there where knocks on the door when people didn’t go to sleep and were talking. Shenia Lakin
Questacon
Canberra was really fun. I had a great time with all my friends and the teachers. My favourite place by far was Questacon, and the most fun place was ice skating. Altogether I would of definitely done it again and again. I will never forget what I learned from all the places we went to. Dennis gave us lots of snacks and he got us where we needed to be when we needed to be there. He was great. I was nervous at the start but when we got to our cabins I forgot all about my family and just had the time of my life.
Ashley Allan
National Australian Art Gallery
In our time at Canberra, we went to the ‘National Australian Art Gallery’. To get there, we had to walk over a beautiful bridge, that had a stunning view of the ‘floating sphere.’ The Floating sphere is a glass sphere that hung behind the ‘National Australian Art Gallery.’ Another site that caught our eye was a beautiful fountain. Everyone seemed to like it as most people put there hands along it. There were so many stunning artworks and one of them wax man that burnt, ‘Francesco’. This wax figure started as a wax man holding a phone but by the time, we got their red wax was dripping from him and he had been decapitated. We saw so many amazing artworks and everyone loved it at the ‘National Australian Art Gallery.’
Jasmine Mahoney
Ice Skating
One of our favourite activities at Canberra was ice skating at the Phillips Ice Skating Rink, skating was on Wednesday (the 3rd day). While skating we were able to whiteness figure skaters at their training sessions. At the beginning, it took a while for everyone to get used to how slippery the ice was but by the end, everyone was getting the hang of it. Mrs Loring and Mrs McKinnon only managed to make it around once!
Bonnie Dempsey
Awards
This morning certificates were handed out to students for various endeavours.
Children in the Virtual Academy were presented their Completion Certificates for their various areas of research and skill development.
Children in Stage 3 received their certificates from the Newcastle Permanent Maths competition. Several students received Distinction and Merit certificates.
The Year 6 students received their RE Literacy tests and certificates as well. some of our students were acknowledged for their great efforts.
Christmas Concert
On Wednesday evening Holy Name celebrated the end of year Whole School Christmas concert at Club Forster. Ther were over 500 family and friends in attendance.
Congratulations to all students who rose to the occasion to sing, dance and act out our Christmas play that was led by the amazing Miss Skye Reynolds. A special shout out of thanks to the many, many additional hours Miss Reynolds gave to ensure all children were well prepared for the evening performance. Miss Reynolds also worked closely with Mrs Kathryn Todd to film Mrs Todd's budding student musicians. Thank you Mrs Todd for all you do to support the creative arts at Holy Name. Thanks also goes to our teachers for ensuring the children had additinal class practices and kept our parents informed about what their children were to wear.
Year 6 capped off an unforgettable evening with their dance renditions of Footloose and Top Gun a flashback to the 80's.
Christmas Mass Times
Holy Name of Jesus Church Forster Christmas Eve Saturday 24/12/2022 Mass times are 5pm and 7:30pm. Christmas Day Sunday 25/12/2022 Mass times are 8am & 10am.
Christmas Message
As 2022 draws to a close we have so much to be thankful for. Our school community focus is on serving others and throughtout the year our community has come together to support those in need within our local community, country, and wider world.
Holy Name students should be proud to have supported Caritas, Catholic Mission and St Vincent de Paul.
The staff wish to take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas and a joyful New Year. We look forward to seeing you for an exciting and bright 2023.
Mrs Williamson
Religious Education Coordinator
2022 has been such a great year of learning and fun in all classes within our school! I wanted to capture some of the highlights from each grade and a few funny moments that students were happy to share! Enjoy!
Kindergarten Highlights
Ruby Clarke - “I loved visiting the church and learning everything about Jesus”.
Vivian – “I liked learning how to pray and how to be a kind friend.”
Johnny – “I loved learning about numbers and adding numbers together!”
Ilijana – “I have loved learning how to spell words and write tricky sentences”.
Luka – “ I loved learning how to write and I especially liked sharing my weekend recounts with my class!”
Funny memory
Ellie – “Miss Redding’s miniscule bug shows are so funny!
Arden – “Mrs Quilter’s jokes from the Advent wall calendar are so funny!”
Year One Highlights
Oliver W – “I have liked using different strategies to solve maths problems.”
Angel – “I have liked learning about Advent and Christmas.”
Tyrese – “I loved learning how to write acrostic poems about spiders. I got really good at writing stories!”
William Duffy – I loved learning how to do hard addition and subtraction problems.”
Dakota – “I like the sport we played over the year. I have gotten better at running, throwing and catching.”
Tane – “I like learning about Jesus. I especially like hearing stories from the bible.
Leah – “I loved that when we made mistakes we now know what to do because Mr Mackay helps us get better.
Will N – “I have liked practising my reading by timing myself and my partner while we read our fluency passage. I have gotten much faster and clearer with my reading!
Mac – “I love writing so much! I really like writing narratives stories about the Tiny Dragon. I think my sentence writing has gotten better which makes me happy.”
Hayley – “I loved writing information reports. My favourite one was one on dolphins because they are my favourite animal!”
Funny stories from Year 1 –
Sophia – “Mr Mackay’s Apple Watch goes crazy when he’s teaching and Siri asks him questions!”
James – “Mr Mackay was being silly and kicked a little soccer ball in the classroom and it hit the light!”
Ryan – “I got Miss Nolan a box of chocolates that is shaped in a champagne bottle, I keep asking her when she is going to drink her champagne. We all laugh and Miss Nolan thinks we are giggle worms!”
Year Two Highlights
Eleanor – “I have loved doing art and improving my reading fluency with my class readers.”
Charlie – “Mr Gleeson tells funny jokes and uses funny voices when he tells stories.”
Gracie J – “I loved history with Mr Gleeson and learning how to spell super tricky words!”.
Olivia – “I loved doing sport with Mr Kelso because we played ‘Golden Child and ‘Cross the Golden River’. I also liked learning soccer and netball skills.”
Danny – “I loved being in Science lessons especially when we did awesome excursions.”
Molly – “I have loved learning different spelling rules and working in my beautiful classroom.”
Year Three Highlights
Bella – “ I liked doing multiplication ninja task cards and all of the fun maths games we got to play”.
Reuben – “I loved when we got to be movie and book critics and give our review and star rating to the ones we liked.”
Amaya – “I liked when we got to travel around the world in History to celebrate different traditions in other countries like: Ireland, America, Sweden and France.”
Jax – “I loved the maths mysteries because it was like fun detective work!”
Funniest memories from Year Three
Xavier – “One day when Miss Meers was teaching all of Year 3 Mrs Banham brought over the loud haler for her to use to get our attention we all laughed so hard when she used it.”
Eli – Miss Meers hides tasks cards all over the classroom and we have to ask for clues to find out where they are hidden. One was in her pocket and no one could guess – we couldn’t believe we didn’t think to ask if she had one on her!”
Year Four Highlights
Tyson – “I have liked doing all sorts of mathematical problems and then we work it out in pairs and Mr Hassett gives us feedback on our strategies.”
Max- “I loved playing blooket the most! I also loved learning new ways to solve division and fractions problems. Mr Hassett explains how to do things really clearly.
Jade – I have liked improving my spelling. We always use our ‘have a go’ book and then Mr Hassett shows us how it’s spelt after we have had a go.”
Funniest Memories –
Noah – “There was a fly in Zoya’s hair and we were all trying to get it out. She was laughing so hard.”
Airlia – “A blowfly flew into the smartboard so hard that it gave Rhys a dojo point!”
Year Five Highlights
Bridie – “Aussie Bush Camp was my highlight! I loved the high ropes course.”
Neil – “Mrs Tull introduced ‘Fam Jam’ which was an awesome time where we got to play games and hang out as friends.”
Arty – “I loved that we earnt the 500 points we needed to get a class pet. We chose a Mexican Fighting Fish and called him McGregor!”
Funniest class memory – “One afternoon the boys all tried to do better handstands than the girls – there were lots of tumbles!”
Year Six Highlights
Issac – “This year I have loved learning and solving word problems involving fractions. The lessons have been really challenging but I’m getting better at explaining my thinking!”
Issy – “Going to Canberra was amazing. It was so fun at Questacon and I liked getting to know the teachers better.”
Annie – “I have loved doing art and science lessons!”
Lincoln - "I loved reading the 'Conspiracy Articles' because it really made me think!"
Ashley - "In English I loved learning about illegal fishing because my family friend is a Fisheries Officer"
Funniest memories –
5/6R “When Issy tripped over the computer cord!”- she was okay!
6M “Once during English Ryan kept talking so Miss McKinnon tip-toed up behind him to scare him into being quiet. It worked!”
I hope all of our Holy Name families have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy start to 2023.
Mrs Suzie Monks
Primary Coordinator
As our School year draws to a close, I would like to thank our wonderful Mini Vinnies students who have worked tirelessly this year often giving up their own time in service of others. They have made a difference in the lives of many, here at school and around the globe. They have truly lived our school motto “Concern for Others.” Our Mini Vinnies team enjoyed wrapping lots of presents to place under our Wishing Tree
I would also like to thank all our families and parishioners who have continued to support our fund-raising initiatives including 5c Friday and World Children’s Day. We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of you all. Please know that you too have contributed to helping change lives.
I hope that you have a wonderful break and the Merriest Christmas, take precious care.
This Christmas….
May you wish on a star.
May you dance wildly.
May you believe in the power of you.
May you have fun with your loved ones.
May you chase your dreams.
May you create balance.
May you follow the sun.
May you inspire someone to do something wonderful.
May you be forever grateful.
May you imagine endless possibilities.
May you have time to read with little children.
May you lend a hand to those in need.
May you never give up.
May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you and your loved ones.
May you find joy in the little moments.
May kindness live in your heart, and may that kindness extend to everyone you know.
Kristie Banham
Pastoral Care Worker
After success at the Regional Public Speaking Finals in October, Holy Name’s four competitors, Ilijana Trautsch, Zara Rahman, Chase Brooks and Tara Isbel, travelled with their support crews to Singleton on the 24th November to compete in the Maitland/Newcastle Finals. All competitors were given the topics for their speeches on the day of the finals meaning there was no preparation done at home. Our four students handled this extremely well.
At the Diocesan Finals, two of our students came away with placings. Zara Rahman gained third place in the Stage 1 Category while Tara Isbel was awarded second place in Stage 3. The Holy Name School Community is very proud of the way our entire team represented us this year.
Lynn Redding
Public Speaking Co-ordinator
Out and About with Kindergarten
Term 4 has seen Kindergarten students extending their classroom experiences in several different ways. One of these connected to the English Unit about writing opinions and the other to the HSIE Unit.
In October, the management at the Manning Entertainment Centre organised a guest performer to run workshops at school as a lead-up to the stage production of Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles. Jonathan, from Monkey Baa Theatre had Kinders exploring ways to move in a designated space and then challenged them to do the opposite moves to the given directions. This proved to be tricky but Kinders rose the challenge.
On November 11th, KM and KQ travelled to the theatre in Taree to watch Edward the Emu performed with life-sized puppets. The experience of live theatre had the Kinders enthralled and there was lots of applause and even a ‘Bravo. Bravo.’ Back at school, students shared their favourite part of the performance and their opinions were posted on Seesaw.
In addition, each Kinder student wrote an opinion about Edward and published their writing in a book called Edward, You are the Best. They made an illustration to accompany their writing and the book is being sent to the production company.
KM and KQ have also had two rich cultural experiences connected to the Geography Unit about people’s interaction with special places. Ms Simon and Mrs Williams led an excursion to Pebbly Beach where the students were shown how the Worimi People understand the ways plants in this special place contribute to everyday life. Kinders were particularly interested in the use of the whistling plant, the paperbark and a plant that can be used to deprive fish of oxygen in water. The children also had the opportunity to view a bower adorned with its blue trimmings and as luck would have it, the bower bird arrived on cue.
Last week, Mrs Williams visited Kindergarten for a craft activity. She brought along handmade stamps featuring images significant to the Worimi which the students used to make prints on cards. Mrs Williams also collected dry eucalyptus leaves which were dotted with paint to create classroom wreaths.
It has certainly been an adventurous 10 weeks to finish off the first year at school.
The Kinder Team
St Clare's High School HSC Results 2022
This week, we are congratulating our feeder high school for their outstanding HSC results. Well done to the students, parents and staff of St Clare's!
ST CLARE’S HIGH SCHOOL – HSC RESULTS – 2022
Principal’s Comment
“Congratulations to our HSC class of 2022 on their excellent results which are a fitting reflection of their efforts and dedication to their studies during two years of great upheaval and change. I particularly want to thank our students for their resilience and good humour throughout the year and our excellent staff for their diligence and sustained effort to deal creatively with the challenges COVID-19 has created in the educational environment. Congratulations also to parents and caregivers of St Clare’s who have supported the young people and the school so enthusiastically throughout the year. We are proud of our students, parents and staff and the St Clare’s tradition of achievement in the HSC, and excited for our young people as they begin the next phase of their lives.”
According to data from the Daily Telegraph (15 December), St Clare’s is the best ranking school overall in the local area and the highest ranking school in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese in terms of ATARs and HSC results.
The 2022 HSC Examination results have, again, been very rewarding for St Clare’s High School students.
The cohort of 67 students were rewarded with 28 Band 6 and 86 Band 5 grades with outstanding results in:
- English Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 2
- Mathematics Advanced
- Studies of Religion 1
- Studies of Religion 2
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Personal Development & Physical Education
- Community & Family Studies
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Music 1
- Industrial Technology
- Spanish Beginners
- French Beginners
Congratulations to Year 12 Drama (5 Band 6 and one Band 5), who have had their whole class nominated for OnSTAGE, a selection of exceptional performances from HSC Drama students.
Cassidy Donovan, Lucas Drury, Taj Simpson, Georgia Rourke, Cooper Twemlow and Medinah Well's Group Performance, "The Able Fable", was nominated, as well as Cooper, Taj and Georgia's Individual Performances. This is an outstanding achievement for these students!
Of the 67 students in the Class of 2022, many students received early offers to university, which they have already accepted, while other students have achieved results which will allow them to take up offers which will be made by universities in the coming weeks.
St Clare’s also saw a number of students accept Traineeships, Apprenticeships, TAFE pathways and employment opportunities. Students have also been accepted into the armed forces for a GAP year or permanent placement.
According to the limited contact the school has had with students today, the student who is our 2022 Dux is Taj Simpson with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank of 96.9.
Top ATARs of which the school is aware at the time of media release:
Taj Simpson 96.90
Seren Everingham 96.45
Georgia Rourke 95.95
Thomas Fidock 95.70
Haley Patel 94.60
Charles Pitt 93.30
Bradley Brincat 93.15
Zaiden Theophanous 92.00
In closing, I am proud to say that the vast majority of our HSC cohort has achieved results which will enable them to pursue their post secondary school goals.
Peter Nicholls
Latest News From Safeguarding Promoters
The Promoters of Safeguarding continue to endorse a culture of safeguarding within the Parish. To this end, your attention is drawn to the increased risk of drowning during the summer months. Between July 2021 and June 2022, there were 339 drowning deaths in Australia, an increase from 294 in 2021 and 248 in 2020. Children aged 1–4 have the highest drowning rates with most drownings happening in swimming pools, while seniors aged 65 to 74 are the third most vulnerable age category.
CEO, Adam Weir, said that it is important to be vigilant around the water. Simple actions like supervising children always on, in and around water, swimming at a patrolled location between the red and yellow flags, avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs while swimming, and wearing a lifejacket while boating and fishing are all things which minimise the danger of drowning this summer.
Royal Life Saving Society Australia CEO, Justin Scarr said children were at increased risk of drowning over summer and required constant supervision around swimming pools and inland waterways. “Always make sure children have your full attention and avoid distractions, especially mobile phones. Remember, kids can’t help themselves around water, you need to keep watch,” Scarr said. “Other simple actions to help make water safety a priority include enrolling children in swimming lessons, checking the pool fence and gate.”
Minister for Sport and Aged Care Services, Anika Wells, said. “Australians love our summer days at the beach and by the pool, but I urge young families to be cautious and take a safety-first approach to water. Summer is also a drowning danger time for senior citizens. Each death has far-reaching consequences for the family and friends left behind.”
Key Actions and Safety Tips for Summer 2022/23:
- Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
- Wear a lifejacket if you are going boating, rock fishing, or on watercraft
- Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs while undertaking water activities
- Always supervise children on, in and around water at all times
- Check water conditions before heading out
- Visit www.beachsafe.org.au
ASPIRE SONG WRITING COMPETITION
Check out the ASPIRE website here or information about the Song Writing Competition in the flyer attached.
MidCoast Libraries have some exciting upcoming programs and events.
Visit the website www.midcoastlibraries.com.au for all event and program information.
Summer Reading Club Challenge
Attached is the Summer Reading Club Instructions and Poster. Registrations have now opened. Help your students beat the summer slide during the long summer break. Find out more here.
Merry Brickmas Lego Brick Challenge
Children aged 8 -12 years old are welcome to come along to our Lego Brickmas Parties at Forster & Taree Libraries on 14, 15 & 16 December.
School age children can also participant in this challenge from home 13 – 17 December and send in their Lego pics to library.events@midcoast.nsw.gov.au to enter our prize draw.
Find out more and book in for the parties here.
School Holiday Program
The school holiday program will be out soon, details will be sent when available and a special children’s e-newsletter will be emailed to you on 1st December.
On behalf of all the staff at MidCoast libraries we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and merry Christmas.
Kind regards
Meredith Campbell