Welcome Back

Welcome back to what promises to be another exciting school year! As we embark on this new school year, I am thrilled to welcome both returning students and those joining our school community for the first time. I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating break, filled with fun, family, and perhaps even a little learning along the way.

The start of a new school year is always a time of fresh beginnings, new opportunities, and renewed enthusiasm. It's a chance to set goals, explore new interests, and build upon the successes of the past. Here at St Carthage's, we are committed to providing a stimulating and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

Our dedicated team of teachers has been working hard over the break to prepare engaging and challenging lessons. They are passionate about teaching and committed to creating a classroom environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to learn. This year, as staff, we are particularly excited about our further professional development around the new English and Mathematics syllabuses and how we continue to effectively implement these to engage our students and improve their learning outcomes. We will also start unpacking two new syllabus documents (Creative Arts & Science and Technology) ready for their implementation in 2026.

We also recognise the vital role that parents and families play in the success of our students. We encourage you to actively participate in your child's education by attending school events, communicating regularly with teachers, and fostering a love of learning at home. We believe a strong partnership between school and home is essential for student success.

We look forward to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and achievement. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Wishing you all a successful and rewarding school year!

Sincerely,

Amanda

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point-in-time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Each year students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

NAPLAN is held in Term 1 and will occur from Wednesday 12th March to Monday 24th March.

NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school's learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling.

In preparation for NAPLAN 2025, our school will undertake activities to help students to become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked.

Students and parents can access the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.

Please see further information from ACARA about NAPLAN in the flyer below. If you have questions about NAPLAN or do not wish for your child to participate in NAPLAN testing, please contact your child's teacher.

Students will need to bring in a set of headphones for the NAPLAN tests. If the headphones could be sent to school as soon as possible so that they can be used in the lead-up to the assessments it would be greatly appreciated.

Start the School Year Safely: Tips for 2025

As children return to school, it's important to prioritise their safety on the journey to and from school. Take time to discuss these key safety tips with your child:

Getting In and Out of the Car:
○ Always use the door closest to the curb to prevent stepping into traffic.
○Make sure your child waits until the car has completely stopped before exiting.

Walking Safely:
○ Encourage distraction-free walking by asking your child to remove headphones
and put away devices while crossing streets.
○ Teach your child to stay alert, follow traffic signals, and use designated pedestrian
crossings.

Using the Bus Safely:
○ Wait at the bus stop together, standing at least one step back from the edge of the
road.
○ Always meet your child at the bus stop on the same side of the road—never call
them across from the opposite side.
○ Wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street, ensuring it is safe to cross.

Using Wheeled Transport:
○ Remind your child that helmets are mandatory when riding a bike in public—it’s
the law.
○ Encourage helmet use and protective gear for other wheeled activities, such as
scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.

Never sacrifice safety for convenience, source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/.