Week 8 Term 3 2022
Aboriginal Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We commit ourselves to actively working alongside Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.
Dear Families,
For God, the impossible becomes possible; the tiny mustard seed needs nutrition and light to grow into a huge tree! Does not the same apply to us? For we too, need nourishment. But not only does our body need nourishment, our spiritual life
does as well. What have we done recently to nourish our own faith? And that of our family and friends?
Recently we welcomed Spring and as we leave Winter behind we tend to feel re-energised and reinvigorated ready to tackle anything! As we become aware of the signs of the new life of Spring bursting around us, we are reminded of the
love, life and energy that are the gifts we receive with each new day. Let us embrace each day as an expression of God’s love for us.
What has happened before in our lives is all passed.
What we had been and what we have done belong to yesterday.
What we are and what we can be - with God’s help - is our TODAY.
One day at a time - this is enough.
Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone;
And do not be troubled by the future, for it is yet to come.
Live in the present and make it so beautiful, it will be worth remembering.
It is God who enables us to smile in spite of tears;
To carry on when you feel like giving in;
To pray when you are at a loss for words;
To love even though your heart has been broken time and time again;
To sit calmly when you feel like throwing your hands up in frustration;
To be understanding when nothing seems to make sense;
To listen when you’d rather not hear;
To share your feelings with others because sharing is necessary to ease the load.
Anything is possible because God makes it so.
Life is a series of beginnings which bring us closer to the realisation of our dreams
Father,
Let every day be a dream we can touch,
Let every day be a love we can feel,
Let every day be a reason to live.
Let each of us see Spring as a time of renewal and hope in our lives.
Father's Day Celebration
Last Thursday afternoon we celebrated Father's Day with our families. This was a wonderful celebration with many of our families coming along to share some fun, food and social time with our school families. Over 1000 sausages were cooked and enjoyed throughout the afternoon.This celebration was even more special as this was the first time in a couple of years that we have been able to come together to celebrate these special events.
Thank you to our wonderful staff who helped to set up, serve and pack up. May this be the start of many more to come!
Sacrament of Reconciliation
We congratulate our Year Four students on receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation last week. This was a special time in their faith journey. We thank Mrs Mayes, Mrs Atlee and Mr Dimmick on preparing the children and Mr Hatchman for his great organisation and assisting the teachers throughout.
We also thank Fr Bing, Fr Alex and Fr Michael for their support last week.
Poetry and Public Speaking Finals
On Friday, 16th September we will be having our annual Poetry and Public Speaking school finals. All students, as part of the Talking and Listening component of the English Syllabus, present a poem to their class/grade. Each Stage selects a number of students to perform in our school finals. We congratulate all students on the work they have put into preparing their poems to present to their class.
Parents are invited to attend the finals next week.
Please see the timetable in our Assistant Principal section below.
Professional Development Day
Just a reminder that we have a Professional Learning Day (PUPIL FREE DAY) on Friday, 23rd September. Our last Professional Learning Day for 2022 will be on Friday 18th November.
Active Kids will be operating on these days. If you wish to take advantage of this service. Go to the Active Kids tab on our School Website for information on how to enrol and make a booking. We thank you for supporting us in our Professional
Development opportunities.
2022 Poetry & Public Speaking Competition
One of the exciting events held each year at St Carthage’s is our Public Speaking Competition. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will all participate in the Poetry section within their classrooms. Students who show particular strength in this area, will be invited to compete in Grade Level Finals. Teachers will then select finalists to compete during the Stage Finals on Friday 16th September.
The second and optional section of our Public Speaking Competition is the Speech section. Students from Years 3-6 are invited to write a speech on an appropriate topic of their choice. Similarly to the poetry section, students will say their speech to their class and grade so that teachers can select finalists for the Stage Finals.
Kindergarten students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 1 minute. Students can refer to a paper copy if required.
Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2 students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 1 minute. Students can refer to a paper copy if required.
Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4 students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 2 minutes. Students can refer to a paper copy if required.
They can also choose to enter the Speech section and speak on a topic of their choice for about 2 minutes. Students can refer to a paper copy if required.
Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6 students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 3 minutes. Students can refer to a paper copy if required.
They can also choose to enter the Speech section and speak on a topic of their choice for about 3 minutes.
Parents are invited to attend the Stage Finals which will be held in the School Hall on Friday 16th September. See the timetable below:
| Time | Stage |
| 9:15am to 9:30am |
Early Stage One (Kindergarten) |
| 9:30am to 10:00am |
Stage One (Year One & Year Two) |
| 10:00am to 10:40am |
Stage Two (Year Three & Year Four) |
| 11:15am to 12:15pm |
Stage Three (Year Five & Year Six) |
Stage 3 Mathematics Enrichment Groups
This term selected students from Years Five and Six have had the opportunity to participate in Mathematics Enrichment Groups. Once a fortnight, these students come together to explore Maths through problem-solving. The tasks completed are aligned to the Maths Olympiad Program.
Students have been challenged through these sessions and it has been wonderful to see their persistence, engagement and collaboration. These groups will continue for the remainder of the year.
Problem of the Week: Potato Planting
(APSMO)
Vince plans to plant his potatoes in a rectangular array.
The potatoes need to be at least 25 cm apart and at least 50 cm from the brick edges of the garden bed.
The garden bed is 2 metres wide and 6 metres long.
What is the greatest number of potatoes he can plant?
The Answer can be found on the APSMO website:
Poetry & Public Speaking
Students have been spending the past few weeks in their classrooms practising and performing their poems and speeches for the Poetry & Public Speaking competition which will be held on Friday 16th September. From these classroom performances, finalists will be chosen to compete in each stage. It is a great opportunity for students to showcase their interests and ability in this area.
Kindergarten Play-Based Learning
Play-based learning is an important part of the day for our Kindergarten students. Investigations are linked to what the students are learning for the remainder of the day. This term, students have been learning about Living Things. Where they have been exploring their characteristics, needs, behaviour and the environment they live in. With Spring upon us, children have been exploring plants and what they require to flourish and grow.
Richmond Zone Gala Days
The Richmond Zone Gala Days were held on Friday 19th August. Students from the 9 local Catholic Primary Schools were invited to three separate gala days.
Richmond Zone Football Gala Day
The St Carthage's Football Team went through their pool undefeated; 7-0, 3-0, 3-0. They progressed through to the final against St Joseph's Alstonville. After conceding the first goal the team pulled together to go to half time at 1-1. The second half saw the team score another 3 goals and end the final 4-1. Congratulations to Jack Elphick, Indy Lacson, Sam Lovegrove, Will Lynch, Oscar Maher, Archie Matthews, Jimmi Matthews, Jak Scofield, Noah Tatton, Jude Wagner, Louie Ware and Wez Weekes. We wish them the best of luck at the Lismore Diocesan Football Finals.
Richmond Zone Netball Gala Day
10 Year 6 girls attended the Richmond Zone Netball Day. They were blessed with amazing weather, which set them up for a fun day with their friends. Mrs Innes was extremely proud of their effort, determination and sportsmanship throughout the day. Congratulations girls!
Richmond Zone Multi Sports Gala Day
The Year 6 students who did not attend the netball or football gala days travelled to Hepburn Park to participate in the Multi Sports Gala Day. The students rotated around different stations, giving them an opportunity to try a range of sports with their friends. These sports included AFL, rugby league, soccer, cricket, tennis, table tennis and hockey. By all accounts, the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'm sure they slept well on Friday night. Thanks to all of our Year 6 students for the way that they represented our school on the day. You set the standard for behaviour and sportsmanship on the day.
NSW PSSA Football Carnival
Archie and Jimmi Matthews travelled to Griffith to compete in the NSW PSSA (Primary School Sport Association) Boys Football Carnival. The carnival brings students from Catholic, Independent and Public Schools from across NSW together for a three day competition. The purpose of this carnival is to select a NSW Team to compete at the Australian Championships. The Polding team that Archie and Jimmi were a part of, started the carnival with two wins. These games were followed with mixed results. Many of the games at the carnival were decided by only one goal. Each game was critical to their final placing on the ladder. At the conclusion of the games, Polding was placed in the game for 7th and 8th. Polding went down 1-0, placing them in 8th in the competition of 14 teams. Archie and Jimmi displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the carnival. We congratulate them on their outstanding achievement and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours on the football field.
Australian Cross Country Championship
Amirah Shah recently travelled to Adelaide to compete in the Australian Cross Country Championships. This is the final level of representative sport for primary school students. She competed at school, Zone, Diocesan, Polding, State and National Level. Amirah completed the 3km course in 11 minutes and 47 seconds. The course and conditions were particularly challenging. Amirah's time placed her 8th out of 42 competitors. As a team, the U12 NSW Girls finished 2nd in their race. The team event is determined by combining the placings of each student from their state. It has been a very long time since we have had a student from St Carthage's represent our school at a national level in an individual event. Amirah's dedication and commitment have helped her to make significant improvements over the last few years. It has been special to see her reach her goals and achieve the best that she possibly can. Congratulations Amirah, we are extremely proud of your achievements and the way that you represent yourself and our school community.
Stage 3 Colour House Competition
Students in Year 5 and 6 are now half way through their Colour House Competition. The students have been rotating through cricket, dodge ball, soccer, tennis, t-ball and oz tag. It is a great opportunity for Year 5 and 6 students to join together, have fun with their peers, play sport and build colour house spirit. The scores are very tight at this stage of the competition and we look forward to sharing the winning colour house very shortly.
Jan's Bucket Club Holiday Workshops
Trinity Tours
Building Your Resilience
