Week 8 Term 2 2020
Dear Families,
We are all very much settled back into our school routines and whilst our students are very happily catching up with their friends, staff are also enjoying reconnecting with students. Home learning seemed such a long time ago and yet it was only a matter of weeks ago! The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly had a great impact on everyone but it is also a time for us to reflect on how lucky we are to live in Australia, where life is slowly returning to normal. With many restrictions being lifted families can reconnect, leisure activities can resume but the thing that seems to be most important to our students is the return to community sport on July 1st! Children have missed the opportunity to participate in team based activities and there is a real buzz amongst them as they begin to train in anticipation!
Whilst there are still restrictions in place in schools, and adult presence in schools is still discouraged, we are all into a routine of washing and sanitising our hands regularly throughout the day as well as regular cleaning of desks and high traffic areas to ensure the health and wellbeing of all.
As student learning has been disrupted over the past couple of months the CSO have needed to restructure our Reporting and Assessing to reflect this. The Catholic Schools Office has issued an alternative reporting system as we cannot report on student achievement using the A-E grades. Reporting will be done through comments, for English, Mathematics and an overall General Comment. This modified report will be issued to all students at the end of Week 2 next term.
It is then expected that we will revert back to A-E Grades for the tracking of student
achievement in the second semester.
I share the following reflection, Beatitudes for Teachers, as they prepare these reports for their students:
Blessed are you who are called to teach, for you walk in the footsteps of the Master.
Blessed are you who sow peace and harmony in your school, for yours will be the joy of the Lord.
Blessed are you when you share your faith with others, for your name will be written in their hearts.
Blessed are you who plant seeds of hope in youthful hearts, for your legacy will be the harvest.
Blessed are you who are sensitive to the cries of youth, for you will become their voice.
Blessed are you who anguish now when your students are difficult, for your effort will be their light.
Blessed are you when you leaven your teaching with patience and empathy, for this is to teach as
Jesus did.
Blessed are you when you reach out for your students, for you will find God and rejoice.
VOICES FROM THE FIELD:
The Catholic Schools Office has requested we gather some information about the Covid-19 Blended Learning experience from families. The spread of COVID-19 has seen our school community working in ways which were previously unimaginable.
We all worked to navigate rapidly changing circumstances as we sought to collectively meet the challenge of providing quality learning-from-home experiences for all students, whilst caring for the wellbeing of all community members. Just as swiftly, our school is trying to effectively manage the transition back to face-to-face learning. The Voices from the Field - Discerning the New Normal project aims to learn with and from our schools and to allow schools to learn from one other, as we all begin to reimagine the future of education in the Diocese of Lismore. The project aims to capture answers to key questions from students, parents, educators and leaders to help discern how schools might reshape learning and teaching in light of recent experiences within their own contexts.
The link to a google form can be found below. We would truly appreciate you taking the time to comment on their questions.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLjEBet5OpSFBtmFFn6WZq3frgnUML9ZblmfoW0sSan_7jjQ/viewform
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS
A reminder that staff will be involved in a Professional Development Day on the first day back next term - Monday 20th July. Our next Professional Learning Days will be the last day of Term 3 - Friday 25th September and the first day of Term 4 Monday, 12th October. There will be NO school for students on these days. Active Kids will be operating for those families who may require care on this day. For further information or to make a booking please go to our School Website Active Kids page or phone Wendy Pizzol on 0417 276 407.
Virtual Reality at St Carthage's
It was like a story that you are actually in! You’re looking at full 3D objects and your teacher is narrating as you progress through. Virtual reality (VR) was a new and rare experience but it changed my view of technology forever. It was as if from your classroom, you were teleported to a different place.
We got to see the Moon and discovered its significant history by actually going there. If you get stuck it helps you just like your consciousness and sort of tricks your brain, in a good way. The VR made me feel as though I was truly in the scene and that made it a wonderful experience but a bit scary as well. The pictures showed me more detail than 3 million words.
The purpose was to make us learn in a fun way and it exceeded my expectations.
Duncan 5MS
We were very happy to be some of the lucky students to use a VR headset. It showed us about the Moon in an amazing and interactive way. We got to experience the journey and what it felt like from an astronauts point of view. It actually felt like we were right there in the moment which we admit felt scary but in a good way as it was so real. The experience showed us the pictures that our teacher was talking about in specific detail which made it easier and quicker to learn facts about. We would love to do it again.
Maya and Layla 5MS
ICAS Assessments Reminder
ICAS Assessments are going ahead for 2020. As of last year they are now online assessments. The assessments are based on the curricula for the relevant year. Students are asked to demonstrate a deeper, integrated, and thorough level of learning. To ensure an engaging and beneficial experience for all students, new ICAS assessments are developed annually for each subject in every year level. These assessments are available to children in Years 3-6 in the areas of Digital Technologies, Science, Spelling, English and Mathematics. Due to COVID-19 the Writing assessment is no longer available this year. These are non-compulsory and the cost of each test is $15.95. If you would like your child to sit any of the ICAS tests we now have an online payment portal with UNSW Global. Click on the link below or go to https://shop.unswglobal.com.au/pages/pps. You will need enter the school access code KAF749. It is as simple as completing the student details, selecting the assessments you wish your child to sit and then paying by credit card. The closing date for entries is Monday 3rd August. No entries will be accepted after this date.
Subject | Sitting Dates | Price |
ICAS Science | Monday 17th August to Friday 21st August | $15.95 |
ICAS Writing | NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN 2020 | |
ICAS Digital Technologies | Monday 24th August to Friday 28th August | $15.95 |
ICAS English | Monday 24th August to Friday 28th August | $15.95 |
ICAS Mathematics | Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September | $15.95 |
ICAS Spelling Bee | Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September | $15.95 |
Sound Waves Spelling
The focus sounds for the following two weeks are:
Sunshine Online
Sunshine Online is a digital literacy program. It has been designed to help children aged 4 to 10+ learn to read and develop the skills needed for continuing reading independence and success. The program also uses maths stories to develop skills and understandings in early numeracy.
Sunshine online is available for all students at St Carthage's to use at home. Please use the link below.
Username: stcarth20
Password: school123
100 Word Stories
A Different World - Living in Lockdown
Year 6
Year Six students have been challenged to write exciting 100-word stories as part of Storyathon's - 'Let's Write Microstories' competition. The theme for this year is 'A Different World - Living in Lockdown'.
We want students to really value writing, just as they value sports, hobbies, and other popular pursuits.
Writing microstories is fun and provides students with an opportunity to celebrate writing. They’re tiny narratives - challenging students to tighten their language, experiment with words and focus their message.
Fewer characters, fewer events, a better eye for detail!
2020 Sport
As a result of COVID19 all PSSA and CPS events in 2020 have been cancelled. Should you seek further clarification as to the specific events that have been cancelled please refer to the following website:
Athletics Program
Following advice from CSNSW-Sport and the Lismore Catholic Schools Office, our Athletics carnival that was set down for the end of this term has been postponed. The carnival will be held on Friday 24th July (Week 1, Term 3).
Students will continue to complete long jump, shot put and relay selections during Weeks 8-10.
The St Carthage’s Athletics Carnival will be held on the St Carthage’s Ovals. There will be no Richmond Zone or Diocesan Athletics Carnival this year. Our carnival will therefore focus on participation and fun.
The advice from Catholic Schools NSW is that school based activities involving large gatherings of adults are not permitted. This includes the attendance of parents at sports events. Unfortunately, family members and visitors are not permitted at our carnival this year.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of uncertainty.
Leader’s Lounge
Hey everyone! Welcome to the leaders lounge. This segment from your school captains will appear each fortnight. Here everyone’s opinions are valued and respected. We look forward to listening to what everyone has to say about the various topics we have planned to discuss.
This week we're talking about all recent events in the life of lock-down. These are a few opinions from our school peers about the current pandemic of COVID-19.
Cooper - Year 2: It was quite difficult with the amounts of work and the time spent working. Very hard to concentrate with all the distractions on my farm.
Harry- Year 4: I like doing the work because I was on my computer. I also didn’t like missing my friends from school. I did enjoy the zoom meetings, being able to still stay in contact was great. Bella-Year 4: I didn’t enjoy the school work. I missed my school friends and peers a lot. I personally would rather face to face.
Milla- Year 5: I found it really annoying because your siblings get help before you. It was much easier to get distracted around the many available at home.
Sam B- Year 5: I thought it was very annoying with the long wait to get answers to questions. All the free time was great though.
Sam- Year 6: It was hard because I was staring at a screen all day, missing out on sport and social interaction with friends.
Tayla (Vice Captain)- My opinion on lock-down is that it was a very unusual style of living, as no one alive today has ever been through a period of time where staying at home all day everyday was compulsory. I don’t think I will ever take school or friends for granted again.
Max (Vice Captain)- This lock-down was a test to all people who were involved. It tested our relationships with those we live with. At home we were sent work to complete before we could relax. Some people did their work but others didn’t.
Ziggy (School Captain)- This lock-down experience brought a mixture of different emotions for me as I think it would many. I loved that I could wake up when I wanted and not have a set time limit on completing tasks, though I really missed socialising with friends.
Thea (School Captain) - My opinion on lock-down at home is that it was quite the challenge. The constant distraction of older siblings, pets ,parents and pretty much everything within reach was really a test of patience. At the start I thought it was quite the luxury but then realising being at home was never a comparison to be able to see my friends and peers in the flesh.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Happy Birthday to all the Staff and Students that have a birthday at this time.
Jasmine Boyd, Grace Kavanagh, TK Wongkruth, Jack Hutley,Case McQuilty, Nashua Loadsman, Hayley Cittolin, Elisha Lovell, Amaya Schilling, Cooper Grace, Cooper Roberts, Zara Hellyar, McKenzie Olivieri, Liam Wells, Indy Lacson, Sebastian Scott, William Curnock, Anna Moloney, Jason Dimmick and Toni McRae.
School Photos
The School Photographers have notified us that we should receive our School Photos late June. Due to COVID-19 the local Alstonville office is still closed and head office is running at a limited capacity. We will keep you updated.
School Procedure for Late Arrivals
Students arriving late to school after 9am. |
ALL students arriving late to school MUST be brought to the Office by their parent/carer. ¨ Children arriving after 9:00am will need to be signed in by a parent/carer before being given a Pass Card to present to their teacher. |
These measures have been put in place for the safety of your children. It is important that we are made aware that your child has arrived at school and that children are not just being dropped at the gate. |
St Carthage’s Cathedral Mass Times
Weekdays
Tuesday 8am
Wednesday 8am
Thursday 8am
Friday 12noon
Weekends
Saturday 5:30pm *
Sunday 9am *
Sunday 11am *
NO SUNDAY EVENING MASS
* Bookings for weekend Masses at the Cathedral should be made through the parish office on 66260200. Contact details will need to be recorded and on arrival at the church you will need to be checked in, sanitise your hands and observe social distancing.
The Bishop, realising that not all parishioners can be accommodated with the 50 person limit, has continued the dispensation from the Sunday obligation.
Cathedral - Confession Times - No Face to Face
Saturday 4.45pm – 5.15pm
Sunday 10.15am – 10.45pm
Carmelite Mass Times
Weekday Masses 7:00am **
Saturday Mass 8:00am **
NO SUNDAY MASS AT THE MONASTERY AS LIVE STREAMING WILL CONTINUE.
** As the Carmelite monastery can only have 20 Parishioners you must book for all Masses by ringing the Monastery on 66241240.
Parent Assembly
This webinar is with Maggie Dent on "From the Sandpit to Adulthood: Helping Today’s Children to Thrive."
In this seminar Maggie explores the 10 keys to parenting that will support your child/ren to thrive.
For more information and registration instructions click here.
Theatre Theatre
Please see the flyer for information on a holiday drama program.