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 Parents,

On Tuesday 21st November, the Presentation Sisters around the world will celebrate their Foundation Day, known as Presentation Day. Our school was founded by the Presentation Sisters 138 years ago so their history and involvement in our school, is an integral part of our history. Nano Nagle founded the sisters and we now have a Colour house named after her – Nagle House. Nano Nagle was born in 1718 in Ballygriffin in Ireland. She had 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Catholic schools were not allowed so Nano attended a forbidden ‘hedge’ school. When Nano was 12 she was smuggled to France for the education forbidden in Ireland. She was well educated, talented and enjoyed life in France but she decided to return to Ireland and teach the poor children. Nano found that this was not possible as the strict laws had not changed. She returned to France in order to become a religious sister and to be able to pray for her Irish people. Nano could not settle to this and knew that she had something important to do. She returned once again to Ireland and lived in Cork with her brother Joseph where she secretly taught children. Soon there were 7 schools being taught by Nano and some other ladies. When she wasn’t teaching, Nano was visiting the sick, poor and lonely around Cork. When it was dark she carried a lantern and soon she was known as the “Lady of the Lantern”. At age 57, Nano Nagle founded the Order of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary – the Presentation Sisters. There were three ladies with her and she knew that a Religious Order was needed to carry on the work they were doing. She was a sick lady and on the 29th April 1784, she died. In 1886, a small group of sisters left Lucan in Ireland and came to Lismore to establish a Convent and schools. On 11th October 1886, St Carthage’s School was opened.

We will celebrate this special day with a prayer service. We will have representatives from the Presentation Sisters join with us.

May the Spirit of Nano Nagle and her Sisters who have been a part of our school’s history, continue to grow in each of us.

$20 Boss Day

Congratulations to the students from Year 5 who participated in the $20 Boss Market Day today. 

The program was developed in consultation with students and educators and was designed to build the enterprise skills of young people, better preparing them for a future of work.

The program gives students $20 of funding per student to create, launch and operate their own venture over the course of a semester. Students were encouraged to work in groups and have been learning key elements of social entrepreneurship. They have also focussed on how to create social good by benefiting humanity and/or the environment through their business. 

It was a great event that brought the whole school together to celebrate hard work, creativity, innovation and social good. The social entrepreneurship created by students far exceeded expectations, and many charities and organisations will benefit from the students' efforts. 

There are many ways that family and friends have supported the students in the $20 Boss Journey. 

• Thank you to the family and friends who were able to join us on the Market Day and make it such an amazing celebration. 
• Thank you to the family and friends who have assisted our Year 5 students in idea development, planning, production and implementation for their businesses. 
• Thank you to parents and carers for allowing your children to visit the Market Day, this greatly supported the Year 5 students and the charities chosen by each group. 
• Thank you to the Year Five teachers for supporting our students in their creative endeavours.

Year Five Camp
Year Five students will be going to Lennox Head Sport and Recreation for their annual camp in a couple of weeks. They are very excited and are looking forward to participating in the many activities they will be participating in.

School Leaders 2024

Over the past week and next week we will be listening to our Year 5 students campaigning for leadership roles within our school for 2024. Speeches have been presented for School Captains and Vice Captains. These students were nominated by their peers and all students should be very proud of the way they presented their speeches. Colour House Captain speeches will be presented next week. Colour House Captains are students who display school spirit across all areas of the school.

When I spoke to the Year Five group at their Leadership Retreat I began by telling them that leadership is not about being the most popular student or the best athlete or the best scholar but it is more about the qualities, attributes and values that you can bring to the role and about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could and supporting them along the way.

They were asked questions at their retreat such as; what makes a good leader, who is a role model for you in your leadership aspirations and what qualities do you bring to the leadership role you seek. As we know, leadership can be very rewarding but it can also be very challenging, sometimes lonely but always a privilege.

It is exciting to know that we have a group of children who are very excited to be a part of this journey of leadership within our school. I know that any of the children chosen for leadership positions will represent the school well and most importantly represent themselves and their family.  We look forward to congratulating the new leaders in a few weeks time.

Christmas Concert
Our school Christmas Concert will be held on Monday, 11th December starting at 5:15pm with a BYO picnic tea. For those families who are not coming to the picnic tea, we will require all children to be at school at 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start. All our families are invited to bring a chair or picnic blanket along to enjoy the evening’s performance. Students are asked to wear their yellow sports shirt and blue shorts with their black sports shoes. Year 6 students who have a character role will have their costumes provided. All students are expected to participate in this concert, but if your child is unable to do so, please advise their teacher in writing by Friday, 1st December. An invitation is extended to all our new families who will be joining St Carthage’s School community in 2024.

End of Year Mass
On Thursday, 14th December we will celebrate the conclusion of our 2023 school year with Mass at 9:30am in the Cathedral. At the conclusion of Mass, we will farewell the 2023 Year 6 students and the 2024 student School Leaders will be announced. All members of our school community are invited to join
us for this important celebration.

School Reports

School Reports will be emailed home on Friday, 8th December. Some parents may not feel that an interview is required at this time and may prefer to wait for our interview period early in Term 1, 2024, to catch up with your child’s new teacher. If you feel the need for an interview, please contact your child’s teacher directly.

St Vincent de Paul Society

St Vincent de Paul Society Lismore is working to make things a little easier for back to school 2024. They are inviting local families to apply for Back to School assistance. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Adrian Brickhill who achieved in the top 10% of the APSMO Mathematics Olympiad Competition. The Maths Olympiad involves the best mathematical minds across Australia and New Zealand competing against each other in a series of problem-solving competitions. 

Congratulations also to Jordan Heath for his wonderful result in the Maths Olympiad. Jordan achieved in the top 25% of the country which is also a fantastic achievement. 

These are outstanding results and we are all extremely proud of Adrian and Jordan and all their hard work.

Understanding the New Semester 2 Student Report - Information for Parents

Why are there changes to the K-6 Semester Two Student Report?

The NSW Government is reforming the curriculum to streamline and strengthen what is taught in every classroom in NSW, so every student is prepared and ready for their future. The curriculum reform has been informed by consultation with teachers, parents and education experts, and is underpinned by extensive research. Curriculum reform involves changing teaching, learning, assessment and reporting to parents. 

The release of the new syllabuses provides the opportunity to revise aspects of the Student Report to align with current research.

“Parents want to know what was taught and how well their child has learnt it, 

as well as where improvement is needed…….  (NESA, 2023)”

What are the changes to the Student Report Comments for Semester Two?

Student Report Comments reflect the Learning Areas on the Student Report. There will be multiple comments:

• English Comment
• Mathematics Comment
• Key Learning Area Comment and 

The English and Mathematics Comments will reflect:

• Areas of achievement and growth
• Learning Goals

within each Key Learning Area.

The Key Learning Areas Comments will reflect:

• Areas of achievement and growth
• Learning Goals

across Creative Arts, Science and Technology, History, Geography and Personal Development, Health  and Physical Education.

Sample Student Report (your child’s student report may look slightly different)

What are the changes to Religious Education for Semester Two?

Religious Education will no longer be reported on by Units of Work. It will now be reported on as Knowledge and Understanding across the Units of Work. This is in alignment with the reporting processes for other Key Learning Areas.

Will there be further changes to the Student Report?

Yes. In 2024, Year 3-6 will have a new English and a new Mathematics syllabus. In 2025, K-6 teachers will teach, assess and report on new syllabuses for the other Key Learning Areas. The release of the new syllabuses provides the opportunity to revise aspects of the Student Report to align with current research. The research, as well as feedback from schools, will guide future changes.  Your child’s school will communicate any further changes to parents prior to the 2024 Semester One Student Report. 

What if I have questions about the changes?

Parents are encouraged to contact the school to discuss any questions you have about the K-6 Semester Two Student Report.

How to Talk about Big World Problems

News of significant world events can cause distress to children and young people. Please see the information below to help you have positive and supportive conversations about concerning world events with your children.

Crazy Socks Day!! What a success!

Thank you so much for your kind donations!!

We raised $520 towards Catholic Mission and their work with the needy in Timor-Leste. 

Loana Wallace - Diocesan Director of Catholic Mission - spoke with the students and reminded them that their donations last year had been spent on purchasing on a number of goats!! The goats were used to provide milk for newborns and orphans.

Your donations make a REAL DIFFERENCE!

Leadership Retreat - Year 5

Thank you so much to the Year 5 teachers who organised for the Year 5 students to experience a leadership retreat last week. The Year 5 students had the opportunity to think about what skills and attitudes are needed to be leaders at St Carthage's.

All students in Year 6 are considered and expected to show leadership but it's important to have an opportunity to talk about and practice these skills.

Thank you one more to the Year 5 teachers for organising and being involved in this aspect of the formation of our students.

Xmas Hampers!! St Carthage’s Christmas Hampers??

Yes! It’s that time of year again! The Season for Giving!

FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED THIS CHRISTMAS... 

PLEASE GENEROUSLY FILL OUR CLASSROOM CHRISTMAS HAMPERS FOR ST VINCENT DE PAUL.

WE NEED FOOD ITEMS PLEASE - (NOT GAMES AND TOYS.)

• We cannot distribute products containing nuts
• Soft drinks, chips, lollies and bon-bons are only needed in limited quantities.
• Hampers will be in classrooms and in the Office.

Some suggestions of essential items you may wish to contribute are...

THANK YOU!! ?

(Closing date for donations is the 13th of December.)

Feast of the Presentation - Foundation day

Next Tuesday 21st November we remember the contribution of the Presentation Order who founded our school. The children will celebrate with 4 of our Sisters in prayer.

Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Order, was inspired by the example of Mary to care for children in need in Ireland. The Presentation Order eventually sent brave Sisters to Australia to start St Carthage’s school to educate the children of Lismore.

The message for our students is that St Carthage’s would not be here without people who have followed the words of Jesus to love one another.

The link below is the story we will share during prayer.

Richmond Tweed Regional Library