Newsletter Term 2, 2024 Week 6

Principal's Update

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Welcome to Term 2 Week 6. 

Congratulations to our candidates who received their First Holy Communion on the weekend just gone.  Children from St Mary’s, Toukley and SBLM joined together either at Toukley or Lake Munmorah with their families and friends to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.  Thank you for Father Tomy and Father Baby and the Sacramental team for preparing the children for this special day. 

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This term in Week 4, we booked a parent talk at St Brendan’s with Jacqui Van De Velde.  The topic was based around Building your child’s resilience.  It was wonderful to see so many people in attendance and I realise many parents could not attend.  There is a recording of this talk which we will endeavour to share with our school community.  Here are the notes sent from Jacqui Van de Velde for your information in the meantime.

Congratulations to Lachlan R, Nate P, Alexia G and Jett O who have been presented with their Broken Bay Sports badges for their selection in the Broken Bay Rugby League team.

Congratulations to Jett O and Blake C who have been selected into the Broken Bay Rugby Union team to attend the Polding Rugby Union trials in Forbes. 

Paw Patrol

Chase and Marshall couldn't contain their excitement meeting our students during Wellbeing Week! They even had time to say hi to our ELC friends!

Uniform

In September we are changing our uniform supplier from Cowan and Lewis to Yeronga Uniforms.  We are also introducing a new version of the boys Summer shirts, the girls’ Summer dress, introducing a culotte option for girls to wear in the Summer with a Peter Pan collar shirt (no samples of this just yet).  We will also be able to show a sample of a soft shell jacket to replace both the existing sport and school jackets (no samples of this just yet).

The options for boys are found below: A grey shirt with logo on the front of the shirt or the lemon pin-striped shirt with logo.

The girls’ new Summer dress is of good quality material with unique material for SBLM.  The collar will be a little darker than the one in this photo. 

The girls’ option of a Summer culotte will be in the same material as seen in this photo matched with a Peter Pan collar lemon fitted shirt with logo.

Both boys and girls will wear grey socks all year round (girls tights or long socks in Winter).

Counselling Referall Process

Our school counselling referral process at St Brendan’s commences with a conversation between parents and your child’s teacher to discuss concerns and needs of your child.  The discussion may involve any possible adjustments needed.  Then counselling staff, if required either Tabea or Paige, will be in contact with the parent bodies.

Year 6 End of Year Activities

Year 6 end of year activities meeting was scheduled on Tuesday afternoon.  Thankyou to those parents who attended to share ideas about your child’s Year 6 end of year activities including the end of year mass, end of year presentation/farewell and the fundraising activities including a school disco and other events.  Thanks to the year 6 teachers for attending this meeting also.  We are starting a group email.  If your child is in Year 6 and you would like to be added to this group email please let me know (charlene.reid1@dbb.catholic.edu.au) asap.

PAG

Our PAG (Parent Advisory Group) meeting was on Tuesday evening at 5.30pm in our Year 5 collaboration space.  Thank you all for attending.  Our agenda included:

• Looking at school uniform samples (please see photos above)
• New fencing which will be installed at SBLM
• Oval works
• Whole school performances – ticketing information will be shared asap
• Positive feedback from Jacqui Van De Velde’s parent talk
• The implementation of The Resilience Project in 2025
• Interests in the community garden project
• Assessments of children/results shared to parents through their classroom teachers
• Teaching of reading (reading groups) in Years 1 and 2 – what does that look like?

Some great ideas came through about our community garden including contacting outside agencies to gauge their involvement e.g. Bunnings, Council, Men’s shed etc.  We will need a “digger” (excavator) to prepare the ground around the garden beds – if you have or know of someone with such machinery, please contact me (charlene.reid1@dbb.catholic.edu.au).

Kindy 2025

I have almost completed our Kindergarten 2025 tours!  I would like to share some common feedback I receive from our visiting families about the way they are continually impressed with the manners of our children.  They really appreciate hearing the welcoming manner of children by saying “Good morning, how are you?”, children opening doors for our visitors and allowing them to walk through the doorway first, the smiles and friendly gestures… well done SBLM, your kind words and actions makes such a positive difference and a lasting positive impression.

Reports

In response to New South Wales curriculum reform, Catholic Schools Broken Bay has reviewed student reporting processes. This review aims to align reporting with updated outcomes in NSW Syllabuses and promote consistency within and across schools.

Recognising the importance of working in partnership with parents and carers, CSBB reporting practices include:

• Providing written reports that inform parents and carers about their child’s learning progress.
• Providing opportunities to engage with parents and carers about their child’s learning.

Reporting of student achievement is a legislative requirement. Schools are required to use the A to E Common Grade scale which summarises the standard of achievement for each grade, indicating the depth of knowledge, understanding, and skills expected from students at that level. A standards-referenced approach promotes consistency and clarity in assessing and reporting student learning against the agreed set of standards. Evaluating each student's progress against these standards, allows for transparent and consistent feedback to both students and their families. 

This semester, your child’s written report will reflect learning from the first two terms. Grades are allocated based on student achievement of the learning in which they have participated during Term 1 and 2. 

Teachers use quality assessment data and their own observations to make professional judgments regarding student achievement against the state-wide syllabus standards, focusing on specific outcomes and content outlined in the syllabus.

Reports will be sent home via Compass on Friday, 28th June.

We have attached two glossaries that capture some of the terminology used to describe student learning in English and Mathematics.  We hope this provides you with some definitions of key terms you may encounter in your child's report or at parent-teacher interviews. The The bold terms are the focus areas as represented in NSW English Syllabus.

Your ongoing support in your child's education journey is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.  You will also be offered parent teacher interviews during Week 10 of this term (week starting 1st July).

God Bless and enjoy your long weekend coming up… SBLM returns on Tuesday, 11^th June.

God Bless,

Charlene Reid

Principal

Collaborative Coaching 

At our PAG meeting this week one of our parents inquired about the data we have been sharing with you in our newsletters.  

During our Collaborative Coaching sessions teachers engage in the CSBB Improvement Cycle (as illustrated below). They analyse students work samples and data, plan next step learning and review the impact of their instruction.    

At the beginning of each learning cycle, teachers pre-test students to ascertain their knowledge and understanding.  They then implemented intentional learning experiences aimed at improving every student’s learning.  Teachers then conduct a post-test to measure student growth.  Below is an example of the descriptors used to measure growth and the impact of their instruction.

0 – Not evident.

1 – Developing.

2 – Working at.

3 – Working beyond.

The graphs we are sharing demonstrate the growth in student achievement (see an example of one of these graphs below).  The blue represents the pre-test data and the orange represents the post test data.  When students are not showing growth, we evaluate what steps we need to put in place to ensure they master essential learning.  Students are not listed in alphabetical order, however, should you wish to discuss your child’s achievement, please do not hesitate to reach out to their class teacher.

Year 4 have been engaging in writing poetry and free verse.  They used the Jackie French text, Fire as their stimulus for writing.  The students planned for writing by brainstorming the things they would hear, see, feel, taste and touch if they were experiencing the fire in the text. We hope you enjoy their creativity and use of descriptive language. 

Fire crackling

Eating trees and bark and grass

Swallowing the day

Fire way more hotter than a toaster

fire as big as a rollercoaster,

leaving smoke and ash,

making the place a mash.

Fire fighters on their way.

Fire fighters saving the day.

Water buckets, hoses and water can put it out? 

Well, sort of.

Singed hair and burnt hands

as well as water,

also sand.

Mia – 4G

Fire

One cigarette on the ground caused the beast.

The horrified people screamed, ran for their lives,

but the beast only crept closer and closer.

The bright orange wall of flames.

The white cloud of ash followed the beast’s path.

The wind whished hot oven breath,

reaching for the car handle, ash leapt.

The fire kept on going.

Supplies left, but not without a mighty fight.

Charlie – 4G

The luscious green grass

and hills at last until,

a spark comes off the hill

will it get bigger,

it did.

It spread as fast as a cheetah.

Kangaroos hopped away,

some dingoes limping.

Red fire high and higher,

to the tops of the trees

everyone was horrified

all until the fire brigade came

They tried and tried and the fire went out.

No homes left

except a picture book

from a family on the hill.

Everyone was homeless. 

It wiped out everything

in the whole of NT.  

Maya – 4G

Fire, fire near or far, time to hop in your car.

Drive, drive, drive away, it will find you if you stay.

Rub your hand on the tree, it will feel like flaky pie, if you touch it you will die.

Try, try to survive.

Oliver – 4R

Fire Going Around

The fire roared and people ran. 

The house that was once their dream home got taken away with no warning. 

They were scared, sad as their beginning came to an end. 

They almost didn’t make it out.

The trees like coal. 

Where now? Who now? Run now? Cry now? Try now?

Try, try try now.

I must drive, drive to make it out alive. 

As I drive I hear the sirens swirl behind me. 

The car breaks down. 

Too hot to run now, should I even really try now.

The smell of smoke too powerful. 

Is this my ending? 

Am I going to make it out alive now.

A car coming close, might it run me over?

No it’s pulling over. 

A lady named Amanda, she saved me. 

She took me far away to start over.

Isla – 4R

FIRST RESPONDERS DAY

Thank you to those First Responders who have volunteered to be a part of our special day on Wednesday. We will begin our First Responders Thank You Day in the hall at 8:30 am where we will hear a little bit out the roles and responsibilities of a range of First Responders.  We will then share our thank you video and have a clap-out around our middle playground.  We are super excited to have a Police and Ambulance on site. Students will get the opportunity to have a closer look at both vehicles.  A morning tea for our First Responders and their children will also be held in the hall.  Don't forget children are to dress up as a First Responder on the day.  No gold coin donation is necessary.

Religious Education

Sacrament of Confirmation

Dear Parents,

We hope this message finds you well. We understand that life can be busy, and not everyone was able to attend the Parent Session tonight for the Sacrament of Confirmation. It's not too late to enroll your child!

Please use the link provided to complete the enrollment process, or feel free to contact the Parish Office for assistance on (02) 8379 1730.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation: Saturday, 17th August 2024, at 11:00am at St. Mary's Church, Toukley.

The candidate must be Baptised and in Year 3 or above. In Broken Bay Diocese, Confirmation is celebrated prior to

Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

The four (4) Preparation classes and Masses are compulsory for the candidate and the parent/ career. However, sometimes life happens so please contact the parish office or Sr. Jennifer if attendance is not possible. Classes commence on Mon, 24th June at St. Mary's & Wed, 26th June at St. Brendan's.
Session 1 & 2: 24th June- 7th July
Session 3 & 4: 29th July- 11th August

Rehearsal: 15th August at 3:30-4:30pm at St. Mary's Church, Toukley.

We look forward to supporting your child on this important spiritual journey.
 

Kind regards,
Alli Foskett 

School Updates

CHESS TOURNAMENT

Please see the flyer below for information regarding the chess competition to be held at St Brendan’s next term. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to compete against other chess players from Central Coast primary schools.
If your child is interested, knows how to move each chess piece, and can complete a game independently, please email Mr Murphy at daniel.murphy1@dbb.catholic.edu.au to register their interest.
Please note that the number of teams we can enter is limited, and as such, preference will be given to students who participated in Chess Club last term.

St Brendan’s Meals Committee

We all have times in our lives when we could benefit from a little helping hand. Whether it be a surgery in the family, the passing of a loved one, or a family experiencing trauma or financial hardship. In response to this, St Brendan’s has developed a Meals Committee, run purely with meals donated by the school community.

This initiative has assisted many families in need, or just taken the pressure off families when times are a little challenging. We would like to express our gratitude to our dedicated meals committee who have been so supportive. Your contributions are valued and celebrated, Thank you! To continue with this initiative at St Brendan’s, we are looking for volunteers to join a roster of current volunteers who contribute a meal or two, once a term. Meals only need to be simple and family friendly.

If you feel you could assist in any way or would like to know more, please register your interest at the link below or contact Victoria by email, victoria.price@dbb.catholic.edu.au and we will be in touch with further information. https://forms.office.com/r/6rGTR6QUKq?origin=lprLink

Awards

SBLM AWARDS

SBLM Focus - Weeks 5 & 6

Learn and let others learn.

Week 5

Week 6

Community News

Compass Calendar