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Dear families,
Term 3 is nearly finished for another year and what a wonderful 10 weeks we have had! So many activities from sports to cultural events, activities which engage our Mercy values and others which build our science knowledge!
This week we have seen students take part in the the Catholic School's Music Festival, compered by Prinipcal Belinda Bennett (who is currently away from school while she works for Catholic Education SA head office). Congratulations to our students who took part in this wonderful event.
Yesterday we wore ourselves with lots of fun and laughter at our annual sports day. The weather turned it on for us and made for a wonderful day of activity and sport.
A big thank you to Mr Chevalier for running such a fabulous event and to Mr Fittes for assisting with much of the heavy lifting in set up and pack up for these events.
Spirit Cup Results
Place | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
Team | John Coolock | Mercy | John Smith | Harley |
Respect |
460 | 360 | 440 | 180 |
Effort | 450 | 610 | 430 | 490 |
Self-Direction | 540 | 410 | 380 | 490 |
Care for Others | 528 | 540 | 456 | 524 |
Can Drive | 8 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
Total | 1978 | 1920 | 1706 | 1212 |
Term 4 Reminders
If you have a younger child who you are expecting to start school at either Catherine McAuley School, please ensure you have begun the enrolment process as soon as possible.
Also, for families who are leaving the schools (not in Year 6 or 7) please also notify us. The schools are already looking towards 2022 and we will be shaping classes, resources and staffing over the coming months.
Have a safe and happy break these school holidays. We are looking forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for our final term of the year in October.
Yours in Faith Growth and Unity,
Angela, Michelle, Linda and Courtney
Sacramental Candidates
Our Sacramental Program has continued despite Covid, albeit much has had to be adjusted to adhere with government restrictions. Due to the diligent effort of all involved, our Catherine McAuley School candidates, Jacob, Chae, Luka, Anna, Ella-Grace, Matilda, Abbey, Angelina and Liam, celebrated their Confirmation and Eucharist as of last weekend at St Thomas More Catholic Parish with Fr. Pat. As this most significant stage in our candidates’ journey of faith starts, I would like to invite you all to keep these students and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they learn to journey their way with our Catholic family, the family of God.
Thank you to everyone associated with the Sacramental Program: families, candidates, teachers, APRIMs, Church coordinators and Fr.Pat, for their support and encouragement, which has manifested in a number of rich and unique ways, and has been warmly received and very much appreciated. The heartening community impact has been immeasurable not only to the candidates themselves but to all involved, me included.
St Vinnie’s Can Drive Appeal
This annual event always proves to be a spectacular one: one of comradery and one that bonds our whole community in Faith, Growth and Unity demonstrating the true discipleship of each and every one of us: this year was no different.
Each year, we ask the Year 6/7 house sport captains to involve themselves in this appeal. They meet with me and we discuss what Mercy in Action looks like, feels like and sounds like in and around school. Once discussed, each house sport captain chooses a theme from the discussion, elaborates at a deeper level, and creates a Mercy symbol and speech about what their theme and symbol represent. They then convey all this information to the wider community during an assembly.
The four discussion themes elaborated were: Inspiring Change, Focus, Fostering Humanity and Sharing Gifts.
MAROON Team Inspiring Change – ‘Inspiring Change through our Merciful Discipleship’ Darkness falls upon every family from time to time and the struggles are real. As disciples of Jesus, we can offer a little ray of sunshine, and hope, and be the indication that the difficulties are nearing an end. Maroon’s donation offers and inspires change. The food donations offer a glimmer of light to those who feel they are in the darkness. Our donation can be the signs of improvement believing a bad situation can come to an end. Thank you for being merciful disciples. |
GOLD Team Focus – ‘Focusing on Mercy’ Sometimes life is busy, and we forget what’s important to us and what needs to be done to help the world to be a better place for all. We tried to focus on what it means to be Catholic and how we can show love to the world. Gold’s donation will be going to our community focusing on building positive relationships, a real sense of belonging and showing others we truly care.
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WHITE Team Fostering Humanity – ‘The Humanity of Jesus – Jesus is Mercy’ Jesus was humanity’s representative. As we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we too become humanitarians. Jesus deeply inspires us and the more we do, it is with great hope, the more we will inspire others to do. White’s donation is the kind of humanity, the kind of compassion and the kind of care Catherine McAuley demonstrated, and we emulate as much to support our school’s mercy charism. |
NAVY Team Sharing Gifts – ‘Giving is Mercy’ We are all so fortunate in life. We have amble food and clothes and a warm home to rest and play – the very basic needs for life. Each and every one of us has more than we truly need. However, sometimes we don’t realise this and take much for granted. Navy’s donation is a sincere gift of love. Sharing what we have with others is our Catholic faith and our Catholic way at its best and, not forgetting, it’s our Catherine McAuley mercy style. |
And the results
NAVY was congratulated on their great achievement. But really, it is well done everyone. Being part of this Mercy in Action means we are making a difference to so many people. The students and their families are encouraged to feel an absolute sense of achievement, an absolute sense of proudness and an absolute sense of delight of this year’s St Vinnie’s Can Appeal success. Thank you to you all.
The number of items collected in each sport’s team will be converted into points and will go toward their Spirit Cup totals on Sports Day.
Lastly
As we come to the end of Term 3, on behalf of all the staff at Catherine McAuley school, we’d like to wish all our families and the broader community a much-needed rest from the daily routine of school.ABSENT FROM SCHOOL
If your child is going to be absent from school please leave a message on the Absentee Notification on SZAPP or phone the School on 8284 1666 and leave a message on the Absentee line.
Regular attendance at school is a very important habit to develop. Parents are requested to notify the School Office by 9:00am if children are absent due to illness or any other unexpected cause. If the School Office has not been notified, a parent of the student will be sent an SMS Message. These measures seek to ensure the safety of all students in the school community and provide reassurance for families.
Permission is required, in writing for planned absences such as family holidays. An Application Form for Exemption from School is required if over 5 days. When parents are away from home and leaving children in the care of a temporary guardian, notification should be given to the School in writing.
- Catherine McAuley School is committed to maximising learning outcomes for every student. Absenteeism is an issue for the wellbeing and learning for all students.
- Habitual absence is where a student is absent for 5-9 days in one term for any reason.
- Chronic absence is where a student is absent for 10 or more days in one term for any reason.
We are mandated to report unexplained absences as neglect. Please make sure you let your child’s school know why they are absent and please note that all illnesses of 2 days or more require a doctor’s certificate.
Although the vast majority of our students arrive at school regularly and on time, we are committed to ongoing improvement in the overall area of punctuality and attendance. Being late for school has a negative impact on your student’s learning.
We all run late sometimes, however, chronic lateness eventually takes its toll on a student’s overall educational experience.
Being just 10 minutes late every day adds up to an nearly an hour a week of lost learning. This adds up to one and a half weeks of school missed in a year.
Being late for class often means important interactions and learning opportunities are missed and the learning of other students in the class, is interrupted. Arriving at least 5 minutes before the school day begins allows your student time to prepare. The skills developed through attending school regularly and arriving on time, builds in our students the skills and capabilities that will prepare them not only for school, but for life.
It is important to contact your care teacher if your child experiencing other reasons for lateness that can be supported and addressed within the school setting.
PARKING / KISS and DROP ZONE
We remind families of the parking laws on Adams Road, between 8.30am - 9.30 am and 2.30pm – 3.30pm there is NO PARKING directly outside the school grounds.
Please DO NOT park and leave your vehicle in the ‘Kiss and Drop” zone.
We particularly ask families to use the pick-up and drop off zones during this time correctly – drive in, drop off and drive out. Parking in this area causes great frustration for those wanting to drop off. Council and police monitor these areas regularly and fines are issued to people who do not follow the parking conditions as outlined on the signs.
We look forward to everyone abiding by the procedures and rules that have been put in place for the safety of everyone accessing and leaving our Campus.
We understand the difficulty which surrounds parking at the Campus and urge all families to use patience and respect whilst remembering that the safety of our children is our priority. Parents speaking rudely to one another or staff and using abusive language is offensive and this behaviour is not condoned by either school.
Families are reminded to:
- abide by the parking signs on Adams Road and Somerset Grove.
- refrain from stopping in the bus zone or at any of the crossings and calling children to the cars.
- refrain from parking and using the staff carparks as drop off/pick up zones.
- refrain from parking in the Somerset Grove driveway/car park, adjacent to the ovals.
All these practices pose a risk to student safety and potentially could result in a child being seriously injured. Staff on these duties have a ‘duty of care’ to students and appreciate your support with this matter. We trust you will put the safety of all our children first.
The road is regularly monitored by SAPOL and you will be fined for not following road traffic signs.
- Staff have no jurisdiction over the road, and we ask our school families to adhere to the rules.
- Parents/Caregivers can use the Police Traffic Watch site to register a complaint against road/parking users using the link https://forms.police.sa.gov.au/Runtime/Form/TW+Data+Entry+Form
- or contact the local Council.
RORY'S CANTEEN - LUNCH ORDERS
How do we order lunch?
Lunch orders can be placed by using the QKR App.
All on-line orders must be placed by 8:30am.
Rory’s Canteen Parent Supportline – 0413 575 800
A menu is available on the school website, SZapp or via hard copy in the School Front Office.
LOST PROPERTY
Please ensure that all removeable uniform items are labelled.
If hats, jackets etc are handed into the front office with a name we endeavour to return via the ’class bag’.
Please feel free to pop into the office to check.
Weather permitting, at least once a term we will hang on the OSHC fence any items that are handed into the office with no name.
Any unclaimed clothing or food/drink containers will be donated to St Vincent de Paul at the end of each term.
This term, we have already commenced our farewell process for families posting to other states and other schools. Some students have contacted their new school interstate, emailed their new teacher and started making friends. This makes the relocation process much easier for our children.
Did you know that military children will say good-bye to more significant people by the time they are aged 18, than the average person will in their entire lifetime! I am so glad that I get to be a part of everyone’s journey at Catherine McAuley.
Jacqui Langstreth
Defence Mentor
Playford McAuley Campus
This term in 4/5 O’Neil and 4/5 Timmins, we have been learning about animal adaptations in our Biological Sciences unit and using this knowledge to write information reports for our Literacy unit. As part of these studies, we visited Monarto Safari Park. Although we had a few mechanical issues with the bus, it was an enjoyable day for all. We were lucky enough to see the chimpanzees at feeding time, the cheetah lurking in the long grass and the white rhino giving itself a bath to cool down.
Our well-being program this semester was the Mind-Up Curriculum. We looked at the different parts of the brain and how our bodies react to different experiences: smells, sounds, images and movement.
In week 5, CMS participated in National Science Week. Both classes were given daily science challenges based on the theme, ‘Food: different by design’. Students learnt about chemical reactions, how our taste and smell work together to remember different flavours, how bread and ice cream are made. They were also sent home with the challenge of making a marshmallow sink.
In week 6, our school participated in Book Week and a costume parade to show off our characters. It was fantastic to see so many different costumes and themes.
4/5 students have had a number of opportunities to attend sporting carnivals throughout the term. In week 8, students elected to go to the Catholic Schools Northern Areas Network T-Ball Carnival. All students demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation throughout the day.
We have also enjoyed having some preservice teachers in our classes throughout the term. 4/5 JO had a 4th year student who is completing her final practicum before becoming a qualified teacher. 4/5 KT have had two 2nd year students who have been very generous in teaching the class some basic AUSLAN.
It has been a very busy start to Term 3, and we are looking forward to what Term 4 has to offer, after a break of course!
On Wednesday September 8, our entire school dressed in yellow to raise awareness for ‘R U Ok? Day’. Students learnt about the importance of checking in with their friends and family by asking the question ‘are you ok?’. Throughout the day, students participated in activities including role playing how to ask, ‘are you ok?’, updating our trust networks, brainstorming what good friends look, sound, and make us feel like, and watching different videos that taught us about what our friends and family may look like if they are not ok. We also all received a yellow lollipop that had the ‘R U Ok?’ script on it and the R U Ok? website and our homework was to teach our families about how to ask, “are you ok?”.
Children's University Graduation Nears
Term 3 has been a busy one with Catholic Schools and SAPSASA events back up and running. Over the last two weeks, we have had a number of teams represent Catherien McAuley School in a variety of sports. We would like to congratulate all of the students that displayed fantastic teamwork, skill, knowledge and effort throughout these events. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the SAPSASA Athletics Carnival, Catholic Schools Football Carnival and the Catholic Schools T-Ball Carnival. Thank you to all the teachers and parents that assisted with the smooth running of each event.
Congratulations to Jaxx Shelley-Cotton, Logan Schunke, Isabelle Bhatt and Georgette Frimpong who have been selected to represent the Playford District Athletcis Team at the State Athletcis Championships.
Yours in Faith, Growth and Unity,
Fabian Chevalier
PE Teacher/Coordinator
Yesterday, Catherine McAuley School celebrated Sports Day in perfect weather for outside activities. It was great to see students demonstrating their, agility, coordination, speed and strength to the best of their ability throughout sports day. To see everyone having so much fun and striving to gain points for their team was a highlight.
Thank you to all the staff for their help and support throughout Sports Day. The students appreciated your enthusiasm, encouragement and willingness to get involved and celebrate a day of activity and fun.
I’d also like to congratulate the students on their willingness to demonstrate the Sports Day values of Respect, Effort, Care for Others and Self-Direction. Thank you to all the Sports Captains for their help and support in preparing for and assisting on Sports day.
Congratulations to the John Smith team on winning the Sports Day Shield and John Coolock on winning the Spirit Cup.
The results were:
Sports Day Shield
Winners John Smith (Gold) with 1452 points
Harley Maroon with 1426 points
Mercy Navy with 1364 points
John Coolock White with 1170 points
Fantastic Effort Everyone!
PE Teacher/Coordinator
Fabian Chevalier
Congratulations to Annabelle Marafioti and Matilda Hitchmough who were selected to represent the Playford/Gawler District in their chosen sports.
Annabelle competed at the SAPSASA State Hockey Championships representing the Playford/Gawler District.
Matilda represented the Playford District at the Year 6 SAPSASA State Soccer Championships last week. The year 6 girls team finished the competition with a silver medal which is an outstanding effort.
It was wonderful to hear about the positive experience from both girls. Congratulations on a fine achievement!
Annabelle
A reminder to families with younger siblings yet to start school. Places in Rececption are filled based upon return of completed Application for Enrolment forms. Siblings are not automatically enrolled based on an older child's attendance at the school and each child requires their own Enrolment Application to be lodged. As places for 2022 are filling rapidly, all families who have not returned completed Application for Enrolments are strongly urged to return as soon as possible.