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“Walk In The Light” Principal: Mrs Rita Petersen

Email: principal.mareeba@cns.catholic.edu.au Assistant to the Principal Administration (Acting): Mrs Leonie McCormack

Assistant to the Principal Religious Education: Mrs Kathy Fleming

Parish Administrator: Fr Robert Greenup OSA: Telephone 07 40921 077 Email: stthomas@ledanet.com.au

4th November 2014

St Thomas of Villanova Parish School 63 Constance Street, Mareeba Qld 4880

Phone: 4092 1570 Fax: 4092 2935 Tuckshop: 4092 4371 Email secretary.mareeba@cns.catholic.edu.au

Website www.stthomasmareeba.qld.edu.au

From the Principal…… The school scene at this time of year is certainly not a quiet one. It’s very much a case of operating in two modes – tying loose ends and finalising bits ‘n’ pieces in preparation for the close of one year, while at the same time making decisions and organising many details for the commencement of the next. Organisation of staffing, enrolments, classes, booklists, and budgets has been at the forefront of my timetable over the past weeks. The warmer than usual weather is certainly beginning to takes its toll. Not only have these conditions made teaching and learning more difficult, but emotions seem to run higher than normal and everyone a little less energetic and less patient. This can be frustrating, particularly when this time of Term 4 is often a very busy time for everyone concerned. Your support as parents is crucial in ensuring the continued smooth running of the weeks ahead. As we draw closer to the end of the 2014 school year, our teachers are definitely into report writing mode. During this time, teachers put in many hours more than their ordinarily long hours which are required for the day to day preparations and evaluation of their students and their lessons. Please be sure to support our teachers during this time in whatever way you think might show a little appreciation for their dedication.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE – SMS MANAGEMENT ALERT:

As part of our ongoing commitment to improve our communication with parents and caregivers, St Thomas’ is implementing an SMS Message System. St Thomas’ has begun a trial program this week. The purpose of this system is to improve the efficiency of our communication of student absence to parents. The system will also allow the school to send an SMS in cases of school emergencies or cancellations if required. The SMS system will be integrated with our school and student administration system.

In preparation for this system it is most important that we have accurate student information data. The system will automatically send the SMS message to the first recorded mobile number listed in student contacts section of our student administration system. This will mean that the SMS may be sent to an emergency contact (and not a parent) if this is the first recorded mobile number in our system.

I also ask that parents contact the school if they wish to change the preference order of the recorded emergency contacts.

The school will begin to send SMS Messages to advise parents if their son or daughter is marked absent (unexplained) or are recorded as arriving late to school without explanation.

In situations where a parent has informed the school of the absence there will be no SMS message sent. I encourage all parents to provide advice of the absence via Skoolbag app (Parent eForms), telephone or email at secretary.mareeba@cns.catholic.edu.au on the morning of the absence or in advance if the reason is known. Advantages

• Improve your child’s safety with early notification of absence

• Improve the school's ability to reach and contact parents

• Faster communication between the school and parents

• A personal, confidential and discrete service

‘A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.’ - Anon

LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday, 6 Nov: - NAPLAN Analysis

Day - Swimmming P-3

Thursday, 13 Nov:

- Swimmming P-3 Monday, 17 Nov:

- Prep Transition Morning

Tuesday, 18 Nov:

- Year 6 & 7 BBQ @ 5:30pm.

- P&F Meeting @ 7:00pm in staffroom

DATE CLAIMERS: Farewell & Thanksgiving Liturgy:

- Year 6: Monday, 1 December @ 6pm

- Year 7: Tuesday, 2 December @ 6pm

End of Year School Mass:

- Friday, 5 December @ 11am

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MULTI-AGE CLASS: Following the announcement of two multi-age classes for 2015, I have had discussions with a few parents. A common theme was ‘Would my child be disadvantaged by being in a class with a wider age group than just one year level?’

It is a misconception on the part of parents that teachers teach a year level, and that all children learn the same work at the same time and that the expectations are the same of all. In actual fact, when a teacher first commences work with their ‘group’, the first process to be completed is a rapid assessment of where each child is, particularly in literacy and numeracy. Learning to be both literate and numerate can be seen as being on a continuum, with skill development being encouraged at ever increasing levels of complexity.

In the early years, it is appropriate to be making sentences that have capital letters and full stops, whereas by Yr 4, students are being expected to use paragraphs and to write persuasively or formally according to the audience. Skills of using descriptive adjectives, correct tense, quotation marks and semi colons, for example, need to be formally taught, but at the level where the child is ready to learn them. In Maths, number knowledge starts at 1-20, rising through increasingly larger numbers to millions and beyond by the end of Primary school. Decimal places are introduced around middle primary. Concept development of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division always begins with concrete materials and becomes more complex as children mature or their mathematics skills consolidate.

A proficient teacher knows the steps and stages of expected development and can take the whole class into a concept or lesson, prepared to go back a few stages for a few students and to skip some for those more capable. Covering a concept with a whole group, then allows the possibility for the follow up individual work to be directed at several different levels. At times, students may be working well above their age peers, while some who ‘struggle’ will experience success and grow in confidence completing tasks with students working at their level.

We call this ‘differentiation’ of learning activities. We are all very familiar with the concept of ‘learning support’, which nowadays happens within classrooms at the direction of the teacher. Sometimes an aide supervises this, though sometimes it is a teacher-directed lesson while the aide supervises other students. The Support Teacher (Mrs Conroy) and the CST support teacher (Mrs McCormack) have consultative and advisory roles with teachers and in particular the LST teacher works with specific students if need be.

At the higher end of the learning spectrum, students with great talent for a particular discipline may already know the work that is going to be taught to the class. A

proficient teacher recognises that some children are beyond this level, and pre-tests to ensure they have a good grasp of the concepts. At times, this content is skipped totally by these children and a new inquiry for them to pursue is instigated. At other times, a teacher will decide to ‘rush’ this concept through, to ensure the student has deep knowledge, and then allow more time for the student to pursue an open-ended inquiry which will enable him/her to apply the knowledge and skills to demonstrate this higher level of achievement. This differentiation allows the student to widen their knowledge of the content during the unit and produce again a task that demonstrates much more than the bulk of the class are required to. This is in contrast to a ‘Gifted and Talented’ programme, where students may be taken out of class once a week for a complex problem solving activity, but then the rest of the week are left in a normal classroom, where they risk becoming very bored.

The Australian Curriculum in most key learning areas does take a year-by-year focus in terms of content. Even though the curriculum is relatively discreet, elements can be linked for the students. The delivery of the units ensures the students always know what it is they have to achieve and how to go about it. They become more masters of their own learning journey as they work independently, collaboratively and with the teacher’s guidance to master the curriculum.

Disadvantaged? We don’t think so. The element that makes the biggest difference to the child’s education is the quality of the teacher, and at St Thomas’, we have outstanding teachers who work together as a professional learning community, taking responsibility for all the learners in the school. New teachers to be appointed will be selected on their past achievements and their ability to work in this way with our students.

STAFFING NEWS: I am pleased to announce Mrs Michelle Brammer, Ms Morgan Ah Gum, Miss Stacey Vohland and Mrs Nola Nunes to our Staff of 2015. All four teachers are familiar to us as they are at present fulfilling contracts in our school. Congratulations and we look forward to continuing the great relationship you have with this great school community.

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ICAS ENGLISH: Students at St Thomas’s showed their mastery in English when they competed in the recent ICAS English competition. Congratulations to the following students:

Mathematics

Distinctions:

• Megan Crane Credits:

• Alyssa Crane • Nicholas Fogale

• Olivia Soncin

• Lauren Santucci

• Kara Cazzola

• Liam Newlands

• Arosh Heenkenda

• Gordan Yates

• Hamish Watson

• Prudence Yates

Merits:

• Dinithi Henkeenda

P&F MEETING The final meeting of the P&F Meeting will be held this Tuesday, 18 November, commencing at 7pm in the Staffroom. This is primarily an opportunity for the Association to acknowledge and celebrate all that has been achieved by the Parents and Friends of our school over the past 12 months.

BBQ: Prior to this meeting and as part of the end of year and farewell festivities, our Year 6 & Year 7 families are invited to a barbeque dinner on the Basketball Courts commencing at 5:30pm. THANK YOU P&F: As we do look to enjoying the fruits of our labour, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all who have been associated and involved with the Association over the year. For me as Principal, the P&F is a wonderful consultative body for raising and discussing ideas, generating feedback and sharing the vision of making St Thomas’ School not only a school of learning dedicated to providing a quality education, but also a community of faith which openly recognises Christ and seeks to live and proclaim His Gospel message. Over the course of 2014, I firmly believe that together we have continued to renew and reshape the type of school which we each assert to have our children be part of as they learn about themselves and the world in which they live.

DATE CLAIMERS:

• LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 2014: Our program is as follows:

o 8:40am: School day commences – class activities and final clean-up!

o 10:30am: Morning Tea/ Final clean-up of school grounds.

o 11:00am: Thanksgiving & Farewell Mass in the church

o 12:00pm: Children to go home.

• NAPLAN 2015: The NAPLAN test dates for 2015 are Tuesday 12 May, Wednesday 13 May and Thursday 14 May. To assist in the administration of NAPLAN parents/carers asked to keep these dates free from interruptions to the normal school routine.

ON A FINAL NOTE: In the following weeks announcements will be made regarding final details of class groups and staff relating to 2015.

My prayer is that these final weeks will remain productive and be a time of genuine closure so that we can look back on the year knowing that we have made it the best year it could possibly have been.

We ask the Holy Spirit to guide our process as we make these decisions. Rita Petersen

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"...our charity must be in our hearts and from our hearts, and a charity such as Jesus Christ practiced while on earth." Catherine McAuley

SOCKTOBER October is Catholic Mission Month and this year once again St. Thomas’s focused our attention on raising awareness about children who live in poverty, are homeless or are suffering. Thank you to all of our families for your support!

Friday 31st October was ‘Sock-it-to-Poverty’ Day: Coloured Crazy Socks and a Rock your Socks off Disco!

Parish Weekend Mass Times St Thomas of Villanova – Mareeba – Saturday 6.00pm & Sunday 10.00am St Christopher’s – Kuranda – Sunday 6.00pm St Anthony’s – Dimbulah – Sunday 8.00am

News from APRE – Kathy Fleming

We pray that children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that they may be respected and preserved from all violence and

exploitation. Lord Hear Us.

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Living Our Faith Winners over the last fortnight for ‘Making Jesus Real’ who received a ‘HIGH FIVE’

for their work in being a role model to all our students in living out ‘The St Thomas’s Way’ are:

Sophie Mattsson 4S, Kayla Keary 2T, Blaine Heath 2T, Xai Chang Jeyes 3S, Jarek Sprecher 5S & Anah-Leigha Parata 1T

Fun Early Literacy Activities by Susan Stephenson, www.thebookchook.com

Rhyming is amazing fun! Find rhyming picture books and on a second read-through, leave out some rhyming words to see if your child can remember them. Play games with rhymes - rhyming couplets about your child will tickle his funny bone: “My little pickle likes to tickle.” Or maybe a riddle: “This rhymes with cake and starts with “S”. What is it?” It’s important to incorporate rhymes, songs and chants into children’s lives too. Little books of nursery rhymes make a great start, or find rhymes and songs on Youtube. As kids get older, be sure to include poetry and quality rhyming picture books in their regular reading diet.

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APA News Next year will see St Thomas’s introduce the Australian Curriculum Health and Physical Education (HPE). It is mandated that each student receive 2 hours of HPE instruction per week; 1 hour of Physical Education and 1 hour of Health Education. Our HPE teacher along with your child’s classroom teacher will be responsible for delivering the HPE curriculum. The HPE Australian Curriculum is categorized into bands; F (Prep), 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10. Below is a brief overview taken from the Australian Curriculum outlining key concepts covered in each band. I encourage you to have a look at the Australian Curriculum online and become more familiar with the content and skills covered in your child’s year level. If you have any questions or need further clarification please ask your child’s teacher or come and see me in the office at any time.

Foundation Year Band Description

The Foundation Year curriculum provides the basis for developing knowledge, understanding and skills for students to lead healthy, safe and active lives. The content provides opportunities for students to learn about their strengths and simple actions they can take to keep themselves and their classmates healthy and safe.

Years 1 and 2 Band Description

The curriculum for Year 1 and 2 builds on the learning from Foundation and supports students to make decisions to enhance their health, safety and participation in physical activity. The content enables students to explore their own sense of self and the factors that contribute to and influence their identities. Students learn about emotions, how to enhance their interactions with others, and the physical and social changes they go through as they grow older.

Years 3 and 4 Band Description

The Year 3 and 4 curriculum further develops students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to their health, wellbeing, safety and participation in physical activity. In these years, students begin to explore personal and social factors that support and contribute to their identities and emotional responses in varying situations. They also develop a further understanding of how their bodies grow and change as they get older.

Years 5 and 6 Band Description

The Year 5 and 6 curriculum supports students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to create opportunities and take action to enhance their own and others' health, wellbeing, safety and physical activity participation. Students develop skills to manage their emotions, understand the physical and social changes that are occurring for them and examine how the nature of their relationships changes over time. (http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/health-and-physical-education/curriculum/f-10?layout=1#levelF)

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As you can see from reading the above your child will not be unfamiliar with the content and skills covered in the new HPE curriculum as your child has been exploring and learning about many of these concepts already. More detailed information can be found at: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/health-and-physical-education/curriculum/f-10?layout=1#levelF Finally, 8 Ways to Feel Happier Right Now from Time Magazine:

1. Log off Facebook (and phone a friend). 2. Focus on people, not things. 3. Go outside. 4. Think happy thoughts. 5. Play Cupid. 6. Get some sleep. 7. Give back socially. 8. Skip the fast food.

The full article by Linsey Murray can be found at: http://time.com/3399722/8-scientifically-backed-ways-to-feel-happier-right-now/

CHESS NEWS Last month, our Premier chess team travelled to Brisbane to compete in the state finals to play against the best teams in Queensland. There were 30 primary schools teams competing with 123 competitors. We were assigned boards and played as a team, with 6 games played over the weekend. It was really intense with some games lasting over an hour. For each game, we had to play with timers and also record all of our moves and record our opponents move too. After the game, we could take it to the professional chess players and get the game analysed. We played a lot of the city teams and I think we surprised a few of them by beating them or at least giving them a challenge. Overall, I won the regional championship for Board 1 (with 5 out of 6 wins) and Nicholas Fogale won his Board 4 (also with 5 out of 6 wins). Ryan Paton and Liam Newlands also played well with some tough games. St Thomas' also won Regional 3rd place. We would like to thank Mr Harnischfeger for training us and coming down to Brisbane and giving us tips as well. Also a big thanks to our parents, the P&F and the business who supported us; Byrnes Street Medical Centre, Apels Solicitors, David Anthony Solicitors.. CHECKMATE!! Caleb Shorey

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Jamie and Olivia Hewitt-Toms represented the school at the regional inter-school championships on the weekend, both had great success. Olivia won her group in the

50cm, Jamie won the primary championships in the 90cm class.

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Vincent

(Don McLean)

Starry, starry night, Paint your palette blue and grey,

Look out on a summer’s day With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

Shadows on the hills, Sketch the trees and the daffodils.

Catch the breeze and the winter chills, In colours on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand

What you tried to say to me And how you suffered for your sanity

And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they did not know how Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night

Flaming flowers that brightly blaze, Swirling clouds in violet haze

Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue. Colours changing hue,

Morning fields of amber grain, Weathered faces lined in pain,

are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Year 5 Artwork - in the style of Vincent Van Gogh

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Community News

YOU ARE INVITED. Rosies-Friends on the Street, a not for profit organization, needs volunteers to assist in our Mareeba community.

It involves giving about 2 ½ - 3 hrs one Friday night a month to being a friendly face and listening ear as you serve milo and sandwiches, from the Rosies van, to those you meet. For further information contact: Anne Serra: 0428954344 Judith Conroy: 40922347 (after hours) Or just turn up at the back of the Mareeba Catholic Priory about 6:15pm of a Friday night.

St Monica’s College will hold Orientation Day for Year 7, 201 5 students on Thursday 6 November 201 4 from 8. 45am - 3. 00pm. Students are asked to wear their present sport uniform and bring a hat. Small Morning Tea & Lunch will be provided at the College or food can be ordered from the College Tuckshop if required. A name badge will be supplied. If you require more information please call the College on 40 424800. St Monica’s College will hold Orientation Day for Year 8, 201 5 students on Friday 1 4 November 201 4 from 8. 45am - 3. 00pm. Students are asked to wear their present sport uniform and bring a hat. Small Morning Tea & Lunch will be provided at the College or food can be ordered from the College Tuckshop if required. A name badge will be supplied. If you require more information please call the College on 40 424800.

CASUAL POSITION AVAILABLE SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR

St Thomas’ School We are seeking interested persons for a casual position, approximately 1.5 hours per day, on a rotating roster, school days only. Approved applicants will be required to undergo a medical assessment and pass a blue card application. Pay rate starts at $26.54 per hour. Please call 07 4045 8515 for an application

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