Newsletter

Wednesday, 7th September 2016

St Carthage’s Primary School

Address: 2 Dawson Street, Lismore Phone: 02 6621 5529 (P.O. Box 1114, Lismore) Website: www.stcarthlism.catholic.edu.au Email: scplism@lism.catholic.edu.au Fax: 02 6621 4098

From our Principal Mrs Janelle Heffernan Dear Parents, For God, the impossible becomes possible; the tiny mustard seed needs nutrition and light to grow into a huge tree! Does not the same apply to us? For we too, need nourishment. But not only does our body need nourishment, our spiritual life does as well. What have we done recently to nourish our own faith? And that of our family and friends?

Fathers’ Day Celebration Thank you to our dads who came along to our Fathers’ Day celebration last week. There was certainly a spirit of celebration and joy as I wandered around the playground. It was lovely to see dads and their children playing and socialising together. Thank you to Heidi Green, Emma Tulk and Matt Brown, who busily cooked hundreds of sausages over the course of the afternoon and working alongside our wonderful staff who helped to set up, serve and pack up. It was a great team and community effort – well done!

First Holy Communion Congratulations Congratulations to our students who have celebrated their First Holy Communion over the last couple of weekends. Thank you to our teachers who prepared the children so well for the celebration and reception of the Sacrament and to Fr Nicolas and Fr James who informed our students and their families about this special sacrament. Thank you also to Mr Hatchman who assisted and supported the children in so many ways. A special thank you to all our teachers - Mrs Kane, Mrs Williams, Mrs Barratt, Mrs Yates and Mr Dimmick and to the children for their preparations, efforts and prayers throughout the sacramental programs during the year. Poetry and Public Speaking Congratulations to students who performed in the Poetry and Public Speaking competition on Monday. I was amazed at the confidence and poise of each of these students as they presented their practised piece for the adjudicators. The adjudicators were overwhelmed by the professional and skilled way the students spoke, and commented on the clarity of their voices, their expression and maturity displayed by each of them. I would like to thank each of them for accepting the challenge to perform in front of their peers - well done! I would also like to say a huge thank you to Mr Sheridan for his enthusiasm, commitment and foresight in allowing our students the opportunity to expand their literary experiences through this performance! Thank you also to Mrs Anne Meineke and Mr Des Kelly for being our adjudicators. Tournament of Mind Congratulations to our Tournament of Mind team who competed at Kingscliff a week ago. After much hard work, effort and commitment over the previous six weeks, the students were very well prepared for their presentations, which resulted in them winning their section. They will now compete in the State Finals in Sydney on the 11 th September. We wish them all the very best in these finals. Nude Food Day What great success we had with our Nude Food Day held last week! It was amazing how much rubbish we didn’t accumulate in our bins on that day. The children were very responsible in the choice of foods which they brought to school. School Uniform As it is coming to the end of Term 3, the students’ pride and presentation in the wearing their School Uniform is waning. It is a timely reminder for:

1) Hairstyles – Girls should have all long hair tied back and boys are to have a conventional hairstyle. Please address this issue if your son is in need of a good haircut.

2) Black school shoes and joggers. No coloured soles, stripes or shoelaces. 3) White sports socks (5cm above the ankle) which can be purchased from the School Canteen.

We appreciate your support in this area.

Book Fair and Book Parade Thank you to everyone who supported our annual Book Fair. There was a fantastic range of books provided by The Book Warehouse and the children were certainly excited by all the choices.

Following the Grandparents’ Prayer Service and picnic on Friday 26 August, we were delighted to see so many grandparents visiting the Book Fair with their grandchildren. We thank those families who donated books to the Library. As a result of the Book Fair, we have also been able to purchase many new books. I thank Caz Greene from The Book Warehouse, Mrs Morrissey, Mrs Beacroft and Mrs Carter for all their hard work over the last two weeks. Thank you all.

Last Friday, 2 September, the children arrived for the Book Character Parade looking absolutely amazing. There were so many creative costumes. Both children and their parents deserve congratulations for their efforts. Thank you to Mrs Williams, Mrs Maginnity and our Year Six students for organising our parade. We received a lovely phone call, from a grandparent who attended the Book Parade, saying:

“The children were incredible, the smiles on their faces are unforgettable, the two M.C.’s were out of this world,

the teachers magnificent. The way teachers participated and related to the children was so beautiful - no

wonder the children are as good as they are. The feelings of friendship and love were everywhere.

It simply didn't go long enough, I could have stayed all day.”

Assistant Principal 2017 Following Mrs McFadden’s resignation from the Assistant Principal position at the end of this year, I would like to inform our school community that Mrs Teresa Koning has been appointed to this position from the commencement of the 2017 school year. Teresa is currently Assistant Principal at St Joseph’s, Alstonville and has previously held the positions of Assistant Principal at St Peter’s, Port Macquarie and prior to this Leader of Curriculum and Leader of eLearning. I know you will join with me in congratulating Teresa on her appointment to our St Carthage’s school community. Mrs McFadden will remain at St Carthage’s and will return to the classroom as a fulltime teacher.

MISSION MATTERS

From our Assistant Principal - Mission Mr Danny Hatchman

EXCELLENCE IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION AWARDS 2016 Every three years nominations are requested in our Diocese for a number of Excellence in Catholic

Education Awards. Ninety-four nominations for the 2016 awards were received and those who were

selected were presented with an award by Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett DD and the Director of Catholic

Education, Mr David Condon.

We are very pleased to announce that our Principal, Mrs Janelle Heffernan, was presented with the

award for Excellence in Leadership. Our school re-presented this award to Mrs Heffernan upon her

return to school and everyone agrees Mrs Heffernan certainly deserves her award for outstanding

leadership of St Carthage’s Primary School! We thank Janelle for her tireless work as Principal. The

time, hard work and professionalism given to our school inspires us all. The children were very

enthusiastic in their three cheers for Mrs Heffernan.

Fr James presenting Mrs Heffernan with her award for

Excellence in Leadership.

Seasons for Growth - Thank you for replies concerning this program. Parents will be contacted about the progress of this

program.

Exuro – Thank you for the nominations for this program. Please note that the Exuro day is to be held on October 18, not

October 8 as previously advised.

Guardian Angels – Our guardian angels are students in Year 6 who have been busily creating a small angel and prayer which

will be copied and given to the younger children. These can be placed on the wall or hung over their bed, so they can say a

small prayer before they go to bed at night.

Catholic Worldview - Teachers in Catholic schools are called, naturally, to embed their teaching within a Catholic worldview.

One method of achieving this task is to make reference to Catholic Social Justice teachings. One of these teachings is respect

for the dignity of each person and you can help at home by displaying the picture below.

Why the different colours?

You may notice over the Church Year, changes in the colours of the vestments of the priest and the altar. This has nothing to do

with the whims of fashion! Different colours are used to symbolise the truths and sentiments expressed by the various liturgical

celebrations. Purple (symbolising penance) is used for Advent and Lent; red (warmth and blood) for Pentecost and for feasts

commemorating the sufferings of Christ and the martyrs); white (joy, purity, innocence, glory) for celebrations such as

Christmas and Easter, weddings, baptisms and funerals; green (life) for Sundays in Ordinary Time.

Project Compassion

Just over $11 million was raised for Project Compassion this year. Our school contributed

$2078 from our Cross Country fundraising towards this important cause. Thank you all for

your generous support which enables Caritas to work to end poverty, promote justice and

uphold dignity.

Sympathy Please keep in your thoughts and prayers,

the following members of our school

community who have recently lost loved

ones:

Kim & Taleya Mainey on the death of

Kim’s grandmother.

We extend our deepest sympathy to them and their

family.

Amazing Grace for Fathers By Cavins, Jeff Amazing Grace for Fathers celebrates the power of fatherhood - and that power is love. The love of our fathers on earth reflects the infinite love of God, our heavenly Father, from which all fatherly guidance, discipline, and protection flows. The powerful stories in this book show just how deep a father's love is for his children, particularly when he lives in and is strengthened by God's grace. Here, you will find support and inspiration for your own fatherhood. In this book, you will meet:

A young boy suffering intense pain who finds peace and comfort in the hands of his father.

A loving father who literally comes back from the dead after suffering fatal injuries.

A surrogate father who makes a big difference in the life of an angry and troubled boy.

A father who provides a birthday present for his little girl after his death through a series of divine coincidences.

A young man who heroically saves the life of another because of the wisdom handed down to him by his own father.

Two fathers who, unable to provide for their families, turn to God and see His fatherly protection take care of them.

Visitor/Disabled Car Park

The School Visitor/Disabled parking area (outside the

Administration building) is for short term parking

between the hours of 9:15am – 2:45pm.

Between 8:30am-9:15am and 2:45pm-3:30pm use of

the Visitor/Disabled Car Park is restricted to only

parents or students entitled to Disability Parking. It is

not a pick up or drop off area for parent’s use before or after school.

Music News Thank you to the students who are still committed to choir each week. Some of the choir students have

shared their thoughts on choir and the Eisteddfod below.

Students in all Music classes have begun learning the new Count Us In song, “Let It Play”, which will

be sung on the 3rd November to celebrate the importance of Music Education in schools.

Choir Eisteddfod Belated Thanks

In a previous newsletter I did not thank Sheryl Watts, our computer technician, who prepared our music

audios. Thanks should also go to our wonderful teacher assistants who gave all students equal opportunity to participate in this

wonderful experience. Please accept my apology.

Mrs Jenny Craig “ I love going to choir because I can sing and have fun with my friends.” Charlotte

“ Choir is fun, fantastic and awesome! We learn lots of cool things and songs. The Eisteddfod was fun.” Olivia

“We get to sing cool songs and we have fun..” Tom

“The Eisteddfod was wonderful. I would really like to encourage more people to come next year because

it was very enjoyable. A big thank you to Mrs Craig for all the time she gave up

for lunch practices.” Alyssa Koina

“I would like to thank Mrs Craig for everything she has done for the choir. We

really appreciate all the time, support and effort she has put into our songs. We

would never have won the Eisteddfod without her help and guidance. She has let

me and many others fulfil our dreams of winning the Eisteddfod for our school.

I would also like to thank the helpers because they gave up a day for the choir.

Thank you for helping us.” Kaitlyn Knowles

Poetry and Public Speaking Festival On Monday, 5 September, we held our Annual Poetry and Public Speaking Festival. It was especially pleasing to see children

attempting poems written by Australian Poets, particularly Stage 3 students. The choice of topics for our Stage 2 and 3 students

speeches were very thought provoking.

I thank Mrs Anne Meineke and Mr Des Kelly for so ably and knowledgeably performing the very difficult task of being judges.

The following children were successful in their categories:

Stage One Poetry – Max Gao

Stage Two Poetry – Ruby Barnes

Stage Two Public Speaking – Ruby Barnes

Stage Three Poetry – Madeline Mackney

Stage Three Public Speaking – Luka Venables

These students will now compete in the next level of competition at the Richmond Zone Festival on 20th September at Casino.

Parents and students will receive a separate note concerning this event.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Highly Commended for their efforts:

Early Stage 1: Alexa Johnson, Xaver Bock, Laura Dennett, Elsie Lynch, Jack Elphick, and Mason Gao.

Public Speaking: Peggy Hunt and Greta Blok.

Poetry: Sophie Frost, Isabel Schilling, Eliza Her man and Nino Gaidier .

Students will be presented with their Awards at the School Assembly this Friday to which all parents are most welcome.

I would also like to acknowledge all of the children who participated at Class and Year Level. Their attentiveness as audience

members on Monday was praiseworthy.

Jack Sheridan

FEE REMINDER Reminder statements have now been sent home. It is expected that all School Fees for the year will be

finalised by the END OF THIS TERM unless a prior arrangement has been made and kept.

CONGRATULATIONS to:

Annelle Santin on the birth of her

new baby brother

and

Adian & Lochlan

Kruger on the safe

arrival of their little

sister.

SPORT NEWS

Polding Carnival Newcastle Good luck to the children mentioned below, who will travel to Newcastle this week for the Polding Athletics Carnival. We commend

them for reaching such a high level of competition and are very proud of their achievements. At the recent Diocesan Carnival (Coffs

Harbour) they achieved some excellent results to qualify: Flynn Lawrence-Daly (2nd - 100m and 1st - 200m), Maya McGrath (2nd -

800m), Megan Smith (3rd - 100m ), Kye Cooper (3rd - 100m), Eliza Blunn (2nd - Discus) and Jackie Andonov (1st - Discus - throwing a

personal best. Well done Jackie!). As well, we had three relay teams qualify for Polding - a remarkable achievement for Senior Boys,

Senior Girls and Junior Boys. Unfortunately our Senior Boys are not able to attend the carnival but their dedication leading up to it is

commendable.

Polding Squad: Jackie Andonov, Olivia Bezrouchko, Eliza Blunn, Kye Cooper , Ali Donaldson, Flynn Lawrence-Daly, Maya

McGrath, Mariel Maciek-Rong, Patrick Maginnity, Charlotte O’Connor, Mena Penanueva, Megan Smith, Tommy Welman.

Milo Cricket Day On Thursday 15th September there will be a Milo Cricket Day held on the recreation grounds near the school, involving many of our

students from Years 3-6. If your child is fortunate enough to receive an invitation to this day, they are asked to return their note and

money by the date indicated, or otherwise they will be replaced as there is a high level of student interest. The day is all about having

fun while playing cricket. Thank you to those parents who have indicated their availability to be helpers on the day.

2016 Primary Schools Basketball Challenge On Friday 16th September, our boys’ school Basketball team, will participate in a Basketball Challenge day in Lismore. We thank Mr

Condie for all the training he has done leading up to this event - the team has really appreciated it. We know they will represent our

school proudly.

Basketball Team: Ben Auckram, Connor Clark, Darcy Colquhoun, Reno Cr isp, Luke De Luzur iaga, Cooper Graham, Jordan

He, Paddy Molloy, and Jackson Ware.

Mr Matthews - Sports Coordinator

Happy Birthday! To the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthdays in the coming days:

Lachlan Herweynen (1MW), Amelia Axman (2KM), Asher Campbell (KKI), Emily Gilbert (4GF), Jacob Mackney

(2KM), Ivy Powell (3SB), Scarlet Aquilina-Brown (3KK), Ruby Crowley (6AE), Sarran Thind (KBE), Millie Grace

(5TM), Zac Hartley (4MT), Billie Beasley-Paine (4GF), Blake Collings (1MW), Sienna Littleford (5TM), Lahni

Coombes (3SW), Brodie Gosling (2KM), Laura Parsons (4GF), Amelia Swan (2KM), Emily Kirkland (1RD), Sam

Cottee (2KM), Niquola White (6JM), Ava Lisetto (3SB), Lani Blunn (3KK), Ryley Bywater (2JG), Jack Moase (6JM), Myles Ware

(4MT), Jayda Evans (2HD), Maddox Hannigan (5TB), Jackson Higham (5TB), Georgia Maslen (6BM), Lachlan Pidcock (KKI),

Harper Rowe (1MW), Ethan Welman (1KM), Louise Mayes and Sheryl Watts.

Special, belated birthday wishes, to Ben Auckram (6AE).

Tournament of Minds On Sunday 28th August our Social Sciences team was successful in winning the Regional Finals at

Kingscliff. Our team members are to be congratulated for their hard work, enthusiasm and

creative thinking during their 6 week challenge. They now progress to the State Finals at

University of New South Wales, Sydney which will be held this Sunday, 11 th September. On this

day the team is given a new challenge to solve in 3 hours and then they have to present their

solution in a performance. We wish our team the best of luck on Sunday and know that they will

represent our school with distinction. Team members are: Ali Donaldson, Emma Dunne, Mena

Penanueva, Luka Venables, Darcey Allen, Riley Gallagher-Long and Layla O’Reilly.

Mrs Jeni Thomson

Swimming Program

Week 7 Friday 2nd September Years 5 and 6 children in Jerome and D’Arcy

(2 swimming lessons) Week 8 Friday 9th September

Week 9 Friday 16th September Years 5 and 6 children in Nagle and Doyle

(2 swimming lessons)

Week 10: NO SWIMMING

TERM 4:

Week 1 Friday 14th October

Years 5 and 6 children in Nagle and Doyle

(2 swimming lessons)

St Carthage’s

CANTEEN

ROSTER

Term 3 Week 9 (12 - 16 September)

Mon: M. Doolan

Tues: H. Green

Wed: C. Green

Thurs: K. McCluskie

Fri: A. Parson

K. Pigott

C. Cottee

Term 3 Week 10 (19 - 23 September)

Mon: M. Williams

Tues: K. Stapleton

Wed: E. Youngberry

A. McRae

Thurs: T. Shea

Fri: PUPIL FREE

2016 Important Dates

TERM 3

Week 8

7 September Year One Excursion (1MW + 1/2 1RD)

9 September Whole School Assembly, 2pm presented by Year 3. All welcome. NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Basketball Permission & payment DUE.

Week 9

14 September Year One Excursion (1KM + 1/2 1RD)

15 September Cricket Gala Day

Football (Soccer) Gala Day Permission Note DUE.

16 September Primary Schools Basketball Challenge, 8:30am, Lismore Basketball Stadium.

Week 10

20 September Regional Poetry & Public Speaking, Casino

21 September Diocesan Finals Gala Day - Football (Soccer), Grafton

22 September Last day for students Term 3

23 September Staff Development Day - PUPIL FREE

TERM 4

Week 1

10 October Term 4 Commences - Students & Staff return

11 October Kinder 2017 Information Night 6pm

12 October Year 6 Excursion FULL PAYMENT DUE.

Week 2

18 October Exuro, Tullera Hall.

21 October Year 5 Excursion FULL PAYMENT DUE.

Week 3

23 - 28 October Year 6 Canberra Excursion

Week 4

9 - 11 November Year 5 Lennox Head Excursion

NANO NAGLE AWARD

Congratulations to the following students for receiving the “Nano Nagle Award” at our School Assembly in Term 3, Week 6:-

Freya Rogusz KKI Oscar MacFarlane 4MT

Oscar Maher KCB Caylan Monckton 4GF

Rose Mills KBE Sophie Alcorn 4LM

Elouise Evans 1KM Laura Kehoe 4MS

Brydie Beston 1MW Thomas Lynch 5CB

Xavier Kay 1RD Ava Coombes 5TM

Mason Murray 2KM Drew Gorman 5JS

Scarlett Ware 2JG Mischa Tardrew-O'Meara

5TB

Kalani Riley 2HD Luka Venables 6BM

Nikki Andonov 3JD Eliza Blunn 6AE

Sasha Bright 3SW Dominic Jackson 6JM

Ivy Powell 3SB Katelin Molloy LIBRARY

Scarlet Aquilina-Brown 3KK

Fundraising/Fete Group Our Fathers’ Day Stall raised $436. Thank you for your support.

HEADLICE There has been a number of reported

cases of headlice in the school. Head lice

are very common so there is no need to be

alarmed. However they should be treated

quickly to prevent them from

spreading.We are asking that all parents

examine their child’s hair and look for the following signs:

persistent scratching, particularly behind the ears

and the nape of the neck, accompanied by a red rash;

tiny silver white eggs at the base of the hair shaft;

small pale brown lice. You may wish to use a

magnifying glass and a fine tooth comb under strong

light to help identify lice.

If head lice are found, please treat your child’s hair and

remove the dead lice and eggs using a fine tooth comb

before sending your child back to school. It is important to

do this properly as re-infestation easily occurs and can be

very frustrating for parents. As a precaution, any items which may harbour lice such as

bed linen, towels and combs should be washed in hot soapy

water. To help prevent head lice in the future, tie back long

hair and ask your child to avoid sharing items such as

brushes or hats from friends. It would also be wise to check

other family members and treat if necessary. Your

pharmacy has a selection of products and will also offer

advice.

Supper available

St Carthage’s Primary School Library

The following 2015 rewards are still available:

All reward items are only available while stocks last.

NOTE: 2016 Banking rewards which are no longer available -

Wildlife Writer Set, Flying Snake Tail and Mud Splat Handball.

MUSICAL FAMILY The Gao children have once again excelled at Piano at

the Lismore Musical Eisteddfod this year.

Congratulations to Morgan (4GF), who was awarded

First Place in Piano for Romantic Period Solo, Jazz or

Popular Solo, Piano Solo 9 Years & under and Baroque

Period Piano, while competing against his younger

brother, Max (2HD), who placed Second in the same

sections. Max also

received First Place for

his effort in Set Piece

Solo - 4th Grade.

Youngest brother,

Mason (KCB), was not

left out, receiving a

First Place for his

performance in the 8

Years & under Piano

Solo Preliminary Set

Piece section. The children are lucky to have two

pianos at home which allows the siblings plenty of

opportunity to practice (which they obviously do!).