22 May 2012

Under Eights Week 2012 'Language - actively connecting

children to their world' 21–28 May 2012

MESSAGE FROM AP - A

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming some members of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission to our school. The role of the Commission is essentially strategic and focuses on the coordination and advancement of Catholic Education in Queensland. Its key functions include: advocating the position of Catholic education and liaising with state and federal governments and various peak bodies and agencies across a range of educational policy and funding issues; distribution of government funding to Catholic schools and researching, collecting and managing relevant statistical data and information. QCEC Executive Director, Mr Mike Byrne was kind enough to send us a letter of thanks that in part reads, “The Commission members greatly appreciated the time spent at the school and observed that there is a wonderful spirit in your community that confirms the great job you are doing in preparing our young people to enter an often challenging world. They particularly appreciated the time spent with the two Year 7 students who took them on a very comprehensive and interesting tour of the school.” Our year seven team left us in the dark this morning and headed to Canberra. They spent time at Regatta Point, the National Capital Exhibition, Parliament House and finished the day at the War Memorial. I look forward to joining our year six children along with Mrs Petrie, Mrs Fraser and Mr Braeuer at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Heads next week for their school camp. Our Ignatian building story continues… CANISIUS EARLY YEARS ROOM – Our Early Years Support Teacher, Mrs Dimmock works from this room In 1565, the Vatican was looking for a secret agent. The pope wanted some important documents delivered to all the European bishops. The first group who tried to carry the documents through hostile territory was robbed. Rome needed someone courageous but also someone above suspicion. They chose Peter Canisius (1521-1597) who at age forty-three was a well-known Jesuit priest working in Germany. Canisius had gained the respect of many Catholics and Lutherans and was also successful in his secret mission. Later, Peter became a well-known writer composing the first Catechism. He also wrote a Catechism for middle school students that focused on a different virtue for each day of the week and another which included prayers for young children. When we look for the good in people and acknowledge their talents, and live faith-filled lives, we are living like Peter Canisius. ALOYSIUS PERFORMING ARTS ROOM St Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591) was born into a wealthy family and was regarded as a child prodigy. His brilliant mind made him seem different from many children of his age and time, and consequently he was often misunderstood, ridiculed and even beaten. Although his parents wanted him to follow his father’s footsteps into a career in the military, Aloysius gave up his wealth to join the Jesuits. Aloysius said, “I am a piece of twisted iron; I entered religion to get twisted straight.” He died at the age of twenty-three looking after plague victims in Rome. He is the patron saint of youth. When we stand up for others and against peer pressure, we are living like Aloysius.

Are you with us in 2013? It is helpful for our future planning to know as soon as possible if you are moving to greener pastures. Mrs Wilson addressed the issue of attendance in last week’s news. You may be interested to know that research says: Missing one day a week of school from Year 1 to

Year 11 is the equivalent of missing two years and one term of schooling

There is a direct correlation between attendance and achievement

Being half an hour late to school each day from Year 1 to Year 10 is equivalent to missing over a year in schooling

Girls are absent more than boys Poor attendance makes it difficult for students to form

positive relationships with their peers

And I offer these three thoughts for the week: “A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory” “Change is inevitable…except from vending machines” and Regards Peter

Go

LEAVING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS It is school policy that any child leaving the school before 3pm or arriving after 8.40am needs to be signed in/out at the office. It is not acceptable just to go to the classroom. If you have a need to take your child early from school or drop them to school late, please abide by this policy. Thank you. PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS AND REPORTING By the end of this term it is the expectation that all teachers will have conducted parent/teacher interviews for every child in their class. At this interview you can expect to see samples of your child’s work or some kind of evidence which would back up what your child’s teacher is reporting to you about your child’s progress. On Thursday 21 June, every child will take home a written summative report of their achievement and progress in all learning areas for the 2012 first semester. A judgement will be made about each child’s work on the curriculum covered so far this year. In the past, student progress reports in Prep and Year One looked very different to reports in Year 2 – Year 7 All our report cards have been reorganised so as to reflect the new Australian Curriculum Standards.

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MESSAGE FROM AP-RE

THIS WEEK’S VIRTUES

Excellence Rarni McLean 1 Green

Enthusiasm Curtis Fielding 5 Gold

Helpfulness Daniel Dekker 1 Green

Respect Alex Regan 0 Red

Excellence Charlotte Jackson 4 Gold

Excellence Emmi – Rose Billson 4 Red

Excellence Madison Jones 2 Green

Excellence Annabel Devlin 3 Red

Creativity Divini Brown 6 Green

Faithfulness Redd Villamor 6 Gold

Enthusiasm Charlotte Ashton 6 Red

Enthusiasm Maya Ryan 7 Gold

Determination Ashley Cook 3 Gold

Determination Joshua Wilson 3 Green

Reliability Thomas Jackson 7 Red

Responsibility Scarlett Wells 5 Gold

Responsibility Jessica Brown 2 Gold

Purposefulness Broc Cooke 5 Green

Self - Discipline Tyrone Hubbert 2 Red

Thankfulness Cormack Anning 1 Gold

Commitment Jacquie Coll 4 Gold

Service Caden Miller-Wright 0 Green

Honesty Max Munnery 0 Green

Compassion Mr Kristian Braeuer 6 Gold

Friendliness Mrs Clare Booth 3 Green

Friendliness Mrs Kelly Smith

Achievement:

Displays expected Effort:

Well above the expected standard C Consistently

Above the expected standard G Generally

At the expected standard S Sometimes

Below the expected standard R Rarely

Well below the expected standard

This simply means the reporting on your child involves the teacher’s professional judgement based on a collection of evidence of your child’s progress and achievement as compared to the clearly defined specific learning standards set down for the curriculum aligned to each year level. The teacher’s knowledge and observation of your child’s progress also contribute to this judgement. Your child’s achievement, based on this teacher judgement, will be marked against a five point scale. The effort displayed by your child will be marked against a four point scale. Please be aware these two scales are different to what has been in the past. When making judgements about achievement, teachers consider how the qualities of your child’s work best matches the above achievement standards. All teachers develop criteria, which are drawn from the curriculum, when making assessment judgements. Judgements made enable a teacher to recognise when learning is of a higher or lower quality rather than just a very good or very poor representation of what might be expected. These judgements are made on a collection of evidence not just one single piece of assessment. It is reasonable to expect that any one teacher would see a range of achievement levels within a particular student cohort. This is a major difference to our previous report card where you were expected to see most of the students in any one cohort fall into the middle column which stated the children were achieving at the expected level. Our previous report card was based on outcomes whereas the new report card is based on standards in line with the new Australian Curriculum. Have a good week! Ronnie Wilson

YEAR SEVEN STUDENTS ARRIVE AT CANBERRA

Cheers Jackie Cameron

EARLY YEARS NEWS

YEAR 5 NEWS

ICT NEWS

Friday 25th May – GCN District Cross Country Monday 4th June - Inter School Sport Game Day Wednesday 6th June – Catholic Schools Cross Country

PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS

In second term, Year 5 Art lessons have focused on students learning how to draw portraits. To date, we have created two pencil portraits and this week and next will use charcoal to draw portraits. Year 5 is very excited to advise that on Thursday 31 May, the Art classes will be taken by Mrs Inessa Ivascanin. Inessa is a well known local artist and the mother of Christian in 5 Gold. Inessa will work with the students to instruct them in portraiture, using chalk pastels. Inessa Ivascanin has been painting for 15 years, working on large canvases that have been exhibited around the Gold Coast area and Brisbane. Some of Inessa’s artworks have been purchased by overseas buyers. Inessa’s specialty is a bright, contemporary, realistic style. She specialises in decorative murals. Year 5 is looking forward to learning from such an accomplished artist and students are hoping to create some original masterpieces. We are very appreciative that Mrs Ivascanin has volunteered her time and expertise. Kaye Vague 5 Gold

The Gold Coast North and Catholic Cross Country team training will take place on Monday and Wednesday mornings before school. All 8 and 9 year old qualifiers are encouraged to attend.

Under Eights Week 2012 'Language - Actively connecting children to their world.' 21–28 May 2012 This week we will celebrate Under 8’s week at St. Francis Xavier. This is a week when we celebrate the importance of being Under 8 Years Old. The 2012 theme of “Language – Actively connecting children to their world” provides an opportunity for children to learn through hands-on experiences, to reinforce their competency in expressing themselves and connecting to their world. This year’s theme is reflective of the N a t i o n a l Y e a r o f R e a d i n g . This Friday 25th of May, all children at St. Francis Xavier in Prep, Year One and Year Two will be celebrating Under 8’s Week on a special day full of fun. The children are allowed to come in free dress. Please ensure it is appropriate for being out in the sun. Shoes must be covered and suitable for running around. The children will begin the day at normal time in their classrooms and will go to the Activity Centre at 9.30 for a Liturgy. Please feel free to join us then if you are able to. There will also be a display of artwork set up in the Activity Centre for all to view after the liturgy. From 11:00-1:00 activities and displays will be provided for the children to participate in. The children will be able to wander around the Prep, Year One and Two areas and choose what they would like to do. Activities will include painting, drawing, puppet shows, make and take activities, Mini Olympics, bubble blowing, chalk drawing and decorating cupcakes. We will also have visits from people in the local area who help us, including a Fire Truck and special Guest, Cludo the Police Dog. In the afternoon the children will be treated to a Disco in the Activity Centre. Parents are invited to attend and join in the Liturgy, Art Show and activities with your children. It should be a fun day for all. If you are able to help in any way by face painting or have any ideas for an activity please talk to your class teacher or Ms Dimmock. Lunch will be provided in the form of a sausage sizzle and Norco milk. Children will require food for first break. Please be aware of this if ordering tuckshop that day. We look forward to a great day on Friday and celebrating being “Under 8” with our Early Year’s children. Janelle Dimmock Early Years Teacher

iPod/iPad App of the Week

iTalk Recorder (Free) or Voice Memo (already

installed)

These Apps are great for proof reading homework, writing tasks, and also for improving reading and oral presentation skills. The Apps allow you to record anything, short or long, and play it back later as many

times as you like.

Terese Hogarth ICT Project Teacher

NEW CALEDONIAN STUDENTS

TUCKSHOP NEWS ADOLESCENTS PARENT COURSE

RESOURCE CENTRE NEWS

Village Community Services Inc. and the Village Family Support Program are running the ‘Engaging Adolescents’ parent course. The course covers strategies, and increases confidence of parents in managing tough conversations with adolescents, gives a new understanding of adolescence and building relationships with your teen. Attached is the flyer with dates of the program starting in JUNE 2012. Contact Nikki at Studio Village Community Centre, located off Exit 62 for more information or to discuss your needs. Nikki, as Family Support Worker also offers individual support for those who need someone to talk to, call between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday for an appointment. Below is the link to the flyer on our website, for your information. http://www.studiovillage.com.au/CMS/?

Family_Support:Current_Programs

Dear Parents, We are looking forward to our annual visit from 26 children from Sacré-Cœur in New Caledonia. This is our sister school. We are looking for St Francis Xavier families to host the students. The children will be arriving Monday 22 October and leaving Friday 26 October. Generally the children are billeted in pairs, so we are looking for 13 families to offer their hospitality to these French speaking children. The children will be spending two days at school and the other days at Gold Coast attractions. We will be providing some French communication tools for you to make the experience as comfortable as we can. Please consider your ability to assist. Billeting is usually a very enjoyable and educational experience for all parties. The families who billeted the Sacré-Cœur children last year found it to be a worthwhile venture, many staying in contact. Billeting is an ideal opportunity for us all to learn about our diverse way of life and to share in a variety of lifestyle experiences. If you are able to offer your hospitality, please return this form to the school office as soon as possible. Regards, Helen Meerleveld Cultural Literacy Teacher _____________________________________________________ I can host 2 children from Sacré-Cœur, New Caledonia from 22-26 October. I would prefer to host boys girls (please circle) Name: ____________________________________________ Your child/ren: ______________________________________ Class: ____________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________

RESOURCE CENTRE NEWS

FAMILY READING MONTH We had our best borrowing week last week with a total of 1033 books being borrowed. That takes our total of books borrowed for May to 2832. What a superb effort! Hopefully you have had a chance to embrace National Family Reading Month as this initiative was designed to get more kids reading with their families. We are able to support you in your efforts to read with your children by becoming a parent borrower. You can borrow books from our ever growing collection. Just pop in and see us and borrow away! NATIONAL SIMULTANOUS STORYTIME Tomorrow, our Prep Gold class will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime with the help of the librarians from the Runaway Bay Library. Thousands of children across the country will participate in this literary event at 11am. The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland will be read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. We hope the children will enjoy this wonderful Australian tale about friendship, sacrifice and learning that appearances aren't important. For more information, please check out the NSS website - http://www.alia.org.au/nss/index.html. Happy Reading Mrs Jen Craig and Mrs Lisa Duncan Teacher Librarians

With under 8's day on Friday there will be no tuckshop for 2nd break for Prep - Grade 2 children. A sausage sizzle is being provided for lunch. Helpers this week are Wednesday May 23 Felicity Lenehan, Sandra Shervey Thursday May 24 Carol Kelly, Clare Cartwright Friday May 25 Sahron Hood, Nicole Barber, Kim Grobbelaar Monday May 28 Alexandra Bennett Tuesday May 29 Natasha Hunter Wednesday May 30 Nicole Bruce, Deb McAllister

DIARY DATES

COMMUNITY NEWS

22 May Yr 7 Camp 23 May Yr 7 Camp 24 May Yr 7 Camp 25 May Under 8’s day Gold Coast North X Country 25 May Under 8’s day 26 May National Sorry Day 27 May Pentecost Sunday 30 May Yr 6 Camp 31 May Yr 6 Camp 1 Jun Yr 6 Camp 3 Jun Family Mass 4 Jun General Assembly 6 Jun Catholic Cross Country 7 Jun Anointing Mass—Yr 5 8 Jun Yr 4 Bicycle Safety 9 Jun First Communion—5.30pm Mass 10 Jun First Communion—9.00am Mass 11 Jun Queens Diamond Jubilee Holiday 16 Jun First Communion—5.30pm Mass 17 Jun First Communion—9.00am Mass 22 Jun Last Day of Term 2

LOST SHOE

ENROLMENTS AT AQUINAS

COLLEGE

PLEASE BE ADVISED ENROLMENTS FOR

YEAR 8 2013 ARE ALMOST FULL.

ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

AFTER MAY 31ST 2012

WILL BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST.

Please check your shoes . A child has two different size shoes. (Sandshoe) Please contact the office if you find you have odd sized shoes