Term 3, Week 9 - 9th September, 2022

From the Principal

Dear families,

Welcome to Week 9!

I want to take the time to extend my gratitude to all involved in last week's SRIP. We had wonderful representation from so many of our families, all of our staff and students. Overall, the result of the SRIP was extremely positive and has identified some areas for us to work on over the next four years.

Please find some direct quotes from the review, below.

Relationships within the community is one of the greatest strengths of St Maria Goretti and is a wonderful reflection on Casey. (Staff Member) 

My child’s reading has really improved, I mean, massive improvement.  We came from a school where we felt she was being ignored.  She hated school.  The turnaround has been amazing in such a short time. Her reading has really improved, she loves reading to us at home and always has a book in her hands. (Parent) 

I feel confident going to another school after my experience here at St Maria Goretti. I feel I have done 5 years learning about the profession in two years. I have always felt supported by my peer teachers, my SO, LST and my Principal.  I could not have had a better start to my teaching career. (Staff Member)  

We didn’t think our decision to relocate away from the Darling Downs to a smaller regional community would result in us finding a better education for our daughter. But that is what has eventuated. We could not be happier. Our daughter now loves coming to school. (Parent) 

The transition process (Kindy to prep) developed by Casey is second to none. The quality of the program is one of the reasons prep enrolments are increasing. (Staff Member) 

Once finalised, the SRIP report will be available via our school website for the community to view.  

Parent Engagement

The terms parent engagement and parent involvement describe how parents and families support their children's academic achievement and wellbeing. Parent involvement usually focuses on school-based activities such as attending school events (Awards Night, Working Bees, etc.) or volunteering (Cent Sale, Colour Run, etc.).

Parent engagement encompasses children's learning at home, and at school. There is strong evidence linking parent engagement with improvements in academic achievement for children. Parent engagement in children’s learning is about working closely with your child’s teachers to help your child to succeed. Parent engagement means knowing what they are learning at school, finding ways to bring school learning into the home, and helping teachers to know and understand your child so that they can help your child to thrive at school. 

How can I engage with my child's education?

- Sit down with your child while they complete their homework

- Regularly communicate and check in with your child's teachers

- Attend parent-teacher interviews in Term 1 and Term 3

- Attend parent information sessions held at school (e.g. Home Reading Info Session)

- Attend school assemblies (Thursdays at 8:45am)

- Stay up to date with what your child is learning at school through the school newsletter and Facebook page

- Speak with the school principal about volunteering in class

Strong partnerships between schools, parents and families are essential for children to be successful in their learning. Please feel welcome to speak with your child's teacher or myself if you have any questions about how to engage in your child's learning. 

CTJ Day

During the Pupil Free Day last Friday, our teachers visited St Joseph's Primary School in Tara to moderate student Maths assessment.

Moderation is one of the most important tools that teachers use to align professional judgements about student achievement. When undertaking moderation, teachers engage in professional conversations and calibrate their judgements by selecting and reviewing a sample of student work or other student data.

Term 3 Attendance

"Going to school every day is the single most important  part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind."

Our whole school average attendance data for Term 3 is currently at 81%. In P-2, the average attendance is currently sitting at 79%, in 3-6 the average attendance is 89.6%.

We must improve on these figures. 

We understand that this winter season has been tough and many students have been away sick and it is acknowledged that from time to time a student may be absent from their educational program for other reasons.

To comply with their compulsory schooling obligations parents/carers are required to give a reasonable reason for each absence by letting the school know via phone, email, with the Sentral for Parents App or replying to the automated absence text message. 

The graphic below outlines how much school is missed based on percentage of attendance. It is shocking to think that if student attendance is under 80% in a school year, they could potentially miss a whole term of school.

Remember - every day counts.

If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day. Our school is here to support you with any attendance issues you may be experiencing. 

School Uniform Reminder

Please ensure that students are coming to school in the correct uniform. Please note that the following is not permitted:

• Jewellery (apart from studs or sleepers in ears)
• White socks 
• Scrunchies and/or hair bands on wrists 

As it is still cold in the mornings, please ensure students are coming to school with their school jumpers. 

R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day is a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “are you OK?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs.

Watch this video with your child/ren to help them learn how to ask R U OK? and understand why being a good friend is something we can all do.

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Whole School Updates

COVID update - We currently have no staff members or students in COVID isolation.

Parent-Teacher interviews - Next week, we will be running parent teacher interviews. If you would like an interview with Philippa Sly, currently teaching in 3-6, please phone the school to book a time. Mr Zahner will be sending out parent teacher interview forms this week.

P-2 Classroom Teacher position - As communicated early last week, Mr Brady Zahner will be moving back to Brisbane at the end of this year to be closer to his family. His position has now been advertised on the TCS website and SEEK. I will be working diligently over the next few months to recruit a teacher for the P-2 class. 

New toilet block - Our building project will commence on the first weekend of the school holidays. We are very excited to see our school moving forward with facility upgrades and can't wait to see the project completed. 

Prac student - This week we welcomed Mrs Jade Johnson to our school. Jade is doing her second year practical placement for university in the P-2 classroom for 15 days. Jade will join us next week and in weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4. During her time with us, Jade will observe Brady teach in the classroom, take small groups of students and plan and deliver Science lessons. We are looking forward to working with Jade and hope she enjoys her time with us.

Inglewood Hospital 100 Year Celebrations - Our students have been creating felt birds to enter into the 'Dress the Tree' competition. Please visit the Inglewood Hospital grounds this Saturday from 9-2pm to see their amazing creation! A big thanks goes to Philippa and Zalae for all the work they put into this project, too.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Yours in education,

Casey Robinson

Principal

“Seek to please God.” (Mary MacKillop, 1868)

Office News

Library News

Book Fair

Thank you families for your amazing support of our book fair.

I have a list of titles recommended by students to add to our collection using the commission!

Please check the information below for the remaining sale times. The fair will be closed on Tuesday afternoon as the cases will be collected early on Wednesday morning.

The Fair will be open for browsing and purchases as follows;

Friday 9th Sept. 8.00 am - 9.00 am

Monday 12th Sept. 8.00 am - 9.00 am

Tuesday 13th Sept. 8.00 am - 9.00 am

Our celebration of Book Week will conclude next week with the dress-up parade on Thursday 15th Sept after assembly. Check the details on the poster and come and join us for some fun next Thursday morning!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

Home Reading Parent Info Session, P-2

Thank you to the parents who attended our Home Reading session on Monday after school. Mr Zahner and Mrs Robinson presented a short information session about our new Home Reading system (Australian Decodable Readers online).

Please find below some pictures from the session as well as some screenshots from the presentation for your information. 

Students of the week - Week 7

Students of the week - Week 8

Students of the week - Week 9

Sight Word Certificates

Welcome, Zyon!

MacKillop Way Award

Happy Birthday!

SMG Colour Run - Sunday 18th September

Get your nominations in for our 2022 Colour Run. This year we have the option of purchasing a white SMG Colour Run shirt as part of your nomination.

Parent Partnership Forum

PPF Fundraising Update

St Maria Goretti Colour Run - 18th of September

We are looking for volunteers for the Colour Run to throw colour at a colour station or help with the BBQ, which is one of our major fundraising events. 

Showcase at Greenup - 24th of September

We will be providing food at the Showcase at Greenup event on the 24th of September. We require some volunteers to assist with cooking the BBQ and serving food.

Please come and see us at the front office if you would like to help out at one or both of the events - many hands make light work! We thank you for your support. 

Notices

Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish - Mass Times

Saturday 10th September - 5:30pm Mass

Sunday 18th September - 9am Lay Lead Liturgy

Sunday 25th September - 9am Mass

Sunday 2nd October - 9am Lay Lead Liturgy