Issue 18 - 13th October 2021
-
From the Deputy Principal
-
Religious Education
-
Enrolment Updated Terms and Conditions
-
Uniform
-
Assembly tomorrow
-
Set up for Success - Learning Treasures
-
COVID-19
-
Primary School Basketball Tournament
-
Grandparent's Day
-
Sports Activities with Circular Head Christian School
-
Prep Excursion
-
Parent Teacher Meetings
Welcome to Term 4, the term which has a full itinerary, yet is a rewarding one!
It’s a busy term which sees staff finalising assessments and completing reports, students participating in PAT testing, camps, sports afternoons with other schools, the voting of new captains/leaders, preparing for our Christmas Concert and of course, farewells to our Graduating Grade 6 students.
Thank you to all in our school community for making our school a welcoming, supportive and encouraging environment. With your continuous support and relationships with staff, our students continue to strive for success and be the best they can be.
I would like to share some information with you about the PAT testing which will begin taking place in classrooms from next week.
What is PAT?
PAT stands for Progressive Achievement Tests. The PAT tests have been designed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and provide objective information to teachers about their students’ skills and understanding in a range of key areas.
During Weeks 2-3, our Prep students will complete the PAT Early Years Reading and Maths assessments. In Week 4, our Grade 1-6 students will complete the PAT Reading/Comprehension, Maths and Spelling. These tests are completed online and this is one form of data teachers use to monitor student progress and inform them of their students’ progress. This form of assessment also informs teachers of the teaching practices and assists with end of the year reporting.
Let’s recognise the efforts of each child and staff at SPC this final term of 2021 and celebrate together the impending Festive Season!
Mrs Andrea Jaffray Morf
Deputy Principal
Was Jesus Christ a great leader?
Putting religious and spiritual beliefs aside, no one in history has been discussed more, worshipped more, had more songs and books written about and inspired more artwork. He also created one of the world's most sustained organizations (the Church). So, Jesus was certainly a leader from whom lessons can be learned and applied in today's world.
Great leaders lead from the inside out. Jesus focused on personal leadership first - matters of character. At the core of these matters of character is integrity. Without integrity, no one will follow you, and if no one is following you, you are not leading.
Leadership is truly an inside job. Your leadership skills will only take you as far as your character will allow. Jesus had a pure heart and unfailing character. The more you work on your heart and your character, the more others will want to follow you.
Great leaders are great storytellers. Jesus' stories have certainly withstood the test of time. His preferred storytelling style was the parable. Stories are richer, more powerful and longer-lasting than directives or instructions. Look at your own life for stories that have relevant messages for your team... we all have them. Turn your stories into coaching tools for your children/your, your colleagues our future leaders.
Great leaders are great servants. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples even during his most trying time. Great leaders today see themselves as serving their teams - equipping, encouraging and coaching them to realise their potential. Leadership is about others, not you.
Great leaders balance conviction with compassion. Jesus held strong convictions and values while still showing tremendous compassion to others who did not share these same convictions. Likewise, today's great leaders are clear about their values and expectations while being sensitive to the person behind the employee. This balance engages peoples’ hearts and minds, and it motivates them to give their discretionary effort - what can be called, passionate performance.
Pax Texum
Mrs Andrea Jaffray Morf
Deputy Principal
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible educational experience, we have continued to monitor and revise the Terms and Conditions which apply in all Catholic Education Commission Tasmania schools. We will therefore be introducing a small number of updates to the Terms and Conditions, which will apply to all current enrolments continued in 2021 as well as to new enrolments from 2022.
A full copy of the Terms and Conditions is enclosed, which you should read carefully. Some changes made to the Terms and Conditions to note are as follows:
- The inclusion of a definition of Humanitarian Entrant;
- Reference to “Healthcare Card” has been changed “Concession Card” to reflect the Fee Assistance Policy;
- The inclusion of an additional paragraph addressing disclosure of information to Seesaw and Services Australia; and
- New questions to capture information regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status of parents/guardians.
By continuing your child’s enrolment in 2022 from Monday 17 January 2022, you will be taken to have accepted these updates to the Terms and Conditions.
If you have any concerns about the updates, please contact the school office on 03 64521341 or by spc@catholic.tas.edu.au before Friday, 5th November. We would be happy to discuss the incoming changes with you further.
As part of our Sun Smart policy, students are required to wear a hat during Term 1 & 4. Hats can be purchased via the Qkr! App or via the front office.
We are now into our summer uniform, there will be the usual two week change over period for this. Please ensure your child is wearing either full correct uniform either summer or winter, not a mixture of the two.
Don’t forget to purchase your Cake raffle tickets in support of our P&F for tomorrow’s assembly.
Please see below the upcoming timetable for our Set up for Success - Learning Treasures Program which resumes next Monday, 18th October.
Kindergarten families please ensure you use the sanitising station upon entry to the classroom.
It is a requirement for anyone entering our school to please check in and sanitise as you enter. Each classroom has a sanitising station outside the door for students and families. Thank you for your cooperation.
Unfortunately, we did not receive enough interest to field a side in the Devonport Basketball Primary School Tournament.
This year we will be holding Grandparent's Day on Thursday, 28th October. We will be having a Roast Lunch option at a cost of $10 per head as a 2022 Grade 5/6 Camp fundraiser. Lunch will be roast pork and lamb with vegetables and dessert will be apple crumble and apple and raspberry sponge with cream and ice cream. Meals can be purchased via the Qkr app.
The Timetable for the day will be as follows:
11.30am Liturgy in the Josephite Centre led by Kinder and Grade 6 students
12pm Roast lunch will be served
12.45pm - 1.45pm Grandparent's can join their grandchildren in their classrooms. Also a photo booth will be set-up.
The Circular Head Christian School have invited our students from Grades 3-6 to participate in sporting activities over two days, 20th October and 27th October. We look forward to joining our fellow primary school students for two afternoons of fun.
On Monday, 18th October, our Prep students will go to La Cantara Cheese factory for a tour. Information about this has been emailed to families with details on the COMPASS app.
We will be holding our final Parent/Teacher meetings for 2021 on Tuesday, 26th October from 3pm - 6.30pm. These will be 10 minute appointments with your childs class teacher. Bookings will be made via Compass and we will send out a notification when this is open for you to do so. Should you require any assistance please contact the office.
If you require a longer appointment please make arrangements with the class teacher.