Term 2 Week 2 - May 7th, 2025
From The Principals Desk
Dear Parents and Carers,
Term 2 is well under way already! As I observed in my letter last week, the students have settled back into their learning environments and relationships with enthusiasm and confidence. We have once again been limited during play times due to the weather, but the students have handled the restricted spaces during play admirably. We are so grateful for the concrete space on the bottom oval which has allowed the students to spread out further and also access the adventure playground even though the oval has been too wet. I congratulate the students on their care, consideration and empathy for each other!
Our Years 3-6 students will be attending the Mt St Patrick College Musical - ‘Grease’ this Friday. We are all looking forward to another masterpiece performed by our college students. Whilst it is always an entertaining and well polished performance, it is also a wonderful opportunity for our students to appreciate the creative arts and to aspire to one day potentially being on that stage! A gold coin donation is all that is requested for our attendance.
School Improvement Surveys - ‘Tell Them From Me’
It has come to that time of the year when we ask for your valued feedback on our performance as a school, primarily regarding improving our student outcomes. The survey period will begin next week and run for two weeks. You will be sent a link to have your say. As always, student voice will also be sought via our years 4-6 students. They will complete surveys at school during the survey period.
We welcome Miss Tayla Rowan to our staff. Tayla is taking on the shared responsibility of Year 3 with Mr Michael Sandall while Mr Ben Jeffree is on leave this term. Welcome Miss Rowan!
Enrolment for Kindergarten 2026
We are currently enrolling for Kindergarten 2026. If we have any existing families with siblings who are ready to begin their big school learning journey next year, please ensure that you complete the enrolment application at your earliest convenience. Also, if you have friends, family or acquaintances who are looking for a wonderful school for their child, send them to us or get them to complete the enrolment application on our website!
Have a great couple of weeks, be sure to spoil our wonderful mums on Sunday! Hope to see you on Friday for our school based Mother’s Day celebrations.
Peace and blessings,
Jason Clarke
Principal
Re: Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
- year of schooling
- category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
- level of adjustment support provided by the school:
- quality differentiated teaching practice
- supplementary
- substantial
- or extensive.
This information assists schools to:
- formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
- consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
- develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.
The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.
The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).
Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).
If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.
Kind regards
Jason Clarke - Principal
"S.O.L.E Superstar" Awards
Week 1 Term 2
Sharing the Gospel
Mini Vinnie Leaders
At last Friday's assembly Isla Alley and Noah Bowley were presented with their Mini Vinnie's Leaders Badge.
GOD MOMENT
When Aubrey offered to help shovel the sand in front of the gate to the play equipment.
Thanks Aubrey!
SOLE CELEBRATION DAY & EASTER RAFFLE
On the last day of school we held our Sole Celebration Day. Students were put into our four key groups; Self, Others, Learning & Environment.
The students split off into these groups and rotated around some fun activities to celebrate a fast-paced, engaging, fun and big Term. Students played tech games and how to draw, they made Easter hats in the arts room, went outside for some sport and had the chance to boogie in the disco where we played musical statues and four corners.
The kids had a blast and deserved this end of Term fun. We know it's always a busy first Term back but the kids have shown such resilience throughout.
The Easter raffle was held at lunch with a whopping 72 prizes to be handed out. Lots of families won some great prizes. We raised $1334.50 in total !! The funds are sitting with the SRC to decide where the money will be spent.
We had our captains, Bonnie & Indigo personally thank Tweed Valley IGA for their generosity in donating us eggs, along with a big thank you to those families who donated some too. We greatly appreciate it.
Easter Raffle Winners:
Curriculum News
Integrating Technology into the Curriculum
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last Monday, we held a professional learning day focused on 'Integrating Technology into the Curriculum'. Tracey and Mary, our digital technology coaches, led teachers through a fabulous day of learning.
The main goal of the day was to empower our teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate technology into the NSW syllabus, aiming to enhance student learning outcomes and engagement.
Teachers participated in sessions covering various aspects of technology in education:
- Safe and Responsible Digital Tools: Focusing on digital literacy, including education, guidance, and fostering responsible digital use.
- Discovering STEM: Exploring how technology can be used for foundational STEM activities, promoting skills like collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, through tasks like creating a 'Scribble(ro)Bot'.
- Using AI for Planning: Teachers learned how to use AI tools like Gemini and Notebook LM to help review and suggest digital technology integration for lessons.
- Hands-On Equipment: Teachers explored educational robots like Edison and Dash, and Microbits, available through the DLCS Loan Library, learning how they can be used for coding, promoting active play, and boosting creativity.
- Goal Setting: The day concluded with teachers setting specific goals for integrating digital technologies into their lessons.
This week, we got to put our learning into action. Tracey and Mary modelled the effective use of the technology with the teachers and students in the classroom during a lesson.
This type of professional learning allows teachers to gain practical skills, build confidence, and meaningfully embed technology into their teaching. They are committed to supporting students in becoming effective digital citizens and confident technology users.
We are excited about the potential of these integrated technologies to enrich your children's education and prepare them for a digital world.
Kinder News
Payton, Taydem and Beau are demonstrating amazing reading strategies to their Kinder friends.
ANZAC Day March
This years ANZAC Day March was certainly a ittle different due to Mother Natural and all the rain.
Thank you to the students and teachers that were able to make it at the Civic Centre, to honour our brave soldiers from the past and present.
The Murwillumbah Service Club have very generously presented our school with a $50 QBD Book Voucher to spend on a book for our library. We look forward to choosing a book that our students will enjoy reading.
Thank you Murwillumbah RSL Sub-Branch.
Sports News
NSW PSSA SWIMMING:
In the last week of Term 1, Carter Alexander travelled down to Sydney for the NSW PSSA Championships! This competition included every swimmer from NSW from all schools; Catholic, Public and Independent Schools. This is the final level of competition within NSW! Carter competed in the 200IM and 50m Butterfly. In the butterfly he swum a PB (personal best) and placed 17th out of 45 very competitive swimmers for both races!!
Congratulations Carter!
It is an absolutely fantastic achievement to reach the highest level of competition in NSW for swimming!!
ZONE CROSS COUNTRY:
This Thursday the Tweed Zone Cross Country is taking place at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds. Representative singlets have been handed out. Students will arrive to school Thursday morning wearing their singlets and PE shorts. They may race in skins / bike pants but will wear them underneath their uniform. When the morning bell rings to begin classes, Mrs Martin will meet all students in the undercroft to mark the roll. She will walk the team to the showground in the morning and bring students back to school at the end of the day’s competition (approximately 2pm). If students wish to travel to the Showground with their parents, please let the office know so we are not waiting for you to arrive. Remember to pack plenty of food, water and warm clothes as we will be running even if it is raining! There are no canteen facilities but Alistair’s coffee van will provide hot and cold drinks, however his supply is limited. A timetable showing order of events is attached. Please note that times are approximate and the program will be advanced if weather threatens.
Students who finish in the top 8 will progress onto Diocesan Cross Country in Grafton on Tuesday 20th May (week 4). We wish the following students the best of luck for Thursday:
8/9Yrs
Boys:. Ali, Linkin MacDonald, Tate Bannister, Jacob Hoffman, Halen Jandura & Fynn Holliday.
Girls:. Mia McMahon, Millie Anderson, Delilah Cleak, Jayli Walsh, Daisy Morphett & Lilly Dryhurst-Evans.
10Yrs:
Boys: Will Polson, Kobe Robinson, Carter Alexander, Eli Reed, Eli Rudman & Lorenzo Pahlow.
Girls: Sierra Casagrande, Scarlett Walker, Aria Dunning, Amelia Keevers, Amelia Bedser & Ayla Bourke.
11Yrs:
Boys:. Sam Stovold, Kaeden Jandura, Ace Colleton, Xavier Workman & Sonny Moore.
Girls:. Ruby Carter, Esther Cambridge, Peggy Wilkinson, Shelby Walsh, Tahan Heterick, Allira Smith & Pippa Bourke.
12Yrs:
Boys: Misha Reed, Nakoha Heterick, Asher Morphett, Jaxon Mann, Will Hoffman & Frank Ahrens.
Girls: Lyla McMahon, Imogen Rudman, Indigo Cleak, Amira Folkers, Lalyta Brockbank & Isla Alley.
We hope they enjoy their experience competing against the 7 other Catholic schools that make up our Zone!
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL INFO / FRIDAY MORNING RUNNING CLUB CONTINUES: We are planning on continuing Friday morning running club as Cross Country progresses to Zone, Diocesan and Polding but also to support our students in the track events of Athletics! The 1500m race is set for Thursday 5th June after school (4pm) on our oval. Students who wish to participate in the 1500m race will be supervised when the bell rings for the end of the day and until the races begin. Parents will need to assume responsibility once races begin as teachers will be assisting with time keeping. The 800m is another race that is going to need our fitness levels to be maintained! The 800m heats will be held during school sport time Friday 30th May with the final (top 6) taking place at the carnival. Our Athletics Carnival is set for Friday 13th June at Murwillumbah Highschool. Any student who wishes to be measured for High Jump may contact Little Athletics Kingscliff to arrange a session for measurement. The coaches there will complete a form and students will be compared at a Zone level to then progress to Diocesan. High Jump and Discus will be held at Diocesan level but not Zone. Our school will measure Discus during PE in week 5 Thursday 29th May and these results will be added to Age Champion points.
SATURDAY RUNNING CLUB FINISHED FOR THE YEAR: Thank you to all who attended and enjoyed our Saturday Running Club sessions! I was very impressed with the commitment and dedication it took to come along on mornings that were so wet we were close to being flooded! Looking forward to doing it all again next year!
NEW LONG JUMP PIT: Thank you Mr Clarke for our new Long Jump pit! We are absolutely loving being able to practise our long jump techniques and play in this new space! I can see each and every student improving with every attempt! Keep up the training Joeys, we will be breaking records before we know it!
Loving our new long jump pit!
Library News
Congratulations to Sam Stovold and William Glasby for completing the Premiers Reading Challenge!
Don't forget to record books as you read them. Ask Mrs Fraser for help if you are not sure how to.
Our jigsaw champs are at it again!
General News
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE HOLIDAYS
The school grounds have seen further enhancements by Mumford & Sons, including the laying of additional concrete to neaten previously untidy garden areas. The newly accessible flagpoles are now prominently visible, and we eagerly anticipate their use during upcoming official events.
PBS Shield Results:
Term 2 - Week 1
WINNER - LEONARD
BAPTISM
We welcome Harrison & Darcy, sons of Mr & Mrs Samantha & Jono Huxley to our faith community.
Congratulations to Ashlee & Lucas Kaleyias on the arrival of Tahlee, a baby sister for Kyah (Kinder) and Huxley.
Uniform News
There are many pre-loved (second-hand) uniforms available for sale in our Uniform Shop. All items are only $4.00 each.
We also have warm, snuggly unisex vests available now the weather is turning colder. They look very smart!
$45 each
Canteen News
The canteen is open Wednesdays and Fridays this term! Thank you to parents and family members for volunteering. Please place student orders through the canteen menu on Compass by 3:30pm the day before. Some items are also available for students to purchase with cash over the counter at lunchtime (including drinks, ice blocks, fruit etc).
Cancelling a canteen order
If you need to cancel a canteen order you can do this through Compass up to 8:15am on the day of canteen. Your refund will go to your Compass Wallet as a credit. You can then use the credit in your Compass Wallet any time to pay for a canteen order, school fees, or a school event. Access these funds through the payment method drop down menu
Compass Help for Parents
Compass absence notes
Parents can let the school know of student absences in advance through the Compass app using the shortcuts icon at the bottom of their homepage.
Parish News
Wednesday 7 May 5:30 pm - Mass
Thursday 8 May 8:15 am - Mass
Friday 9 May 9:30 am - Legion of Mary | Parish Meeting Centre
11:00 am - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12:00 pm - Mass
Saturday 10 May 9:00 am - Rosary
5:30 pm - Rosary
6:00 pm - Vigil Mass
Sunday 11 May (MOTHER’S DAY) (Good Shepherd Sunday)
8:30 am - Rosary
9:00 am - Mass
10:00 am - Baptisms
Health & Wellbeing
Parent News
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