Term 3 Week 8, 2024
From our Leadership
Welcome
Tell Them From Me Survey
In a previous Newsletter our overall survey results were shared. Below is a snapshot of a set of questions regarding the topic of Communication.
Book Week
On Thursday, 26 September we are celebrating Book Week. This year's theme is 'Reading is Magic'.
The dress up parade will commence at 2.15pm and conclude at 2.45pm.
Father's Day
Thank you to all the wonderful families who were able to join us for our Father's Day Celebration.
End of Term Disco
Our K-6 School Disco will be held in Mercy Hall, on Thursday, 26 September. The disco will commence at 6:00 pm and conclude at 7:30pm. Students will be provided a sausage sandwich and drink. There is no cost for this event.
A few volunteers to man the BBQ would be gratefully accepted.
Special Lunch
To continue the fun on Thursday, 26 September the Canteen is having a Special Lunch Order Day.
The menu will consist of the following:
- Chicken and gravy roll [hot dog style roll]
- Popper
- Just Juice icy pole
- Sour Yogurt Stick.
The cost is $5:00 per order. Unfortunately there will be no variation on the order. Orders must be in by Tuesday, 24 September.
An order form has been sent home with your child, a copy is also in the School Notes section of this newsletter.
Clarence Schools Public Speaking Competition for Year 3, 4, 5 and 6
Over the last few weeks students in Years 3-6 have been working on creating and presenting a speech on the following topics.
- Year 3 If I had three wishes...
- Year 4 If I were famous it would be for my...
- Year 5 If I had a time machine...
- Year 6 If I could change one thing about the world...
Students will present their speeches to their class over the next 2 weeks. The chosen class finalists will present their speeches to the school community on Friday, 13 September at 9:15am in Mercy Hall.
One speaker from each grade will be selected to take part in the Clarence Schools Public Speaking Competition at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour on Monday, 23 September. Finalists from Mary Help of Christians Sawtell, St Augustine’s Coffs Harbour, St Francis Xavier Woolgoolga, St James Yamba, St Mary’s Bellingen, St Joseph’s Maclean, St Joseph’s South Grafton, St Mary’s Grafton, St Mary’s Bowraville and Mount St John’s will be competing. Good luck students.
Family Connect
The Family Connect Service connects families who may need a helping hand, to the right support services and resources. Please read the flyer in the School Notes section of this newsletter for further information.
Term 4 Intensive Swimming
Once again Joeys will be offering Intensive Swimming for Kindergarten and Stage 1 students at a significantly subsidised rate. The program begins in Term 4 and will run for 6 weeks. A compass event will be sent out in Week 10 with permission and costs.
Celebrating Visual Arts
In Semester Two, 8 student artworks were selected to be displayed throughout the Diocese of Lismore. The students artworks will be displayed in the Semester 2 Art Booklet. We look forward to seeing their art printed in the booklet.
Congratulations to Oscar, Lola, Darcy, Daisy, Aria, Emily, Charlotte and Lara.
Mathematics Professional Learning for Staff
On Monday, our teachers and teaching assistants participated in a valuable professional learning session with Melinda Thompson, CSO K-12 Educational Officer. The focus of the session was on understanding the impportance of assessment in mathematics and how it helps us gather meaningful data to support our students' learning.
Together, we worked on collaboratively planning upcoming assessments, ensuring we are well prepared to measure and understand our students' progress. This planning will enable us to provide tailored support and enhance their understanding of key mathematical concepts.
The Department of Education’s Mathematics Units of Work enable teachers to collect assessment information through various methods to form well-rounded judgments about student learning. These methods include teacher observations, student work samples, and assessment data. Together, these three approaches help gather insights into student knowledge, guide learning support, and provide a basis for reporting on student progress and achievement.
Mathematics Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
Below, you’ll find the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for each group which were created during our recent Mathematics Professional Learning Team (PLT) meeting, which have been a new addition to the timetable.
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
As we work towards the 2024 School Action Improvement Plan goal of having "All students meet the expected learning progressions for their grade in 'Grammar' and 'Punctuation'," teachers will be using specific, tailored teaching strategies in the upcoming learning cycle. This approach will be guided by clearly defined Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for each group, which you can see below. These objectives will help both teachers and students focus on achieving their writing goals and personal targets, creating a structured and goal-oriented learning environment. Additionally, these criteria will support teacher feedback, self-assessment, and peer reviews, encouraging a collaborative and reflective learning experience.
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Polding Athletics Carnival
Isla is off to Newcastle for Polding Athletics on 13 September. She will be competing in the Senior Girls Shot Putt. We wish her the best of luck.
Intensive Swimming K-2
In Term 4, infants students (K-2) will undertake an Intensive Swimming Program at South Grafton Pool. Students will attend the pool each Monday from Weeks 2-7 in class groups. Lessons will take place from 12:30pm until 2.oopm, with the first lesson being a grading session. Lesson duration being approximately 30 minutes, students will be instructed by the Learn to Swim instructors from the pool.
This program is the students Physical Education program for Term 4 based on the Healthy, Safe and Active Lifestyle strand of the Personal Development and Physical Education Curriculum. A compass event will be sent out in Week 10 with permission and costs.
Elective Sport Years 3-6
In Term 4, primary students (Yr 3-6) will participate in elective sport each Wednesday afternoon for 4 weeks. Beginning 23 October and concluding on 13 November, sessions will run between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
Students will have 5 different sports to choose from. A google form has been emailed to parents for you and your child to select their chosen sport with approximate cost provided.
Sports to select from include:
- Golf Grafton District Golf club
- Squash Grafton Squash Centre, Queen Street
- Netball At school
- Ten Pin Bowling Grafton PCYC
Nomination of sports is due by Monday, 23 September. A Compass event providing final costs and consent will be sent out in Week 10.
Please email Mrs Crispin if you have any questions in regards to K-2 Intensive Swimming or 3-6 Elective Sports. caitlin.crispin@lism.catholic.edu.au
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
This past week, Kindergarten and Stage 1 have moved onto the next season Bangkerreng, from April to May with average temperatures between 23°C – 34°C
By April the rain clouds have dispersed and clear skies prevail. The vast expanses of floodwater recede and streams start to run clear again. Most of Kakadu’s plants are fruiting and its animals are caring for their young.
The early days of bangkerreng are marked by violent, windy storms that flatten the speargrass – these are called knock ‘em down storms.
This is a season that doesn't get the respect it deserves. Outsiders have never heard of it. Even local residents, who spend too much of their time in air conditioning don't realize just how much this season has to offer. This is when the roads that were closed for the Wet begin to open. Creeks that will eventually dry to a trickle are still flowing well. Wet season wildflowers can still be found, albeit not in the same numbers as during the wetter months. The land is still green with just a touch of the browning off that is to come.
There are beautiful waterfalls throughout Kakadu and one of them is Gunlom Falls. The Gunlom Falls, formerly Waterfall Creek Falls, is a cascading waterfall on the Waterfall Creek located in the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, Australia. Depending on the time of year, the Gunlom Falls range from a roaring waterfall to a gentle trickle falling down the cliffs. This plunge pool at the bottom of the falls is one of the most visited places in the Kakadu National Park and a popular swimming hole.
https://youtu.be/RD28WtymTtc?si=wXpDCfawZE_C-CnM (Gunlom Falls)
There is also beautiful aboriginal rock art work throughout Kakadu National Park. Kakadu's rock art is of enormous international significance. The park has one of the world's greatest concentrations of rock art sites. Some paintings are up to 20,000 years old, which makes the artwork one of the longest historical records of any group of people on Earth.
https://youtu.be/VWLGoMxy35k?si=lCV0M0qGbDHZQ_sz (Rock art)
This newsletter my student profile is Meliah.
- Name: Meliah
- Age: 8 years old
- Favorite Color: Teal It’s a good color
- Favorite Food: Tacos, I just love them. They are delicious.
- Favorite T.V show: Unicorn Academy
- Favorite Movie: Mask
- Favorite Teacher: Miss Lizzy
- Favorite Animal: Cheetah
- Favorite Book: Cat in the hat
- Favorite Sport: Soccer (Like Mrs Pursey)
- What do you want to be when you grow up? A hairdresser or a stylist. I like to design hairstyles and dresses.
- What makes you laugh? Funny Jokes
- Favorite Holiday: Going to beaches
- How would you describe yourself? I am very kind, helpful and have a nice smile.
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus
Aboriginal Education Worker
School Notes
SCHOOL FEES
BPay is the preferred payment method for school fees.
Scheduled payments can also be set up using BPay, the Biller Code and your personal reference number can be found on your Fee Statement.
Paying through BPay ensures that your payment goes directly to your account. Any enquireies please contact the School Office.
ABSENCES
Please notify the School Office if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, Principal approval may be required.
Only full day absences are to be entered into Compass, for partial absences - arriving late or leaving early please phone the School Office to notify.
Change to afternoon travel arrangements may be emailed to the school if before 12.00pm sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au
After 12.00pm please phone the School Office on 6642 2899 with any changes.
Uniforms
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
TERM 3 WEEK 8
ES1: Joseph, Patrick, Mickey, Tristan
Stage 1: Emilia, Emily, Aprille, Daisy
Stage 2: Byron, Heston, Max, Meliah
Stage 3: Kruze, Maddison, Poppy, Portia, Ivy, Heidi B
School Calendar
TERM 3 2024
Week 8
Friday, 13 September - Speech Competition Finals, Mercy Hall 9.15am to 10.15am
Week 9
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 September - Sacrament of 1st Holy Communion
- Saturday 21 Evening St Mary's Church, Grafton at 5.00pm
- Sunday 22 Morning St Mary's Church, Grafton at 8.00am
- Sunday 22 Morning St Patrick's Church, South Grafton at 9.30am
Week 10
Monday, 23 September - Public Speaking Finalists at John Paul College, Coffs Harbour
Monday, 23 September - School Assembly 2.15pm
Thursday, 26 September - Book Week Dress Up Day - Parade commencing at 2.15pm to 2.45pm
Thursday, 26 September - School Disco 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Thursday, 26 September - Last Day of Term 3 for students
Friday, 27 September - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
TERM 4 2024
Week 1
Wednesday, 16 October - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 2
Monday, 21 October - Intensive Swimming K-2
Monday, 21 October - School Assembly 2.15pm
Yuesday, 22 October - Exuro Retreat at MCC, Year 5
Wednesday, 23 October - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 3
Monday, 28 October - Intensive Swimming K-2
Wednesday, 30 October - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 4
Monday, 4 November - Intensive Swimming K-2
Monday 4 November - School Assembly 2.15pm
Wednesday, 6 November - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 5
Monday, 11 November - Remembrance Day
Tuesday, 12 November - Orientation Day for Year 6 at McAuley Catholic College
Tuesday, 12 November - Information Evening for Parents of Year 7 2025 at McAuley Catholic College
Wednesday, 13 November - Junior Joey's Transition
Friday, 15 November - Swimming Carnival
Week 6
Monday, 18 November - Intensive Swimming K-2
Monday 18 November - School Assembly 2.15pm
Wednesday, 20 November - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 7
Monday, 25 November - Intensive Swimming K-2
Wednesday, 27 November - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 8
Monday, 2 December - School assembly 2.15pm
Wednesday, 4 December - Junior Joey's Transition
Week 9
Tuesday, 10 December - Year 6 Graduation 6.15pm
Thursday, 12 December - Prizegiving Evening 5.30pm
Week 10
Wednesday, 18 December - Last Day of Term for Students
Thursday, 19 December - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
Canteen
Canteen
Open every Wednesday and Friday
Volunteers are always welcome, please leave your details with the School office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
