aspire 2016 - St Patrick`s Catholic Primary School, Lochinvar

ST PATRICK’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL LOCHINVAR
School web site: http://lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au
Admin email: admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au
SRC Blog Address: http://splsn.blogspot.com
Gregory Road, Lochinvar NSW 2321
Telephone: (02) 49307270 or 4930 7176
(answering service available)
Parish Mass Time 9.30 a.m. Sunday
Term 2, Week 2
Dear parents, caregivers and friends,
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
We have been blessed as a school community to welcome two new arrivals this year.
I’m sure you join with me in extending heartfelt congratulations!
Amber Deegan- Welcome to Ellis Deegan- born 20th January. Amber returned to Year 6
this week in a full time capacity. We thank Mrs Richards for her dedication to the class
during Term 1.
Chloe Williams- Welcome to Cali Ann Williams – born 19th April. Chloe is smitten
and revelling in her time with her beautiful bub.
Mrs Amy Shakespeare will begin her maternity leave next week. We wish her the best of health as she
counts down the days to her new arrival. Mrs Quinn will take responsibility for Year 4 White full time.
ANZAC DAY
Thank you to the many families who attended
Anzac Day services across the region. The local
service at Lochinvar was well attended with the
school leaders proudly representing our school.
ENROLMENTS FOR 2017
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2017 have now opened. If you have a child or know of
a child who will be seeking enrolment at St Patrick’s please make contact with the
school office to collect an enrolment package. You are encourage to return all
outstanding applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be held in June with enrolments confirmed
early Term 3.
WINTER UNIFORM
A reminder that full changeover to winter uniform is expected by Monday (9 th May). Your support is
greatly appreciated to maintain our very high uniform standard.
GIVE US A SIGN CAMPAIGN
St Patrick’s will join together with other organisations in support of
the Give Us A Sign project. This initiative emerged in 2015 out of
conversations within the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches in
the Hunter and Central Coast. Last year its focus was promoting
compassion for asylum seekers. In 2016 churches and Christian
organisations are asked to stand together to call for peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)
The troubles of our own times can appear overwhelming. In our
daily news we are bombarded with stories of war, terrorism, civil
unrest and violence. Many people in our own communities do not
feel any true sense of peace in themselves or in their homes.
We have been asked to post a message of peace on our
noticeboard for at least one day per week for the weeks during
the month of May.
Maddison Brooker and Breanna Wilmott are shown out the front of the school with this week’s sign.
CONGRATULATIONS
We recognise the efforts of our Year 5 students, Emily Mudford, Isabella
Eckford, Isabel O’Brien and Lilia McKellar who participated in the 2016
Writing Competition. The theme was Compassion. Each student
received a certificate of participation at Monday’s assembly.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Many of our teachers will be participating in a variety of Professional Development opportunities over the
term to strengthen skills in nominated areas.
These include:



Seven Steps to Writing Success
Assessment
Understanding changes to syllabus content,
along with visits to neighbouring schools to explore PBS structures which focuses on positive behaviours for learning.
NAPLAN
Please be advised that the National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be
conducted by students at St Patrick’s in Years 3 and 5 in May 2016.
The dates are as follows;
Tuesday
10th May
 Language Conventions
(Spelling, Punctuation and
Grammar)
 Writing
Wednesday
11th May
Reading
Thursday
12th May
Numeracy
Allocated catch up of
language and Writing
Allocated catch up of
Language and Writing and/or
Reading
Friday
13th May
School
Athletics
Carnival
You may note that the scheduled Athletics Carnival falls on Friday 13 th May which is usually the allocated
catch up day for students in Years 3 and 5 who have missed a test during the week due to absence. Where
necessary, students will be permitted to sit the nominated test on the afternoon of Wednesday or
Thursday to allow attendance at the carnival.
26 April 2016
AN OPEN LETTER TO PARENTS: NAPLAN 2016
Dear parents
As you know, the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will be held from
10 to 12 May 2016.
Now that the Australian Curriculum is being implemented in each state and territory, we’ve aligned NAPLAN to the
Australian Curriculum: English and the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. As such, NAPLAN should have less
impact on your child’s day-to-day learning, as the best preparation for NAPLAN is for students to continue learning
what they do every day in the classroom.
NAPLAN is an important tool for parents, educators and the public to see how Australia’s children are meeting
essential literacy and numeracy standards. It’s a point-in-time snapshot assessment of students’ achievements in
these important areas. It certainly doesn’t replace the important tests that are regularly held in classrooms around the
country. It simply complements existing tests and adds a valuable national dimension.
In August–September you’ll receive your child’s NAPLAN results. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your
child’s teacher, as they know your child’s learning best.
Some students may feel anxious about NAPLAN, but it’s up to the adults in children’s lives to help keep NAPLAN in
context. It’s a test that is only taken four times in a child’s schooling life – over three days, there are four tests that
take around one hour each. NAPLAN tests what students should already know from their everyday learning, and there
are no prizes or repercussions for doing well or not so well in the tests.
NAPLAN doesn’t test everything that happens in a classroom – it isn’t intended to – but it does look at the critically
important areas of literacy and numeracy – skills that your child will take with them to their adult life.
For more information about NAPLAN, including fact sheets, FAQs and examples of tests, please visit the NAP
website.
Best wishes
Robert Randall
You are invited to a special
Reconciliation Liturgy
to be held at
Sacred Heart Cathedral Newcastle
on
Thursday 26th May 2016
at 11am
Each year between May 27 and June 3, National Reconciliation Week is celebrated. This year’s theme
‘'Our History, Our Story, Our Future'’ invites everyone to be a part of the reconciliation journey, where
there are stories to celebrate and relationships to grow……..this journey is at the heart of our nation’s story
and its future.
On the 26th May the community of schools across the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle will gather at the
Sacred Heart Cathedral to pray for Reconciliation and celebrate indigenous culture. We recognise that May
26th and June 3rd are important dates in Australia's history.


May 27th marks the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum when Australians voted to remove
clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people.
June 3rd marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court recognised Native Title the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights over their lands did survive
British Colonisation.
This event will be presided over by Bishop William Wright. A special invitation is extended to all Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander students and their families/guardians.
I am currently looking at transport options to maximise our attendance.
CONGRATULATIONS
The following students have successfully progressed to the next level in their chosen
sport and will compete in the Polding Competition for the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle.

Claire Adams-Yr 4 Football (Soccer)
We wish our students continued success.
Wishing all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.
With Best Wishes,
Jacqui Wilkinson
Principal
St Patrick’s Primary School APP Information
I strongly suggest that you download our school app which is made by Arinum Solutions. Please follow
these steps;
1.
2.
3.
4.
Search for “St Patrick’s Primary School” on the app store on you device
Scroll through to find our school icon (our crest with a white background)
Download the app
Username: community Password: lochinvar2321
As with any app you need to log out and log back in regularly to refresh the app. Many people are not
doing this and the app isn’t refreshed with the new information.
OPAL CARD
Has your child got an Opal Card?
All children travelling to school via a bus need an Opal Card. If you have
not applied for one, you will need to do so immediately as Hunter Valley
Buses have made contact with St Patrick’s to say that children could be
fined for not having an Opal Card.
How do parents/students get a School Opal card?
For new applications or for students with changing circumstances, the parents, guardians or students over
16 years are required to fill in a form online at www.transportnsw.info/school-students
After filling in the online application they print it off and take it to the school to endorse. Transport for
NSW has the data online from the application and waits for the school to then endorse the application and
will mail the School Opal card to the applicant’s home address.
REBEL SPORT
Thank you to our parents who have nominated St Patrick’s
to receive voucher points when you shop at Rebel. We had
$464 to spend and we purchased kicking tees, soccer balls,
netballs, cricket kits, foam baseball sets and Zoingo Boingo
sets.
DIOCESAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT – Cathedral Street, Maitland
Sent home with students today is a brochure detailing the restoration of St John’s Church, Maitland. St
John’s holds a significant place in the history of the Diocese and members of the Diocesan Community are
being called on to provide support to repair and restore St John’s Church and the adjoining Bishop’s House.
Please consider lending your support. Contact Barry Urwin on 4979 1142 for further information.
ASPIRE 2016
There is great excitement in the five ensembles rehearsing and
preparing to showcase this year’s Aspire production, “There’s
something strange about Marvin McRae’. The preparations are in full
swing and now, we are pleased to announce that tickets are on sale for
purchase. The performance dates are as follows, and tickets are
available at the Civic Theatre or through Ticketek.
Thursday 4 August matinee at 11.00am
Friday 5 August matinee at 11.00am
Friday 5 August evening performance at 7.00pm
Saturday 6 August evening performance at 7.00pm
We are especially excited to have 2 of our Year 5 students performing
in Aspire this year. We congratulate Indianna Eckford and Ella
Schindler on their dedication and hard work, and wish them well as
they head towards the performance season. Year 5 students will
attend one of the matinee performances as a school group to cheer on
their classmates and celebrate their fine efforts.
For more information, please see the poster on the noticeboard
outside the staffroom and the flyers in the office area.
Scholastic Book Club 2016
Issue 3 booklets have been given out.
Orders to be done by midnight Friday 13th May
Don’t forget our school is now a LOOP school which means all orders need
to be done on-line, DO NOT send your orders into school.
Thank you. Aileen Reed (Teacher Librarian)
4 Blue and 4 White
During Term 1, 4 Blue and 4 White participated in our Wednesday fitness activities. The last two weeks of
Term 1 involved games of continuous cricket. The girls competed against the girls and the boys competed
against the boys.
P&F NEWS
Mother’s Day Stall:
The children all had fun and enjoyed shopping at the Mother’s Day Stall today. Thank
you to all our helpers who assisted us today. Your help and support is very much
appreciated by the P&F.
To all our St Patrick’s Mum’s we hope you enjoy your special gifts and have a
wonderful day with your families on Sunday.
Mother’s Day Liturgy & Morning Tea ~ Friday 6 May:
Please join us for a cuppa tomorrow morning following the Mother’s Day
Liturgy in the School Hall. Thank you to all our friends who have offered to
bake and help with the morning tea. Also thanks to Kelly Smith for your
assistance.
Canteen News:
We hope you’re all as excited as we are about the new Canteen menu. Julie has been busy with her new
recipes, preparing and cooking all the daily specials each day. The children have been enjoying the new
treats and fresh food. The fruit cups, hot chicken and gravy rolls as well as the curried sausages and rice
were very popular last Friday.
The Canteen menu has been downloaded onto the School App and copies have been sent home to all
families. There are additional copies of the menu available from the School’s office. The prices have
changed on some items and certain items are not available on Fridays. Slushies and ice blocks are not to be
ordered on lunch orders.
Volunteers are still needed for Term 2, as some days we have NO volunteers. Please give Julie a call on
0402 061 057, if your able to help out in Canteen. We need your support to operate our School Canteen.
To all the parents who have put in their forms and are helping out in Term 2 ~ thank you.
2nd Hand Uniform Shop:
The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop will be opened on Monday 9th and Monday 23rd during the month of May. We
will be open from 8.30 to 9.30am on these dates.
Thank you to all the parents who have donated uniforms this Term.
Sports Carnival ~ 13 May:
Our Sports Carnival will be held at Miller Park Branxton on Friday 13th May.
We will be having a small canteen operating on the day with cold drinks, chips and
confectionery. Also we will be cooking sausages on the BBQ so families and teachers
can enjoy a sausage sandwich for lunch. A coffee van will also be at the Park for hot
refreshments.
If you can help out on the day we welcome your support. We are planning a 30 minute shift roster from:
10.30 to 11.00am / 11.00 to 11.30am / 12.00 to 12.30pm/ 12.30 to 1.00pm / 1.00 to 1.30pm
If your able to help out during these times please contact Michelle Turner on 0409 324 522.
Winter Uniforms:
Patrick Lane of Ken Lanes Menswear has a full range of winter uniforms available now in store. Please call
in and see Patrick and his friendly staff with your uniform requirements and they will be happy to assist.
P&F Meeting ~ Wednesday 11th May:
Please join us for our next P&F Meeting on Wednesday 11 th May at 7.00pm in School Hall. All welcome.
Monday
9th May
Fiona Rowan
Michele Tobin
Monday
16h May
Ian Harvey
Volunteer Needed
CANTEEN ROSTER – T2 Week 3
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
10th May
11th May
12th May
Bonnie Lau
Mai Wel
CANTEEN
Renae Unicomb
Sara Meehan
CLOSED
CANTEEN ROSTER – T2 Week 4
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
th
th
17 May
18 May
19th May
Volunteer Needed
Kim Pankiw
Kate Cooper
CANTEEN
CLOSED
Friday
13th May
Athletics Carnival
Friday
20th May
Kristy Mason
Fiona Goddard
Emma Walker