Term 1 Week 2 2016 - St Finbar`s Primary, Glenbrook

St Finbar’s Primary School
Levy Street, Glenbrook, 2773 P.O. Box 187, Glenbrook, 2773
Phone: 4739 1796
Fax: 4739 8153
www.stfinbarsglenbrook.catholic.edu.au
School Principal: Ms Donna McFadzean
Parish Administrator: Fr Jolly Chacko MS
School Community Newsletter
Edition 1
3rd February, 2016
The Year of Mercy
Dear St Finbar’s Community
Welcome back to the new school year. I hope your children are as excited to be back as the staff
are. We have enjoyed two very productive days and much work has gone into MAI assessments
(Mathematical Understanding Assessments).
Detailed analysis of the MAI will take place over the next couple of weeks so that we can personalise
the learning path for each student at St Finbar’s. The students will also be involved in Literacy
assessments to determine comprehension levels and the learning path required in Literacy for each
student.
In the following week we will send home a “Learning Styles Indicator” questionnaire which you will
have an opportunity to discuss with your child’s teacher at our “Family Learning Conferences”
interviews. You will be able to set learning goals collaboratively with your child and their
teacher. One of the most important outcomes from the questionnaires is that it enables us to use
another avenue of communication with parents. A strong working relationship built on excellent
communication between home and school is a key feature of an outstanding school. My door is
always open so if you would like to discuss a concern or celebrate an achievement you are welcome
to pop in for a chat. You can make an appointment through the school office at any time.
Jubilee Year of Mercy
The Jubilee of Mercy began when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica on 8
December 2015 (the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council) and concludes
when he closes that same door on 20 November 2016.
Pope Francis says, "We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of
joy, serenity, and peace. Our salvation depends on it. Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of
the Most Holy Trinity. Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us.
Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the
eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man,
opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.
At times we are called to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may become a more
effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives. For this reason I have proclaimed an Extraordinary
Jubilee of Mercy as a special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow
stronger and more effective. The motto for the year, Merciful like the Father, serves as an invitation
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to follow the merciful example of God who asks us not to judge or condemn but to offer love and
forgiveness instead.
Welcome
We welcome all our new members of our community. We welcome Mrs Natalie Platt (Year 2
Classroom Teacher and Numeracy Coordinator), Mr Ben Ticehurst (Year 4 Classroom Teacher, LTST
and Special Projects Coordinator, Mrs Lisa Samojlowicz (Assistant Principal/Reading Recovery
Teacher, Literacy Support Teacher) and Ms Kiyoka Kubo (Japanese Teacher). As well as our new
Kinder children and their families, we also welcome the Bragg, Cameron, Wade, Richards, Waring
and Nicklaus families to St Finbar’s in 2016.
School Uniform
All the pupils look very smart in their school uniform and shiny black shoes. We are very proud that
pupils take such a pride in their appearance and love to be good ambassadors for our school. Can I
remind you that we ask for all uniforms to be clearly named so that they can be easily identified and
to avoid them getting lost. Losing newly purchased uniforms can be very frustrating and costly for
both pupils and parents.
Calendar
We are sending home the calendar of school events to help you to be organised for the forthcoming
term. We will of course try to avoid changing these dates unless it is completely unavoidable. Event
dates will also be on the calendar on the school website. This will be updated regularly so please
keep an eye out for any changes. Our other major system of communication is the Skoolbag
App. We ask that each family has this app downloaded so that you are able to have the most up to
date information.
With my best wishes for an enjoyable and productive Term and through working in partnership with
you all for the good of all of our children and the community, we can take St Finbar’s Primary School
from strength to strength.
Yours In Christ
Donna McFadzean
***********************************
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT – Tuesday February 9th – Children welcome
6.30 - 7.15
S1 and S3
7.15 - 7.45
Whole Community
7.45 - 8.30
ES1 and S2
Stage
Days for Sports Uniforms
ES1
Wednesday, Friday
S1
Thursday and Friday
S2
Friday
S3
Monday & Friday
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From the Assistant Principal
Welcome back to the 2016 school year. We have seen many excited faces as the children arrived to
start the new academic year. To all our families we offer the warmest of welcomes and a special
welcome to our new families.
We all know that children receive the best education when parents and
teachers work as a team. Parents’ enthusiasm, support and
involvement are integral to the success of our school as are the skills,
dedication and professionalism of teachers. Together, staff and parents
can provide educational excellence for every student, so that they can
achieve their personal best. Positive reinforcement will help children to
adopt an enthusiastic attitude towards their learning.
As parents and partners in your child’s education I encourage you to work alongside the talented,
dedicated and professional staff here at St Finbar’s as they provide and facilitate opportunities for
your child to grow to their full potential. Your support is appreciated and is an integral part of the
success of St Finbar’s.
A few general reminders:
School attendance
It is a Board of Studies requirement that all absences
must be explained by parents. Class rolls are legal documents
and are maintained by class teachers and checked regularly by
auditors. Unexplained absences will be followed up.
Children arriving to school late or being picked up early
must be signed in or out by a parent/guardian at the office.
Attendance at school can be a predictor of long term
success. We will be monitoring all absences very closely
to ensure all children are at school for the maximum time.
Hats
All children need to have a school hat to be worn before school, morning tea, lunch, after school and
for any outside lessons.
Parent Helpers
Throughout the year we need your help for various school
events: excursions, sporting events, sports carnivals, canteen
and as helpers in the classroom. To be a helper at St Finbar’s all
persons over the age of 16 must complete the following every
two years:
 Complete online Child Protection Module –
http://childprotection.parra.catholic.edu.au/childprotection-training
 Complete declaration
I am looking forward to working with our wonderful school community at St Finbar’s. Please feel free
to come and see me throughout the year.
God Bless,
Lisa Samojlowicz
Assistant Principal
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CHILDREN’S PARISH YOUTH CHOIR
Does your child love to sing? The Parish Youth Choir are looking for new members. Rehearsals take
place each Thursday straight after school in the Church. The children have some afternoon tea and a
bit of a play and then they begin their rehearsal. Rehearsals conclude at 4.30pm. The choir is open
to girls and boys in grades 3 to 6. The only criteria is that they love singing. The choir lead the
singing once a month on the 4th Sunday at the 9.30am Mass. Mary Lopez (Choir Teacher) would
love to have 20+ students for the choir.
SCHOOL BANKING
Our school banking day is every Tuesday. Lots of new prizes to be collected after 10 deposits are
made. Enquire at your local Commonwealth Bank to open a new Student account.
BUS TRAVEL
A recommendation from the Bus Company as we start the new school year. The bus company can
no longer look up a name and be able to call parents if a child is lost, gets on the wrong bus or
misses a stop, it is suggested that an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number be written on the inside of
their bag, to save any anxiety.
*****************************************************
COMMUNITY NEWS
Blue Mountains Junior Rugby Union are running a series of ‘Come and Try Rugby’ skills sessions for
6-12 y.o. The sessions will be run at Lapstone Oval.
For more information www.bluemountainsjuniorrugby.net email: bluetonguerugby@yahoo.com.au
OLMC Parramatta Open Day
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta warmly invites you to its 2016 Open Day on Sunday, February
28 from 10am – 2.00pm. Principal’s welcome at 10.00am and 12.00 noon.
Discover why a Mercy Education is treasured for life.
Reservations can be made by visiting www.olmc.nsw.edu.au or phone 9683 3300 to obtain further
information.
St Finbar's Netball Club
We are currently taking registrations for the 2016 Winter Competition. Players from Under 8's to
Seniors are welcome.
Please register at mynetball.com.au or follow the link from our
websitewww.stfinbarsnc.nsw.netball.com.au
For all enquiries please contact our Registrar, Jodie Eisenhuth, on 0417 771 673
St Finbar Youth Mass is back! This Sunday 7th February 6pm.
A massive thank you to Fr Bob Anderson who has agreed to hang around and say this Mass for us
while Fr Jolly is away.
Edge Youth Group 5pm for all primary school aged children - will be a Star Wars themed social hour
and introduction to our theme for the year of Mercy. This youth group will only be held on the 1st
Sunday of each month so don't miss out.
Lounge Youth Group 7:30 for all high school students - will continue to run on the 1st AND 3rd
Sundays of the month. There will be a big welcome for all those in year 7 this year.
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The youth leaders (well most of them) have had a relax and some team building fun over the
summer (see photo). They are awakened, pumped and ready for a big year!
We hope to see everyone on Sunday - it would be a really nice way to show our appreciation to Fr
Bob to see you all there.
St Finbar Youth Team
Art Classes for kids opening in 2016!
Using a range of materials and
inspired by art history, students will
make 2D and 3D artworks.
$140\$120 for 8 weeks during school
term. Various locations around Emu
Plains. Tue morning Tots (3-5 years
old with a carer), Wed afternoon (5-10
years old) and Sat morning (5-10 years
old).
Contact:
Na’ama
Atzmon-Simon
0413-694-030
naama@reach4
stars.com.au
www.reach4stars
.com.au
ONLINE NEWSLETTER / SKOOL BAG APP
Would you like a copy of our Newsletter emailed to you so that you can ensure you remain
up to date with what is happening at St Finbar’s? If you do then you can leave your email
details on our School Website and you will be added to our mailing list.
Here’s How: On the front page of our School Website
(http://www.stfinbarsglenbrook.catholic.edu.au is a link titled “Subscribe to our Newsletter
leave your name and email details. These will be added to our group mailing list and you will
then be sent a copy of our Newsletter fortnightly.
The other way that you can obtain an electronic copy of the Newsletter is via the Skoolbag
App.
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In order to clarify exactly what the uniform policy at St Finbar’s is,
we are providing pictures and a brief explanation of our uniform
code.
Summer Uniform
Girls
Summer dress with navy blue socks
Boys
Grey shorts and short sleeved blue logoed shirt
School jacket can be worn all year round by both boys and girls
Winter Uniform
Girls
Winter culottes with the short sleeved, (girls) logoed blouse
or
Winter pinafore with the long sleeved, pale blue, blouse and
maroon tab tie
Navy blue tights, black shoes
Long hair neatly tied back, shoulder length hair can be worn out
Boys
Long grey pants with the short sleeved blue logoed shirt or long
sleeved blue logoed shirt
Black shoes
St Finbar’s Primary, Glenbrook
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Term 1 at a Glance
We live by our School Motto:
Living our faith in daily life,
Seeking truth in our relationships
and building our knowledge
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week
3
8th
Assembly
2.10pm
Parish Hall.
9th
Parish Mass
Yr 5 - 9.00
Parent
Information
Night – see
newsletter for
details
10th
Ash Wednesday
Mass 9.15am
11th
12th
13th
14th
Week
4
15th
16th
Welcoming
Mass
Time: TBC
17th
P & F Meeting
7pm
18th
19th
20th
21st
Week
5
22nd
Nepean Zone
Swimming
Carnival
23rd
Parish Mass
9.00am Yr 4
24th
25th
26th
27th
28th
Week
6
29th
Assembly
2.10pm –
Parish Hall
DATES in ADVANCE
Staff Development Day: Term 2: 27/04/2016
Staff Development Day: Term 3: 19/07/2016
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