14 October 2024

Term 4-Week 1

• Monday 14th October 2024
  
  • First Day of Term 4-Full Summer Uniform
  • Cuppa before Assembly from 8:30am in the Hall
    
  • Assembly led by KA @ 9:00am 
    
  • Kindergarten Information Evening 6pm -7.30pm in the Hall 
    
• Tuesday 15th October 2024
  
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @8.35am
  • PR Committee Meeting @ Recess
• Wednesday 16th October 2024
  
  • Guitar Group @ Recess
  • Digeridoo Group @ Lunch
    
• Thursday 17th October 2024
  • Prayer Gathering-The Rosary @9am in Hall (All welcome to join us in prayer)
    
  • Senior Band @ 7:50am - 8:50am
  • Junior Band @ Recess
    
• Friday 18th October 2024
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8:35am
  • PR Commitee Meeting @ Recess 
    

Term 4-Week 2

• Monday 21st October 2024
  
  • Cuppa before Assembly from 8:30am in the Hall
  • Assembly led by 4W @ 9:00am 
  • 1st Kindergarten Orientation 9.15am -10.45am -Library
    
• Tuesday 22nd October 2024
  • SRC Committee Meeting @ Recess
    
• Wednesday 23rd October 2024
  
  • Yr 6 Canberra excursion
    
• Thursday 24th October 2024

  • Yr 6 Canberra excursion

  • Prayer Gathering-The Rosary @9am in Hall (All welcome to join us in prayer)
    
• Friday 25th  October 2024
  • World Teachers Day
  • St Stanislaus College Yr 6 Orientation Day
  • Stage 3 Gymnastics - Weeks 1-4
    

2024 Important Dates

More important dates listed here 

For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars
for easy access on your phone or device

From the Principal

One of my favourite times in the school term is the week leading into our return to school. Not because of the lack of students, but because of the excitement and anticipation that fills the school. It is at this time that the staff work together to plan for the arrival of our students. I have likened it to an episode of the block. Everyone gets stuck in to ensure that everything is ready for the big reveal…the first day of term!

As we enter into our final term of the year I would like to take this time to thank all of the dedicated staff at Cathedral. It is true that throughout the holiday break many of our staff tap away at their computers while wearing their pyjamas, that they often wear tracky dacks and ugg boots to school and, that they have been known to congregate in the staffroom for lengthy periods of time sipping coffee and eating grapefruit whilst supervising their photocopying (fingers crossed that the paper doesn’t jam or that the toner doesn’t need replacing on their watch). 

While I would never begrudge any of them for taking a holiday break, I think that it is important to note that the holiday break for our staff is not only a time to refresh but it is also a time to organise and plan for the upcoming term. Cathedral has the most dedicated bunch of humans that I have ever come across. I would like to acknowledge this dedication and thank them not only for the time that they put into their work but the joy that they bring to Cathedral.

Camille da Silva Tavares   | Principal

Staffing

After a restructure of our office administration, we welcome Mrs Kerry Salsbury-Tait to the new position of Publicity and Administration Officer. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Mary Reece for her many years in administration at Cathedral. Mary’s organisation and diligence have been highly valued. We hope to invite Mary back to provide a fitting farewell throughout the term. 

This term we also welcome Mrs Katrina Whitehead to 1JV. Katrina is relieving Mrs Melissa Vickers who has begun her maternity leave. 

Afternoon Pick Up

In an effort to keep our students safe at pick up time, please read the following reminders: 

Walkers - Only students walking to a workplace or home should join the walkers. If you are picking your child up and you are parked across any nearby road, then you need to walk over to school to collect your child from the William St or George St collection point.

Teachers only escort students across the crossings on William, Keppel and George Sts. Students are then left to make their way home. Please ensure that your child has the knowledge of and ability to walk the safest route home before allowing them to cross busy streets. Please note that not all streets around the school have pedestrian crossings and our teachers do not escort students across these streets.

George St - If collecting students on the Geroge St exit, please walk to students who will be seated on the pavers for collection. Students are not allowed to meet you on the street. If parked on the opposite side of the road, please use the pedestrian crossing and do not cross in front of or behind buses.

William St - If collecting students on the William St exit, please collect students from the gate. If parked on the opposite side of the road please use the pedestrian crossing on William St.

Please hold your child’s hand when exiting the school grounds.

We thank you for supporting these procedures and for modelling safe and calm behaviours at pick up time.

Teaching and Learning

Welcome back to everyone to Term 4! 

We look forward to a positive and productive final term of the academic year.

Engagement & Communications

We encourage open communication and collaboration. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. Your feedback is crucial in helping us support your child’s education effectively.

• Compass- All permission notes will be sent out via Compass. If you want to contact your child’s teacher, it is best to email them through Compass. Any day that your child is absent, an absence note must be completed on Compass. You will only have 7 days to complete this and then it is recorded as an unexplained absence. 
• Newsletter- is a reference point for upcoming events and information. Available online and a link sent each week via Compass / Email.
• Community Google Calendar - details dates for important school events throughout the year. 
• Facebook- is used to showcase school achievements. 
• SeeSaw- is used to showcase student class work. 

SPB4L

We emphasise the importance of fostering a positive atmosphere within our school community. Encouraging your child to participate actively in school activities foster a constructive and holistic learning environment. Please check the SPB4L section in this newsletter for more information.

Learning Snapshot | Mathematics

A great way to engage with your children about their learning is with questions, discussions and the sharing of strategies that you utilise when solving mathematical questions. Please see below the exciting topics that our classes are covering to start the term. I hope that this helps spark some mathematical conversations at home!

Ashley Boylan   | Acting Assistant Principal

Religious Education & Catholic Life

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Luke 1:28

THE ROSARY ||

By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to certain devotion. The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, one of the best known of all Catholic devotions.

The Rosary draws its mysteries from the New Testament and is centered on the great events of the Incarnation and Redemption with each decade referring to an event in the life of Jesus and Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary give us “thumbnails” of the life of Christ and his Mother.

There are 4 Mysteries:

• The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from Saint Luke’s Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus’ childhood.
• The Luminous Mysteries bring a deeper understanding to the public life of Jesus. They fill in the blanks between the childhood of Jesus and His suffering and death on the cross.
• The Sorrowful Mysteries remind us of how much Jesus loves us. They recall how He suffered and died just for us.
• The Glorious Mysteries tell us what happened after Jesus died-His Resurrection, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the love Jesus had for his Mother.

If you would like to learn more about the Rosary. Please view this little clip >> The Rosary in 2 Minutes

What will Students do?

Over the three Thursdays in October, we will gather as a school community at 9am in our Mother Ignatius Croke Centre (school hall) to prayer a mystery of the Rosary. This special prayer event should be approximately 20-30 minutes. 

The students are welcome to bring their own Rosary beads if they own some, otherwise school will supply them with a set of beads to pray with. 

How can Parents/Family be involved? 

Parents, grandparents and community members are most welcome to join us in prayer. The three prayer times will be at 9am on  - Thursday 17th October, Thursday 24th October, and Thursday 31st October

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME ||

LAST OPPORTUNITIES to register for 2024 - Registrations for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. Please contact the Parish Office this week if possible if you wish for your child to receive one of the above mentioned Sacraments. NOTE: Confirmation enrolments have now ceased - students will now need to wait until 2025.

IN OUR PARISH
We are proud to be an important part of the Cathedral Parish of Ss Michael & John.   For information about our parish please click here. This includes Mass Times, Ministries, Sacraments and current edition and archived stories from the Catholic Observer and Parish Bulletin. 

Coming Up: 

Julia Baird  | Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Library

Welcome back! In the Library we are looking forward to another great term of borrowing, reading, learning research skills and sharing fantastic books together! 

The Library is open every day at recess for games, drawing and reading.

Please help your child remember their Library bag and books on their Library day.

Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

SPB4L - School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning

‘At Cathedral School, we are super learners’

As we begin a new school term, the staff of Cathedral School are excited to see our students continue to shine as super learners! By being respectful, responsible, safe, and kind, they create a positive and supportive environment for everyone. 

As a school community, let's work together to re-establish these expectations, ensuring a great term ahead where every student can thrive both in and out of the classroom. Keep up the amazing work!

Every morning this week, teachers will spend time reviewing and re-establishing our school expectations with the students. You might like to reference this poster with your child. 

🟢 SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS 🟢

All teachers review our school rules and shared behaviour expectations each morning as part of their daily routines. This consistent revision of our rules and expectations is aimed to help our students have successful days. 

All students are expected to follow our school rules and SPB4L universals/focus points as this helps our school to be a happy and safe place. 

🔴CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES 🔴

Negative behaviours impact the student’s learning, social interactions and wellbeing. Just like in real life, students need to learn that their are consequences to their choices.  

Students who continue to ignore expectations or teacher instructions will receive a re-teach aligned to the behaviour.

Julia Baird  | SPB4L Committee

Wellbeing

Crunch and Sip

Preparing and Storing Crunch & Sip

• Wash all fruit and veggies. Get the kids involved in this!
• Cut fruit and veg into easy-to-eat pieces
• Store fruit and veg in a sealed container
• Chill in an insulated lunch bag for extra crunchiness
• Include a spoon or fork for juicy fruit and veg like mango, avocado and melon. This will stop sticky fingers in the classroom.

Don’t forget a water bottle too! It is recommended that children drink 1.2-2 Litres of water a day. Each child is asked to have a water bottle at school.

SCHOOL HATS

Our school is a SunSmart School. This means we actively encourage and promote sun safety. We encourage the children to wear hats all year long to safely manage the average UV factor for our Australian climate. 

In Term One and Term Four SCHOOL HATS ARE COMPULSORY when the children are outside playing and participating in learning or physical activities. 

We ask that you support this school practice by helping locate your child’s school hat in anticipation for Term Four. It’s time to find those school hats, give them a wash and return them to school or pop them in bags ready for next term.

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

Sports

Diocesan Summer Sport Trials

Selections for the Summer Sports Trials will be finalised this week. 

Advance notice:

Students attending the trials must understand that they are trials and are there to provide a pathway to State and Nationals. Therefore, if selected, families make the commitment to continue along the pathway while ever the student is selected.

Further information regarding the event will be forthcoming from the CEDB, including instructions for parents who are required to register their child and pay the levy on the CSNSW Sport Portal. 

Consent is also required at a school level through the Compass Event Notification.

Community Sport Site
Our Diocesan sports coordinator Mr Steve Maguire has created a Community Sport Site (has reports from events) for parents, families & teachers which can be accessed to assist with Diocesan Sports pathways. You may like to bookmark this site for reference: https://sites.google.com/bth.catholic.edu.au/cedbsportcommunity/home

Louise Condon   | Sports Coordinator

Cathedral School Fleecy Sports Tops

Marietta’s now stock the new Cathedral School fleecy sports top. 
Price is $40.

Parents and Friends

 Cathedral School Parents & Friends 

Next P&F Meeting: Wednesday 6th November 5:30pm - School Library
Everyone is invited to attend our monthly P&F meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of each school month at 5:30pm in the Library.

There is NO PRESSURE to attend every meeting or volunteer bucketloads of time - the P&F is a great resource to keep track of what’s happening at school and connect with other parents, caregivers and school staff.   

For those who cannot attend in person, we have a zoom link, if you would like to join from home!

 https://bthcatholic.zoom.us/j62675200979?pwd=duYyV3M2MvdoTVVjclRKZE5jdnlMdzo9

ID:62675200979@zmau.us 

Password: 106688

School Fete 8th November 5pm- 8pm

If you would like to be part of the Fete Committee please reach out to 

Courtney- 0404 378 971 or Jodie 0417 656 452 

Keep an eye out for the Fete newsletter on a Thursday via compass to see how you can help

OPTIONAL SCHOOL JACKETS

 The Cathedral School logo is embroidered on the chest, the jackets are lightweight, windproof and water-resistant perfect for the cold weather. These optional school jackets are available to try on at the school office and ready to order via Flexischools under shop.

Please note: The optional jacket is NOT compulsory - All maroon/navy/black school jackets are also acceptable.

If you have any enquiries about our projects or would like to get involved, please email us at cathedralpandf@gmail.com

Melissa Bray   | P & F Publicity

Music

 Cathedral School Ensemble Times & Days:

• School Choir Tuesdays at 8:35am
• Guitar Group Wednesdays at Recess
• Concert Band Thursdays at 7:50am
• Junior Band Thursdays at Recess

If your child is interested in participating in any of these groups please feel free to contact me chris_dove_trumpet@hotmail.com

Chris Dove   | Band Director

Absences

Full Day Absence
Full Day absences (the Compass default time is 8:00am-5:00pm, please do not change this) are entered via the Compass App and Compass allows 7 days to add this.

Part Day Absences - Arriving Late or Early Departures
Complete this absence via the Compass Portal located in the School Office, when you bring your child to school late or collect your child early.
This information is recorded against your child’s attendance records and sent to your child’s teacher.

So that we can have your child ready for an early departure from school, please email your child’s teacher
(via Compass) the departure details.

School Calendar Handy Hints

For those who are not familiar with Google Calendar an easy way to keep up to date with the school calendar is to check the school website. Here is the link that will take you straight to the Calendar section of the site where the calendar can be displayed by month. If you click on the event more details (if confirmed) will be available for the event. 

Most end of year events and special celebrations have already been added to the calendar and all other events appear as soon as we can confirm the details.  Website Calendar Link

For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars for easy access
on your phone or device. Google School Calendar Link

Update your Details

Update your email, phone number, address, your child’s medical details or emergency contacts by emailing the information to cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au

Canteen

The Canteen is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

We are in need of helpers in the Canteen on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. 
For the canteen to run smoothly 3 volunteers are essential.

Please contact Alana Watson on 0417 044 116 if you would like to be included in the canteen roster,
any time offered is welcomed.

Thank you to all our friends and family for all your ongoing support of the Cathedral Canteen.

Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT

Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT

What works for your child and your family around wellbeing and learning?

Do you have a few minutes to share what works for your child around wellbeing and learning? A positive school experience shared is something we would like to hear. CSPA is listening so go ahead and tell us.

Scan the QR code or click on the survey link: https://bit.ly/3MQTXM4

Thank you from CSPA!

Community Notices

Bathurst Bus Lines - School Bus Tracking App
The school bus tracking app is available for parents to download on their phone and track their child's bus in real time.  This might alleviate some of the anxiety related to putting students on the bus. Please see instructions below.

Parents requiring any bus pass or general bus travel information are welcome to contact our office and we will be able to discuss their needs accordingly.

If you have any queries please contact us on 6331 2744

Kind regards,

Carolyn
Bathurst Bus Lines