21 October 2024

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
  • MacKillop College Yr 6 Orientation Day
  • Stage 3 Gymnastics - Weeks 1-4 

Term 4-Week 3

• Monday 28th October 2024
  
  • Cuppa before Assembly from 8:30am in the Hall
  • Assembly led by 2I @ 9:00am 
  • 2nd Kindergarten Orientation 9.15am -10.45am -Library
    
• Tuesday 29th October 2024
  • PR Committee Meeting @ Recess
    
• Wednesday 30th October 2024
  
  • Musica Viva 11am-3pm
• Thursday 31st October 2024

  • Instrument Testing Day-Yr 2

  • Prayer Gathering-The Rosary @9am in Hall (All welcome to join us in prayer)
    
• Friday 1st November 2024
  • Kindergarten Frozen Excursion-BMEC - 10am-12pm
  • Solemnity of All Saints Mass- Cathedral Church -  10am - All Welcome
  • 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

                                                                                   Todos, todos, todos

                                                                                               Pope Francis

Pronounced by Pope Francis in Portugal during World Youth Day 2023, the phrase “Todos, todos, todos…” (everyone, everyone, everyone…) has resonated in the hearts of many.

Building on this inclusive message, Pope Francis has recently published his World Mission Sunday message with a key theme from Matthew 22:09 of “Go and invite everyone to the banquet".

This message of inclusion raises the question of what unites us all and presents a valuable opportunity for growth and unity, as it requires everyone to open their hearts and minds to each other.

Guided by the Gospel, we can find answers to creating ways of inclusion and dialogue.

The Gospel is made to gather and not divide, to invite and not to exclude. This is the message Pope Francis shares, reminding everyone of the importance of sharing the Gospel and, above all, reaching out to all by inviting them to be part of the celebration we call “life,” as we all have a seat at the table. From Catholic Mission

This week in our church  we celebrated Mission Sunday. Pope Francis has extended our invitation (that was given to us by Jesus) to go out on mission. Often when we think of missionaries, we depict brave individuals taking the message of Christ to new lands. Whilst this is accurate still in our world today, it is important to remember that each of us is also called to mission. Our purpose is to take God’s love to others. To bring others into a relationship with Jesus. Catholic Mission and Pope Francis (along with most priests preaching over the weekend) have reminded us that we are called to transform hearts and minds so that others may be animated by the Spirit to live the, ‘Joy of the Gospel’.

As a Catholic school we are called not to create consumers of church but to grow missionary disciples. To animate ourselves, our community and especially our students to understand that through our baptism we are called not to acquire more but to give more, to create an inclusive community where all feel welcome.

As we approach the end  of the school year, we are challenged to balance the joys of celebration and thanksgiving with the joys of giving… of humble service. Mission month is an important time in our church and in our school to refocus on our call to give, to build and to include all.

Yesterday some members of our P&F joined together at school to organise, take stock and plan. This is a fitting time to thank them and all who volunteer in our school for their humble leadership. I have said on more than one occasion that I often pinch myself when I call to mind the generous community that exists at our school and encourage anyone looking to give of their time or to simply connect more deeply with their community to join our Parents and Friends (P&F) as they work to model the sentiment of Saint Oscar Romero, “Aspire not to have more, but to be more”.

Camille da Silva Tavares   | Principal

2025 Classes and Transition

Our teachers have worked hard to create balanced class lists for 2025. This has included the balance of students requiring support, extension and acknowledgement. Students will be notified of these classes on Friday 13th December right before their transition visits to their new classrooms and where possible with their new teachers. 

With the large number of staff on leave our arrangement of staff on classes will probably look quite different in 2025 and will not be finalised until later in the term. 

Please refrain from contacting teachers or the leadership team around class placements as we are unable to accommodate individual requests for teachers or placement of students with other students.

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

World Teachers' Day

As we approach World Teachers' Day on 25 October, I want to take a moment to recognize the dedication of all educators and support staff within our Cathedral School community. This day offers us a valuable opportunity to reflect on the hard work and commitment that shape the futures of our students. For more information and ways that  you might like to acknowledge the work of our staff, head to www.worldteachersday.edu.au

Eating Time & Areas

We are implementing minor adjustments to the eating areas for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 5 during lunch. Based on their Term 3 audit, the Year 6 Environment Committee has proposed changes to enhance safety, improve cleanliness, and reduce congestion between K-2 and 3-6 playtimes. These adjustments aim to create a more organised environment where all students can eat at tables. We appreciate the committee’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with staff and gather ideas to make Eating Time enjoyable for everyone.

Evidence of Learning

From Week 9 this term, student exercise books will start coming home. We encourage parents to consider the evidence of learning in today’s educational context, which extends beyond just exercise books. Tools like Google Apps for Education and SeeSaw, along with conversations at home, can help children make connections between their learning at school and at home. Engaging with these resources can enhance understanding and support visible learning.

Attendance

As we approach the end of the term, it's crucial to remember the importance of regular  and consistent student attendance.  Each day new concepts are being introduced, and consolidating existing content is essential for student understanding. Consistent attendance helps ensure that students do not miss vital learning opportunities that support their academic growth.

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

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

In celebration of World Teachers' Day this Friday 25th October, we take a moment to acknowledge the incredible dedication and passion of our teaching staff. Every day, they go above and beyond to shape bright minds and kind hearts, guiding our students with patience, wisdom, and unwavering support. Whether they're sparking curiosity in the classroom, offering a listening ear, or inspiring confidence in new challenges, our teachers are the heart of our school community.

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.

PARISH RETREAT

Attached  to the newsletter is a flyer for the upcoming Parish Retreat Week (Week 3). You are invited to participate in any and/or all of the events as members of our Parish.  The Parish Retreat Week is planned for 28th October-2nd November. 

The retreat is being led by Fr Hugh Thomas, a Redemptorist priest, with close to 40 years involvement in the healing ministry will be giving talks across the whole week. There will also be Adoration in the Presbytery Chapel from 6am-10pm each day during Oct 28-Nov 2.  Please sign up: https://signup.com/go/JKUkNKO 

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

Awards

Library

This term all classes are learning research skills in various topics using nonfiction texts. Nonfiction texts contain facts and information. Children are taught how to find and put information into their own words, how to organise information and in the older classes how to cite their references.

Each grade is learning about different topics in their Library lessons in Term 4.

Kindergarten - Tigers

Year 1 - Chickens

Year 2 - Insects

Year 3 - Space

Year 4 - Wool production

Year 5 - Rainforest animals

Year 6 - Australian War Memorial and Australian Soldiers

Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

SPB4L - School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning

‘At Cathedral School, we are super learners’

As we continue into the new school term, we continue to work together to re-establish these expectations, ensuring a great term ahead where every student can thrive both in and out of the classroom. 

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. 

This week in the afternoon’s, the students will be encouraged to spend two minutes reflecting on their day and if they have been a super learner. Students will be encouraged to strive each day to do the best they can. 

As parents, you might like to check your child’s bag for their self-reflection and have a  discussion with your child about their day - What was something positive about your day? What is something you can do better tomorrow? 

The self-reflection is designed to reinforce positive Behaviours for Learning and classroom behaviour, while also encouraging improvement, ultimately enhancing and maximising learning time for all.

Julia Baird  | SPB4L Committee

Wellbeing

Let’s celebrate our teachers and thank them for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower learners at Cathedral School!

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

Sports

Diocesan Summer Sport Trials

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Cathedral School at the Summer Sports Trials for 2024.

Cricket                                    Softball                              Tennis

Kutlwano                               Carter                                  Zara 

                                                                                                  Harrison                                         

Touch (girls)                        Basketball (boys)

Breanna                                  Harryson 

Grace                                        Harrison

Molly                                        Samson

Emilia                                       Henry 

Isabella                                                                                                            

These students will now represent Cathedral Catholic Primary School in the summer sport selection trials to be held in Dubbo on the following dates:

 Touch, Softball & Cricket - Thursday 14th November 2024 - Dubbo

 Tennis & Basketball - Friday 15th November  2024 - Dubbo

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

School Student Travel

2024 Youth Arts Awards

Bathurst Regional Council writes to inform that nominations are now open for the 2024 Youth Arts Award.

 The Bathurst Youth Arts award recognises outstanding young creative individuals from the age of 12 to 18, who live in the Bathurst Regional Council area and who have distinguished themselves in their particular area of the arts. This award will be presented at the Australia Day Awards ceremony on Sunday 26 January 2025.

Nominations can be made via Council’s website: https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Council/Awards-Recognition

 Nominations close Friday 6 December.

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.

Volunteer for the Fete

As you know, fundraisers are not a success without volunteers. And here is where you come into help us on the night !!! We have several stalls that require volunteers from our community to help. It’s not all night (unless you want to) but we do have time slots to suit everyone.Grab your friends, Click on this link or use this QR code and volunteer for a time slot that suits you. All stalls are easy to run and come with everything you need.https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/5610932860105/false#/invitation

Cathedral School Fete 2024SignUp.com makes it easy to coordinate school events & classroom activities, fundraisers, snack schedules, potlucks & more!signup.com

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