What a busy week we have had! So much has happened in such a short time and it seems as though that will be the flavour for the remainder of the term. The Swimming Carnival last Wednesday was a resounding success. It was glorious weather, the students were enthusiastic and well behaved and everything ran according to schedule. The Information Sessions were generally well attended and our staff presented important and valuable information. We have our final Information Session for Year 10 next week and at this evening Hennessy Catholic College will speak briefly about Stage 6 (irrespective of future schools) and provide the supplies for a shared BBQ tea. Our 2020 Year 10 students attending Hennessy will also be invited along with their parents.

Today our Term One Fee statements will be sent out. Thank you to all our families who are financially committed to supporting our school so that we can continue to provide an outstanding education. If you have any queries about the fees please contact Mrs Deep at the Front Office. If at any time you need to discuss fees and/or a remission please make an appointment to see me at your earliest convenience.

Today a busy band of mothers provide invaluable assistance in preparing resources for our K-2 space and their InitiaLit program. It is so lovely to see parents back in the school and being an important part of their child’s learning. There are many different ways that you can be involved with the school. We are desperately seeking helpers at the canteen and with reading groups. Also if you can help out with the fete on 12 March then Nancy Smith and Sharon Williams would love to hear from you. We recognise the important role that parents play in the education and wellbeing of their child and we encourage parents/guardians to be involved as much as possible to support their child. We plan to reinstitute the community breakfasts in coming week and look forward to welcoming everyone back into our school space.

We continue to be informed and managed regarding current COVID protocols and despite the possibility of parents coming onto school grounds there are still expectations that students and staff take a COVID test if they display any symptoms and that parents can only transport their own child/ren to sporting or extra curricular events. If this changes I will inform the school community. We do encourage students to continue to practise positive COVID safe habits of handwashing and sanitising. Thank you again for your cooperation in this matter.

We are continuing to monitor closely attendance so that our students are given every opportunity to learn by being in the classroom. This also includes attendance at any school event like the Swimming Carnival, sport days and other activities beyond the classroom. It is a legal requirement that every absence is authorised by parents/guardians and see value in all students being physically present at whole school activities to help build community regardless of their sporting prowess or interest.

Tomorrow our Year 9 students depart for the sunny South Coast for the excursion to Tathra that was postponed due to COVID. Thank you to Ms Buchanan for her organisation and enthusiasm and Mr Mooney and Mr Alderman for joining our students. We pray that the travel, weather and behaviour will be kind to all. Looking forward to their reports in subsequent newsletter.

Yesterday our Primary swimmers travelled to West Wyalong for the Western Region Swimming Carnival. According to all reports a very successful day was had and our swimmers conducted themselves with distinction, smashing personal bests and winning ribbons. Thank you to Ms Van Kerk Oerle for her organisation and to the families who travelled to support the swimmers.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Mass at 10am. As Father Lolesio told our students this afternoon at the Burning Branches liturgy Lent is a “time to change ourselves”. Fr Kevin used to wish us a happy Lent because it is time to reflect on all we have been given and to be grateful. Please consider joining us for Mass tomorrow.

Words of wisdom from Dr Seuss: “Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get the chance, take it! If it changes your life, let it! Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it!”

Nicky Trinder

Principal

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday at Lunch Time (Week 4) we will be holding our annual Rice Day lunch. This lunch serves a twofold purpose. Ash Wednesday is traditionally a day of penance where we do an act of self-denial and offer this up to God. We are asking our students to forgo their usual lunch and buy a bowl of rice. The money from this day is given to the Mercy Works Foundation who support the needs of children in some of the poorest parts of our world. The lunch also provides the students with a sense of walking in the shoes of a child from a developing country who only gets one bowl of rice to eat for a day. This exercise in empathy also allows our students to recognise how blessed we are to have what we do – plenty of food, an education, freedom and safety. In 2017 Sr Frances Fitzpatrick and Sr Angela Jordan came and spoke to the students about what Mercy Works does around the world. They spoke about how through “Ordinary Means, Extraordinary Results” can happen. That even our small donations can make a difference.

Please support our Rice Day – a bowl of rice for $2. The tuckshop will be closed at lunchtime and no lunch orders will be available. Drinks however, will be available. If your child is unable to eat rice please notify his/her teacher in writing. If your child has particular nutritional needs, please follow their usual program. For our younger students – parents can use their discretion for their food intake.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Session 2: 18th February

Session 3: 25th February

Session 4: 4th March

Session 5: 11 March ( Twilight Retreat)

Twilight Retreat and First Reconciliation: 11th March 3.30pm - 6.30pm (shared supper)

Sacrament of First Eucharist Celebration: Sunday 14 March (11.00 Mass)

Sport News

Term 1 Week 4

It has been a fantastic start to the 2021 sporting year with our Swimming Carnival held last Wednesday. Congratulations to all students for their participation at the carnival. Thank you to our staff members and parents and carers who supported us throughout the day and abided by the necessary COVID regulations. 

We congratulate all teams for their efforts in the pool and also for encouraging their teammates. De La Salle received the Spirit Cup and Mercy were the overall swimming champions! 

The impressive lineup of new records from the carnival include: New Old

• Halle Johnson Junior Girls 50m Backstroke   41.28   (42.43)
• Halle Johnson Junior Girls 100m Freestyle 1:14.16 (1:16.24)
• Jake Harris Sub-Junior Boys 100m Freestyle 1:27.43 (1:29.15)
• Jake Harris 10 yr old Boys 50m Freestyle   36.88   (38.96)
• Tom Peacey Intermediate Boys 100m Breaststroke 1:33.66 (1:36.21)
• Evie Leahy Intermediate Girls 100m Breaststroke 1:34.37 (1:34.46)
• Zoe Lake 8 yr old Girls 50m Freestyle   48.06   (48.54)
• Mercy Intermediate Boys 4x100m Freestyle Relay 2:13.16 (2:31.31)
• De La Salle Intermediate Girls 4x100m Freestyle Relay 2:24.03 (2:34.10)
• De La Salle Junior Girls 4x100m Freestyle Relay 2:54.15 (2:58.58)

Congratulations to the Primary students who qualified for the Western Region Carnival and swam in West Wyalong yesterday Monday, 15th February. Results will be posted soon.

Secondary representatives will swim in Goulburn on March 2nd.

Swimming Photos

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FeaxfFcX-v7HC6QtnIPySj3LJ48dM4Z0?usp=sharing

Primary Sport

Please note that Primary students (Years 3-6) will be swimming on a Thursday for Sport in Weeks 4, 5 and 6. Week 5 is also the Triathlon. A note will  go home this week.

Primary Sport Dates

Secondary Sport

A note went home on the first day, outlining the dates booked for likely PE and Sport sessions at the pool. As with the nature of schools, these dates may need to change. Students will be notified of these changes via their ‘PDHPE’ and ‘Sport at SHC’ google classrooms and on their respective google calendars. Please read the note carefully and return the note to the front office as soon as possible. Change to payment method - The $30 was an approximate cost for all pool visits for the term. You do not need to pay $30 up front. Teachers will record when students attend the pool (including the Swimming Carnival and Triathlon events) and families will be invoiced at the end of the swimming season. If this is a concern to you please get in contact with Ms Withers as soon as possible.

Secondary Sport Dates

For further information, see Ms Withers or go to the CSNSW Sport website and/or the Canberra Goulburn Sport nominations page via the links above.

For school teams to go away to gala days and competitions, students must return their note and money by the due date to be eligible to attend the excursion.

As always, if you are concerned about anything to do with PE or Sport, please arrange a meeting or get in contact with me so we can work out a solution. We want everyone to be involved in all aspects of school life, to the best of their ability and feel good about their experience.

I can be contacted at megan.withers@cg.catholic.edu.au or on 02 69422612 during school hours. 

Regards

Megan Withers                                                  Wendy Van Kerk Oerle

(Secondary Sports Coordinator)                         (Primary Sports Coordinator)