Week 2, Term 2 2021 - 27th April 2021

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

ANZAC Day March
Many thanks to the students, staff and families that marched in the ANZAC Parade on Sunday. We had over 160 students in attendance to commemorate this special national day of remembrance.

Public Holiday
Please note that next Monday, 3^rd May is the Labour Day public holiday. 

Mr Rose – Long Service Leave
Please note that next week, (4^th - 7^th May), I will be on Long Service Leave.  In my absence, Mrs Leotta will be Acting Principal.  If you have any queries during this time, please make a time to see Mrs Leotta.

Pick up of students
A reminder to all families about our student pick up/collection procedure.  If your child is being collected from school by someone other than a parent or their emergency contact, the school office is to be notified of this change.  I thank all families for ensuring that this occurs.

Reconciliation Sacrament
Congratulations to the students who received the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time last Wednesday at St Mary's Church.  Thank you to Mrs Leotta, Mrs Burchill, Mrs Eva and Mrs Kaddatz for their effort and time in preparing these children for this important sacrament. 

Uniform Reminders
With the cooler weather nearly upon us, it is timely to remind parents about our uniform and hairstyle expectations upon return to school.  Some important areas to note include;

• Students are to wear plain black footwear (formal shoes or joggers).

Please note that appropriate footwear can be purchased from many retailers in Mackay, including; Lowes, Athletes Foot and Intersport.

• No coloured nail polish or acrylic nails.
• Boys hair styles. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes or past the collar. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school (e.g. no tracks, rat’s tails, mo-hawks, top knots, hair no shorter than gauge 2 or undercuts that have a large variance between length).
• Girls hair styles. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes. Girls with shoulder or longer length hair must have it tied back. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school. Hair accessories should be minimal and must be in colours of navy, blue or white.
• Boys winter items. Navy school jumper/jacket with school badge on left side. Navy track pants.
• Girls winter items. Navy school jumper/jacket with school badge on left side. Navy stockings or tracksuit pants

Our students demonstrate pride in St Mary’s school by the way they wear their uniform correctly.  Parents, please note that we have a lot of good quality used uniforms in the school office at low cost.  From next week, an infringement letter may be sent home to notify parents of any areas that need to be addressed.   If you have any queries about this, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Quote of the Week

Curriculum News - Belinda Battaia

NAPLAN Online Update

Assessment Window:  11th – 20th May 2021

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN assesses skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum. NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type test, but rather shows how students are progressing in numeracy and literacy skills against national standards for all Australian children. NAPLAN tests fundamental skills rather than specific content, and as such is not a test for which students can study or drill.  It is important to remember that the NAPLAN tests and report is only ONE aspect of the school's assessment and reporting process, and does not replace the more extensive and informed judgements made about your child by their teachers. 

Our year 3 and 5 students will undertake NAPLAN testing online, with the exception of year 3 writing which will be done on paper. The assessment schedule for NAPLAN online has been finalised and can be found below:

The tests are taken in a specific order: Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. Should a student be absent for a test, on their return to school they will complete any missed tests in the required order. Examples of the questions and key features of NAPLAN online can be found on the NAPLAN public demonstration site.

The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.

If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN please contact me or your child’s teacher.

Belinda Battaia
(Assistant Principal: Curriculum)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about support provided to students with a disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

•      year of schooling
•      category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
•      level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching 
       practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

•     formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in
      schools
•     consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
•    develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to 
     improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal.

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school. 

Mrs Belinda Battaia
(Assistant Principal: Curriculum)

MJR-Making Jesus Real Sessions

On Friday our MJR sessions will begin. All students will be involved in peer group sessions where they learn the skills for getting along and living by the example of Jesus Christ.

Our Yr 6 students will lead the groups under the direction of classroom teachers.

Mrs Terri Leotta
APRE/Teacher

Flu Season Reminder

As you are aware every year Queensland experiences an influenza or flu season. As we enter this season it is timely to remind parents and care-givers not to be complacent about flu. Queensland Health advises that where possible, people need to be vaccinated for the flu every year.

Flu is a virus more serious than the common cold and can be spread through talking, coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include sudden fever, dry cough, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headache, sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose.

If your child has flu-like symptoms, the following is advised:

• Keep your child home from school;
• Ensure your child washes their hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser gel;
• Encourage your children when coughing or sneezing, to cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues which should be disposed of immediately;
• Ensure they drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest;
• Consult your doctor if you are concerned about their symptoms.

Queensland Health Guidelines advise that individuals displaying flu like symptoms should  stay at home until such symptoms have passed (normally 5-7 days). 

Families should also reinforce the recommended protective actions listed above.

Increased awareness and ongoing attention to prevention and control measures, such as vaccination and good hygiene, are steps that we can all promote to reduce the impact of influenza.

Sport News

Last term we had three students selected in Capricornia School sport teams.

Congratulations to Alexis Kavanagh on her selection in the U12 Capricornia Netball side and Evie Clarendon and Matthew Davies on their selection in the Capricornia Hockey sides. The 3 students will play at the State Titles for their sports during this term.

Mrs Caroline Kerrisk
HPE Teacher

St Mary's Trivia Night

Mother's Day - Sunday 8th May

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Spoil your Mum with a gift from our P&F Mother's Day Stall. See below for more details.

Student of the Week

WEEK 1 TERM 2 STUDENT AWARD WINNERS

Community News